Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk festival, lasting for 16 days each year, and is an important part of Bavarian history and culture that has been reproduced in many countries, including in the United States.  The tradition began in 1810 after the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen of Bavaria, who later became King and Queen of Bavaria. 

They held festivities on the fields across from the palace and invited the citizens of Munich to take part in the wedding celebration through food, drink, and horse races.  The public had so much fun at the event, it was decided to hold a celebration each year at the same time, and later developed into a more fair-like atmosphere with vendors, sports, and breweries hosting beer gardens.

At modern-day Oktoberfest celebrations, one can expect to find plenty of beer (both German and other varieties) and German foods like various kinds of sausages, roast chicken and pork, and dumplings.  If you want to bring the festivities home, try whipping up your own treats with these recipes for various German delights.  Since many of these events revolve around beer, be sure to bring a designated driver or plan for a taxi service at the end of your festivities.

In Germany, Oktoberfest begins Saturday, September 19th and lasts until Sunday, October 4th, but Oktoberfest events celebrating Germany food, drinks, and culture can be enjoyed across Long Island throughout September and October.  Here are just some of the German-themed dinners, fairs, and beer tastings happening around the Island:

Moriches Rotary Annual Oktoberfest Celebration at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck
100 Chet Swezey Road, Center Moriches, NY 11938
Friday, September 25th, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, September 26th, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, September 27th, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
$10 per person
Indulge in traditional German beer garden fare, including German food, vendors, and live entertainment.  Admission includes admission to the beer garden and one complimentary beer or soda for anyone age 21 and over.

Oktoberfest 2015 at Resurrection Lutheran Church
420 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
516-746-4426
Saturday, September 26th, 4:00 PM – 10:30 PM
$35 per adult, $10 per child age 10 and under, children age 3 and under are free
German beer and wine comes with the cost of the ticket from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.  Live music will start at 7:00 PM, and food, beer, and wine will then be available for purchase throughout the night.  Proceeds support the mission’s programs.

Oktoberfest 4-Course German Beer Dinner at Brewology295 in Port Jefferson
201 Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
631-509-1700
Friday, October 2nd, 7:30 PM
$55 per person
Be sure to come hungry to this 4-course meal of German foods paired with authentic German beers.  There will also be a discussion on Oktoberfest history, as well as the brewing process and complementary flavors, and a Q and A session.  Each ticket purchased will be enter into a raffle to win a basket of Oktoberfest cargo or an undisclosed grand prize!

Oktoberfest: Home Brewed Craft Beer Demo at Brewology in Speonk – FREE!
295 Montauk Highway, Speonk, NY 11972
631-801-6221
Sunday, October 4th, 4:00 PM
Free event
Learn how small batches of beer are made from a real brewmaster, and enjoy tastings along the way! Your reservation ticket will also be entered into a drawing for a home brewing kit and other prizes!

Oktoberfest 5K at The Bench Bar in Stony Brook
1095 North Country Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790
631-806-4649
Saturday, October 10th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
$55 per person
Registrants receive entrance to the 5K run/walk, a t-shirt (online registrants only), custom Oktoberfest glass, free raffle entry, free entrance to The Bench Oktoberfest, and all you can eat/drink authentic German food and beer from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  There will also be bounce houses, face painters, root beer, and ice cream for kids.

Oktoberfest at Eisenhower Park – FREE!
Merrick and Stewart Avenues, East Meadow, NY 11554
516-572-0200
Saturday, October 10th – Monday October 12th, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Free event (parking fees may apply)
Get ready for food, beer, live music, and vendors at this family-friendly Oktoberfest celebration.

Montauk's 34th Annual Fall Festival at the Montauk Chamber of Commerce – FREE!
742 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954
631-668-2428
Saturday, October 10th – Sunday, October 11th, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Free event
Enjoy Octoberfest foods and less-traditional Long Island craft beers at this family-friendly Fall festival.

Riverhead’s First Annual Oktoberfest Pub Crawl at the Suffolk Theater
118 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
631-727-4343
Sunday, October 18th, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
$10 per person
Bracelets for the event can be purchased online and picked up at the Suffolk Theater or purchased at participating vendors.  Costumes are encouraged!

Oktoberfest at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Franklin Square
145 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Square, NY 11010
516-352-1263
Saturday, October 24th, 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
$30 per person
Come see Bavarian dancers, enjoy live music, and dine on a full dinner including sauerbraten, bratwurst, schnitzel with all the German trimmings.  Desserts include apple strudel, Black Forest cake and rice pudding.  Beverages will be available for purchase.  Tickets are only available in advance.