9 beer-filled Oktoberfest celebrations happening in New England this fall
From Boston to Cambridge to Vermont to Maine.
Featuring live music, German food, games, and local breweries, Oktoberfest events are some of the best ways to celebrate beer and Bavarian culture and enjoy fall in New England. Here’s a list of nine upcoming festivals.
Harpoon Octoberfest
Harpoon Brewery’s Octoberfest celebrates 27 years this season, making it one of Boston’s longest-running Oktoberfest events. Enjoy Harpoon beer, bratwurst, keg bowling, and Oompah bands at the Seaport brewery. (306 Northern Ave., Boston; Friday, September 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, October 1 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; tickets are $25; 21+)
Marshfield Oktoberfest
Marshfield Oktoberfest offers local beer, German food, live music, and hay rides. Plus, kids are invited, and there will be pumpkin painting, face painting, and an inflatable castle just for them. (Marshfield Fairgrounds, 140 Main St., Marshfield; Saturday, October 1 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; entry is $10)
New Bedford Oktoberfest
The 10th annual New Bedford Oktoberfest features live music, local food, and more than 40 craft beers from local breweries, like Buzzard’s Bay and Von Trapp Brewing. Tickets cover the cost of entry only. (State Pier Ferry Terminal, 49 State Pier, New Bedford; Saturday, October 1 from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.; tickets are $25)
Cambridge 5K Oktoberfest
This German-themed 5K road race benefits Cambridge Family & Children’s Service. The race starts and finishes at the CambridgeSide Galleria, taking runners through Kendall Square. The subsequent Oktoberfest celebration is for runners and volunteers only. Registration includes entrance to the after-party and a race T-shirt. (1 Kendall Square, Cambridge; Sunday, October 2 at 9:30 a.m.; individual registration is $47.50)
Swine and Stein Oktoberfest
The annual Swine and Stein Oktoberfest of course highlights Maine pork dishes and locally brewed beers. But festivalgoers can also observe the Annual Gardiner Beard & Mustache competition, in which participants compete for titles like Best Beard Over 6” and Best Natural Mustache, and try their luck in the fifth annual Maine rock, paper, scissors championship, which lends a competitive edge to the childhood game. (200 Block of Water Street, Gardiner, Maine; Saturday, October 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $15)
Mount Snow Oktoberfest
Mount Snow’s family-friendly Oktoberfest offers plenty of kids’ activities alongside the usual beer and Oompah bands; games include an apple slingshot and a schnitzel toss. The two-day festival also features a 21-plus “Gulp and Gallop” 5K, in which participants can choose between a glass of water or beer after each lap, on Saturday. (Mount Snow, Stowe, Vermont; Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; ticket prices vary, see website for details)
White Mountain Oktoberfest
Head north to this celebration at Loon Mountain featuring local beer, Oompah music, and competitions over keg tossing and stein-hoisting. You can also expect Sam Adams-sponsored educational events and beer tastings. Kids can enjoy pumpkin painting and a root beer keg toss. (Loon Mountain, Lincoln, New Hampshire; Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9, see website for events and hours; entry is free)
Oktoberfest in Harvard Square
Boston’s largest Oktoberfest celebrates its 38th year with a Sam Adams Beer Garden, dozens of food vendors, live entertainment, local artisans, and kids’ activities. The famous HONK parade, a roving live music event featuring activist street bands, will play from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at various locations around the square. (Harvard Square, Cambridge; Sunday, October 9 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; entry is free)
Chatham Oktoberfest
This family-friendly Oktoberfest is held at Kate Gould Park, and features crafts and games for kids, local performers, food trucks, and a beer cart. (Kate Gould Park, Main Street, Chatham; Saturday, October 22 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; entry is free)
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