German-American Steuben Parade Oktoberfest

This really should have a higher average rating. Yes, it is complex to get tickets. When a friend informed me in mid-​July that tickets were listed, I immediately bought two ($ 25 each) and when I attempted to buy some more half an hour later, the tickets were sold out.
On September 15^th the line to get into the venue was long, but it was well-​organized and our tickets were checked in an expeditious fashion. My party semi-​darted to obtain a table below one of the large tents in an effort to avoid the sun and any inclement weather that may appear. We were directly in front of the Summer Stage and speakers such that even though we were unable to speak to each other we had a front row seat for every polka band and electro-​pop German singer on stage.
Unless you immediately get on line when the park opens, be prepared to wait for more than a few minutes to obtain food. Keep in mind that in addition to those who bought tickets, most of those who marched in the parade will also appear at Oktoberfest after their tour is done. Three hours after the opening time of 2pm it was difficult to move through the crowds to exit.
The beer and cider were very strong and were purchased by the pitcher. I had one beer and was immediately finished drinking-​wise. The stands offered a selection of bratwurst that tasted a lot cleaner than I expected and with almost no grease, which was a surprise. Both the fries and the sugared bread were also similarly well-​made.
Maybe 2 hours in, the patrons were showing visible signs of drunkeness and they began stacking dozens of empty pitchers, which caused the security guards to stop those spectacles to ensure that no one was hit in the face with an empty plastic pitcher once the jenga-​like structure fell.
Expect lederhosen and women in traditional German attire. The amount of fedoras with feathers adoring the men was in the hundred count while seeing little girls running around in their milk maid attire was beyond cute. I did not use the port-​a-​potties but I heard they were fairly clean even if they did not smell that way. I will likely return next year.

I’ve gone to this several times now, starting in 2006. However, the past two years I’ve tried to buy tickets and can’t get any. 2013 and 2014 I logged on within half an hour of tickets going on sale, and… sold out. Not sure what’s going on, but two years in a row of this BS? It’s a great time, but honestly… I’ll go to a German bar and wait for the event to close. That way I’ll have a good seat, a few good beers in my belly, and a brat in my hand before the Oktoberfest crowds join.

I went to my first Steuben Famuly Oktoberfest in 2010, a great way to kick off the decade. They say you used to be able to get tickets at the gate but nowadays you have to start watching the website in July and order your tickets online quick before they sell out. It’s worth it, though. The ticket price gets you admission, the opportunity to hear some great semi-​traditional German music and loads of qualityGerman Beer (plus some german wine and bitters), pretzels, potato pancakes and sausage– you pay as you go but the markup is not nearly as high as at «free» festivals and the ticket pllicy means you actually have room to walk around a little. I’ve already marked my calendar for the rest of the decade. And some year, I’m going to be a contender in the Masskrugstemmen (beer holding) contest.

Best Oktoberfest in New York City! Best Oktoberfest in America!
I’ve went to the Oktoberfest up in Central Park twice already — one time in 2010 and then this past Saturday. Both times I had a blast! It is hosted in the same area you would find the Summer Stage during the summer season, except for you wouldn’t recognize it because an array of tents, food stands and beer trays have been built up to support the hungry and thirsty masses of Germans, Americans, German-​Americans and pretty much anyone else.
If you are looking at buying beer, you will have to stand in line, needless to say. Luckily lines move fast. And if you make it to the counter, you are best advised getting an entire pitcher for 18 bucks, unless you like standing in line again instead of drinking and walking around. The food is either really good or not impressive. This year I got the French fries, sold together with fried chicken. It was ah-​ok, but nothing mind-​blowing.
Now, there is this quaint little fried-​dough place in the corner. They sell Kartoffelpuffer or Kartoffelpfannkuchen (potato pancakes) — truly amazing! They are uberauthentic, tasting even better than most ones I had in Germany. Must be the seasoning. I heard the sausages were good as well, all I saw was that they are served with a lot of Sauerkraut (I am vegetarian so I wouldn’t know how they taste).
A band performed on stage and then the singer of «I love German boys» had her second or third debut. Everyone was in a good mood and dancing around to the band’s music or a instruments randomly played throughout the entire fest. Despite the sign that beer pitcher staking is forbidden, of course a lot of them did it, so I am sure there were some secret competitions going on in this department.
Before going to the New York Oktoberfest, I went to the Munich Oktoberfest (2009). No, they do not compare, needless to say. But it is a great way of celebrating a similar fest and I am really impressed at finding so many German people there. Many were dressed up or had a traditional costume on, so I felt I had to braid my hair. And my friend’s …
One important thing to note is: Get your tickets asap! They are available in mid July already but I know that at the beginning of August they can be sold out already. At least that’s how it’s been in the last couple of years. They cost 15 dollars and every dollar spent is worth it!
Read more about Oktoberfest here:

I would like to know where and how you were able to get tickets to this thing.
This event was featured prominently in listings throughout NYC publications, including Time Out New York, which included it in their «Your Perfect Weekend» section with a photo. Unfortunately for us, it turned out not to be a perfect weekend, but rather, a perfect joke.
Saturday was my spouse’s birthday, and we decided to come in from the far reaches of Long Island to celebrate at Oktoberfest. There was no indication anywhere on the event website that getting in to this event was going to be a problem. The «tickets» page listed their Banquet as being sold out. It did not give a link to buy tickets to the Oktoberfest, and nor did it show any indication of that event being sold out. The «events» page similarly did not give any indication that the event was sold out or that getting in would be any problem at all. We have attended this before, and although we’ve had to wait in line, we were always granted admission.
This year, we arrived at the park only to be greeted by a huge SOLD OUT sign. Central Park security at the entrance was directing people without tickets to a «stand-by“line. Proving that New Yorkers will literally line up for nothing, the line at one point had over 100 people in it. We joined this line, but when we noticed, after an hour, that no one was being admitted, I went to one of the security people and asked how this stand-​by line worked. Would they start letting us in as people in the event began to clear out? No, I was told. The only way in would be if people had extra tickets and decided to sell them to the stand-​by line.
Huh???
I asked him how the people with extra tickets were supposed to know that this was a stand-​by line and we were looking to get in. I was informed that this wasn’t his problem. I asked him if he could let people know that if they had extra tickets, they could sell them to those in the line, and his response was that wasn’t his job. I then asked another security guard if they would start letting the stand-​by people in as others left the event, and I was told absolutely not. The place was sold out, and no one was getting in unless we were able to buy a ticket from someone with an extra one to sell. The Central Park security people were totally and completely rude and dismissive, not only of myself, but also of the many other confused people who did not have tickets and wanted to get in.
Thus, the stand-​by line was a complete joke.
I went back to the line and relayed this information to the many people near me in line, all of whom were in shock and who thought as I did that we would get in as others cleared out. At this point, half the line cleared out and people began running around asking those who were entering if they had extra tickets. Some got lucky. We did not.
Thus, we wasted over three hours in total travel time and expense for absolutely nothing, and my spouse’s birthday was ruined.
I would strongly suggest that for next year, they find a place on your website to explain how to get tickets to this event, and to please let people know when and if it is sold out, so that they do not waste an entire weekend day like we did.
It was an extremely unfortunate experience that left a bad taste in our mouths for the organization of this event.

Tons and tons of fun!
This was my first Oktoberfest and I already cannot wait until next year’s!
The fest was held under a giant tent in Central Park with plenty of beer to drink and food to eat. Our group ran in at the opening and scored a great table right in front of the stage. After marking our territory with bags, food, and teddy bears (yes, really) we went and got our pitchers of beer and plates of food!
The oompa loompa bands were great, the security was laid-​back, everyone was friendly. It was an overall great time. If you enjoy good beer (if you prefer a certain beer that starts with a B and ends with a R, GTFO) then you’ll love Oktoberfest. The portapotties were also super-​clean and well-​organized. This is always nice when everyone is drinking and needs to relieve their bladders (don’t act like you never break the seal).

BEER!!! TIKI TAKI TIKI TAKI! PROST!!!
Once again the German-​American Oktoberfest was held under the big tent in Central Park on Sept 15^th to go along with the 55^th annual Steuben Parade here in NYC. Once again I ate a lot of tasty German food. Once again I listened to a lot of fun oompa loompa bands. Once again I was totally blasted from drinking a lot of delicious German beer!
Each year I attend this terrific festival of beer and brats and it’s a fun time. This year a whole group of us ran in at opening and commandeered a table right in front of the band stage under the big tent. The beer was flowing, the bands were fun, the food was plentiful, and our group of friends had a wonderful time. There were many beer stands and food vendors surrounding the tent. Cash for food and tokens for pitchers of beer. Nice new portapotties were easy to get to and clearly labeled for men and women. The huge crowd was fun and friendly and came to party. Even though it was very crowded there still seemed to be plenty of space to move around at the Rumsey Playfield location where it was being held at. Security kicked back and did not interfere with the drunken festivities at all.
All types of German beer companies were on hand pouring tasty pitchers of pilsners and dunkels. Plenty of brats and kraut were being served. Pretzels and desserts were also on hand. The music and fun were non stop. Did I just hear a German version of Guns & Roses «Sweet Child O’ Mine»? Wow.
Did I mention all the beer? Mmmm… beeeeeer.
Had a great time. Can’t wait to do it all over again. It’s a well organized event and always fun.