It’s time to bust out your lederhosen and welcome Oktoberfest, a traditional German fall festival that’s perhaps better known to most Americans as the biggest beer fest of the year. The celebration dates back to the early 19th century and was intended to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in 1810. Though the original Oktoberfest lasted less than a week (October 12–17), today the festival is more readily celebrated between mid-September and early October in the U.S. to accommodate weather concerns.
Whether this is your first Oktoberfest or you’re a seasoned sauerkraut fiend, join us in raising a brew-filled Bavarian bierstein mug to these Oktoberfest events in our region. Cheers! Or, as the Germans say, “Prost!”
Nussy’s Bier Garten’s Oktoberfest
Riedlbauer’s Resort, Round Top
September 9
Head to the beer garden at Riedlbauer’s Resort to enjoy authentic German food and suds, and hear live music from Alpine rock band die Schlauberger.
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Barton Orchards Oktoberfest
Barton Orchards, Poughquag
September 9–10
Bring the family for games, a corn maze, apple picking, and a petting zoo. There’s a special German menu, a stein hoist, and plenty of beer to choose from at their onsite tap room. Plus: Dennis Polisky & Maestro’s Men will be playing all weekend.
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Oktoberfest at Putnam County Golf Course
Putnam County Golf Course, Mahopac
September 15, 6:30-10:30 p.m.
Play a round of golf and then celebrate with a stein at Putnam County Golf Course. This Oktoberfest celebration costs $34 online or $40 at the door (cash only)Â and features a menu of seasonal staples like bangers, knockwurst, and kielbasa alongside Hudson Valley barbecue. The Amish Outlaws will take the stage for a full evening of raucous music.
Annual Oktoberfest
Sugar Loaf Engine Company, Chester
September 16, 3-8 p.m.
Mark your calendars, Hudson Valley! Oktoberfest is happening in Chester. Throughout the day, attendees can dig into firehouse-made German food, including pretzels, bratwurst, and desserts, then sip on German beers and wines. The John Stevens Polka Band will bring the tunes, and lawn games will be available to play as well.
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Oktoberfest at Peekskill Brewery
Peekskill Brewery, Peekskill
September 17, 12-5 p.m.
Trust Peekskill Brewery to do Oktoberfest right. The event returns to the northern Westchester brewery in mid-October, with full details to come.
Walktoberfest Farmers and Makers Market
Walkway Over the Hudson, Highland & Poughkeepsie
September 21-22, 12-5 p.m.
Now this is how to do festival fun in the Hudson Valley. Toward the end of September, the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park partners with the Hudson Valley Rail Trail to host a Walktoberfest Farmers and Makers Market. All proceeds from the $25 tickets benefit Friends of the Walkway and Hudson Valley Rail Trail and give guests access to samples from local distilleries, restaurants, and wineries, as well as children’s activities and art installations.
Mountaintop Oktoberfest
Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz
September 22–24
Mohonk Mountain House is celebrating its first Oktoberfest. The weekend is packed with a tapping ceremony, polka dancing, music from The Swedish Meatballs, a juggling act, and of course, traditional pints.
Oktoberfest at Tilly Foster Farm
Tilly Foster Farm, Brewster
September 22, 6:30-10:30 p.m.
The best Hudson Valley festivals take place on scenic farms. Brewster’s Tilly Foster Farm holds a celebration of all things beer and brats. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a Billy Joel and Elton John tribute performance by David Clark and Ronnie Smith. Tickets run $34 online or $50 at the door, and tickets for children 12 and under are half-price at the door (cash only).
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Roscoe Beer Company Oktoberfest
Roscoe Beer Company, Roscoe
September 23
From carriage rides to pumpkin painting, games, and local vendors, this award-winning brewery’s Oktoberfest welcomes the whole family.
Sleepy Hollow’s Annual Oktoberfest
Kingsland Point Park, Sleepy Hollow
September 30
Before Sleepy Hollow kicks off its famous Halloween season, you’ll find lots of schnitzel, spaetzle, beer, desserts, live music, and more at Kingsland Point Park.
Bear Mountain Oktoberfest
Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, Bear Mountain
September 30 and weekends in October
The Anthony Wayne Recreation Area hosts the largest Oktoberfest celebration in New York with a variety of food (schnitzel, bratwurst, pretzels), bands, fun games, and more.
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Oktoberfest Celebration at Long Lot Brewery
Long Lot Farm Brewery, Chester
September 30 – October 1, 1-8 p.m.
Let the Oktoberfest festivities begin at Long Lot Brewery! Attendees can look forward to live music from Bryan Gordon and Carlos Colins and The Grind, then participate in a best dressed costume contest. As for food and drink, visitors can grab bites from Farmer’s Pantry, 2 Hacks in a Shack, and Ice Capps while sipping beer from Long Lot. A variety of games, including a keg toss and keg bowling, will add to the occasion.
Handcrafted Octoberfest: A Family Harvest CelebrationÂ
Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
September 30, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; October 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Quail Hollow Events, the team behind the fall-favorite Woodstock-New Paltz Arts & Craft Fair, hosts a reimagined Oktoberfest celebration. This open-air event pays homage to German traditions with a distinct focus on local artisans and makers. Peruse art, hand-spun crafts, pumpkin carving, woodworking, and much more. Dance to live music and check out a variety of arts and crafts demonstrations.
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Annual Oktoberfest Celebration at Twin Star Orchards
Twin Star Orchards, New Paltz
October 7 – 9, 12 – 5 p.m.
This three day Oktoberfest celebration is all about fall and the abundant harvest. Don’t miss out on live music, sausage specials, and the “Belly Buster,” a sausage party with kielbasa, bratwurst and house-made jalapeno and cheddar links, two pretzels, corn on the cob, and sauerkraut. Oktoberfest platters, wood-fired burgers and pizzas, and Texas-style BBQ will be served in addition to Brooklyn Cider House’s award-winning hard ciders, brewed on site, and local craft beer from SingleCut Beersmiths and the Drowned Lands Brewery.Â