Ask a Bartender: Your Last Chance for Octoberfest in New England
Pam Martin, GoLocalProv Ask A Bartender Columnist
Ask a Bartender: Your Last Chance for Octoberfest in New England
White Mountain Oktoberfest at Loon Mountain – Saturday, October 10th – Sunday, October 11th
A family-friendly two-day event at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire hosted by Samuel Adams has fun for all ages. For adults the fun might be the stein hoisting competition, or the keg toss, or it might just be refilling your 1-liter glass boot with delicious seasonal beer all day long. Visit their site to reserve your custom Oktoberfest boot now.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHarpoon Octoberfest Vermont – Saturday, October 10th – Sunday, October 11th
Make the trek up to the Windsor brewery for the same bold Harpoon taste, but with less traffic and a bit more foliage. Free tours of the brewery all day, and a complimentary beer with your admission ticket. Keg bowling and bratwurst. I can just see the Instagram filters now.
Oktoberfest – Stamford, CT – Friday, October 16th
It goes without saying that you’ll enjoy some delicious German food with your seasonal beer, but this Oktoberfest peaked my interest at “S’mores Bar”. The event ends at 10:00pm, so there is time to make a pit stop at the grocery store and the liquor store on your way home if you didn’t get your fill.
International Oktoberfest – Providence, RI – Saturday, October 17th – Sunday, October 18th
This year Rhode Island’s annual Oktoberfest has moved to a new location at India Point Park. Waterfront festivals are rare this time of year, which is even more of a reason to check this one out. There are 32 beers to choose from, ranging from everyday seasonal brews such as Shipyard Pumpkin and Leinenkugel Harvest Patch, to some harder-to-find labels including Hofbräu, König, and Warsteiner. This event is 21+, and you can order tickets in advance, or at the entrance.
25 Festivals You Must Attend This Fall
September 19th
Ocean State Oyster Festival at Riverwalk Park
The Ocean State Oyster Festival is set to take place on Saturday from 12 - 5 p.m. at the Riverwalk in Providence.
The purchase of a ticket gets you a half dozen oysters from various growers around Rhode Island and a micro brewed beer or glass of wine.
There will be live music and a shucking contest as well as food trucks. Children under 12 are FREE.
September 19th
Phantom Gourmet Food Festival next to Fenway
The phantom Gourmet Food Festival is an event to look forward too and it will be held on September 19th from 12- 4 p.m. on two streets next to Fenway Park.
Tickets are $40 in advance and online and will go up to $50 at the event.
The ticket includes sampling 100 of Phantom's foods from hot dogs and pizza to pulled pork and more. Beer and wine will be served on the street.
September 19th
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - 1319 Main Street, Fitchburg
11 AM to 10 PM
"Enjoy All Your Homemade Greek Favorites: Souvlaki, Gyro, Pastitsio, Mousaka, Spanakopita, Baklava, Galaktombureko, Loukoumades, and countless other great Pastry, Coffee Bar, Beer & Wine and Much, Much More!!
Featuring DJ Markos with Live Music by Markos Bouzouki Band." -
September 19th -20th
Wormtown Music Festival at Camp Kee-wanee - Greenfield
A three day long concert featuring over 50 bands, a community bonfire,craft vendors and more.
Kids 14 and under are FREE to the event.
September 19th-20th
25th Annual KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain - 499 Mountain Rd, Princeton
Saturday 9/19 at 10 AM to Sunday 9/20 at 5 PM
Two days of music, food and fun for the whole family!
Sampling by more than 50 Market Basket Vendors!
Enjoy sample foods on the spot, like burgers, hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, snacks and more... or take pre-packaged foods home with you.
Featuring: Flippenout Trampoline Show, Rainforest Reptile Show, Maximum Velocity BMX Bike Show, Baby Animal Petting Zoo, Kids' Ski Deck, USA Ninja Warrior Challenge Course presented by Sterling Gym and WXLO's In It To Win It Game Show Challenge.
September 19th -20th
The Misquamicut Fall Festival is a great time for the entire family. The festival features food, a reptile show, a petting zoo and carnival rides.
Performances will include Grammy nominee Sophie B Hawkins and country star Boone as well as performances from local bands like Princess Anna, queen Elsa and Olaf
Admission to the festival is only $7 and kids that are four or under get in for FREE.
Photo courtesy of Misquamicut Fall Festival facebook page
September 20th
The New England Festival of Hope will be held at Easton's Beach from 5-7 p.m. Admission is FREE.
The festival will feature live music, special guest appearances from X-Games Gold Medalist Kevin Robinson and Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon (pictured) as well as cotton candy, pop corn and various children's activities.
September 20th
Hope Street Fall Festival
The Hope Street Fall Festival returns on Sunday, September 20th from 12-5 p.m. This years festival will feature two stages of music and entertainment as well as a wine garden, storytellers, food trucks and more.
Jazz musician, playwright and performer Rose Weaver will headline the North Stage which will be located near Festival Ballet. Weaver will bring her trademark energy, humor and wisdom to the crowd. Rose Weaver encourages attendees to bring a parasol if they have one.
September 20th
The first annual Ocean State Beer Festival will be held on Sunday, September 20 from 1-4 p.m. at Grey Sail of Brewing of Rhode Island, located at 63 Canal Street in Westerly, Rhode Island.
Tickets are $35 and that includes a souvenir glass.
Food will be provided by The Preppy Pig BBQ food truck and is not included in the price but a great time is included. Just another fall event t look forward too.
Sept. 19th - Oct. 4th
The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts
The Big E is the largest fair in the Northeast and is the fifth largest fair in North America, bringing in close to 1.5 million people every September.
This year festival includes musical performances from DJ Paris Hilton as well as South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes both taking place at the Court of Honor Stage while Kansas will play at the Xfinity Center.
Sample food and enjoy rides, games, horse shows, historical exhibits and more.
September 26th
Burke Mountain Fall Foliage Festival in Vermont
The Burke Mountain Fall Foliage Festival is one of the biggest festivals of the year.
Events at the festival include a parade starting at 10 a.m., a farm animal petting zoo, horse drawn carriage rides, a beer and wine tent open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and live music by Tritium Well from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
September 25th, 26th & 27
Boston Calling at City Hall Plaza in Boston
Boston Calling is back for a three day festival that includes some of the best musical performances that you will see anywhere.
Performacnes include The Avett Brothers, Of Monsters and Men, Alabama Shakes and Hozier.
There will be plenty of food and drinks to go around tas the Festival will be packed with many vendors.
October 1st-November 1st
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular returns to Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence with shows running nightly from October 1st through November 1st, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. This annual event, created by artists and craftsmen of Passion for Pumpkins, and features 5,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns, with over 125 of them artistically carved and displayed in scenes to play out the annual theme.
New this year's event will be the addition of light and image projections to help enhance the scenery along the trail. The standards of the show like childhood favorites and Halloween scenes, and the show’s grand finale, the Laughing Tree.
Photo courtesy of chrisdupe/flickr
October 3rd
The West Boylston Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 3rd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Boylston Town Common.
The event is FREE.
The festival will include a scarecrow contest, a pie eating contest and musical performances the Acoustic Guitar Orchestra, The Office Party Band and Lolli & The Boston Hoop Troop (pictured).
Photo courtesy of Boston Hoop Troop facebook page
October 3rd
Harpoon Brewery Octoberfest in Boston
Harpoon Brewery will hold their 26th annual Octoberfest on Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd from 1-7 p.m.
The event will feature Harpoon brews, bratwursts, chicken dancing and German chocolate cake eating contests as well as Oompah music.
Harpoon Brewery is located at 306 Northern Ave in Boston.
October 3rd & 4th
Freeport Fall Festival in Maine
Some of the best New England artists and fine craft makers will assemble on the L.L. Bean campus in Freeport Maine. the Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival includes art exhibits, live music the entire day onthe Discovery Stage and a chowdah challenge for all to take part in.
The Festival is FREE to attend.
October 4th
6th Annual Great New England BBQ Fest at Wachusset Mountain
The 6th annual Great New England BBQ Fest will be held on October 4th from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This year's events include the OYSTERFEST, now featuring Oysters on the half shell, clam chowder and shrimp, as well as a daily Oyster Shucking Competition!
The PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS will feature Chili on Saturday and Pulled Pork on Sunday!
Photo courtesy of Jerry Huddleston/flickr
October 10th-12th
Columbus Day Festival on Federal Hill
Filled with great music and even better food, the Columbus Day Festival is a fall event to look forward to every fall.
The feast will take place on October 10th-12th and the parade will take place on Sunday, October 11th at 11 a.m.
October 9th - 11th
Annual Fall Festival Weekend - Sunday River in Newry, Maine
The annual Fall Festival Weekend welcomes the start of a new season with live music every day, a crafts fair and some friendly competiton.
That competition includes the 16th Annual North American Wife Carrying Competition where 50 teams will compete and winners will received the wife's weight in beer and five times her weight in cash.
There will also be the 2nd annual New England Cornhole Championship where $600 is on the line for someone to win.
October 17th
New Hampshire Brewfest in Portsmouth New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Brewfest will take place at Red Hook Ale Brewery from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Try out over 100 beers from 31 different craft breweries
The festival is 21 + only and tickets start at $25.
October 17th
2015 Harvest Festival at Patriot Place
The 6th Annual Harvest Festival will be held on Saturday, October 17 behind Bass Pro Shop at Patriot Place. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Festival is FREE.
The festival is great for families and it will include pumpkin painting, hayrides, live music an a lot more.
October 17th & 18th
Oktoberfest at India Point Park in Providence
The 23rd annual International Oktoberfest is set to take place on October 17th and 18th on the Providence Waterfront at India Point Park.
Enjoy seasonal brews, German food like Brats, sausages and Bavarian Pretzels or for those that are not into German food, there will be burgers, hot dogs, pizza and ice cream.
Entertainment will be provided by the German-American dance show "Spitze" as well as HSV Bavaria Folk Dancers.
Saturday's times are 12-8 p.m. and Sunday's times are 12-6 p.m.
Ticket prices are as follows.
Saturday – $20 advance/$25 day-of event
Sunday – $17 advance/ $20 day-of event
Weekender Pass – $30 advance / $40 day-of event
Prost Pass – $85 advance and day-of event, limited quantities (details below)
Photo courtesy of xsnowdog/flickr
October 23rd-24th
Downeast Harvest Fest at Down East Cider House in Charlestown, Mass.
The Downeast Harvest Fest will begin at 5 p.m. on October 23rd and end at 8 p.m. on October 24th.
Tickets are $40 at the door and the ticket includes Food by Causeway BBQ, Downeast Cider Donuts, One free drink - including any of the ciders on tap and beer from Nightshift, Live music by local Boston funk/blues/rock band Pineapple Jam (pictured), as well as games and the Cider/Beer Garden.
Photo courtesy of pineapplejamband.com
October 23rd - November 1
Vermont International Film Festival
The Vermont International Film Festival, now in it's 29th year, will launch three new sections this year. There will be weekday Student Matinees for high schools, a series of Family-friendly films on weekend mornings and for thrill seekers, three 10 p.m. screenings of horror films.
Vermont Filmmakers awards will be announced at the opening night party.
October 24th
NH's 25th Anniversary Pumpkin Festival in Laconia
The pumpkin festival runs from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The festival will include a food and crafts court, pumpkin bowling and thousands on Jack-O-Lanterns at street level for all to see.
The festival will also be going for a Guiness World Record, trying to set the mark for the most little Jack-O-Lanterns in one place. The current record is 30, 581.
Get up to the Pumpkin Festival and help them out.
