The German fall festival is massively celebrated in NYC with drinking enormous amounts of beer, sporting lederhosen, snacking on pretzels, and even some traditional dancing. For four autumn weekends Watermark Bar located on Pier 15 at South Street Seaport is transformed into a Bavarian-style festival. Each Day, starting from noon to midnight, you can enjoy not only the finest beer, but also music, contests, and games, like beer pong, cornhole, and stein-holding competitions,—everything typical for a German celebration. Traditional foods include bratwurst and pretzels. Admission to Oktoberfest is ticketed but free.
Other Octoberfest celebrations occur at beer gardens and beer halls in NYC, as well as at many parks. The biggest one is held in Central Park in mid-September. The festival takes place at Rumsey Playfield Summer Stage (Entrance at East 72nd Street). After washing down a bratwurst with a few pitchers, thousands of people listen to German bands and dance the polka! Entertainment also includes annual National Masskrugstemmen Championship sponsored by Hofbrau Bier.
