2025 Guide to Celebrating Oktoberfest in NYC
Frohe Oktoberfest! We’re bringing you our guide to celebrating Oktoberfest in NYC. From the history, to the parties, to the food & BEER, we’re giving you the complete guide to understanding Oktoberfest origins, finding Oktoberfest celebrations, and savoring traditional Bavarian cuisine in New York City in 2025! Prost! Cheers!
What is Oktoberfest?
The origin of Oktoberfest can be traced back to 1810, to the celebration of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Munich residents celebrated the royal wedding at a site called Theresienwiese, or “Therese’s Meadow.” The celebration grounds in Munich are still called the Wiesen, and the locals will greet each other during Oktoberfest with the phrase “Auf geht’s zur Wiesn!”, translating to “Let’s go to the Wiesn!”
Oktoberfest traditionally opens with a parade, before the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg and announces “It is tapped!” Revelers also take part in Masskrugstemmen, or Steinholding, the unofficial sport of Oktoberfest. Participants attempt to hold a full one-liter beer stein with an outstretched arm for as long as they can. Impressive!
Oktoberfest Celebrations in NYC
Whether you think you’ve got what it takes to participate in a steinholding competition, or you just want to chow down on pretzels to the tune of German bands, NYC has plenty of ongoing Oktoberfest parties every autumn!
Stone Street Historic District transforms their winding cobblestone lane downtown into NYC’s own Wiesn for five Saturdays beginning on September 13th. This free downtown festival features German fare as well as international cuisine, live music, and games including Steinholding!
Watermark presents an Oktober Fest party at Pier 15 daily, September 12th-October 26th. General admission is free, but VIP tickets are available to grant you fast access to the food and fun, including a lengthy menu of traditional German pretzels and beer, as well as NYC faves oysters and cocktails. This is Oktoberfest in NYC, after all!
Brooklyn’s own Black Forest celebrates Oktoberfest at both their Fort Greene and Boerum Hill locations. Fun activities included in the ticket price are games, costume contests, and music from a live German oompah band! Unlimited beer packages can be added to the festivities, which are open to all ages!
Oktoberfest Food & Beer in NYC
Can’t make it out to the party? That’s no reason not to celebrate Oktoberfest in NYC! Enjoy the Bavarian food, drink, and culture at the city’s many Beer Halls and German restaurants!
Reichenback Hall is a family favorite, my parents can personally vouch for enjoying wursts and pretzels at this midtown slice of Munich. I’m not sure if shotskis are as traditional to Oktoberfest as Steinholding, but the spirit of the game seems the same to me!
Bierhaus NYC promises to transport guests to the festival of Oktoberfest, complete with frosty steins and party atmosphere! With a wide array of beers to help wash down your currywurst or pretzel platter, it’s always Oktoberfest in NYC at Bierhaus!
Upper East Side German butcher shop Schaller & Weber has been serving up sausages for almost a hundred years, so you know their Oktoberfest Pack is packed with tradition! Bring Bavaria home to your NYC apartment with their holiday hamper of 4 styles of wurst, 2 flavored mustards and a jar of sauerkraut on the side.
So there you have it! Our complete guide to celebrating Oktoberfest in NYC in 2025. From the history, to the food, to the fun - Oktoberfest is a great way to bring a little German flavor into your life - especially if you love learning about German culture in New York City!
