The Biggest Food and Drink Festivals This Fall in Philly

Get ready for Oktoberfests, neighborhood celebrations, block parties, tasting events, and more. Philly is full of food and drink fêtes this fall, from now through November.

Mushroom Festival

Kennett Square’s annual celebration of all things fungi in the Mushroom Capital of the World attracts 100,000 people. Now in its 32nd year, the festival stretches a mile long and features culinary events, cooking competitions, growing exhibits, children’s entertainment, and 250 vendors. It’s pay as you go.
September 9-10

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South Street Oktoberfest

Now in it’s ninth year, this Oktoberfest celebration takes over the 700 block of South Street where guests gather under a tent to enjoy 10 German beers on tap, German food, live oom-pah music, and entertainment from German dancers. Thanks to the success of this long-running fest on South Street, the Brauhaus Schmitz team now hosts a second Oktoberfest at the 23rd Street Armory. It’s pay as you go.
September 16

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Up on the Roof — The Chefs of Passyunk at Bok Bar

After a successful inaugural event last year, 20 East Passyunk chefs are coming back to Bok Bar for Up on the Roof. Kitchen wizards from Barcelona, Bing Bing Dim Sum, Cantina los Caballitos, Capogiro, Chhaya, Fond, Izumi, Laurel, Mamma Maria Ristorante, Noir, Noord, Paradiso, Perla, P'unk Burger, Plenty, Sate Kampar, Townsend, Vanilya Bakery, and Will BYOB will serve favorite dishes from their menus and offerings created just for this event. Tickets are $40 with a cash bar. Proceeds benefit East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District.
September 18

Cheesesteak and Food Fest

The Phillies Phantic will be at this annual celebration of cheesesteaks at Citizens Bank Park, but he’ll have some mascot competition in the form of Cheesy the Cheesesteak. Attendees can sample cheesesteaks and other fare, hang out in the beer garden or the dugout, walk the bases, and watch a cheesesteak eating competition. General admission is $20 and pay as you go; premium admission is $45 and includes 10 food samples, free parking, and two tickets to a Phillies’ game. A beer ticket is another $20. September 23

UpToberfest Oktoberfest

Uptown Beer Garden’s Oktoberfest has expanded to become a two-day event with twice the number of bars — serving up local and imported lagers — since last year. Admission is free. Drinks and food, including pretzels, wurst, schnitzel, and spaetzle, are pay as you go.
September 23

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Feastival

The grand finale of the 17-day Fringe Festival brings together 75 of Philly’s best restaurants and bars for an evening of Fringe-worthy music and dance performances and culinary delights. The FringeArts fundraiser is a splurge at $300 for general admission, but this a chef lineup that only happens once a year. Organizers dubbed the event the “Year of the Beard,” with 2017 James Beard award winners Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Greg Vernick participating, plus Top Chef champ Nicholas Elmi and a long list of other notable chefs.
September 28

PHeaSt on South

From the organization that puts on the Flower Show every spring, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s fall fundraising event is coming to the PHS Pop Up Garden at 15th and South Streets. Guests will try dishes from Khyber Pass Pub, Cantina Dos Segundos, Royal Tavern, Triangle Tavern, Garces Restaurants, Blackfish, Rex1516, Square 1682, Red Owl, Night Kitchen, and more, along with cocktails by Titos Vodka, Hendricks, and a few others yet to be named. The Philadelphia String Quartet provides entertainment with pop tunes played on fiery LED electric violins and, for VIP ticket holders, Aqua Vitae Institute will help attendees make their very own love potions. General admission is $150.
October 6

Vanessa Beahn

23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest

After a successful run last year, Oktoberfest at the 23rd Street Armory is back for another round. It adds up to the largest celebration of its kind in the Philadelphia area with each of its four sessions hosting 1,500 people. The team from Brauhaus Schmitz creates an authentic experience with blue-and-white banners, wooden benches, live music, Hofbräuhaus beer, and plenty of German fare. Tickets start at $35.
October 6-8

King of Prussia's Beerfest Royale

King of Prussia hosts 50 domestic and international breweries at its annual Beerfest Royale, so if you’re hoping to try samples from them all make sure you’re with someone who bought the designated driver ticket ($15). A handful of local restaurants, including newcomers Founding Farmers and Halal Guys , will serve up food to soak up all that beer. Since this is usually a sold-out event, it’s wise to get tickets ($50) early.
October 7

Midtown Village Fall Festival

Every year over 50,000 attendees descend on 13th Street and the surrounding blocks for the massive Midtown Village Fall Festival. Along with live music, entertainment, and shopping, area restaurants will be on hand to sell dishes and drinks. It’s pay as you go. October 7

Kory Aversa

Old City Fest

The day after Midtown Village’s Fall Festival, keep the party going at Old City Fest, which takes over several blocks in the neighborhood with live music, runway fashion shows, a family fun zone, pop-up street performances, shopping, and a wide array of food and beverages. Over 100 Old City vendors participate. It’s pay as you go.
October 8

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Taste of Ardmore

Ardmore has been stepping up its restaurant game as of late and the town’s annual fundraiser features creative dishes and drinks from dozens of local restaurants. Organizers are bringing back the beer garden, homebrew competition, and cooking competition that were all hits at last year’s event. .
October 12

The Great Harvest Cider and Beer Festival

Hawthornes Beer Cafe, a neighborhood favorite, is hosting its outdoor Great Harvest Cider and Beer Festival just in time for jackets and boots weather. Over 75 hard ciders, toasty lagers, pumpkin ales, barrel-aged rarities, and wine will be available for $5 per pour (cash only). The kitchen will be open and Underground Donuts will be on hand with sweet treats. Admission to the block party is free and includes live music and a Kids Fun Zone.
November 4