Philadelphia, PA – Brauhaus Schmitz, located at 718 South Street, will bring the sights, sounds and tastes of Munich to the Philadelphia region at two of Pennsylvania’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations. First up, get ready to raise a liter and dance in the street as South Street Oktoberfest returns for its 18th year on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, on the 700 block of South Street. The all-day, all-ages celebration attracts around 10,000 people and features a biergarten for over 1,000 people, live oom-pah music all day, German dancers, the liter lift competition, a dozen German beers, signature Bavarian dishes, face painting, outdoor games, family fun and much more. Two weeks later, they saved the best for last as one of the most authentic celebrations in the United States returns with the 8th Annual 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest, on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10, 2026, with three afternoon and evening sessions.
Look for the historic Armory to be transformed from top to bottom into a sea of blue and white with miles of fabric and custom decorations, artwork and furniture. Come ready for opening tap, dancing, German traditions, food, drink and so much more. South Street and Haddon Square are family friendly, no charge to attend and food/drink pay-as-you-go, with South Street also offering an exclusive VIP experience in the Brauer Bund. 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest is a ticketed event for those 21 and older. Armory tickets are on sale now – with a special $35 for Friday night general admission tickets. For info and tickets for all three events, visit Brauhaus Schmitz website and follow @brauhausschmitz on social media.
“Philadelphia is the best city in America to celebrate Oktoberfest season,” said Brauhaus Schmitz Owner Doug Hager. “After hosting thousands of fans for World Cup, we are ready to host record breaking crowds for South Street Oktoberfest and 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest. We have been hosting one of the top celebrations in America for 18 years and counting. Over 110,000 have come out to celebrate with us – and we are looking forward to dancing in the street and raising liters together. Come ready to sing your hearts out and enjoy Bavarian food, beer, music and decor for two of our city’s most iconic annual fall celebrations.”
Break out your lederhosen and dirndl – and keep them out for two of the fall’s biggest beer festivals and celebrations:
** 18th Annual South Street Oktoberfest
Presented by Brauhaus Schmitz
Saturday September 26, 2025, 12:00pm to 8:00pm
700 Block of South Street
Prost! Philadelphia region’s largest Oktoberfest celebration returns. Brauhaus Schmitz presents the 18th Annual South Street Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. Oktoberfest will be held in front of Brauhaus Schmitz on the 700 block of South Street beneath a massive biergarten with seating for 1,000 people. This is one of fall’s most exciting food-and-drink events and a do-not-miss celebration for beer lovers. Festivities will include nearly a dozen German beers available on draught, a wealth of German food, live oom-pah music, face painting, German dancers, Liter Lift competition, games, delicious schnapps and more. Music will be provided by Die Heimatklänge with folk dancing by United German Hungarians. Guests can attend and purchase beers and food on a pay-as-you-go basis or upgrade to an exclusive VIP package- which includes private access to the Brauer Bund, VIP drafts, liter mug, a Bavarian buffet, beer tokens, private no-wait bathrooms, dedicated event seating and air conditioning, and bonus swag.
“South Street’s single biggest day of the year is Oktoberfest. There’s nothing like singing your favorite songs, watching the dancers and celebrating with 10,000 of new and old friends. It’s an all day, all ages celebration that is a rite of passage heading into the autumn. We can’t wait to see everyone outside for one of our largest celebrations to date. We got a head start with World Cup and our giant block parties – and buzz has been building for months this year. As the song says, meet me on South Street,” said Hager.
South Street Oktoberfest is family and fido friendly, 21 and up to drink (with identification), no charge to attend, food and drink pay-as-you-go, and tickets on sale for VIP.
VIP tickets are for the true Oktoberfest die-hards that want a more exclusive experience. Tickets are limited and sell out each year, get them now while supplies last. VIP Tickets include access to the Brauer Bund Bierhall where festival goers can enjoy indoor seating, with an exclusive VIP buffet which will run from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Tickets also include seven beer tokens with access to the VIP Draft list as well as all outside concessions. In addition to beer ticket also includes a glass liter mug to take home, an annual souvenir Oktoberfest t-shirt with a new 2026 design (you don’t want to miss it), Brauhaus swag, private bathroom access and VIP food buffet. $125.00 limited and must be purchased in advance, sells out.
** 8th Annual 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest
Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10, 2026
Friday: 7:30pm to 11:30pm
Saturday Day: 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Saturday Night: 7:30pm to 11:30pm
Presented by Brauhaus Schmitz
23rd Street Armory, 22 South 23rd Street
GA – Friday $35/ Saturday $45 1pm/ Saturday 7:30pm $40
VIP – Friday $75/ Saturday 1pm $85/ Saturday 7:30pm $80
Back for the 8th Year, Brauhaus Schmitz transforms the 23rd St. Armory into a real deal Oktoberfest tent! Walking into the stone castle structure you will be transported to the Wies’n in Munich! Three sessions over two days is all this festival needs to bring the Oktoberfest experience to 4,000 lucky attendees. Hofbrau beer served in Liter Mass Glasses, Bratwurst, Roast Chicken, Pig Roast and 1000’s of Pretzels will keep you happy, hydrated and fed, while you dance the night away to live oom-pah bands, and traditional German dance performances around the 40 foot centerpiece! TIckets sell fast so don’t delay, get your group together and find your table now before it’s too late! Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!!
This event has a reputation for being one of the biggest beer-drinking events to hit Philadelphia and one of the most authentic Oktoberfest parties in the United States. Experience what many call “The most Authentic Oktoberfest experience outside of Munich!”
The fortress-like structure located at 22 South 23rd Street in West Center City (only a 5-minute walk from 30th Street Station) will mimic an authentic Munich festival tent. The 16,000 square foot space will be decked out with Bavarian blue and white ceilings, authentic festival tables and benches imported from Germany, as well as a lofted stage area for musical acts, which includes Brauhaus regulars Die Heimatklänge on Friday night and Saturday daytime, and The Bratwurst Boys for Saturday night. Traditional German dance performances with United German Hungarians. Traditional Oktoberfest food will be provided by Brauhaus Schmitz and beer will be provided by the world famous Hofbräuhaus München – Das Original. There truly is nothing currently like this in the entire region or state. This event draws attendees from Philadelphia, Southeast Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Washington D.C., New York City, New Jersey, Delaware and beyond. Tickets are on sale now!
“23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest draws attendees from Philadelphia, Southeast Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Washington D.C., New York City, New Jersey, Delaware and other states down the East Coast and across America,” said Hager. “While the event draws in the locals, the event each year attracts more and more tourists looking to visit the City of Brotherly Love. The number one thing we hear from guests is about the authenticity of this celebration – with some German friends saying it’s the closest thing to being in Munich. We hope you can experience this for yourself this year – or both.”
The 8th Annual 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest is adults only, 21 and up. Tickets are required for this special event experience. Ticket options vary from admission and first drink general admission package; to VIP tickets with early admission, reserved seating, 2 liters of beer, VIP table service, platter of food and private bathroom access. Additional food and drink is pay-as-you-go.
Friday tickets are $35 for general admission, $75 for VIP
Saturday tickets for 1:00pm are $45 for general, $85 for VIP
Saturday tickets for 7:30pm are $40 for general, $80 for VIP
For more information about Brauhaus Schmitz, visit www dot brauhausschmitz dot com/whats-on/ or follow on Instagram (@brauhausschmitz) or Facebook dot/brauhausschmitz
ABOUT BRAUHAUS SCHMITZ
Open since 2009, Brauhaus Schmitz has revived the city’s love affair with its German heritage and reintroduced a whole generation of Philadelphians to the foods of their forefathers. This Teutonic kitchen churns out excellent Haus-Made Sausages, Savory Schnitzels, and the Best Schweinhaxe outside of Munich. To complement the much-lauded food at Brauhaus, Owner Doug Hager continues to grow its outstanding beer list. By cultivating a close relationship with brewers during his frequent visits to Germany, Brauhaus is able to present the World’s Largest German beer selection with 34 rotating draft lines, all imported from the Vaterland! In addition to the amazing draft beer selection, you will find another 100 mostly German Flaschenbier (Bottles) and a well-rounded wine and spirits selection! Be sure to check out their selection of German Schnaps! Prost!!