Saengerbund Oktoberfest is an annual festival that celebrates German-American heritage with food, music, beer, amusements and shopping. It occurs the third weekend of September normally. Although it is nothing like Oktoberfests in Germany, it is about as close as you'll get without boarding a plane and using your passport. We went and had a great time last Fall. It was an easy trip from the Philadelphia area and offered much more than the weak Octoberfests that seem to pop up and disappear forever in the Philly area. The highlights were the food and music under the big tent! The beer was good, but the offerings were a tad disappointing. None of the beers that make German beers the envy of others. Like at any festival, the prices are on the high side. Everything is paid for using tickets that can be purchased at booths throughout the venue. The plum cake is awesome! Sweet yet a bit sour-not overly sugary or heavy. The other desserts are also very good. I was excited about the roast pork-but found it a bit bland and greasy. The sausages and sides were all a little disappointing-they could and should be improved. In general, buffet-quality food, at festival prices. The music was good, and as would be expected, hyper-traditional German "muzik." The dancers clearly do what they do out of pride and love-definitely a mom and dad dance club vibe to their performances. But that makes it even more charming and far better than an Epcot Center-Disney-Gone-Wild über-version of traditional german dances. Saengerbund Oktoberfest also has a carnival-like midway with rides (included in the price of admission). Certainly a plus for the kids-should you bring any. Also there is a good selection of "German" souvenir kitsch at über-prices so you can take home a reminder of the day or as a shout-out to your german heritage. One big downside (at least for me) is the "let's go drink beer until we puke" element that seems to become more prevalent as the day turns into night. Another downside is the porta-potty situation. Too few pottys, too many people waiting in long lines, and too many drunken 20-somethings "sneaking" into the bushes to release über-amounts of kidney-processed beer. read more

Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest - Borrowed from website - Festivals Near Me - Newark, Delaware

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Attended my very good friends wedding there, mostly the reception but it was fun. Pretty roomy, big dance floor, the bar area was tucked behind the stage. The staff hired to tend the bar were friendly. I like that it was decorated with German stuff. Pretty conveniently located too, close to the highway so you're not searching for it. I especially liked the vast selection of beers. read more

Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest - The lovely couple - Festivals Near Me - Newark, Delaware

This was my 3rd year attending Oktoberfest. $8 is pricey to get in if you aren't riding rides, but a good deal if you are. A church carnival up the street charged $40 to ride the same kind of rides. It should be different prices because we aren't riding them. Buying tickets for the food you want is also a huge PITA. You have to figure out what you want and how much, and somehow you still never have the right amount. On top of that, they were sold out of the land jäger sausages which was one of the things we wanted most. And I don't drink beer so it's BYOV. And cash only!! But the bratwurst and potato salad are absolutely delicious, and the pork sandwiches melt in your mouth. I wanted a torte for dessert but not enough tickets left so got a giant pretzel instead. read more

Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest - Pork sandwich, sauerkraut and potato salad - Festivals Near Me - Newark, Delaware

A real Oktoberfest in Delaware! Cheaper than going across the pond! The bands are from Austria and Germany - don't be surprised if they jump on your table to play or sing - if they stop, offer them your beer to chug - it's common in Germany! Pay the piper - then use your empty cup to build a beer tower. Everyone is there for a good time. To avoid the crowd go in the afternoon still rocks less crowded no line to get in and plenty of parking. Parking can be a problem - some neighbors will let you park in their yard for a price. Plan to car pool. Port a Potties - don't wear good shoes the area around the potties gets swampy - not a good thing for CFMPs. Tons of great beer and food! Tickets are used to buy food and drink - get in line there first. You can buy beer by the cup or pitcher. they sell huge mugs and steins - some come with a coupon for a free refill. This is a German Fest - read no American Food. If you don't like kraut, sausages, potatoes eat before you go. German food +German music + big crowd = FUN TIME! read more

I loved it last year! I am so excited for this year! The music and dancing are terrific, the beer is amazing, the food is mouth watering. Definitely buy a liter stein, or bring your own. Definitely drink and make a fool of yourself. Definitely clank your steins together with everyone you see. Definitely try not to break your stein (but if you do, I wont hold it against you). Definitely eat the potato salad. Definitely eat the plum cake. I don't remember, do they serve schnitzel there? I am so excited that it is less than a month away! Where can I buy lederhosen on short notice? read more

This is probably the best and most authentic German-American Oktoberfest on the East Coast. It is $8 to get in but this includes all amusement rides. So great deal for families with young kids. Not so interesting for teenagers. The food and beer selection is excellent. Food includes German potato salad, sauerkraut, sausages, chicken, Landjäger, potato pancakes, pork roast, desserts, ...They also have good entertainment and bring in a band from Germany or Austria. read more

Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest - Opening ceremonies - Festivals Near Me - Newark, Delaware

Great food, beer. Love to watch the dancers, nice Christmas craft bazaar. Everyone is so nice. We have a lot of friends that belong to the club. Thinking about joining read more

I look forward to the main event every year for the past 4 years. Bring your own 1.5l mug and save yourself tons of trips to the beer booth...maybe. Food is good and taste exactly how it should. Definitely a goto rain or shine. Which it rains every year so don't wear anything you care too much about. read more

PBPrep- boring and expensive?? In fact most people find the prices there most reasonable. Better save more money from your Walmart paycheck. Poor food selection? There was more than brats and desserts. How about their famous potato salad, sauerkraut, pickled herring (a german delicacy) weisswurst, bauernwurst, german frankfurters, landjaeger, and more. There are THREE food lines there, not sure what your problem was/is. Also other food selections available throughout the tent and outside on the grounds. Poor beer selection?? You are joking, right? There were all the german favorites inside the tent as well as a large international beer pavilion out back. Open up your eyes next time. Beers for every taste. But you seem like a Coors Light man, not sure if they had any of that this year!! The rides were lame?? How old are you- 12? The rides and games are for the kids, not adults. Sorry, next year the Saengerbund will have more rides for adults, right?! Small dance floor? It just shows how popular the dancing and music are, lots of people want to get up and dance. Lighten up, son !! The Saengerbund Oktoberfest has been consistently ranked as the premier Oktoberfest celebration on the US East Coast. The large crowds every year continue to prove this. Next year, stay home. We dont need a buzzkill like you. read more

Oktoberfest = fun! Especially if you like beer & German food! I highly recommend checking this out! Beer is plentiful, and you can buy giant mugs there too! The mugs usually come with a voucher for a free fill-up of beer. All beer and food must be purchased with tickets, so make sure you buy some when you get there. The tickets are valued at $0.50 each. read more

Something to look forward to every September! The Delaware tradition is all about games, rides, dances, shopping, German food, and of course BEER! read more

Always have a great time here! They took credit cards last year for the entrance fee so when they did not this year I was surprised. But they said the bank did not show which is not their fault. We shared the bratwurst sandwich which was delicious and also the pig roast platter that was equally delicious! And the potato salad is a vinegar base which is great too! My only complaint is the whole ticket thing. And then people are stuck with tickets. We scored a few from people leaving but spent ours. We used the last 2 for purse pretzels since we were full. It's just a pain to calculate and then you have to keep getting more but maybe it's so people don't steal? Who knows! read more

Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest - Pork sandwich! - Festivals Near Me - Newark, Delaware

Boring and expensive. I was disappointed in the beer selection and lack of food- just sausage/brats and dessert. Rides were lame, dance floor too small. read more

I can have my own Oktoberfest by making our German Food in our house and much cheaper with a seat I can find!!!! Ridiculous charging $8 per person including children plus a rip off of purchasing tickets just to get food/beverages. Plus to top it off no seating what so ever for any age. Give it a thumbs down!! read more

This is the best festival in the area. Amusements are free for the young kids, plenty of beer and great food. get there early or you will be paying to park on peoples lawn. also get there early with the kids,it turns into Delaware university party later in the evening, party city......never any trouble either way.Our familes sixth year in a row, Great time read more