An 8 hour plane ride and almost 4,000 miles separates us Bostonians from the revelers over in Munich. Why go through that time and effort when you can celebrate all the fun of Oktoberfest right here in Massachusetts?
Here are just some things that you can do to celebrate Oktoberfest festivities right here at home.
Oktoberfest at Bronwyn – September 15th-October 30th – they Oktoberfest for a wicked long time!
Located in Union Square in Somerville, Bronwyn has already kicked off its Oktoberfest celebrations. As a restaurant who specializes in the German cuisine and greater Central and Eastern Europe fare, celebrating Oktoberfest comes easy to them. Chef Tim Wiechmann offers both a dine-in and take-out menus specifically for Oktoberfest with extensive options that celebrate the heritage. Enjoy socially distanced seating, specialty food, and Oktoberfest activities at Bronwyn.
Democracy Brewing Oktoberfest – Friday, September 23rd through Sunday, September 25th
The vibe of this local neighborhood pub mixed with an old world beer hall is about to be transformed into a German masterpiece at Democracy Brewing in honor of Oktoberfest starting this weekend. Head over to this Downtown Crossing brew hall from 12noon to 10pm each day to enjoy specialty Octoberfest themed beers including Treppenwitz: Helles style and Cue the Flugelhorn: Oktoberfest style, and specialty food such as bratwurst, currywurst and more, will be served to the beat of live music.
Ready for some competition? Democracy Brewing will be holding a stein holding contest on Saturday at 3:30pm and 4:30pm.
Sam Adams Oktoberfest Weekend – Friday September 23rd through Sunday, September 25th
The Sam Adams Oktoberfest Weekend is finally back in Boston. To celebrate this well-loved tradition and the general love of lagers, there will be live music, stein holding competitions, and food and drink specials for everyone to indulge in.
Tickets will be available at the door for $10 which includes a half pint of Oktoberfest. We suggest, as does the Sam Adam’s Tap Room, that you arrive early, this event is going to be epic!
Oktoberfest at Night Shift Brewing Everett – Saturday, September 24th (and at Lovejoy Wharf on Sunday 9/25!)
Celebrating Oktoberfest at Night Shift Brewing in Everett will not leave you disappointed. This celebration is highlighted by music from The Hofbräu Spieler Band from 1-4pm, food from The Sausage Guy, Brato and more along with a best dressed competition at 2:30pm. AND, first 50 people get a limited edition 2022 Night Shift Brewing stein. Enjoy featured beers One Mighty Festbier – Helles Lager, Freudian Sip – Vienna Lager, Prost Malone – Unfiltered Munich Lager in your new stein, it may even taste better that way!
To sign up for the stein holding competition and compete for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prizes, sign up here. Can’t make it Saturday? No worries! Check out Nightshift’s Oktoberfest over at Lovejoy Wharf on Sunday September 25. More info HERE.
Oktoberfest Fun Run – Saturday, September 25th
Need to work off all that beer? We hear ya’. Lucky enough for you, Remnant Brewing in Somerville is hosting a fun run to all of your favorite neighborhood breweries with stops at Winter Hill Brewing Co., Aeronaut Brewing, and Lamplighter Brewing.
The run will both start and end at Remnant where upon finishing the run, runners will be able to enjoy a pour of Fest Lager with their very own stein to quench their thirst.
Oktoberfest at Bow Market – Saturday, September 24th – Sunday, September 25th
Bow Market in Somerville will be celebrating Oktoberfest all weekend long from 12pm-8pm on both Saturday and Sunday. To dine and enjoy on the courtyard, reservations may be made but additional walk-in space will be available. Guests will be treated to Remnant Brewing specialities along with food specials. Live music will be available and there is a full list of bands for both Saturday and Sunday that are already lined up.
Oktoberfest at Night Shift Brewing Lovejoy Wharf – September 25th
Happen to miss the celebration in Everett? Don’t worry, the Lovejoy Wharf location has got you covered. Same event details apply.
Harpoon Octoberfest – Friday, September 30th – Saturday, October 1st
Back for its 32nd year, Oktoberfest is back at Harpoon Brewery. Its biggest event of the year will feature rushing taps of Harpoon IPA, Rec. League, Flannel Friday and Octoberfest, chicken dancing and pretzel eating competitions, and much much more. Visit the Harpoon website above for a full schedule of events.
Event is rain or shine and is 21+. For tickets visit Eventbrite as it is the only spot to buy official Harpoon Octoberfest tickets.
Aeronaut Allston Oktoberfest – Saturday, October 1st
The Aeronaut Allston location is channeling its inner German in honor of Oktoberfest. This 8 hour event from 1-9pm will feature some of your favorite German beers fresh on tap, comforting food, and live music from Polka Hall of Fame’s very own Dennis Polisky & The Maestro’s Men! Tickets here
Oktoberfest on Spectacle Island – Saturday, October 1st
This relaxing and exclusive after hours event at Spectacle Island features partnerships with Night Shift Brewing and Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen. Guests will experience a special Oktoberfest menu from Bravo, views from a ferry from Boston to Spectacle Island, music from The Belted Galloways, lawn games and other activities.
This is a perfect option for a romantic and intimate Oktoberfest celebration.
Octoberfest at Cheeky Monkey – October 1st
Landsdowne St. is about to get festive! Cheeky Monkey will be celebrating Octoberfest with themed food, live entertainment and obviously beer. While you sit and chug or cheers with your friends, The Pop Disasters will be getting the party started with some of their top hits.
Oktoberfest at Turtle Swamp Brewing – October 1st
Turtle Swamp Brewing, the beer of Jamaica Plain, plans to celebrate Oktoberfest in their neighborhood brewery from 12pm-11pm on October 1st. Highlighted by a stein lifting competition, pretzels and bratwurst will be served along with live music and beer specials.
Harpoon Dogtoberfest – October 2nd
This one is for all your four legged friends! Presented by Life’s Abundance, clean and complete canine care, Harpoon Brewery presents its Dogtoberfest. This event offers a 21+ registration as well as an under 21 registration. New to the event this year is a 2.5 mile Run.Walk.Wag!. If guests register for the race, entry to the festival is included.
Net proceeds from this event will go to the Kenary Brain Tumor Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MSPCA – Angell.
Oktoberfest on the Pier at Tall Ship – October 2nd
Thanks to the success of last year’s celebration, the Oktoberfest on the Pier celebration returns to Tall Ship for its second year. From 3-7pm, guests will have the opportunity to taste over 20 beers and styles from local breweries, enjoy live music by Mad Bavarians German Band, participate in lawn games and a stein holding competition with prizes from Sam Adams all while watching the Patriots on 8 flatscreens. Do we even have to mention the view?
Encore Boston Harbor Oktoberfest – October 2nd
This unique experience hosted by Encore Boston Harbor will take place on its South Lawn from 12-4pm. German inspired beer, festival foods, lawn games, live music, raffles, and a stein holding competition will give the lawn some German flare. This event is 21+ and ticket packages are explained on the website linked above. The party can continue on the casino floor, who knows, maybe you’ll win big…
Octoberfest by Time Out Market – October 8th-9th
This two day celebration from 12-5pm will welcome local breweries to bring samples of their German style beers to Fenway. Dress up and participate in the Octoberfest outfit contest while singing along to some German tunes. Capture all the fun in the photo booth and maybe you can bring your stein hoisting trophy in there with you!
43rd Annual Harvard Square Oktoberfest & HONK! Parade – October 9th
To satisfy the 100,000 annual guests, streets will again be filled with vintage goods, international food vendors, sidewalk sales, crafts, family friendly activities and most importantly festive beer gardens all throughout Harvard Square. In addition, there will also be live music, dancers, and street performers. Be aware of inclement weather, the rain date for this event is October 16th.
Oktoberfest at the Greatest Bar – October 14th
In the heart of the West End on 262 Friend St., The Greatest Bar plans to keep the beers flowing all night. This Oktoberfest Party starting at 8:30PM will feature live music from The Dilemma and The Ghostkillers. You don’t want to miss it!
To RSVP today visit Eventbrite.