Want to enjoy Oktoberfest but can’t make it over to Germany? New England is one of the best regions to travel to, as you’ll be able to enjoy all the beer and festivities of that famous autumn party along with America’s most renowned fall foliage. You’ll be surrounded by vibrant yellows, brilliant oranges and fiery red hues as you sip some of the best brews and enjoy all sorts of other Bavarian-related attractions too.
Samuel Adams Octoberfest, Boston
Boston is not only famous for its history, with its Freedom Trail that traverses from Boston Common through Historic Downtown Boston, the North End to the Charlestown waterfront highlighting countless historic sites, but it’s well-known for its Samuel Adams brewery. The Brewery hosts the annual Samuel Adams Octoberfest in late September, where you can take part in a wide range of events while tasting a variety of beers. Before you indulge too much, take a ride down the inflatable hop slide and then join in on the stein-hoisting competition while listening to live music. There will be plenty of food vendors on hand to soak up all the suds as well.
Swine & Stein Brewfest - Gardiner, Maine
The Swine & Stein Brewfest in Maine offers a whole lot more than great brews. An all-day street party, it’s held in early October every year. You’ll be able to sample plenty of Maine craft beers along with dishes that focus on local pork while enjoying live music throughout the day. It’s a family-friendly event offering plenty for the little ones, too, including a variety of kids’ activities. There are a number of competitions to take part in as well. Of course, you won’t be far from some of Maine’s renowned scenic drives for experiencing autumn foliage, either.
Mount Snow Oktoberfest - Dover, Vermont
Dover, Vermont, hosts the two-day Mount Oktoberfest, with the brews coming with plenty of stunning leaf-peeping. You can even ride the Bluebird Express to the summit of the mountain for a bird’s-eye view of the foliage and taste over two dozen different German and domestic beers. Make it even more fun by joining in one of the contests like the keg toss, yodeling competition or the schnitzel toss. A variety of kids’ activities are offered, too, including pumpkin painting and a bounce house, and it will also host a 5k beer run as well as an arts and crafts show.
Chatham Oktoberfest, Massachusetts
Enjoy the beauty of Cape Cod, including its sandy beaches and picturesque lighthouses, along with a beer fest, by heading to Chatham’s Oktoberfest. Expect lots of beer and bratwurst, and you’ll have the opportunity to take unique selfies at the “Pumpkin People in the Park.” These popular and highly creative displays of life-sized “people” who have pumpkins for heads are created by local residents, businesses, and other organizations. There’s live music and other performers to enjoy and a beer trailer where the brews are always flowing.
White Mountain Oktoberfest - Lincoln, New Hampshire
Lincoln, New Hampshire, provides another option for Oktoberfest fun over Columbus Day Weekend with its White Mountain Oktoberfest, surrounded by some of the most dazzling colors of autumn in all of New England. The event is hosted at Loon Mountain Resort and, of course, features beer and bratwurst, but there will be a whole not more too, like the Alpiner Oom-pah Band and contests that include a corn hole tournament, stein hoisting, a keg toss, water balloon tossing and a variety of children’s games and attractions like a climbing wall and bungee trampoline.
Harpoon Octoberfest - Boston, Massachusetts
Harpoon Octoberfest is a three-day event held in Boston at the Harpoon Brewery. It hosts live music along with special Bavarian menu options created in the Beer Hall kitchen that typically include mouthwatering bratwurst and German cake. Two of Harpoon’s favorites, UFO and Clown Shoes beer will be available.
Acadia Oktoberfest - Southwest Harbor, Maine
Southwest Harbor is located right next to Acadia National Park, one of the top spots in the nation to take in especially breathtaking hues of autumn as well as magnificent wild coastlines. It will host the Acadia Oktoberfest, it kicks off with the annual Wine Tasting and is followed by the annual Brewfest, bringing lots of beer, food and music, as well as arts and crafts.
Sugarbush Fresh Hops Festival - Warren, Vermont
Sugarbush Resort hosts a special, one-day beer festival over Columbus Day weekend that celebrates fresh hop beer, called the Fresh Hops Festival. Although it’s not an Oktoberfest celebration, beer enthusiasts will certainly appreciate this festival. The resort is perfectly situated for enjoying the colors of autumn, while Fresh Hops Festival attendees can listen to live music and take part in sampling beer from ten Vermont breweries. Sugarbush also hosts Community Weekend the same weekend with activities like scenic lift rides, pumpkin carving, and hiking, plus harvest-inspired dining.
