Each year, there are many fun Oktoberfest events throughout New England, but my favorite two are hosted by Harpoon Brewery in Boston and Mount Snow in Vermont. With fall just rolling in, it is always the perfect time to dress in your fall clothes, listen to some music, and enjoy the company of your friends— oh yeah, and have some beer.
Located right in Boston’s Seaport, Harpoon Brewery hosts a local festival with live music, food, beer, and cider. Upon entering, you get to pick up a Harpoon Oktoberfest glass which you use throughout the event. Once getting to the festival grounds, aka their parking lot, your first stop should be to grab a beer or cider and pick a stage. There are usually 2-3 stages with live music performances playing from a German oompah band to Howl At The Moon’s great musicians playing your favorite cover songs.
There are many food options, usually food that is easy to eat and walk, like sausages and chicken fingers. Feeling charitable? Stop by the keg bowling area to go keg bowling for a donation to Harpoon’s charity and attempt to roll a keg towards some bowling pins. Let me tell you, it is more complicated than it looks.
If you’re looking for a festival that is a little more country, Mount Snow might be more your speed. It is excellent for a weekend getaway for the whole family. My friends and I usually rent one of the condo lodging options because it can easily accommodate a larger group, and you have a full kitchen to make breakfast and other meals.
Once you arrive at the festival grounds, you are in a wide-open field space at the base of the mountain. While skiing won’t be open yet, you can still take the chairlift up the mountain for a gorgeous view. It can be cold at the top, so bring a sweater or sweatshirt. The rest of the events and activities will be at the base of the mountain with beer and cider options, tables, and a dance floor in front of the stage with non-stop oompah music. In addition, there is a local vendor market inside the lodge selling everything from blankets to hot sauce.
