Most of the time, parents go to carnivals to make their kids happy. Kids go to carnivals to ride all the rides, play all the games, and eat all the junk food. I am totally down with funnel cake, cotton candy, and ice cream, but c’mon, we adults know there’s more to a Friday or Saturday night than a cup of cheese fries. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of local outdoor beer garden carnivals and kid-friendly festivals for your convenience.
An outdoor beer garden certainly adds interest to the carnival experience. Sure, I loved carnivals as a little girl. But now, the joy is as pure and simple as it comes—watching my little ones have the times of their lives. And maybe snatching a pinch of cotton candy while they aren’t looking, but I think that’s a fair trade for a night of wear-mommy-out fun.
But you know what is a better trade? A carnival with a beer garden or one of the local festivals with an outdoor beer garden, of course. If you are searching for an “outdoor beer garden near me” and you live in Southeastern Pennsylvania, you’ve come to the right place. I had to dig for these events to bring you the best beer gardens in our area. Please note some of these may be a further drive than you’d like, so be sure to GPS it. Also, watch for notes on available discounts and carnival wristband deals. I’ll continue to update the list as more info becomes available.
Editor’s Note: This information is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing. For best results, check the event’s page as it gets closer to be sure nothing’s changed. For questions, please reach out to the individual festival or carnival’s point of contact.
What Is a Biergarten, Anyway?
The term “beer garden,” comes from the German Biergarten. A biergarten is typically an outdoor common area with tables and seating for guests to enjoy alcoholic beverages, namely beer. In Germany, a biergarten allows folks to bring their own food while a Wirtsgarten permits only food from the venue. The outdoor beer garden provides a segregated place for consumption of alcohol, which is sometimes necessary with certain ordinances. Food and live music are common complements to the biergarten. Believed to have begun in Munich, Bavaria (in Germany), biergartens date back to the 19th century and continue to be popular today. Even in Britain, pubs often boast their own beer gardens and there’s an annual quest to earn accolades as one of Britain’s best beer gardens.
We have a lot of carnivals in our area. Gilbertsville, Boyertown, Limerick / Royersford, Collegeville, Pottstown… the list goes on. Unfortunately, it seems the carnivals and festivals of the biergarten variety seem a little fewer and farther between. I’m sharing as many as I could find. Regarding carnivals in general, I’m going to point you to PA-Carnivals.com for a list that, while it may not be exhaustive and doesn’t specifically mention any biergartens, it offers plenty of other carnival options in addition to my list of outdoor beer gardens below.
May Carnivals with Outdoor Beer Gardens
Spring Fling in Keswick Village
WHEN: May 5, 2019, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE: Keswick Village, 150 S Keswick Ave, Glenside, PA 1903
DETAILS: The Spring Fling at Keswick Village will designate a massive outdoor beer garden area on Keswick Avenue from Easton Rd almost to the circle (stopping at Dino’s). You can expect to find a few breweries, Keswick Tavern, and Dino’s serving beer, wine, and cocktails. Check out the 2019 Spring Fling and its Food Trucks, Beer Garden, Live Music, and other fun. It appears this is not an actual carnival and there are no rides.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/454160648690881/
Limerick Fire Department’s Annual Carnival
WHEN: May 14th – May 18th, 2019; Tuesday – Friday: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
WHERE: 390 W Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA 19468
SPECIALS: Wednesday and Thursday have an All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Special. Check out Food Truck Friday, too.
BEER GARDEN DETAILS: Craft Beer! Beer Garden opens at 6 p.m. all week and runs the same time as the carnival. The beer garden will be located at the firehouse May 14 – 18 (390 W. Ridge Pike Limerick, Pa. 19468). You’ll be able to enjoy beer from Sly Fox Brewing, Workhorse Brewing, and the major domestic brands like Bud Light and Miller Light.
LINK: http://www.lfd51.org/content/carnival/
DISCOUNT: https://limerick.festivalsetup.com/tickets
COUPONS: http://www.lfd51.org/content/carnival/Food%20Coupon.pdf
3rd Friday in Souderton
WHEN: May 17, 2019 from 6 – 9 p.m.
WHERE: Souderton Telford Main Streets, 18 W Chestnut St, Souderton, PA 18964
DETAILS: The theme is a block party meets date night and the vibe goes out to kids as well as adults. The beer garden, wine, and coffee add a welcomed touch of casual comfort. A Kids’ Zone keeps little ones occupied and entertained.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/3rdFri/
Devon Horse Show and Country Fair
WHEN: May 23 – June 2, 2019 (discounts offered at the fair on Tuesday, May 28, 2019) (schedule)
WHERE: Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, 23 Dorset Rd, Devon, PA 19333
DETAILS: The Devon Horse Show draws a serious crowd, so be prepared to walk. We went once and I remember watching various equestrian events and looking longingly at the bar or beer garden they had on the fairgrounds. Elated guests of a certain age gleefully sipped wine and beer. I can’t remember if we ordered something or not, but it makes me want to go back and be sure to do it right. Check your calendar and keep in mind the Family Fun Days on May 23 (free admission and free parking after 5 p.m.) and 28 as well as the Children’s Day on June 2.
LINK: http://www.devonhorseshow.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2019-DHS-Announcement-Release_draft_0329.pdf or http://www.devonhorseshow.net/devon-country-fair/special-events/
June Carnivals with Outdoor Beer Gardens
Dublin Community Day
WHEN: June 1, 4 – 8 p.m.
WHERE: 151 Middle Road, Dublin PA – Supplee Park
DETAILS: A beer garden is available to those 21 and older. Families can enjoy lots of FREE activities for kids, like face painting, moon bounce, Royal Race Car Ride, and live music. Free shuttle pickup at the Dublin Fire House.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/431576957590232/
Ludwig’s Corner Country Carnival
WHEN: June 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, 2019, 6 – 10 p.m. and 4 – 10 p.m. on Saturday
WHERE: Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show & Country Fair, 5 Nantmeal Rd, Glenmoore, Pennsylvania 19343
DETAILS: Enjoy rides, games, music, vendors, and the beer garden, which features locally crafted brews by Stickman Brews of Chester Springs. Leashed pets welcome.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/1245091019000502/
DEAL: Get the Mega Pass for $50 and get UNLIMITED rides ALL WEEK! Visit a ticket booth for details.
Lower Milford Fire Company #1 Annual Carnival
WHEN: June 12,13,14,15 2019, starting at 6 p.m. (fireworks at dusk, 9 p.m. on Friday)
WHERE: 1601 Limeport Pike, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania 18036
SPECIALS: Chinese Auction, Live Music, Amusement Rides, Games, Beer Pavilion, Clams, Bingo
LINKS: http://www.lowermilfordfire.org/carnival/
3rd Annual Bridgeport Carnival
WHEN: June 18, 19, 20, 21, & 22, 2019, from 6 – 10 p.m. and 5 – 11 p.m. on the weekends
WHERE: Borough of Bridgeport, 63 W Fourth Street, Bridgeport, Pennsylvania 19405
BEER GARDEN DETAILS: Live music and beer garden in effect on June 20-22, 2019.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/429475527827199/
13th Annual Chester County Balloon Festival
WHEN: June 21, 22, 23, 2019
WHERE: New Garden Flying Field 1235 Newark Rd, Toughkenamon, PA 19374
DETAILS: With a name like “Outside Unlimited Beer Garden,” this hot air balloon festival beckons convincingly even though it’s a little further of a drive for some of us. Jury is still out on whether its name is Outside Unlimited, or if they are actually serving up unlimited suds at the Outdoor Beer Garden!
Admission is $10 (kids) and $15 (adults). The festival allows the opportunity for tethered balloon rides, monster truck rides, live music, and so many other fun things to do. You might as well check the schedule and mark your calendar accordingly. There are literally so many things to do during this three-day festival in Chester County that I can’t even process which is the best day to go. Kids ballooning workshop, dog training agility show, paragliding show, helicopter rides, fire truck parade. I can’t even. Here you go.
LINK: https://ccballoonfest.com/festival-info/15-hops-grapes-wine-and-beer-garden.html
2019 Temple Fire Co Carnival
WHEN: June 25 – 29, 2019
WHERE: Temple Fire Co Social Quarters, 4963 Kutztown Rd, Temple, Pennsylvania 19560
DETAILS: Enjoy nightly entertainment in the beer garden, which opens at 6 p.m. Other attractions include 25 cent BINGO, Saturday night fireworks, rides, and games.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/2060074397391814/
Wind Gap Fire Company Carnival
WHEN: June 29, 2019, from 5 – 11 p.m.
WHERE: Wind Gap Fire Company Carnival, South Lehigh and East 3rd St, Wind Gap, Pennsylvania 18091
DETAILS: FREE RIDES!! Enjoy food and beverages or the beer and clam tent. The large outdoor beer garden is fenced in and covered. Wind Gap’s beer garden will have Yuengling, Miller Lite, and more. Games and 50/50 are also available.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/805641516480313/
July Carnivals with Beer Gardens
2019 Pottstown GoFourth! Festival
WHEN: July 4, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Pottstown Memorial Park, 69 W King Street, Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464
DETAILS: This event offers activities for the whole family, a beer garden for the adults, plus music, food, vendors, and fireworks.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/2155516634758742/
August Carnivals with Outdoor Beer Gardens
MusikFest
WHEN: August 2, 2019 – August 11, 2019 (hours)
WHERE: 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA 18015 (parking all over Bethlehem)
DETAILS: This longstanding tradition of the Lehigh Valley is definitely a bucket list item if you haven’t been. Catch a concert and grab a beer and walk all around to take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Musikfest. While enjoyment of beer is not contained to an outdoor beer garden, you can certainly enjoy the newly opened Banko Beverage Co. Beer Garden in Bethlehem’s Southside.
LINK: https://www.musikfest.org/lineup/
DISCOUNT: Be sure to get your famous Musikfest beverage mug to score a discount on beer refills! (Or if you have one from previous years, bring that bad boy along for the fun!)
164th Annual Reading Fair
WHEN: August, dates TBD
WHERE: The Reading Fairgrounds, Leesport, PA
BEER GARDEN DETAILS: The Reading Fair Beer Garden offers beer Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Word on the street is that Chatty Monk’s Brewing Company of Reading, PA is a partner of the fair. They are brewing an original beer just for the fair and will be serving their beer on Sunday, August 5.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/TheNewReadingFair/
The Great Allentown Fair (167th)
WHEN: August 27 (4 – 11 p.m.), August 28 – September 1 (noon – 11 p.m.) – September 2, 2019 (noon – 10 p.m.)
WHERE: Allentown Fairgrounds, between 17th and 21st streets and Liberty and Chew streets in Allentown
DETAILS: To go along with the live music, this fair basically offers an entire fair-wide outdoor beer garden serving up craft beers at several locations. In previous years, a separate beer garden space kept beer away from the general crowd. Now, fairgoers should be able to carry their beers throughout the fairgrounds. (So much for a beer garden!) With a key focus on supporting the achievements of farmers, gardeners and homemakers, The Great Allentown Fair helps to teach kids where their food comes from while providing access to rides, games, and entertainment.
LINK: http://www.allentownfairpa.org/
September Carnivals with Outdoor Beer Gardens
Malvern Harvest Oktoberfest and Bark in the Park
WHEN: September 10, 2019, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Burke Park, and Municipal Parking Lot, Malvern PA 19355
DETAILS: Stop by the Oktoberfest Beer Garden to enjoy service by The Flying Pig of Malvern. You’ll be surrounded by the tunes of Polkadelphia, putting a fun twist on polka music. For the kids, you’ll find inflatables, entertainment, games and prizes, crafts, face painting, balloon artist, three-hole mini golf, a kids’ concert, toddler area, and an obstacle course for the bigger kids. The biggest kids of all (read: adults) can take part in Giant Bucket Pong, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, and Corn Hole.
LINK: https://www.malvern-festivals.com/malvern-harvest-oktoberfest-1/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/1887667147926881
Whitpain Community Festival
WHEN: September 28, 12 – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Montgomery County Community College, 340 DeKalb Pk, Blue Bell, PA
DETAILS: The festival offers pony rides, inflatables, laser tag, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, hayrides, a beer garden, and more. Admission is free.
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/614621298977344/
October Carnivals with Outdoor Beer Gardens
Ambler Oktoberfest
WHEN: October 5, 2019, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE: Butler Ave., Ambler, PA
DETAILS: Enjoy restaurant samples, vendors, live music, rides for the kids, and a beer garden.
LINK: http://amblermainstreet.org/event/oktoberfest-2019/
Hopefully this list gives you the power to find yourself an outdoor beer garden and your kids a fun carnival or festival. I will continue to update this list as I uncover more events and information about the outdoor beer gardens in Montgomery County, Berks, Bucks, Chester, and the Lehigh Valley. (Also, I might be getting one of these sweet “This Is Probaby Beer” travel tumblers, although I’m feeling rather partial to the “This Is Probably Wine” style.)
Also worth noting: the best beer gardens are often those you find when you least expect it. Take Elmwood Park Zoo, for example, or the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. You’re just walking along on a family outing, minding your own business, and then—Boom! Beer. Life is good.
