Oktoberfest has become one of New York’s premier fall festivals, celebrating great food, fall foliage, and of course amazing beer.

Oktoberfest began in Germany. In 1810, from October 12-17 the celebration was held to honor the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. But why should such a fun tradition be relegated to one small country? The festival quickly spread across Europe and then the world, and has been changing the face of fall in New York in a big way.
This year the festival will take place beginning September 17, and ending on October 3. It was moved up from the original October date to the third week in September due to the weather, which turns cold and stormy in October.

There will be Oktoberfest celebrations in every New York borough so there is no excuse not to join in.

The largest events will be in Central Park on September 17, Munich on the East River on September 23, and Watermark’s Oktoberfest, September 17.