Photo source: Instagram / brauhausschmitz
The fall calendar will not be complete without the annual Oktoberfest in Philadelphia, featuring German beer, bratwurst, polka music, and traditional festivities. It is a two-and-a-half-week German beer festival beginning in mid-September and running into October. Traditionally, Oktoberfest ends on the first Sunday in October and begins 16 days prior.
The family-friendly festival, inspired by the annual celebration in Munich, Germany, brings together Bavarian traditions like stein-holding contests and traditional dancing. Now in its 17th year, the annual event is back and bigger than ever for 2025.
Its rich history dates back to October 12, 1810, as a celebration of the marriage of the Bavarian Crown Prince, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
The festival, which concluded five days later with a horse race held in an open area that became known as Theresienwiese (“Therese’s green”), evolved significantly over time, incorporating a state agricultural fair. In 1818, booths serving food and drink were introduced.
Though it originally started in October, the festival moved to the last two weeks of September for weather reasons during the 1870s.
The festival featuring parades with beer wagons, people in folk costumes, games, rides, music, and dancing officially begins when Munich’s mayor taps the first keg. About 2 million gallons of beer are consumed during the festival.
Since then, Oktoberfest has come to be an extravagant beer and folk festival, gaining popularity and spreading globally, particularly to cities with significant German American populations like Philadelphia. These cities model their celebrations after the original in Munich, and Philly knows just how to do it right. From frothy beer steins and sizzling bratwursts to lovely decorations and traditional dresses, it is a memorable festival that blends German tradition with Philly’s own lively flair.
What Foods and Drinks are Available at Oktoberfest?
As some are welcoming the fall season with pumpkin spice lattes and apple picking, others are celebrating with beer, Bavarian pretzels, and dirndls. While the beer remains the star of the festival, the food is another essential ingredient that makes the festivities even more alluring.
With events throughout the City of Brotherly Love, get ready for plenty of beer to be poured, pretzels to be eaten, and one last Oompa and Ein Prosit to close the season.
Here are some of the authentic German foods and drinks you can expect to find at the Oktoberfest celebration.
The Beer
One sure thing at Oktoberfest is that everyone is drinking German lagers and local craft versions. These are called Oktoberfestbiers.
Märzen: This German malty lager with an amber or deep orange color is the traditional, authentic Oktoberfest beer. Märzen (meaning March in German) comes from the fact that it was historically brewed in March and then stored/lagered until the fall, when it was drunk at the autumn festival.
Festbier: Another beer drunk during Oktoberfest, it is a slightly lighter, gold-colored lager that slowly overtook Märzens and the darker, maltier styles as the crowd favorite. In Philly, this bright, crisp style can be offered alongside the darker Märzen.
The Food
When you drink beer, you also need to ensure your stomach is filled with hearty food so you can retain your stamina. Your Oktoberfest experience is not complete without trying out at least one traditional German dish. The food is deliberately heavy, salty, rich, and incredibly tasty, perfect for immersing in authentic flavors and a true taste of Bavarian culture.
Image: Freepik
Brezen (Giant Pretzels): These are not your average snack; they are huge, thick, and salty. They’re just pure bread with a dark, crackled, salted crust, and are often enjoyed with sweet mustard or Obatzda (a rich Bavarian cheese spread) or butter spread on top for extra flavor.
Hendl (Roast chicken): Freshly grilled at the Oktoberfest and seasoned with different spices, this dish is something to be desired. It is one of the most popular meals at the festival and can be eaten alongside a potato salad.
Schweinhaxen (Pork knuckle): This big hunk of pork, located on the joint of two bones, is usually marinated and roasted and served in a pool of gravy with Knödel (famous Bavarian boiled dumpling with a strange, yet addictive chewy texture).
Bratwurst (German sausage): This famous pork sausage, often cooked on a grill for extra flavor, can be served on a roll (Brötchen) or on a plate with potato salad.
Käsespätzle (German mac and cheese): Often compared with the American Mac and Cheese, it is doughy dumplings (made of flour and water), mixed with a few different types of cheese. It is baked and topped with crispy fried onion.
Ways to Celebrate the German Festival in Philly
This year promises to be an unforgettable one for the Oktoberfest in Philadelphia, with several options available. A number of festivities where you can grab a giant stein and a soft pretzel have been scheduled starting September 20 and running into October, with both family-friendly and kid-free options.
Photo source: Instagram / brauhausschmitz
17th Annual South Street Oktoberfest: This all-day street festival was held on September 27 in front of Brauhaus Schmitz on the 700 block of South Street. Festivities included live Oompah music, German dancers, liter lift competition (where the person who holds a full beer stein for the longest wins), games, face painting, delicious schnaps, and the very best German food and beers.
Evil Genius Oktoberfest: Taking place on October 4, this event will feature a performance from Philadelphia’s premier Oompah band, Polkadelphia. DJ Drini will be spinning modern hits as well as remixed German classics all day. It will also be the site of a qualifying round for the official United States Stein Holding Association for both men and women. Winners will be invited to the state championship on October 11 for a chance to compete at Nationals in November. This event is 21+.
Roxtoberfest: Returning for its 13th year, Roxtoberfest will take place on Saturday, October 4, from 12 to 5 p.m. along Ridge Avenue between Lyceum Avenue and Leverington Avenue.
This year, this annual fall festival and Oktoberfest fusion will be introducing Top of the Ridge, a new beverage tent located at the MGMT Residential Main Stage on Lyceum Avenue. This event is family-friendly and free to attend. From brass bands and circus acts to scarecrow-making and craft brews, there is something for everyone to enjoy this fall.
23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest: The annual two-day Armory Oktoberfest, organized by Brauhaus Schmitz, will be returning for its 7th edition. Running from October 10–11, 2025, with three ticketed sessions at the 23rd Street Armory, 22 South 23rd Street, this is the ultimate Oktoberfest experience outside of Munich.
The Armory in Rittenhouse is transformed into a Munich-style beer hall, with banners flying, the echoes of cheerful oompah music and dance filling the atmosphere, and traditional Oktoberfest food and beer from Hofbräu München in giant steins overflowing.
Tickets start at $30 per person, and you can choose one of three four-hour timeslots across Friday and Saturday.
If you love authentic German beer, tasty meals, wearing traditional lederhosen/dirndl, and generally having a good time, then Oktoberfest should be on your bucket list! Dust off your Lederhosen and get ready to raise your steins while closing off the season with one last Oompa and Ein Prosit.
