This Year's Steuben Parade & Oktoberfest Celebration a Major Success at Central Park's SummerStage

Along with perfect weather in the heart of New York City for this year's major Steuben German-American Parade and Oktoberfest celebration, over two thousand people from all over the country, no matter who you are, came to this year's German event on September 19, many dressed in traditional German attire. What a great look! While men wore lederhosen, Trachten jackets, Bavarian shirts and stunning Alpine hats, the women flaunted Dirndl dresses, Tracht clothing customary from southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Additionally, if they marched in the Steuben parade prior to the festivities, they may have worn customary German uniforms from various shops, organizations, restaurants and other German clubs.

The parade, which followed a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral earlier in the day, dates back to 1957, and celebrates German, Austrian and Swiss American heritage sporting centuries old crisp traditional costumes. From marching bands to floats and dance groups, they all traveled up 5th Avenue from 68th Street to 86th Street, being cheered on by so many waving both German and American flags. Eddie the Eagle, always a favorite, greeted everyone from kids to adults, and in attendance at the parade were a number of dignitaries including German Ambassador to the United States Jens Hanefeld, as well as new Consul General to New York, Dr. Jens Jockisch.

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"We had a wonderful turnout this year, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect," said Connie Schaefer, Oktoberfest Chairwoman. "From beginning the day with Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, to the 69th Steuben Parade along Fifth Avenue, and finally gathering with friends at Central Park SummerStage, it was truly a special day. It was a beautiful celebration of our German-American heritage, friendship, and community, and we are so grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate with us."

As Chairwoman, Ms. Schaefer oversees the Oktoberfest event, which runs under the German American Committee of Greater New York, headed by the Committee's President, Michael J. Rabus. Mr. Rabus handed out a number of well-deserved recognitions, while his daughter Catherine did an amazing job singing the German and American national anthems.

Following the parade, everyone flocked a few blocks away to the endless flow of food and brew at SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield where all of the happy but thirsty faces would gather for their choice of German beers, including this year's big beer sponsor all the way from Munich, Hofbräu München.

Including with beer, soda, wine and water, everyone feasted on traditional German bratwurst, Bauer Wurst, chickenbrat, currywurst, all served with sauerkraut of course. There was even a dessert truck and souvenirs.

German music filled the air from Die Spitzbuam and everyone sang along, held up their beers and sang each song, people danced and the kids kicked around inflatable soccer balls. The atmosphere was perfect, everyone behaved happily and there was no shortage of suds.

The day could not be complete without the famous tradition of the Lenny Coyne Memorial Masskrugstemmen Championship, a U.S. Steinholding Association contest to see who can hold a glass liter of beer stein the longest without dipping, dripping or plain old giving up. This 2026 year consisted of 20 men and 20 women contestants, from all over the country who have been practicing for months. If you've never witnessed it, put it on your bucket list to do so.

The women Masskrugstemmen competitors were serious and rearing to go. All of them did great, held strong for so long, but in the end, it was South Carolina's Audra Stillabower who took home the prize for the women, lasting an incredible five minutes, 37 seconds.

Over on the men's side, many of them held out for ten, to fifteen and then for more than twenty minutes but the final Stein holder went to Henry Thomason from Texas who clocked an unbelievable 26 minutes, 47 seconds to take the prize.

The 2026 event, along with the weather that cooperated nicely together with happy faces on everyone, was a major success. This is Central Park, how can it not be? With that, it's Bis nächstes Jahr...or see you next year!