To Do This Week – Oktoberfest

SATURDAY September 17

There are a lot of reasons to love fall. Cozy sweaters. Walks in the park as the leaves turn colors. Pumpkin spice lattes. Or, if you’re the kind of contrarian who opposes pumpkin spice lattes—on principle, I guess?—then there’s pumpkin-flavored beer. And if you also hate pumpkin-flavored beer—on that I’m assuming your reasons are taste-related—then you’ll be happy to know that you can get steins of the more traditional flavors of beer at OktoberFest. The yearly festival kicks off today with brats, pretzels and, of course, beer. German favorites like Hofbrau as well as Weihenstephan and Radeberger will be served, all for $8. While you drink, you’ll be able to enjoy live music and some fantastic traditional costumes and games that promise “fun for your entire family.” (You should probably make the kids stick with a pumpkin spice latte, though. Or milk? I don’t know, whatever children are drinking these days.) Watermark (Pier 15), 78 South Street, noon to midnight, free