Oktoberfest season has arrived, and it’s a grand time to be a beer lover. Based on a 200-year-old tradition that began in Munich, this celebration of harvest season has since spread around the globe. Inspired by the beer served at the 1810 wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig that started the custom, Oktoberfest beers are Marzen-like beers: robust, reddish-amber lagers with pronounced malt flavors (check out our roundup of this year’s crop here).

The modern German incarnation of the original fete now draws millions each year, is exactly 16 or 17 days long (culminating on Oct 1 or 2), and comes with strict rules about what brands and types of beers fill your stein. Here in the US, we’re a bit more flexible with our suds-centric merrymaking, and Bavarian-style bashes are already underway. Shake off your lederhosen, don your dirndls and see below for a list of the festing going on around town.

• Now–Oct 1: McGillin’s Olde Ale House
The oldest continually operating bar in Philadelphia kicked off their fest early. Now through the end of the month, their taps are pouring Stoudt’s Fest, Flying Fish’s Octoberphish, Victory’s Festbier and a slew of other seasonal brews. Their comfort food menu has been expanded to include traditional German faves like bratwurst, kasebrotchen and more. On October 1, festivities culminate in the Midtown Village Fall Festival, when Drury Street outside the pub will be transformed into a giant outdoor beer garden with karaoke and fun attractions for the whole family (1310 Drury St.; 215-735-5562).

• Sept 17: Oktoberfest at Elmwood Park Zoo
Party with the animals at this Norristown festival on the menagerie grounds. Check our writeup for details – we’ll be there with a table, so come say hello ($45 in advance; 5:30–8 PM; 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown; 610-277-3825).

• Sept 19–Sept 24: Brauhaus Schmitz
A week of Oktoberfest events go down at South Street’s authentic German bierhaus (718 South St.; 267-909-8814).
Monday, Sept 19: Oktoberfest flight night with tastings of 10 different German and American Oktoberfest-style beers (all night)
Tuesday, Sept 20: German beer Quizzo (8 PM)
Wednesday, Sept 21: Spaten/Franziskaner party with give-aways, beer specials, and a Franziskaner bicycle grand prize (7 PM)
Thursday, Sept 22: Bratwurst eating contest (Contestants limited to the first 20 people who sign up; 8 PM)
Friday, Sept 23: Kick the keg lottery (if your beer kicks the keg, it’s free; all night)
Saturday, Sept 24: The third annual Oktoberfest block party takes over South Street with a pig roast, German beer and live oom-pah music (noon–evening).

• Sept 23: With Love Beer Garden
Victory Brewing Co. returns to transform the courtyard at the Four Seasons Hotel on the Ben Franklin Parkway into a pay-as-you-go beer garden for Oktoberfest (it was a big success during Philly Beer Week), featuring both Summer Love Ale and Festbier plus bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato salad and pretzels (5-8 PM; 1 Logan Square, entrance on 18th St.).

• Sept 24: Ardmore Oktoberfest
A family festival with plenty of fest beers, live German bands and facepainting, prizes and games for kids (noon–8 PM; Cricket Ave. between Cricket Terrace and W. Athens Ave.).

• Sept 25: Fall Beer Expo with Joe Sixpack
Local beer authority Joe Sixpack will be leading two sessions of festival beer tasting at Buck’s County’s United German Hungarian Club Oktoberfest ($35 in advance, $40 at the door; 1–3 PM or 4–6 PM; 4666 Bristol Rd., Feasterville-Trevose; 215-357-9851).

• Sept 30: Grey Lodge Pub Spaten Oktoberfest Night
Traditional Munich Oktoberfest on tap will be complemented by German food on the specials board and live accordion music from Spaten rep Tom Neuhauser. Wear lederhosen or a dirndl and you might win a prize (6235 Frankford Ave.; 215-856-3591).

• Oct 1: Third Annual Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
The Institute will turn all of their taps over to pumpkin-centric brews and will serve various food items relating to pumpkin at this all-day festival, also featuring raffles and pumpkin-pie giveaways (10:30 AM–2 AM; 549 N. 12th St,; 267-318-7772).

• Oct 1: Midtown Village Fall Festival
Five city blocks will be shut down for the sixth annual happening of this free outdoor block party centered around Thirteenth and Sansom. From noon–8 PM, the wealth of area restaurants will be selling street food and drinks, McGillin’s will host their beer garden (see above) and musicians will play.

• Oct 1: Oktoberfest at Grumblethorpe
The culminating event in a day-long celebration of revolutionary Germantown, this historic house will give tours and host a party with German beers, food, cider-pressing and more (4:30–7:30 PM; 5297 Germantown Ave.; 215-843-4820).

• Oct 8: Kennett Brewfest
More a harvest festival than an official Oktoberfest event, this celebration in downtown Kennett Square will feature pours over 60 craft breweries. What do they pair with beer in the mushroom capital of the world? Grab a ticket and find out ($40 or $10 for designated driver; 106 W. State St., Kennett Square; 610-444-8188).

• Oct 13: Oktoberfest Under the Sea benefiting the Focus Foundation
For their first event, this Philadelphia arm of this non-profit that helps children with dyslexia and other developmental challenges is hosting an Oktoberfest at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. Expect live music, beer and wine tastings, traditional German food and more ($85, tickets; 7–11 PM; 1 Riverside Dr., Camden; 856-365-3300).

• Oct 15: Blocktoberfest
This year’s block party will be held on South Street West, from Broad to Seventeenth, and entry is free. From noon–8 PM, live music will accompany pay as you go eats, beer and general neighborly good times.

• Oct 15–16: Frankford Hall Oktoberfest Weekend
Stephen Starr’s Fishtown biergarten is waiting ‘til the last minute for their harvest party, which will showcase German line dancers stepping to live oom-pah music, jugglers, face painting and a magician. And of course, their full lineup of German beers to supplement the gaiety (1210 Frankford Ave.; 215-634-3338).

• Oct 15: Memphis Taproom Thirstoberfest
This Kensington pourhouse is closing their beer garden for the season with a bang. Pay as you go drafts will include 25 flagship and limited release brews, and special hot dogs will be for sale at the garden’s food truck (2331 E. Cumberland St.; 215-425-4460).

Did we miss any? Tweet at us (@DrinkPhilly) or write on our Facebook wall to let us know, and we'll add it to the list.

Images courtesy McGillin's Olde Ale House, Visit Philly, Flickr user kams_world and photographer Vincent J. Brown, respectively