Harpoon Brewery’s 40th anniversary celebrations continue with two distinct 21+ Octoberfest experiences, including a first-ever “After Dark” party
PRESS RELEASE / 8/27/26 (Boston, MA) – Lederhosen by day. Black lights by night. As part of its yearlong 40th anniversary celebrations, Harpoon Brewery is giving one of Boston’s longest-running fall traditions its biggest shakeup yet. From Friday, October 2 to Saturday, October 3 at its Seaport brewery (306 Northern Ave, Boston), Harpoon is bringing a completely reimagined format to the city’s biggest Octoberfest and offering its lowest admission price in nearly two decades in honor of the occasion.
Now in its 36th year, Harpoon Octoberfest has grown from a scrappy brewery party into a festival that welcomes thousands of festivalgoers for overflowing steins, oompah music, chicken dancing, keg bowling, pretzels, and plenty of Harpoon beer. But in 2026, Octoberfest is getting a glow-up.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2: OCTOBERFEST AFTER DARK
For the first time, Harpoon will trade its traditional oompah soundtrack for an immersive nighttime party under black lights. On October 2 from 6-11 pm, Octoberfest After Dark will transform the brewery grounds with live music, DJs, dance floors, glowing games, and unexpected experiences designed for a new generation of Octoberfest fans.
In addition to the ceremonial keg tapping and stein hoisting competition, guests can check out glow-in-the-dark cornhole, ladder ball, Connect 4, and shuffleboard; test their strength on carnival games; try keg bowling; customize hats and koozies; and dance into the night.
View the Octoberfest After Dark Schedule and Purchase Tickets: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/HarpoonOctoberfest2026/Page/Friday
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3: THE TRADITION CONTINUES THEN TURNS UP
On October 3 from 12-7 pm, Harpoon Octoberfest continues with the traditions that made the festival a Boston institution. Starting at noon, New England’s premiere Octoberfest band, Oberlander Hofbrau Band, kicks things off with traditional oompah music alongside the ceremonial keg tapping; competitions for stein hoisting, chicken dancing, and pretzel eating; keg bowling; carnival games; fresh Harpoon beer; and plenty of lederhosen, dirndls, and fun Harpoon Octoberfest merchandise.
Then, as the afternoon rolls on, the party evolves with it. At 4 pm, contemporary live music from SACALA takes over the stage, evolving the celebration from a traditional Munich-inspiredafternoon into a more modern evening experience with Massachusetts’ first licensed craft brewery.
View the Octoberfest Schedule and Purchase Tickets:
https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/HarpoonOctoberfest2026/Page/Saturday-1
Across both events, Harpoon beer will flow alongside cider, hard seltzer, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic offerings, and festivalgoers can grab bites from the Harpoon kitchen, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese Food Truck, and a variety of other options from Boston Events Specialists.
“Whether 36 years ago or today, Octoberfest has always been about bringing people together,” said Dan Kenary, Co-founder and President of Harpoon. “We launched Octoberfest just a few years after we opened the brewery, when the future of Harpoon was anything but certain. And now, decades later, we get to give the community something they’ve never experienced before and thank the people who continue to make our festival an iconic part of the fall experience in Boston.”
Admission and Ways to Save – Guests can save through advance online purchase of festival tickets, with admission starting at just $15 (plus a small online booking fee), or ticket bundle options that include a Welcome Kit with event-specific merch plus tokens that can be redeemed for drinks, food, or game tokens.
In addition, festgoers can earn $15 back when three friends purchase tickets through their individual referral code.
Tickets can be purchased on-site day-of while supplies last. Octoberfest is a cashless event, 21+ only, and will be held rain or shine.
Harpoon Brewery was founded in Boston in 1986 by three friends who loved beer and wantedmore choices at their local bars. Harpoon received Brewing Permit #001 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and helped usher in New England’s craft beer movement. Forty years later, Harpoon continues to brew beer with the same belief that inspired its founders from the beginning: beer is best enjoyed with friends. Harpoon is part of Barrel One Collective and proudly calls Boston home.
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