The celebration of Oktoberfest was born on Oct. 12, 1810, in Munich, Germany, in commemoration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The culmination of the original five-day event was a thrilling horse race held at a field that would become known as Theresienwiese (Therese’s Green) in honor of the queen consort. The celebration proved so popular that in 1811 it was brought back and has continued to grow in scope and popularity with each passing year. Stalls serving food and beverages debuted in 1818, eventually evolving into the enormous 20th-century beer gardens with bandstands and boisterous café-style outdoor seating we’ve come to associate with the annual celebration. And now through Sunday, Oct. 2, Oktoberfest is coming to Orlando, Florida, with its own very special ICON Park spin!
ICON Park Lets You Travel to Germany Without Ever Leaving Orlando
Featuring traditional German food, music, dance, costumes — and beer, of course! — Oktoberfest has become a big favorite in the United States. But more than just a celebration of food, beverages, dance, and song, Oktoberfest exemplifies the Bavarian spirit of “kameradschaft,” or camaraderie. There’s no place with more kameradschaft in the Orlando Entertainment District than ICON Park.
Standing in for Munich’s Theresienwiese, ICON Park’s very own green verge, The Lawn, will serve as Oktoberfest central for the rollicking activities. Running Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 10 p.m., visitors will be treated to a host of traditional Oktoberfest-themed beer, food, and entertainment. (While there won’t be any live horse racing on The Lawn, a ride on The Carousel on The Promenade is sure to satisfy any equine-related fantasies for those so inclined.)
ICON Park’s Oktoberfest Elevates Beer to a New Level
During ICON Park’s first Oktoberfest celebration, grown-ups can treat themselves to a tasty beer flight boasting a quartet of seasonal German brews at The Lawn Bar (the place that puts the “bar” in “wunderbar”) for $16. Want to take a bit of kameradschaft home? Then order up a 32-ounce commemorative glass stein brimming with your favorite Bavarian-style brew for just $22.
Patrons who want to put an extra helping of flight in their flights can transport their Oktoberfest festivities 40 stories high on The Wheel at ICON Park. Brew with a view, anyone? Imagine the fun as you, your friends, and an inviting cooler of chilled seasonal beer selections (provided by The Sky Bar at the foot of The Wheel prior to boarding) settle into a climate-controlled capsule for a sky-high ride.
ICON Park’s Oktoberfest Is Fun for All Ages
But at ICON Park, Oktoberfest isn’t just for grown-ups. There’s plenty of family-friendly dining and entertainment to go along with all that fabulous beer. Parents and kids alike will sigh with delight as they tuck into taste bud-tempting traditional German delicacies including bratwurst and sauerkraut, chicken schnitzel, and pretzels with beer cheese served with gusto on The Lawn. And if anyone’s still got room, a tasty slice of apple strudel will fill that final gap with the flavor of a genuine German favorite just like your Bavarian grandma used to make.
To ensure the authentic sound of Oktoberfest, ICON Park has brought along a band of Bavarian melody makers in the form of Orlando’s own Stammtischler. Tap your toes and raise a toast as they perform a broad swath of traditional Alpine folk music featuring the Bavarian button accordion, tenor horn, wooden spoons, and the alpenhorn. It’s as much fun to watch as it is to listen to — especially for little ones. From waltzes and polkas to Bavarian folk standards, the Stammtischler’s happy, upbeat tunes are the perfect accompaniment to an Oktoberfest experience that’s about as close to Munich as you can get without boarding a transatlantic flight.
ICON Park predicts its inaugural Oktoberfest celebration is destined to become a favorite annual event. So, get ready to raise a toast (before you taste, of course!) and clink your steins (bottom to bottom) to celebrate some authentic Bavarian-style history in the making. Prost!
ICON Park Is Orlando’s Top Entertainment Destination Year-Round
Oktoberfest is a wonderful time to partake of ICON Park’s Bavarian-themed celebrations but you don’t need a special occasion to make an occasion special at ICON Park. With free admission and free parking along with a bounty of dining options, shopping ops, and amazing attractions, it’s no wonder the strollable 20-acre, open-air destination has become the highlight of the Orlando Entertainment District.
All guests who wish to purchase alcoholic beverages at ICON Park must be 21 years of age or older and have valid proof. ICON Park encourages its Oktoberfest patrons to drink responsibly. Please don’t drink and drive. Public transportation offering convenient, frequently scheduled stops is available to and from ICON Park and the metro Orlando area.