Strap on your lederhosen and raise your beer stein to celebrate Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest is the German autumn festival that celebrates everyone’s FAVORITE things: beer, food and merrymaking. The official celebration takes place annually in Munich, Bavaria from mid September to early October. However you don’t have to travel to Munich to properly celebrate Oktoberfest. Zum Schneider hosts Munich on the East River in New York City. This is one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich. We are excited to share how to celebrate Oktoberfest in NYC with you.
What is Oktoberfest?
This year marks the 183rd Oktoberfest, which runs from Saturday, September 17, 2016 through Monday, October 3, 2016. Oktoberfest began as a wedding celebration to honor the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. It is ironic that the largest beer festival in the world DID NOT not initially include alcohol! Today over six million people visit Munich and drink over six million liters of beer during the 16-day festival.
At its core, Oktoberfest centers around bringing people together to have a good time. The festival features beer tents, live music, games, amusement park rides, and a traditional Bavarian fair. If you attend an authentic Oktoberfest celebration, expect to spot a lot of lederhosen and dirndls, drink copious amounts of beer, munch on pretzels and polka dance the night away.
We wanted to clear up the confusion over the name. Oktoberfest originally took place in October. However, as it grew and the duration was extended, the start date was moved up to mid-September. This allows for better weather and a more enjoyable experience for festival attendees.
How to Celebrate Oktoberfest in NYC: Munich on the East River
Our first time at Oktoberfest at Munich on the East River was fantastic. We wore dirndls and listened to live music with Mösl Franzi & the JaJaJa’s. We also ate pretzels, drank Grüner and posed with gigantic beer steins.
WHAT TO WEAR:
- Lederhosen: (Lay-der-hose-in) literal translation is “leather pants.” Men wear trousers held up by a pair of leather suspenders
- Dirndl: (Dern-dull) traditional German dress worn by ladies
- Ladyhosen: (Lay-dee-hose-in) leather pants worn by ladies
WHAT TO EAT
German food and libations are a significant part of the Oktoberfest experience. Traditional German foods include wurst, obatzda, and giant pretzels. Guten Appetite!
- Beer: Bier
- Brot: Bread
- Brezeln: Pretzel
- Wurst: Sausage
- Steckerlfigsch: Grilled Fish
- Obatzda: Bavarian Cheese Spread
- Hendl: Roasted Chicken
- Applestrudel: Apple Strudel
The beer stein also makes for an excellent prop, especially for those of us that prefer wine to beer.
Now you have our tips on how to celebrate Oktoberfest in NYC. We highly recommend Munich on the East River and purchasing Reserved Seating.
The tent will be open on:
Thursday Sept. 29th 6pm-10pm
Friday Sept. 30th 5pm-10pm
Saturday Oct. 1st 12pm-10pm
Sunday Oct. 2nd 12pm-8pm
Tickets:
General Seating $25
Reserved Seating $35
VIP Seating $100
Liaba bsuffa und lusdig, ois niachdan und bled. I’d rather be drunk and funny than sober and stupid
Bavarian Proverb
great post! super fun event and cute pics!
These are my favorite festivals in the world! The food and drinks are always so yummy! I can’t wait for Oktoberfest this year!
Kileen
If this fest is happening this year then will definitely going to visit Munich on the East River. Thanks for sharing detailed information about this event
how fun! I had plans to come for Oktoberfest this year but alas this will not happen. I love the shots, it looks so happy! I would have definitely drink more beer in a day than I do in five years
This looks really fun and nice! I hope I could attend a fest like this sometime, thanks for sharing this event with us!
Oh my gosh this looks like AMAZING fun. And I want that pretzel!
I have never been to Germany for Oktoberfest, but Busch Gardens amusement park in America does an amazing job of reproducing this, down to the food, beer and entertainment on a smaller but still very nice scale. Thank you for sharing!
Though I’m not German, I’ve always wanted to get a Dirndl for myself! Maybe one day when I return to Germany on a trip, I can get myself one to celebrate Oktoberfest in, haha!
This looks like an amazing fun evening! I would love to go to Germany for the Oktoberfest, I heard it is so much fun…
Seems like such an amazing event. I would love to go
I love the dresses you guys wore! Looks like you had a great time 🙂
This sounds like such a blast! Great job!
OMG? This looks so much fun! I love attending such fun-filled festivals ❤
I wonder how Oktoberfest will be done this year with all the pandemic still happening.
The feast looks really good and great however I love your dresses!
I just love the festivities and especially the dresses that women are adorning! I would love to visit the Oktoberfest once the lockdown is lifted!