Brauhaus Schmitz Is Hosting Oktoberfest Celebrations on South Street and at the 23rd Street Armory
Brauhaus Schmitz Is Hosting Oktoberfest Celebrations on South Street and at the 23rd Street Armory
South Street Oktoberfest returns to Brauhaus Schmitz for its 18th year on Saturday, September 26, from noon to 8 p.m., on the 700 block of South Street. The all-day, all-ages event typically draws around 10,000 attendees and features a biergarten with seating for more than 1,000 people, live oom-pah music from Die Heimatklänge, German folk dancing by United German Hungarians, a Liter Lift competition, roughly a dozen German beers on draft, Bavarian food, face painting, outdoor games and other family activities.
The event is free to attend, with food and drinks available on a pay-as-you-go basis. It is family- and dog-friendly, with alcohol service limited to guests 21 and older with valid identification.
A VIP ticket option, the Brauer Bund package, is available for $125 and includes indoor seating, an exclusive VIP buffet running from noon to 6 p.m., seven beer tokens with access to the VIP draft list, a take-home glass liter mug, an annual souvenir Oktoberfest T-shirt, additional Brauhaus merchandise, and access to private restrooms. VIP tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.
Brauhaus Schmitz Owner Doug Hager described South Street’s Oktoberfest as the corridor’s biggest day of the year, calling it an all-day, all-ages tradition and a rite of passage heading into autumn.
23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest
The 8th Annual 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest will take place Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the 23rd Street Armory, located at 22 South 23rd Street. The event runs across three sessions:
- Friday: 7:30–11:30 p.m.
- Saturday Day: 1–5 p.m.
- Saturday Night: 7:30–11:30 p.m.
The Armory will be transformed into a Bavarian-style festival tent, featuring blue-and-white decor, festival tables and benches imported from Germany, and a stage area for live music and performances. Die Heimatklänge will perform Friday night and Saturday daytime, with The Bratwurst Boys performing Saturday night, alongside traditional German dance performances from United German Hungarians. Food will be provided by Brauhaus Schmitz, with beer served by Hofbräuhaus München.
The event is limited to guests 21 and older and is expected to draw approximately 4,000 attendees across the weekend, with organizers noting that the event draws visitors from the greater Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.
Ticket Pricing
- Friday: $35 general admission / $75 VIP
- Saturday (1 p.m. session): $45 general admission / $85 VIP
- Saturday (7:30 p.m. session): $40 general admission / $80 VIP
General admission tickets include entry and a first drink. VIP tickets include early admission, reserved seating, two liters of beer, table service, a food platter, and access to private restrooms. Additional food and drink is available on a pay-as-you-go basis.
