Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Numerous Oktoberfest celebrations are held throughout the state, typically in September and early October. These festivals offer a taste of Bavarian culture with traditional German food, beers, music, entertainment, and the Bavarian tracht (authentic Lederhosen and German Dirndl.)
Locations of Oktoberfest in Pennsylvania
There are just a little too many Oktoberfest celebrations held in Pennsylvania. With so many options, it's wise to look for a Bavarian celebration just in the neighborhood to save the transport fare.
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Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest: Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317, United States
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Mifflinburg: 81 Hafer Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
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Oktoberfest Bethlehem: SteelStacks, 1st & Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA, United States
Oktoberfest Pennsylvania History
The Reading Liederkranz, a German cultural organization, started the state's oldest and most authentic Oktoberfest in 1949. Their celebration draws inspiration from the 1810 wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The Reading Liederkranz's Oktoberfest began modestly but grew steadily in popularity. The club tirelessly plans the event, ensuring an authentic German experience for its attendees. The festival offers a taste of Bavaria without leaving Pennsylvania, from delectable food and frothy beers to lively entertainment.
Pennsylvania Oktoberfest Celebrations Worth Visiting
Pennsylvania offers locals and visitors the opportunity to indulge in the Oktoberfest tradition every year. Various cities and towns in the state become venues for celebrating German beer, sausages, and lederhosen.
Pennsylvania Oktoberfest
The Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest festival offers two stages with live entertainment, ranging from German acts to current pop music. In addition to the music, a variety of beers and a food court offering both German and American cuisine are available. A children's craft area, carnival rides, and games are available, transforming the venue into a family-friendly event.
Oktoberfest Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania
Since 2005, Mifflinburg has celebrated its German heritage with its annual Munich Oktoberfest, which features imported German beers, German-style wines, live German music, German dancers, Bavarian foods, and American festival food favorites.
Friday begins with the tapping of the keg at 1 p.m., marking the official opening of Oktoberfest. German music, dancing, and beer continue throughout the evening. Saturday, the festival begins again at 11 a.m. with more music, dancing, and family activities. There are traditional keg toss, mug lift competitions, wonderful German foods, and American festival food favorites to enjoy with your beer!
Oktoberfest Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
During the Oktoberfest season, this venue offers free live music performances every Friday and Saturday at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks. The Levitt Pavilion is part of a national network of Levitt Pavilions and Levitt AMP concert sites. These venues aim to unite communities by offering free, high-quality live music in public spaces. They feature various musical genres and cultural events, creating welcoming and inclusive destinations for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Date and Time of Oktoberfest Pennsylvania
Towns and cities throughout the state hold their Oktoberfest events on different dates. These celebrations typically take place in mid-to-late September and extend into October
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Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest: September (three days celebration)
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Mifflinburg: October (Two days celebration)
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Oktoberfest Bethlehem: October (Six days celebration)
Pennsylvania Oktoberfest Tickets & Reservations
Pennsylvania Oktoberfest ticket sales begin around August. As the sale date approaches, each ticket package's specific information and cost become accessible. Visit the Oktoberfest website to learn more about the various venues, get the most recent updates, and buy tickets as soon as they're available! Some venues do not charge admission fees; all the costs come down to food and beverage.
Dress Code for Oktoberfest Pennsylvania
While Oktoberfest in Pennsylvania takes place in September, attendees are encouraged to wear traditional Bavarian clothing to enter the festive spirit! The most popular choices are:
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Lederhosen (Leather breeches for men)
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Dirndls (Dresses with a bodice for women)
You can find these outfits at Oktoberfest online stores. However, there's no strict dress code, so feel free to wear something comfortable as long as it's festive. Think bright colors, plaids, and anything that makes you feel celebratory!
Pennsylvania Oktoberfest Food and Drink
Unlike some venues with a set Oktoberfest menu, most events in Pennsylvania are likely to offer a selection of traditional German dishes alongside their regular menu during Oktoberfest celebrations. Here are some classic Oktoberfest dishes you can expect to find:
Main Course
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Bratwurst: Grilled sausages, often served with sauerkraut, mustard, and rye bread.
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Sauerbraten: Marinated roast beef with a sweet and sour sauce.
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Schweinebraten: Roasted pork shoulder.
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Haxe: Roasted pork knuckle.
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Jägerschnitzel: Breaded pork cutlet topped with a mushroom sauce.
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Würst Platter: A sampler platter of different sausages.
Sides
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Sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage.
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Potato Salad: German potato salad is often made with vinegar, mustard, and bacon.
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Rotkohl: Braised red cabbage.
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Knödel: Dumplings made from bread or potatoes.
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Spätzle: Egg noodles.
Desserts
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Apple Strudel: A flaky pastry filled with apples, raisins, and cinnamon.
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Black Forest Cake: A chocolate cake layered with cherries and whipped cream.
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Lebkuchen: Gingerbread hearts.
Drinks
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German Beers: Oktoberfest is all about beer, so expect to find a wide selection of German beers on tap, especially märzen-style beers.
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Radler: A mix of beer and lemon soda.
Oktoberfest Pennsylvania Entertainment Options
Pennsylvania's Oktoberfest celebrations are known for their lively entertainment options. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:
Music & Dance:
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Traditional oompah bands: Get ready to polka and sway to the infectious sounds of German folk music. With their tubas, clarinets, and lively rhythms, these bands create a festive atmosphere that's hard to resist.
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Schuhplattler: Traditional Bavarian folk dancers perform Schuhplattler, an entertaining and impressive rhythmic stomping dance.
Family-Friendly Activities:
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Games and rides: Many festivals have amusement rides and game booths to entertain the little ones.
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Face painting: Let your kids unleash their creativity with festive face painting.
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Cultural demonstrations: Learn about Bavarian traditions through food demonstrations, crafts workshops, or even yodeling lessons!
Contests:
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Stein-holding competitions: Test your arm strength and endurance by holding a full stein (mug) for as long as possible.
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Keg rolling races: Teams race each other by rolling kegs across a designated course. It's a fun test of teamwork and coordination.
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Wiener dog races: These adorable races featuring dachshunds are a crowd favorite and a fun activity for the whole family.
Tips For Attending Oktoberfest in Pennsylvania
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There are many Oktoberfest celebrations held throughout Pennsylvania, each offering a unique experience. You can find a list of Pennsylvania Oktoberfests online or by contacting your local tourism bureau.
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Many Oktoberfests offer shuttles or have designated parking areas. Be sure to find out the transportation options in advance and plan accordingly.
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Oktoberfest is a time to celebrate German culture. Be respectful of the traditions and customs of the festival.
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If the festival is outdoors, bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.