Arts & Entertainment
Brats, Bands and Beer: Oktoberfest 2015 in Connecticut
Deck out your dirndls and latch up your lederhosen, it's Oktoberfest! Here is info on events going on events near Tolland and across CT.
Grab your beer steins and and practice your best German cheers, it’s Oktoberfest! “But it’s only September?” Oktoberfest officially begins in September, not October, contrary to popular belief.
The German tradition began in the early 1800s and is celebrated in Munich, Germany for 16 days. It traditionally starts in the third weekend in September and ends the first Sunday in October.
Below are some festivals and happenings in Connecticut. Prost! Or as the young folks, say, “Ticky tocky, ticky tocky, hoi hoi hoi!”
Find out what's happening in Tollandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Bethel
Old Heidelberg Oktoberfest, 55 Stony Hill Road
Find out what's happening in Tollandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Each weekend in September through Oct. 4, beginning at 12 p.m. each day.
Join friends and family at Old Heidelberg’s beer garden. This authentic German restaurant has delicious German fare including brats, kraut, potato pancakes and more. Swing your grog in the air while live bands entertain you and your guests. Bands play beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Click here for a schedule.
Hamden
AIDS Project New Haven Oktoberfest, New Haven Country Club, 160 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden
Oct. 3, 5-9 p.m.
This Oktoberfest is a charity fundraiser for AIDS research and his held at the New Haven Country Club in Hamden. La Cuisine restaurant cooking up tasty German food, and dozens of different beers will be available for tasting. Tickets cost $65.
Hartford
Tapping Into Twain Oktoberfest, Mark Twain House and Museum, 351 Farmington Ave.
Friday, September 25, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
The Mark Twain House and Museum is hosting the Tapping Into Twain Oktoberfest fundraiser which includes beer form 20 local craft breweries, food from Hartford’s best chefs and live music. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door. Admission price includes a souvenir pint glass. Tickets: call (860) 280-3130 or click here.
Madison
Oktoberfest On The Sound, Madison Surf Club, 87 Surf Club Road
Saturday, Oct. 3, 12 - 9 p.m.
Sponsored by the Madison Lions Club, this charity event features a wide selection of Spaten biers including Munchner lager, Dunkel dark, and two Oktoberfest-stylet beers. Bavarian foods include wienerschnitzel, bratwurst, spatzel, red cabbage, potato pancakes, and apple strudel. Connecticut’s Frankenmusikanten will play polka music while the Heiko, Vera & Thommy Dancers dance traditional sets. The Steamrollers band plays at 8 p.m. Children’s activities include Dachshund races, pumpkin decorating, and face painting. Tickets are $10 each for adults.
Meriden
Meriden Turner Society Oktoberfest
Oct. 24, 6 - 11 p.m.
Enjoy a smoked pork chop dinner, listen to live music and watch the Bavarian dancers perform for this fun-filled Oktoberfest event.
Middlebury
Quassy Amusement Park Oktoberfest, 2132 Middlebury Road
Sept. 26 & 27, 12 - 6 p.m.
The 24th annual Oktoberfest includes food, two bands and dancing in the Fieldside Pavilion. Traditional German food including bratwurst, roasted pork and sauerkraut will be served. Admission to the pavilion is free but there is a cost for rides, park attractions, food and beverages.
Milford
Milford Oktoberfest, 57 New Haven Avenue
Saturday, Sept. 26 from 12-9 p.m.
The Milford Oktoberfest boasts a German biergarten, an authentic German band, a bratwurst eating contest, and children’s activities. Buy your tickets at the gate or call The Devon Rotary Club, who is sponsoring this event, at (203) 306-5172.
New Britain
Oktoberfest at St. Peter Church, 98 Franklin Square – September 26, 2015
The 5th annual Oktoberfest will be held from 12 - 8 p.m., rain or shine. The church green will have a 6000 square foot tent set up. Feature are German music, great authentic German food, and of course polka and other dancers for your entertainment.
Location: 98 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT.
New Canaan
Oktoberfest-Style Harvest Festival, New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge
Saturday, Oct. 3, 7-10 p.m.
The New Canaan Nature Center will host its 4th annual Oktoberfest-style Harvest Festival featuring local craft brewers and vintners pouring samples of seasonal beers, wine and cocktails. Indulge in traditional German food and drink while enjoying live music and outdoor games. Tickets are $65 each, 21+ up.
New London
Fall Food Stroll, Main Street, New London
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
New London’s Historic Waterfront District will host a fall food festival along New London’s historic Main Street. Enjoy delicious harvest fare wile enjoying views of Tiffany glass windows in its cathedral to the country’s oldest operating courthouse and custom house, to the unique gift shops and exciting entertainment.
Visit newlondonmainstreet.org for more information.
New Milford
Alpenhaus Restaurant Oktoberfest, 19 Main Street
Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 - 8 p.m.
This year’s Oktoberfest will in the United Bank Building up by the New Milford Green. The entrance fee will be $5 per person. Children under 14 are free. If you wear REAL Lederhosen or a Dirndl you get in free. Live German music, delicious food, fun games and a dance floor for waltzes and polkas.
Plantsville
29th German American Day and Dinner Dance, Aqua Turf, Plantsville
Saturday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Doors open with hors d’oeuvres being served at 6 p.m. Music by the 10-piece orchestra of Rich Bobinski and zither player Reinhold Wiedemann from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m. Cost is $75 adult per person/$35 child per person. Price includes: open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dinner (prime rib, baked stuffed shrimp, pan seared salmon, chicken Wadworth or vegetarian eggplant parmigiana with salad, pasta, garlic whipped potatoes, and vegetable) and desert with coffee. To make a reservation, please contact your local German-American club or Helga Kerler at 203-426-6969 or helgaem@sbcglobal.net.
Stamford
Oktoberfest on the Meadow, Stamford Nature Center
Friday, Oct. 16 from 7-10 p.m.
Enjoy Oktoberfest on the Meadow with German beers, live music from Green Eyed Lady, German food from Old Heidelberg and much more. Tickets are $60 for members and $75 for non-members in advance or $70 for members and $85 for non-members at the door. This event is 21+ older.
West Haven
Harugari Singing Society Oktoberfest, 66 Highland Street
Sunday, Oct. 25, 1 - 6 p.m.
Come and celebrate the end of Oktoberfest with a Kassler Ripchen dinner in the Club Hall. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Jim Forte. The Harugari Schuhplattlers will also perform. Cash bar will be available. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Call Barbara 203-640-3656 or the Club 203-933-9930 for reservations.
If we missed any Oktoberfests, let us know by emailing wendy.mitchell@patch.com.
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