You don’t have to wait for October to celebrate all things Oktoberfest. There are lots of German-themed fall festivals already underway in celebration of Oktoberfest.
August 26 – November 5
Oktoberfest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
This German heritage festival is a new fall tradition filled with authentic fare and a large selection of seasonal craft lagers and beers from around the world, including the Gutentag One Man Band.
September 9
Rocktoberfest
Taylor Park, Short Hills
There will be four performance spaces so that more than 30 bands can perform, plus arts, and activities, food and entertainment. The streets will be blocked off for folk/rhythm/blues/world music, plus Little Explorers, a games and vendor expo geared towards young families sponsored by Explore Millburn. The Taylor Park Rose Garden will have low-sensory acoustic music. There will also be children’s entertainment as well as a beer garden, food and shopping.
September 15 – October 8 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays)
Oktoberfest
Morey’s Piers, Wildwood
The German-style activities and food include keg tapping, a stein holding contest, a Muddy Schnitzel Family Fun Run, German bands on stage and strolling throughout the fair, authentic German food and beer, and a hotel-ride package at the four Morey’s resorts.
September 16
OktoBEARfest
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
This exclusive after-hours night for grown-ups includes a Bavarian Beer Hall with more than 100 seasonal craft beers and ciders to sample, live music from local DJs and Polka band Polkadelphia, a beer stein-holding and pretzel-eating competition, plus all your favorite animal exhibits.
September 16-17
Oktoberfest
Mountain Creek, Vernon
Start off with authentic German foods like Schweinshaxe, sliced sauerbraten sandwiches, grilled bratwurst and potato pancakes. If you’re of age, wash it down with over 10 varieties of German and domestic beers, cider, seltzer and canned cocktails, plus wine and liquor. Adults can participate in lawn games like the stein holding and pie eating contests, lumberjack contest, hay bale toss and wife carrying relay, or battle it out in a classic sack race; while kids enjoy petting zoos, bounce houses and face painting. You can take free sky rides on the Mountain Creek lift or ride the Mountain Coaster.
September 22
Oktoberfest Golf Outing
Picatinny Arsenal Golf Club, Dover
The golf outing is open to the public; there will be 18 craft and German beer tastings during your round. After you put your clubs away, stay for food, drinks and live music. Lunch and a German buffet dinner will be served.
September 23
Leonia Oktoberfest
Wood Park, Leonia
The Rotary Club of Palisades puts on this fundraiser to benefit the Weekend Snack Pack Program and other charities. There will be a beer garden, live music, authentic German food and a photo booth.
September 23-24
Chester Lions Oktoberfest Weekend and Car Show
Chubb Park, Chester
There will be many craft beers and authentic German cuisine, including bratwursts, kielbasa, chicken schnitzel, potato pancakes, sauerkraut and more. Kid-friendly options like hot dogs and giant soft pretzels will be available. Live music and dancing will be happening all weekend, and there are plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained.
September 28Â – October 1
Belftoberfest
Belford Brewing Company, Belford section of Middletown Twp.
This is the 10th anniversary of this German-style showcase of seasonal beers and 16+ Jersey Fresh craft beers on tap, plus the brewery’s regular menu. German-style music from Jingleheimer is on Friday night, and Lucky 5 Oktoberfest Band will be Saturday afternoon. Stein holding competitions will be held throughout the weekend with prizes awarded to the winners, and corn hole games take place behind the brewery. Local restaurants are creating menus with a German twist, so bring in food to the tap room.
September 29 – October 1
Hackettstown Oktoberfest
Downtown Hackettstown: Grand Avenue, Main Street, Valentine Street
Kick off Oktoberfest weekend on Friday with a beer tapping at Grand Ave Tavern. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be street fair-style events, kids’ activities, non-alcohol-related activities, music, craft vendors, live music, food and more.
September 30
Red Bank RiverFest Oktoberfest
Two River Theater Plaza, Red Bank
The first-ever Red Bank Oktoberfest will be a sampling event, meaning that for one ticket price, you’ll be able to sample from all of the Monmouth-based brewers, distillers and wineries on site. Note: This was rescheduled from September 24.
October 1
Oktoberfest
West Main Street, Freehold
There will be a beer garden with tables, chairs, games, vendors and food. Entertainment will be Swedish Meatballs in the beer garden, WCT Band on the main stage, and Turnstyles on the main stage.
October 7
Oktoberfest
Veterans Park, Highlands
Authentic German food, live music, dancing and other entertainment will be part of this free, family-friendly celebration. There will be live Oompah, and polka music performed by the Dance Hall Detour. Bahrs Landing Restaurant will prepare bratwurst, knockwurst, kraut, potato pancakes, goulash, sauerbraten and Bavarian noodles. Wash that down with light and dark Oktoberfest beers. Enter the Best Dressed or Beer Stein Holding contests. Visit the craft vendor booths.
October 7-8
Oktoberfest
Village Greene, Historic Smithville
There will be over 100 juried crafters, an international food court, music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations, and more. All of this is in addition to 50 shops, seven eateries, a carousel ride, train ride, paddle boats, arcade, on-site lodging at the Colonial Inn and more than 26 free weekend events.
October 8
Oktoberfest
George Street, New Brunswick
Dress up in your best dirndl or lederhosen and enter the stein-holding contest. Sample many craft brews and German beers while eating local and traditional food. The music lineup features performances from a broad mix for all age groups, including traditional German music.
October 14-15
OctoberFeast
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Food featured in the OctoberFeast garden will include bratwurst, frankfurters, currywurst, Schnitzelwich, kartoffelpuffer, German potato pancakes, and spaetzle. Entertainment includes the Philadelphia German Brass Band, the Galena Brass Band, and the GTV Almrausch German dancers. There will be a beer garden. Activities will include axe throwing for adults; for children there will be pony rides, pumpkin painting, face painting, a bounce house, sand art, lawn games, and more.
October 15
Hamilton Township’s Oktoberfest
Veterans Park South Side (Kuser Road entrance), Hamilton Twp.
There will be food, music and vendors to celebrate the season.
Read More:
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