Celebrate Oktoberfest throughout Philadelphia at these 15 festivals and parties

Turn to your neighbor, raise a stein, and welcome them with a joyful prost. It’s officially Oktoberfest season in Philly, and there will be a bevy of places to indulge in specialty brews, family-friendly games, and traditional German fare.

From day parties to weekend-long street festivals, the city and surrounding region will soon be adorned with Bavarian blue and white decor, as endless kegs will be tapped with the promise of hearty fall fare. Whether you’re ready to embrace fall or just indulge in some good ol’ German merrymaking, we’ve compiled 15 events celebrating the annual, internationally renowned festival, from now until mid-October. (While you’re at it, don’t miss the Oktoberfest beers Philly’s craft and independent brewers are pumping out this year.)

Center City’s Brü Craft & Wurst will be home to Bavarian favorites from the kitchen grill and the bar taps. The special menu includes potato pancakes made from shredded and mashed Idaho potatoes, apples, and horseradish sour cream. Other notable items are dumplings and gravy, a jagerschnitzel sandwich (a pork schnitzel with mushroom sauce), and apple streusel with vanilla ice cream. Guests can pair their German dishes with a rotating list of traditional biers from Paulaner Brewery, Ayinger Brewery, Hofbrau, and others. Sept. 11 to Oct. 1, 1318 Chestnut St.; Monday and Tuesday, 4 p.m. to close, Wednesday to Friday, 3 p.m. to close, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to close — closing time is 10 p.m. in the kitchen, and at least midnight at the bar. bruphilly.com

Fishtown’s largest festival returns with another mix of fun outdoor festivities. More than 20 Fishtown restaurants and 75 local retailers will serve patrons, while the festival’s artists, live DJs, German folk bands, and other entertainers will light up the Fishtown neighborhood with music and dance. Guests can snag photos at various photo opps and scratch their competitive itch at carnival-style game stops. Admission is free, and food and drink is pay-as-you-go. Frankford Avenue to Palmer Street, Sept. 23, noon to 8 p.m.fishtownfeastivale.com

Drive to downtown West Chester for the town’s second annual Oktoberfest celebration. Along with live music, several participating restaurants will offer $6 fall beers, ciders, and fall-themed appetizers throughout the one-day event. 137 North High St., West Chester, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. eventbrite.com

Folks in South Jersey know how to party, and the area’s biggest Oktoberfest is back for another celebration. Underneath the large Bavarian blue and white tent at Haddon Township’s outdoor beer garden, guests can sip on giant steins of German bier, enjoy roasted German specialties, and dance to live music from the Maria and John Band. The event is free. 51 Haddon Ave., Westmont, Sept. 23, noon to 10 p.m., 51 Haddon Ave., Westmont. brauhausschmitz.com

Head south for some German-inspired fun at Springfield’s Craft Beer Store. The Delco bottle shop is throwing its second annual Oktoberfest event, featuring beer games, live music, German food, and an expansive selection of crafted brews. The event is 21+, and tickets are $10. Each ticket will include a guest’s first beer and two separate entries into a raffle. 35 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, Sept. 23, noon to 8 p.m. eventbrite.com

Fall for Ardmore, the town’s autumn festival, also honors Oktoberfest at Schauffele Plaza. Beer from vendors like Tired Hands Brewing Company, Iron Hill Brewery, and others will pour locally brewed, seasonal favorites, but no Oktoberfest is complete without German-inspired fare. Jack McShea’s, Sophie’s BBQ, and other food vendors will join Tired Hands in serving bratwursts, sauerkraut, pierogi, Bavarian pretzels, and other classic Oktoberfest bites. Admission is free, though a VIP garden ($100) features seating for four to six people for the duration of the event, and includes four drink tickets at a discounted rate. 99 Cricket Terrace, Ardmore, Sept. 30, 2 to 6 p.m. destinationardmore.com

On the 1300 block of Chestnut Street, eight hours of food, brews, and music is plenty of time to get rowdy. Just outside of Brü Craft & Wurst, U-Bahn, and Tradesman’s, guests can enjoy barbecue and classic Oktoberfest bites like bratwursts, German pretzels, pulled pork sandwiches, and other items fresh off the grill. Free to attend, there will be live music, local crafts, and seasonal brews. Food and drink is pay-as-you-go. 1300 block of Chestnut Street, Sept. 30, noon to 8 p.m. bruphilly.com and tradesmansphl.com

Come to Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille in Cape May for a weekend full of hearty Bavarian food options and several local and seasonal beers on tap. The restaurant’s menu will offer classic Oktoberfest fare like German potato pancakes, pork schnitzels, and a sauerbraten made with slow-roasted beef and gravy. 1025 Beach Ave., Cape May, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, noon to 9 p.m. harryscapemay.com

This Roxborough fall tradition has all the makings of a German beer festival. As attendees walk along Ridge Avenue, they will see lines of food trucks, acts like the Galena Brass Oktoberfest Band and a local dance school taking the stage, and more than 60 unique crafters on-site. Various contests for prizes include stein-holding, a lederhosen and dirndl costume contest, and even a pet costume parade. This family-friendly fest will also feature plenty of activities for little ones. Ridge Avenue between Lyceum and Leverington Avenues, Oct. 7, noon to 6 p.m. roxboroughpa.com

For some family-friendly fun, experience it all at Oktoberfest Main Line. The festival has a mix of traditional fall festivities with a pinch of German-inspired additions. Along with pumpkin decorating, face-painting, a dog costume contest, and a bouncy obstacle course, there will be a wide selection of seasonal brews for older crowdgoers to choose from. Advance admission is $10, and entry is $15 at the door. Guests under 21 with a paying adult get in free. 212 West Lancaster Ave., Paoli, Oct. 7, noon to 7 p.m. umlrotary.org

Bavarian treats (and more) will be on full display at the Pennsylvania General Store, which will offer food from vendors like Hippey’s Meats, Tones Spot BBQ, Empanada Mamas, and other eateries. Local brews will also be provided by Human Robot and the Ways Restaurant and Brewery. The event will also feature live music, karaoke, and a curated list of local artisans and crafters. Admission is free. 864 Township Line Rd., Elkins Park, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. eventbrite.com

Rain or shine, expect a Bavarian-style celebration at Ivy Hall Mansion. For this 20th annual Oktoberfest, there will be a pig roast, imported German beer, live music, and dance. Admission is $40 for adults 21+, $20 for guests ages 12-20, and $15 for kids between 6-11. Children 5 and under are free. Ticket prices include all food and beverages. 6331 Lancaster Ave., Oct. 7, 5 to 10 p.m. eventbrite.com

One of the last Oktoberfests in Philly might be the most authentic celebration the city has to offer. Staged in the 23rd Street Armory, the fortress-like structure will be adorned with Bavarian blue and white ceilings and festival benches imported from Germany for the event. Traditional German dancers and musicians will perform throughout the weekend, and food will be provided by Brauhaus Schmitz. Oh, and the beer? The selections will be handled by Hofbräuhaus München. General admission is $20 on Friday and Saturday, up to $95 for VIP, depending on the day. 22 S. 23rd St., Oct. 13-14, Friday, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m., and 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. armoryoktoberfest.com