Despite its namesake, Oktoberfest arrives in September and plenty of events kick off the beer-induced extravaganza in New York. From the bratwurst to the beer drinking contests, these are the places to be to celebrate the German festival.

Treadwell Park will be celebrating Oktoberfest at both their Battery Park (301 South End Ave.) and Upper East Side (1125 1st Ave.) locations from September 15 – October 8. This is not your typical Oktoberfest celebration. Instead, your beer tour guide Anne Becerra (NYC’s first female beer cicerone) will hand you a passport and take you on a tour of German beer history. Through the different tastes and styles of the various beers as well as gourmet twists on traditional holiday fare, you will take a culinary journey. It’s super simple and fun. Drink a beer from Munich, get a stamp on your passport and take a trip to Berlin. And it keeps going until you have hit every region. Once you complete your journey, one-of-a-kind stein to take home awaits. It really is a cultural experience, as much as a celebration.

The Pennsy will kick off the Oktoberfest celebrations with a tapping of the Keg on Sept 16 at 6pm and a live performance by fan favorite German band The Scorpions. Local New York and Pennsylvania as well as German beers will be on special all night and throughout Oktoberfest. On Sept 25, The festivities keep coming with an Oktoberfest take on the age-old Pennsylvania vs New York rivalry in honor of the Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Rangers preseason game. Guests will enjoy live music, beer specials from Philadelphia and New York local beers, a stein hoisting contest and the chance to win tickets to a regular season Flyers vs. Rangers game.

The Watermark Bar hosts three weekends of Oktoberfest starting Friday September 15th, bringing the Munich atmosphere to NYC. There’s nothing over $8 on the menu, except for the 1 liter stein beer which are $16. The event is free with the option of a two hour beer tasting for $60, but those who want to attend should reserve their tickets. With live music and a view of the East River, who wouldn’t want to attend?

Starting September 16th, Radegast Hall kicks off their Oktoberfest celebration with a ceremonial keg tapping and a pig roast. During the celebration, they have live polka and folk music playing with a DJ on Saturday. And build up those arm muscles ladies and gents, because Radegast also hosts a female/male mug-holding contest.

From the 23rd of September to the 12th of November, the Circle Line is hosting an Oktoberfest cruise. It’s 2.5 hours up the Hudson River headed to Bear Mountain State Park filled with Oompah and polka music, German food and beer! The menu features a German Feast Plate with bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, pork schnitzel, and beer from Warsteiner. At Bear Mountain Park, cruisers have 3 hours to spend before heading back to New York City.

Oktoberfest Under the Manhattan Bridge is hosted by Dumbo Business Improvement District. Held from Oct 6-8, the Archway will transformed into a ‘traditional German beer hall’ with different performances each night from Melina and the Oompahs and DJ Holzmeister. They’ll feature a virtual apple picking photo experience, decorate your own coasters, a menu of bratwurst and pretzels and sauerkraut, as well as beer from Dumbo owned Lighthouse.

By Alix Vo