South Street is about to smell like pretzels, sausages and spilled beer. Brauhaus Schmitz is hosting the 18th annual South Street Oktoberfest on Saturday, running from noon to 8 p.m. on the 700 block of South Street, with nearly a dozen German beers, Bavarian food and a liter-lifting contest all part of the free, all-ages celebration.
The event, now in its 18th year, takes place right outside the German restaurant on the 700 block, according to PhillyVoice. A covered biergarten with seating for up to 1,000 people anchors the festivities, and organizers plan live oom-pah music, traditional folk dances, face painting and outdoor games alongside the beer and food. As CBS News Philadelphia notes, Oktoberfest celebrations are taking over South Street this weekend.
A Fest That's Grown Nearly Two Decades
The South Street tradition has come a long way since it started, climbing from its 17th year in 2025 to its 18th this fall, per Metro Philadelphia. The recurring format has stuck close to its roots year over year, with nearly a dozen German beers on draught, German favorites for food, live oom-pah music, face painting, German dancers and the Liter Lift competition all returning fixtures of the celebration.
The festival is also just one piece of a much larger footprint this fall. The South Street Fall Fest 2026 spans eight blocks from Front Street all the way to 8th Street, with Brauhaus Schmitz's Oktoberfest occupying the 700 block portion of that stretch, according to details listed on ma.to.
More Steins Pouring Beyond Saturday
Brauhaus Schmitz isn't stopping after this weekend. The restaurant is also hosting the 8th annual 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest on Oct. 9 and 10, a ticketed, adults-only affair distinct from Saturday's free family event. The restaurant's own event schedule lists a Friday night Armory session on Oct. 9 running from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with additional sessions planned for Saturday, Oct. 10, according to brauhausschmitz.com.
South Street isn't the only place in the city raising a stein this fall, either. A separate 21-and-older Philadelphia Oktoberfest is scheduled at the 23rd Street Armory on Oct. 9 and 10, 2026. Evil Genius is throwing its own Oktoberfest celebration featuring German-style beers, a stein-holding contest and EDM oompah music, per Citycast Philly.
South Street VIP Tickets
The 18th annual South Street Oktoberfest runs noon to 8 p.m., and VIP tickets include seven beer tokens, a liter mug and a T-shirt.
Whether Philadelphians spread out across South Street, the Armory, Hard Rock Cafe or Evil Genius this weekend, the city's Oktoberfest calendar is stacked with options for beer drinkers of every stripe. Saturday's South Street celebration remains the rare one that welcomes the whole family, free of charge, for a full day of German beer, food and tradition on the 700 block.
