It’s officially fall in New England, and it’s time to celebrate.
That’s right, it’s Oktoberfest season, and we’ve gathered information about the up-and-coming New England festivals that will have you dancing to Oompah music, chugging German beer from your stein, playing keg bowling, and…chicken dancing?
Connecticut
October 1: Oktoberfest at the Beach, Ocean Beach Park, New London
The event will feature live music, a chowder competition, over 100 types of domestic and imported beer from 30 microbrew companies, and ahh, that fresh sea air!
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., tickets $30 in advance/$35 at door.
October 1: Tapping Into Twain Oktoberfest, Mark Twain House & Museum, Hartford
Twain said it himself: “Never refuse to take a drink — under any circumstances.” The event will feature live music, food, and samples from more than 20 microbreweries for beer-loving history buffs.
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., tickets $40 in advance/$45 at door. Discounted prices for members and designated drivers.
Maine
October 9: Acadia Brewfest, Smuggler’s Den Campground, Southwest Harbor
Celebrate the season surrounded by foliage on Mount Desert Island, sampling dozens of brands of beer from 20 Maine breweries while listening to live music, eating food, and perusing 30 craft booths to satisfy your need for homemade trinkets. It’s the way a weekend should be, eh?
11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., $25 full admission/$10.00 admission for an alcohol-free day (but who would want that?).
Massachusetts
October 1-2: Harpoon Octoberfest, Harpoon Brewery, Boston
There will be chicken dancing, a keg bowling game, live German Oompah bands, German food, and plenty of Harpoon and UFO beer for everyone! So grab your stein, your lederhosen or your cute beer maid outfit and say, “Prost!”
5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on October 1 (doors close at 9:30 pm), and 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday (doors close at 7:30 pm). $20 cover and cash bar.
October 15: Boston Cares Oktoberfest, Samuel Adams Brewery, Jamaica Plain
Support the non-profit agency Boston Cares by drinking complementary Sam Adams brews (including rare and unreleased beers!), enjoying food, competing in games for prizes, and listening to Oompah music. Unfortunately, we’ll never know how long Sam could hoist a beer stein, but he was probably better at it than you.
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., tickets $40 in advance/$50 at door. VIP tickets are $100 and include a special beer tasting in the Beer Barrel room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
October 16: Wormtown Oktoberfest, Union Station, Worcester
Brought to you by the Wormtown Brewery, this Oktoberfest will feature live music from local bands, German grub, and lots and lots of beer. Hurra f¼r bier!
6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., $10 cover.
October 30: CBC Great Pumpkin Festival, Cambridge Brewing Company, Kendall Square
They don’t call it a pumpkin festival for nothing! This event — kind of like a haunted house for adults — will offer pumpkin-inspired food, over 22 different pumpkin ales, a giant beer-filled pumpkin, and a whole lot of costumed party-goers.
4 p.m. to 1 a.m., tickets $10.
New Hampshire
October 2: New Hampshire Brew Fest, Redhook Ale Brewery, Portsmouth
Get in the Granite State spirit in the backyard of the Redhook Ale Brewery, where you can listen to live bands and sample over 90 New England beers from over 30 breweries. Get a complimentary tasting glass and pour to your heart’s content.
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. matinee session, tickets $25 in advance/$35 at door; 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. evening session, tickets $30 in advance/$40 at door. VIP tickets available.
October 9-10:Oktoberfest, Attitash Resort, Bartlett
Even die kinder can enjoy this Oktoberfest, with face painting, games, a bouncy house, and more! For die erwachsenen, there will be a stein holding competition, a keg toss, a best brew competition, and bier galore. For everyone, there will be German food and live Bavarian music from the world renowned King Ludwig Band.
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. October 1, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. October 2, tickets $10 ages 21+/$5 ages 6-20/under age 6 free
October 9-10: Oktoberfest, Loon Mountain, Lincoln
Ah, Loon Mountain: gondola skyrides, mountain biking, a climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, horseback riding…and an Oompah band? That’s right; it’s Oktoberfest at the mountain. Enjoy German beer, lots of German food, and a stein-holding contest. The best part? The event is FREE to enter!
Festivities begin at 11:00 a.m. on both days.
Rhode Island
October 9-11 Oktoberfest, Newport Yachting Center, Newport
Beer lovers unite! This Oktoberfest prides itself on its great variety of beers — and its two biergartens. Also brag-worthy is its 65-foot-long Big Taste Grill, making this event a gigantic tailgate party at 2,500 bratwursts per hour! Also expect yodeling, folk dance performances, live music, and a kid-friendly area.
12 p.m. to 9 p.m. October 9, tickets $20; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. October 10, tickets $20; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. October 11, tickets $10 in advance/$12 at door. Weekend pass $40 in advance.
Vermont
October 2: Killington Brewfest, Killington Resort, Killington
With advanced tickets already sold out, over 60 beers to sample, live music, and plenty of food, this mountain brewfest should be one to remember!
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., tickets $25/$5 for designated drivers
October 9-10: Harpoon Octoberfest, Harpoon Brewery, Windsor
Like its Boston counterpart, this Octoberfest will feature Harpoon and UFO beer, Oompah music, German food, chicken dancing, and a keg bowling game. There will also be a road race and free tours of the brewery offered all weekend long!
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., tickets $15.
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