The Oktoberfest tradition started in 1810 to celebrate the October 12th
marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen
Princess Therese. The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the
festivities, which were held over five days on the fields in front of the
city gates. The main event of the original Oktoberfest was a horse race.
Today Oktoberfest is known around the world for its traditional folk music,
German food, German beer and dancing. Every year the mayor of Munich,
Germany kicks off the 17-day Oktoberfest celebration by tapping a keg of
beer and announcing “O’zapft is!” (“It is tapped!”), and local celebrations
take place around the world.
Most festivities offer German-style soft pretzels, grilled German sausages,
sauerkraut, pickles and other traditional German foods, and there is always
plenty of beer. Märzen, Oktoberfest beer, is a dark and strong
bottom-fermented beer that is lagered for at least 30 days and contains up
to 6 percent alcohol. Before modern-day refrigeration, it was brewed in
March and allowed to age through the summer, so that it was ready to drink
by late summer or early fall.
Oktoberfest is also known as much for its traditional folk music, marches
and polkas – the oompah music Germany is famous for around the world – as
it is for its beer. Typically at celebrations in Germany, the music grows
louder as the evening wears on. More and more people begin to sing, link
arms and dance on tables, swinging beer mugs from side to side, while the
band offers up plenty of toasts to contentment, congeniality and
relaxation.
Here in the Washington area, this family-fun fall festival is held in many
local communities with one-day bashes to week-long and month-long
celebrations. Some of the Oktoberfest celebrations in Washington D.C.,
Maryland and Virginia are listed below.
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Heurich House Museum Oktoberfest
September 16 and 17, 1-4 p.m. 1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington, D.C.
The museum will celebrate Brewmaster Chrisian Heurich’s German heritage
with local beer, German-style soft pretzels, fresh grilled German sausages,
sauerkraut and pickles. Celebrate with traditional Oktoberfest music and
tour the historic home. heurichhouse.org -
Snallygaster DC
September 23, 1-6 p.m. The Yards, SW Washington, D.C. The festival will
feature more than 300 different ales and lagers, food vendors, live music,
DJ’s, recreational and family-friendly activities. Admission contributions
will benefit the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture.
Drink and food tickets will be sold separately. snallygasterdc.com -
Biergarten Haus Oktoberfest
Through October. 1355 H St NE Washington, D.C. The Bavarian pub offers
their regular drafts and 11 additional Oktoberfest drafts, food and live
music. biergartenhaus.com -
Lovettsville’s Oktoberfest
September 23. In celebration of the town’s German heritage, festivities
will include food, crafts and entertainment. Loudoun, VA.
lovettsvilleoktoberfest.com -
Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest
September 28-October 1, 6-10 p.m. Fremont Field, Fort Belvoir, VA. The
annual festival, open to the general public, includes authentic German food
and beer, carnival rides, live entertainment, kids activities and more.
belvoir.armymwr.com -
Capitol City Brewing Company Oktoberfest
September 30, 12-7 p.m. Shirlington Village, Arlington, VA. Sample beers
from more than 65 breweries and a variety of foods. Enjoy lively German
entertainment. Admission: $30, free for non-drinkers. Shirlington library
will host kid’s events. capcitybrew.com -
Tysons Biergarten
Visit this large beer hall and biergarten year round for live music, and
traditional German food, wine and beer. Oktoberfest is celebrated each
Saturday through October, and every weekend you can experience something
different. Enjoy an IPA & Cider festival, beer tasting with 50 pumpkin
and harvest ales, and family-friendly gatherings with moon bounces, games,
prizes and live music in its large outdoor space. See website for details.
tysonsbiergarten.com -
Frederick Oktoberfest
September 29-October 1. Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Frederick Fairgrounds in Frederick, MD. This is a large Oktoberfest with
live music, kid’s games, German foods, Biergarten and family fun.
Admission: $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. Children ages 2 and under are
free. frederickoktoberfest.org -
Das Best Oktoberfest
September 30 at National Harbor, MD. The festival will include over 150
unique beers, German wines and foods. Oompah bands, live music, contests
and more. Admission: $40 and up. Children ages 12 and under are free.
dasbestoktoberfest.com -
Oktoberfest at Hard Bargain Farm
October 7, 1-6 p.m. Accokeek, MD. Sponsored by the Alice Ferguson
Foundation, the event features German cuisine, imported Spaten Beer,
pressed cider, hayrides, kids activities and more. All proceeds benefit
environmental education. fergusonfoundation.org/events/oktoberfest-2017 -
Oktoberfest at the Kentlands
October 8, 12-5 p.m. Kentlands Village Green, Gaithersburg, MD. The City of
Gaithersburg and the Kentlands Citizens Assembly sponsor this
family-friendly event featuring Bavarian music, dance, food, crafts, pony
rides, moon bounces, pumpkin decorating, face painting and more.
www.gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/special-events/oktoberfest-at-the-kentlands -
Das Best Oktoberfest
October 14 in Baltimore, MD at the M&T Bank stadium lots. Over 60,000
people generally attend this annual event. VIP admission is from noon to 2
p.m. and regular admission is from 2 to 6 p.m. Over 150 local, domestic and
international beers, wines, schnapps and German food will be available for
purchase. Enjoy live music from regional bands, polka and oompah bands,
chicken dancing and contests offering prizes. dasbestoktoberfest.com -
Berlin Octoberfest
October 14 in Berlin, MD. Enjoy music, German food, craft vendors and a
fall sidewalk sale. Beer garden by Burley Oak Brewing Company. Games and
activities such as face painting, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting and
more. Annual cornhole tournament at Burley Tavern. berlinmainstreet.com -
Oktoberfest at Schifferstadt
Oct 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct 22, 12-5 p.m. in Frederick, MD. Enjoy great
food, lively German music, historic demonstrations and hand-made products
from art and craft vendors. Free. frederickcountylandmarksfoundation.org
