Oktoberfest in New Jersey:
2018 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 Oktoberfests 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 world wide festival. Today the largest Oktoberfests 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 Oktoberfests 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 considered to be. 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.
Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.
Northern New Jersey 2018 Oktoberfests
Germania Park OktoberfestSeptember 15, 16, 2018
56 Conger Street
Dover, New Jersey
(973) 328-9693
Website
This event featres a celebration of German heritage with live German music, beer, food, and the Steuben Parade.
Germania Park has been dedicated to preserving German culture since 1895.
Mountan Creek Oktoberfest
September 22, 23, 2018
Red Tail Lodge at Mountain Creek
200 Route 94
Vernon,NJ 07462
Website & Reservations
This event features a weekend full of authentic german food, refreshing drinks, live music, activities galore and a great time for adults and kids alike.
19th Annual Leonia Oktoberfest
September 29, 2018; 4pm until 10pm
American Legion Hall
399 Broad Ave
Leonia, NJ 07605
Website
Admission: $5, Children Free
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.
Our Lady of the Lake Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 29, 2018; 6pm - 11pm
Our Lady of the Lake Parish
32 Lakeside Ave.
Verona, NJ 07044
Website (tickets)
The event takes place under a grand tent and includes authentic German cuisine, local fare, beer, wine, a variety of non alcoholic beverages, live music, raffles, and more! The Oktoberfest festivities begin with a ceremonial beer tapping, followed by German music, great food and other live entertainment.
20th Annual Chester Lions Oktoberfest Weekend
September 29th and 30th, 2018; noon to 8pm
Chubb Park
Route 24 West
Chester, NJ, 07930
Website
Keeping with tradition, the Oktoberfest will focus on celebrating traditional music, native dress and a special Oktoberfest beer only available for a short time. A carnival atmosphere pervades Bavaria’s biggest party and Chester’s Oktoberfest will not be outdone. Authentic German foods including bratwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut and smoked pork chops will be offered along with tasty apple strudel, delicious beehive cake, authentic plum cake, and more. The weekend long event will offer non-stop entertainment. All proceeds go to charity.
Franklin Lakes Oktoberfest
Friday, October 12, 2018; 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
McBride Field
813 Franklin Lake Rd
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417�
Website
The fun takes place under "the big tent" with German food and beverages and entertainment! This year we will be honoring The Wyckoff Family YMCA with the Patricia McLaughlin Spirit of Oasis Award for their long-time and generous support of Oasis and Carl's Kids Summer Camp.
The Craft Show @ Oktoberfest
Saturday October 13, 2018, 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.
Deutscher Club of Clark's Oktoberfest
October 13, 2018: 12 PM - 10 PM
Deutscher Club of Clark
787 Featherbed Lane
Clark NJ
Website
Open to the Public - Tickets: $5 / Free for children under 12.
This event will feature live music by Bernies Orchestra and Doppelgänger, a Masskrugstemmen (stein holding contest), traditional German food and beer, a pig roast, and more!
Forest Lodge Oktoberfest
October 13, 2018 (rain date: Sunday, October 14th).
Gates Open 11am - 5pm
Forest Lodge
11 Reinman Road
Warren, NJ
Website
The admission for adults is $8.00 pp. Children under 10 years old - Free! Admission fee to Oktoberfest includes access to the Vendor Fair, and Live Music & Dancing in the main pavilion.
This family event will have all day entertainment, including traditional German dances, Cow Bell Ringing, Alp Horn demonstrations, German food, German beer, a vendor fair, and kids activities. There will be hearty menu of German-American foods, as well as e scrumptious German cakes & strudels! Oktoberfest is great fun for the children as well. Kids will keep busy with Amusement Rides, Carnival Booths, Inflatable’s and other activities. The Festhalle will have all day entertainment including Traditional German Dances, Cow Bell Ringing, and Alp Horn demonstrations too!
Central New Jersey 2018 Oktoberfests
9th annual German American Society of Trenton OktoberfestSaturday September 22, 2018 12:00 PM & Sunday, September 23, 2018, 6:00 PM: 12 noon - 7:00 pm.
215 Uncles Pete's Road
Trenton, NJ 08691-3733
Website
609-585-5200
This celebration features German beers with music by the Austrian Boys and German Dance performances by the GTV Almrausch. The event will also feature a pig roast, traditional German food, vendors and crafts, bounce castles, kid activities and family fun!
94.5 PSTwill boadcast the event live from 2 pm – 4pm hosting a Stein holding competition.
$5 admission, children 12 & under free and individuals in full traditional German attire get in free! Part of the proceeds benefit the Jeremy Fund.
Belmar Octoberfest
October 7th, 2018; 11am - 5pm RAIN or SHINE
Main St., (between 8th & 10th Ave.)
Belmar, NJ 07719
732-747-4449
Website
This event features a German Beer Garden with Food Vendors, the Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting Contest, d live music, and Food Vendors
OktoberFest with Food Trucks & Fire Pits!
Saturday, October 20th and Sunday, October 21st, 2018
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Rd
New Egypt, New Jersey
Website & Tickets
Cost: $8 per person Saturday or Sunday on-line. $10 at the gate. Guests under 210are free, children are welcome!
Admission includes: Parking, shuttle service to and from the event, Souvenir Laurita Wine Glass, entrance to the vent featuring live entertainment, country line dance area, vineyard tours, and of course the Food Trucks! There will also be kids activities including our huge playground, bounce house, face painting, and Fireworks Saturday Night!!
Southern New Jersey 2018 Oktoberfests
Medford Oktoberfest & Music FestivalSaturday Sept 15th 2018; Noon till 7 pm (Rain or Shine)
Medford's Freedom Park
86 Union Street
Medford, NJ 08055
Website
Free Admission, All Ages, Free On-Site Parking
Three Stages of Live Music with Food Trucks, a Beer Garden The line-up of performers includes:
KID FELIX THE PARSNIP REVOLT, SHOOBIES HIDEAWAY, HOOCHI COOCHI NAMARAH, HAMBONE RELAY, THE QUIXOTE PROJECT PIZZLE & THE SIZZLE SISTERS, SARA JAMES & JOEY DITULLIO, CAMILLE PERUTO, SCOTT BARKAN, BOULEVARD EXPRESS, KYLIE WESTERBECK, ST. BEAR, and TRADITIONAL GERMAN MUSIC FROM POLKADELPHIA
Oktoberfest ''Bier on the Pier''
Three consecutive weekends: September 22-24; September 29-October 1; and October 6-8, 2018
Mariner's Pier
Schellenger Avenue and the boardwalk
Wildwood, NJ
Website
Great way to spend a fall weekend in the Wildwoods. German themed menus, an oudoor "biergarten", live entertainment and kids activities make for a fun day at the pier.
special German themed menus, an outdoor "biergarten," live entertainment, a kids "Rootbier Garten" activity area and much more.
Oktoberfest in Cape May
Saturday, September 29, 2018; 10am - 5pm ( Rain date Oct 1st)
The city blocks off Jackson Street between Carpenter's Lane and Beach Drive
Cape May, NJ
609.884.5508
This festival features a bustling block party filled with food, crafts, antiques and art. Dance the polka to a German American Band! Chow down on bratwurst. And lest we forget... there's beer. And lots of it!
Smithville Oktoberfest
October 6, 7, 2018
Historic Smithville and Village Green
Smithville, NJ
Website
This festive event feature music, kids activities, international food court and over 100 Juried Crafters in addition to the year round Village activities
Sea Isle City Octoberfest
October 20, 2018; 11am-3pm (rain or shine)
Excursion Park
Sea Isle City, NJ
609-263-9090
Website
The family celebration will feature live German music, vendors, free hayrides on the beach, magic acts, pumpkin painting, children's entertainment and a fantastic Pie Baking Contest.
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