Oktoberfest NYC 2017 guide

Sport your lederhosen and get pumped for Oktoberfest NYC 2017 including great brews, bratwurst, dancing and live music

By Jennifer Picht and Time Out New York contributors Posted: Thursday August 24 2017

Strap on those lederhosen—really, people will be wearing them—and raise a mammoth, beer-filled stein to Oktoberfest NYC 2017. The Bavarian celebration is one of the best NYC events in September, featuring some of the best beers in NYC as well as traditional favorites and delicious food. Take in the beautiful fall foliage while guzzling brews at some of the best beer gardens and beer halls in New York, not to mention more celebrations taking places at NYC parks, like Central Park. Prost!

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What is Oktoberfest?

This traditional and autumnal festival, which originated in Germany, is celebrated all over the United States by drinking copious amounts of beer, sporting lederhosen, munching on pretzels, and doing some polka dancing and merrymaking.

When is Oktoberfest?

The official dates for this Bavarian festival are Saturday, September 16, 2017 through Monday, October 2, 2017.

Why is Oktoberfest in September?

The first Oktoberfest was held on October 12–17 in 1810 to honor the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Supposedly, the celebration date was changed to the third week in September in the U.S. due to cold-weather concerns.

Where is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest celebrations take place in all five boroughs in New York at various public spaces and beer gardens. The largest events include Oktoberfest in Central Park (Sept 16), Munich on the East River (Sept 29–Oct 8) and Watermark’s Oktoberfest (Sept 15–17, Sept 22–24, Sept 29–Oct 2).