The celebrations don’t end with the Steuben Parade. Many participants head to Oktoberfest in Central Park afterward, where live music, German beer, bratwurst, and pretzels bring a little bit of Germany to Manhattan.
What to expect
The festival takes place at Rumsey Playfield, home to SummerStage. You can watch the parade on Fifth Avenue and then head into the park to keep celebrating. You’ll need a separate ticket for Oktoberfest, though.
There’s also a stein-holding competition, known in German as Maßkrugstemmen. Competitors hold a filled beer stein at arm’s length for as long as they can. It sounds straightforward, but it gets tiring fast. This is the Hofbräu U.S. final with qualified competitors, rather than a contest you can just sign up for on the day.
Good to know
- Tickets go on sale in summer; sales opened July 10 in 2026.
- Children are welcome. Admission is free for under-6s.
- VIP admission includes a separate area with dedicated restrooms, seating beside the stage, catering, and beer.
