The Reading Liederkranz is located on the ancestral homelands of the Lenape people.
You don’t have to go to Bavaria to celebrate Oktorberfest. Celebrations abound across Pennsylvania, but only the Reading Liederkranz Oktoberfest is consistently ranked among the best in the country.
The Reading Liederkranz is a 140-year-old German-American club. The clubhouse and biergarten can be found near the top of Mount Penn in Reading, PA. While the club is open to members and guests year-round, Oktoberfest is their largest event of the year, attracting thousands to the annual celebration.
The festival runs from Wednesday to Sunday, ending on the first Sunday of October every year. Thursday nights are our night to go because the crowds are lighter and admission is lower than Friday and Saturday.
Because of the popularity of the event, there is not enough parking at the clubhouse. Instead, we park at the Antietam Pool where a school bus arrives to whisk us away to the party on the mountain.
Entering the biergarten, the party is already going. Picnic tables spread out across the grove with food stands on the left and a large children’s play area in the back. On the right are the beer and wine vendors, German marketplace, and the dance floor.
Get your food early before the lines get too long. There’s not a bad choice at the Liederkranz, but we have a few favorites to recommend, starting with the goulash. This spiced beef dish is served over a bed of noodles. It’s flavorful and hearty, and great with your favorite drink.
While Oktoberfest is best known for beer, it’s where my wife discovered gluhwein, German mulled wine that has become one of her favorite drinks and a must-have every year.
Pork schnitzel is another dish that you won’t want to miss. The thin schnitzel is loaded with delicious breading, but I like it best with a side of purple cabbage. The slightly sour cabbage is a perfect complement.
Also, don’t skip out on dessert. The apple strudel, served warm over a bed of custard, is a perfect ending.
There is more than enough seating in the grove, and if you’re a parent like us, you can grab a picnic table next to the giant playset, complete with slides, swings, and climbing areas where the kids can entertain themselves and unleash some energy.
Over in the market tent, local importers and craftsmen sell traditional German items like steins, lederhosen, and German toys. You’ll also find t-shirt vendors, specialty food items, and more.
The market tent is right next to the stage where accordions and guitars fuse in some virtuoso performances.
In between sets, the Liederkranz singers and the Edelweiss Dancers take turns performing. The dancers are a real treat as they add percussion to the performance by slapping their thighs, stomping their heels, and sometimes, cracking a whip.
No, it’s not Munich, but Oktoberfest at the Reading Liederkranz is a great alternative closer to home.
When You Go
- Parking is off-site at the Antietam Valley Pool. On-site parking is reserved for club members with parking passes.
- Wednesday night is opening night and also the lowest admission of the weekend. Friday and Saturday are more expensive and are also the largest crowds so plan accordingly.
- A dinner will cost between $10-$15. Beer prices vary by brand and size.
- Plan to spend at least 1-2 hours enjoying dinner and drinks. If you are into the music or want to check out the various entertainment throughout the day and evening, you could easily spend longer.
More Things to Do in Berks County
“Towers of Tomorrow” at the Reading Public Museum
Tableside Cheese Wheel Pasta at Mangia! in Mohnton
General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum
Koziar’s Christmas Village
Allentown & Auburn Railroad – Santa Trains
