The onset of autumn can mean a lot of things for different people. Some might enjoy making apple cider at home all the live long day, some might look to put pumpkin in every food item they touch. But for a lot of people, the fall season means one thing and one thing only: Oktoberfest.
And since it is the end of September, it is time to dust off your lederhosen and dirndls and polish your steins — for Toronto Oktoberfest is back on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Making its highly anticipated return, Oktoberfest 2022 will mark the festival's 10th anniversary in Toronto — which lends a little added gravitas to the celebrations. The event will take place at Ontario Place and kick off with the signature Tapping of the Keg on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude with the Ein Prosit Closing Party on Saturday night. Tickets for all events are available here.
The two-day festival aims to be an experience that caters to all demographics — preserving its age-old traditions while also embracing modern cultural norms. It seeks to provide a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to all its patrons and ensure a memorable experience.
As for the food and drink, patrons will be able to fill up their steins with ERDINGER's Oktoberfest Brew which is specially brewed for the fall season and is flown in from Germany for the event. The specialty beer blends the signature crisp flavour of the ERDINGER Weiss with a traditionally full Oktoberfest brew, according to the festival's website.
All guests will have their pick of German culinary favourites like bratwurst, currywurst, schnitzels, pretzels and more. There will also be food paying homage to Canada, with specialty items like Bavarian poutine and Oktoberfest poutine — whatever that might entail.
Also included are live entertainment options ranging from singing and dancing to even contests. From making way for local dancers in Bavarian Tracht performing traditional Bavarian dances, to taking in George "The Oktoberfest King" Kash's acclaimed oompah-pah show and being in the audience (or even participating) in a Bavarian Strongman Contest, Oktoberfest 2022 will take you to Munich without ever having to set foot in an airport.
Toronto Oktoberfest will take place in a massive Festhalle tent which will be furnished with traditional Bavarian communal tables and benches that are designed to spark conversations with strangers.
In true Oktoberfest spirit, the festival's website encourages everyone to introduce themselves to strangers; compliment their tablemates; take care of their friends; and "eat, drink, sing, mingle, dance and attempt to speak German."
The festival launched in 2012 with a mandate to provide an authentic Oktoberfest experience, much like the one held in Munich every year. With the way things have been planned and laid out over the years, it is safe to say that the organizers have stuck true to the promises they made a decade ago.
Toronto Oktoberfest will take place on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Ontario Place. Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for each day are available here.
