The Best Oktoberfest Celebrations and Events in
New Jersey
Discover New Jersey's Top Oktoberfest Celebrations and Events
Oktoberfest is a German celebration of Bavarian traditions with huge amounts of beer, food, German music, singing, and traditional Bavarian costumes.
With increased worldwide popularity, New Jersey Oktoberfest’s have become a popular fall event and with Oktoberfest celebrations found throughout the state just a short driving distance of their home.
The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, Germany in 1810 to celebrate the October 12th marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. Today it continues in Munich to become the world's largest beer festival. Oktoberfest is an event that takes place during the 16 days before the first Sunday in October. However, this event can stretch to 17 days when the 1st Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1st.
Oktoberfest isn't just for Germans anymore. Oktoberfest has now become a very popular worldwide festival. Today the largest Oktoberfest’s are held in Munich and Cincinnati.
Most of the New Jersey Oktoberfest celebrations are shortened, scaled down versions, and usually occur over a day or two during the traditional Oktoberfest, during the 16 days before the first Sunday in October, although some bar/tavern venues have made it a weekend event stretching to the end of October.
Authentic Oktoberfest’s are celebrated with performers wearing the traditional German costumes with the men dressed in Sennerhut, Lederhosen, and the girls in Dirndl. German attendees are often found wearing Bavarian hats (Tirolerhüte). In the past, the more tufts of goat hair on your hat, the wealthier you are. Though nowadays this is no longer the case as the tufts are synthetic and everybody can look as wealthy as they like.
Oktoberfest attendees can often be seen with a stein of German beer is in one hand and the other holding a wurst or sausage. Additional foods are served in large portions from oxen and whole split roasted chickens to a variety of sausages steamed and served with sauerkraut and onions.
Of course, the big draw is the German Beer. Oktoberfest is more than a celebration; it is also a style of bier. Authentic Oktoberfest bier is brewed very much like the reddish amber Marzen beer that was served at the Crown Prince Ludwig's wedding in 1810. Today, however Oktoberfest biers in Germany tend to be lighter in color and body than the traditional Marzen style. However, American craft breweries have a slightly different style of brewing Oktoberfest biers that are often slightly higher in alcohol, richer in hops aroma and flavor, and redder in hue than the European fest biers.
In The USA, the onset of fall, and especially the winter, will find the better quality, more flavorful beers will begin to replace the lighter, less flavorful beers typically found in the summer.
Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.
Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.
Northern New Jersey 2021 Oktoberfests
Zeppelin Hall OktoberfestSeptember 25th thru October 24th, 2021; Friday & Saturday afternoons from 3pm - 7pm
88 Liberty View Drive
Jersey City, NJ
(201) 721-8888
Website
Jersey City's authentic authentic European style Biergarten, with a huge restaurant with both indoor and outdoor spaces where hundreds of guests gather under the trees and stars to drink beer, eat and socialize, will celebrate Oktoberfest with live German bands in the garden on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
22nd Annual Leonia Oktoberfest
Sunday, September 26, 2021 ; 4pm until 10pm (rain or shine)
American Legion Hall
399 Broad Ave
Leonia, NJ 07605
Website
This is a family friendly event is a fall celebration of German culture with German food and beer, kids activities, and German competitions.The event is a fund raiser sponsored by the Rotary Club of The Palisades to support the Weekend Snack Pack Program at local schools.
1st Annual Dreamland Oktoberfest
Saturday & Sunday, October 2nd & 3rd, 2021
American Spirits Roadhouse
1090 NJ 173
Asbury, NJ
Tickets
Cost: $15 & $25 includes one free beer/day and Commemorative Stein. Free Admission for children 14yrs and younger
This outdoor celebration features a Vintage German Auto Show, Oktoberfest food for purchase (Freshly prepared German Sausages, Pretzels, Sauerkraut, Potato Salad, Spätzle, Vegetarian Options, Deserts and more!) Live Polka, Eastern European bands, dancing, authentic Baverian Beer Garden with beers on tap, a Tap Stein Hoist contest, and more!
Deutscher Club of Clark's Oktoberfest
October 2, 3, 2021: 12 PM - 10 PM
Deutscher Club of Clark
787 Featherbed Lane
Clark NJ
Website
Open to the Public
This event will feature live music byThe Alex Meixner Band and Doppelgänger, a Masskrugstemmen (stein holding contest), traditional German food and beer, a pig roast, and more!
Franklin Oktoberfest
Thursday, October 7, 2021; 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Stateside Tap + Tavern
149 Pierce Street
Franklin Township, NJ
Website/tickets
Cost: $20
includes complimentary Hors D-Oeuvres & Cash Bar
The Craft Show @ Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 10am - 5pm
Demarest Nature Center
Duck Pond
38 Park St
Demarest, NJ
Website
This event features a high quality craft show with up to 75 crafts persons bringing their handmade crafts in many medias. It's a great place for holiday shopping, for gifts, or for items for your own use and enjoyment. There will be German music, German food, water and soft drinks; Korean delicacies; inflatable games. While at the fair visit the Demarest Nature Center and environmental information tables. All proceeds go to benefit The Demarest Nature Center.
Oktoberfest at Turkey Brook Park
October 9, 2021
Turkey Brook Park
Fanders, NJ
Website
(973) 426-7263
The Mount Olive Recreation Department is hosting an Oktoberfest Celebration with Beer, Food, Music, and traditional German Dance. Bring the whole family for fun, food, and games.
SACKtoberfest
October 9, 2021; 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Atlantic Street Park
102 State Street
Hackensack, NJ
Website
201-498-1690
info@downtownhackensack.org
This event features live music, food & Brew. From pale ales to robust stouts, Hackensack Brewing, Brix City Brewing and Ghost Hawk Brewing Co. will be serving up an array of craft beers to savor. Get a taste of all sorts of delicious dishes from Bro-Ritos, Magic Mike's Smoked Meats, R & H Catering Co. and more. Live music will also be performed by the iconic GQ band, DJ Covy, Fillet of Soul, and the Santana tribute and Latin rock band, Stone Flower.
Oktoberfest Hosted by Edelweiss Passaic
Saturday, October 16, 2021; 6:30pm - 11:30pm
Pompton Lakes Elks #1895
1 Perrin Ave
Pompton Lakes, New Jersey 07442
Web Site/Tickets
973-290-9304
Email: edelweissoktoberfest@gmail.com
The Oktoberfest is an evening full of food, joy, live music, dancing, entertainment and Gemütlichkeit. The event includes Bavarian Entertainment, Schuhplattler, and a Bavarian Buffet.
Franklin Lakes Oktoberfest
Friday, October 22, 2021; 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
McBride Field
813 Franklin Lake Rd
Franklin Lakes, NJ
Website
(973) 881-8307 x105
The Annual Oktoberfest is hosted by Tony & Phyllis Chernalis and The Market Basket, honoring Leslie and Peter Rubacky. Enjoy an authentic Oktoberfest celebration underneath the big tent! Festivities include German food and beer, live music, a game tent, and a beer stein-hoisting competition! Proceeds from this event will benefit Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children. .
Central New Jersey 2021 Oktoberfests
Annual German American Society of Trenton OktoberfestSeptember 25, 26, 2021
215 Uncles Pete's Road
Trenton, NJ
Website
(609) 585-5200
Cost: $10
This celebration features German Beer and Traditional Food, live Music by The Austrian Boys Band, Austrian Boys, Aqua String Band Union Rock Band, The Adler's, GTV Almrausch, and The Bratwurst Boys, Ethnic German Dances, best dressed Bavarian style & Steinholding contests, crafts, with lots of family fun.
8th Annual Downtown Somerville Oktoberfest!
Saturday, September 25, 2021; 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
North Bridge St, between Main St and High St.
Somerville, NJ
Tickets
Cost: $8 if purchased in advance, $10 at the door or $8 with a canned pet food donation. Designated drivers and those under 21, entry is FREE with a canned pet food donation.
This celebration features local craft beers with traditional Oktoberfest brews will be on hand, along with plenty of food from local restaurants and live music from awesome bands throughout the day. Along with our giant beer pong, they will also feature their annual Stein Holding Contest, a live Brews & Brushes painting experience and their custom beer puppeteer setup! Pumpkin & face painting will also available for the little ones.
Annual Oktoberfest in Highlands
Saturday, October 2, 2021; 2pm - 9pm
Veterans Park
Bay and Shrewsbury Ave
Highlands
732 - 291- 4713
Website
Admission and Parking is free.
Modeled on the traditional Munich, Germany Oktoberfest with an emphasis on eating; drinking and being merry while providing something for everyone. Authentic German food, children's activities, crafters, live music, dancing and other great entertainment.
Oktoberfest at Village Brewing Company
October 2, 2021; 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Village Brewing Company
34 West Main Street
Somerville, NJ
Reistration
Free Admission
This family friendly celebration features their house made Craft Oktoberfest Beers and Cider while listening to all day music live music. Indulge in fresh pretzels, made-to-order brats and more authentic German Cuisine. Play some of giant games, enter a stein holding contest, win prizes and even visit a hair braider! Kids activities available.
Laurita OktoberFest with Food Trucks & Fire Pits
October 2, 3, 2021
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Rd,
New Egypt, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $12 for 21+ online in advance! $14 at the gate!! 20 and under are FREE!
Experience the trending Gourmet Food Truck offerings while sipping on wine and enjoying a seat to watch the Fire Works! Live music and good friends will make this day special! Fireworks Saturday Night at 8:30pm.
Admission includes: Free Parking! Free Scenic Shuttle Service to and from the parking area to the Vineyard Festival Grounds! Free Souvenir Laurita Wine Glass! Free Kids playgrounds! Access to over 6 Wine Bars (inside and out) and 2 Tasting Tent Areas (available during non-peak hours of the festival) and some of the most scenic views in New Jersey.
6th Annual Oktoberfest
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, October 8, 9, 10, 2021
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten
527 Lake Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ
732-997-8767
Website
The Jersey Shores Authentic Oktoberfest celebration in their Munich style, tented Biergarten Roof top. The event features Food, Beer, Oktoberfest Merchandise, and Live Polka Bands.
Oktoberfest with Melina & the Oompahs
Saturday, October 9, 2021; 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM
The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach
325 Shore Drive
Highlands, NJ
Tickets
Cost: $10 online / $15 at the door (while they last), kids 12 and under are free
This celebration features a variety of German beers at the bar and the food trucks will be serving up their best German specialties like hot pretzels and bratwurst.
Melina & the Oompahs from 2:30-6:30 PM. They will put on a high-energy Oktoberfest show with music from traditional German Oompah to hits from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's through now. Melina grew up in Germany and resides in NYC. She has put together a program which will take you on a musical ride based on the Original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, where she has performed.
Oktoberfest at Raceway Park
October 16th, 2021; VIP Session 12-5pm, GA Session 1-5pm
Raceway Park
230 Pension Road
Englishtown NJ 07726
732-446-7800
Website/Tickets
Cost: $65 -GA, $75 - VIP, designated driver $15
This event features sample selections from over 30 tri-state area breweries in a safe and fun outdoor setting. Lagers, IPAs, Stouts, Pilsners, wines, hard seltzers…. sample and enjoy with your own commemorative sampling glass. Other features include gourmet food vendors, live bands and a variety of games, including corn hole and hatchet tossing! Pay one fee to get in, and all drinks are on the house! You will receive a five ounce souvenir glass with a two ounce pour line. You are welcome to sample any and all beers that our brewers have.
Hamilton Oktoberfest
Sunday, October 17th 2021, 11am - 5:30pm; Rain Date Sunday, October 24th, 2021
Veterans Park,
2306 Kuser Rd
Hamilton Township, NJ
Website
A family Oktoberfest celebration with many family oriented activeities. Note: Alcoholic beverages will not be served at, nor permitted at, this event. This family event features, Amusements, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Corn Maze, Crafters, fire pits, and a Jack 'O Lantern Carving Contest.
Celebrate Oktoberfest with Friends of Princeton Open Space
Sunday, October 17, 2021; 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Rain or Shine)
Mountain Lakes House
57 Mountain Ave
Princeton, NJ
Tickets
Cost $50
This celebration features Oktoberfest local craft beers, hard cider, festive fare + live music with the country sounds of Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves in the beautiful setting of the Mountain Lakes House overlooking the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton, New Jersey.
Southern New Jersey 2021 Oktoberfests
Oktoberfest at MudHen BrewingFriday, September 17th thru Sunday, September 19th, 2021
MudHen Brewing Company
127 W. Rio Grande Ave.
Wildwood, NJ
609-846-7918
Website
This family friendly Oktoberfest celebration features German-inspired food and live music, as well as activities for the kids. Live music performers include: The German band Doppelganger, the rock band The Locals, The German, Polish, Slovenian, Latin, Country, and Classic Rock band The Mountain Express, and the rock band Keep The Change.
Medford Oktoberfest & Music Festival
Saturday, September 18th 2021 12-7 pm (Rain or Shine)
Medford's Freedom Park
86 Union Street
Medford, NJ 08055
Website/line-up of performers
Free Admission, All Ages, Free On-Site Parking
Enjoy Great Live Music from several local Rock, Folk, and Blues Bands. The event includes a Beer tent, Three tages of Live Music, Food trucks, German Food, Artisan Ciders, kids fun activities and more.
Oktoberfest ''Bier on the Pier''
Four consecutive weekends: September 17 - 19, & 24 - 26. October 1 - 3, & 8 - 10, 2021
Mariner's Pier
Schellenger Avenue and the boardwalk
Wildwood, NJ
Website
This celebration features live music, activities for the little squirts, rides, and of course, Bier on the Pier. It wasn't long until everyone was wilkommen — kicking back and reclining mit der drinken in der bier garten. Auf Wiedersehen! Raise a glass and tap a toe as bands play all weekend long on the Coca-Cola stage! Daily strolling entertainment by the Oompah Delics!
Oktoberfest in Cape May
Saturday, September 25, 2021; 9am - 6pm ( Rain date Sunday, September 26th)
located on Carpenter Lane between Ocean & Perry and continue down Jackson Street to Beach Ave.
Cape May, NJ
Website
609.884.5508
Celebrate the famous Bavarian tradition in Cape May. The festival will transform the area into a German promenade with authentic music and food. Visit the Beer Gardens and Food Courts browse the artisans tables selling crafts, antiques and collectibles.
Avalon Oktoberfest
September 30, 2021 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM
The Sandbar Village Beach Bar
125 79th Street
Avalon, NJ 08202
Tickets - When you buy a ticket, you'll get a FREE beer included & early bird tickets will also recieve a sand-safe 1/2 L acrylic Stein!
It's time to hoist your steins and break out the lederhose. Gobble up German favorites like giant pretzels & bratwurst while you sip on some quality brews. This event is also family-friendly so no need to hire a sitter! The kiddies will stay entertained with fun live entertainment and games.
Oktoberfest at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
Saturday, October 2, & Sunday, October 3, 2021
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
133 South Tennessee Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ
Website
This Oktoberfest celebration will take place at the Beer Hall's outside Beer Yard featuring Oktoberfest and German-style beers from Germany, as well as German styles from local breweries. There will be live Oktoberfest polka music with Tony DeLuca and Friends 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, and famed Philadelphia area accordionist Don Bitterlich 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Smithville Oktoberfest
October 2, 3, 2021; (rain or shine)
Historic Smithville and Village Green
Smithville, NJ
Website
This festive event features an Oktoberfest celebration with 100+ unique juried crafters, live music, kids activities, and one of a kind food!
