12 things you gotta do in Bucks this weekend (September 29-October 2)

Even if you’re not a big beer lover, I’m sure you’ve heard of the annual German festival, Oktoberfest. It’s the world’s largest beer festival and fair, long part of traditional Bavarian culture. But you don’t need to go to Germany because so many local restaurants are putting on their own beer and food festivals.

This Monday is the end of Oktoberfest, so Bucks County restaurants have a lot of German specials, music, and beer nights planned. Check out what’s happening this weekend and be sure to have a beer for us! Prost!

Events are listed in chronological order

1. Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market

Thursday, September 29, Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Edgewood & Heacock Rd., Yardley, PA

The forecast says Thursday will be a bit gloomy, but that’s not stopping the farmers from coming out to the Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market. There are only two more markets left in the season, and this week the market has apples, cantaloupe, corn, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, spaghetti squash, zucchini, squash, and much more. Bonjour Creperie, the award-winning food truck that creates sweet and savory crepes, will be there as well.

2. Lumberville General Store Supper Club

Friday, September 30, 6 – 9 pm, Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA

The Lumberville General Store hosts a supper club on Fridays and Saturdays, and if you haven’t stopped by yet, you can this Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1. Grab some friends and enjoy the dinner party (no membership required, BYOB). The first seating is at 6 pm, and it’s $24.95 per person. One weekend, the dinner club guests were treated to BBQ pork belly and oven roasted monkfish. Give the store a call at 215.297.9262 to reserve your spot.

3. Moonlit Fun

Friday, September 30, The Market at DelVal, 2100 Lower State Rd., Doylestown, PA

Fall nights are as wonderful as fall days. Head to The Market at DelVal for some “Moonlit Fun,” an evening filled with cheery bonfires, a giant corn maze walk at dark, and a moonlit wagon ride. Nothing scary! Call 215.230.7170 for group discounts. Admission is $8 per person.

4. Anniversary Weekend with Stone Brewing Co.

Saturday, October 1, Spinnerstown Hotel & Taproom, 2195 Spinnerstown Rd., Quakertown, PA

The Spinnerstown Hotel & Taproom is hosting an anniversary weekend where guests can sample six rare and anniversary beers from Stone Brewing Co. The beers include: the 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th Anniversary beers, the Virginia Prototype IPA and So.CAL IPA.

5. Apple Butter Frolic

Saturday, October 1, 9:30 am – 4 pm, Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Rd., Harleysville, PA

For over 40 years, the Apple Butter Frolic has been a local community favorite in nearby Montgomery County, and it’s back this October with plenty of apple surprises. The frolic is meant to show the community how Mennonites and their neighbors lived for over 100 years. The family-friendly event includes a pancake and apple breakfast, apple foods, an apple baking contest, a folk craft demonstration, delicious German Pennsylvania food, children’s activities, horse and wagon rides, farming demonstrations, and more.

Admission for adults and youth is $8, children ages six through 12 is $2 for admission, and children under six are free. No pets allowed, and parking can be found at the Indian Valley Middle School on 130 Maple Avenue, with a shuttle to the frolic.

The Apple Baking Contest: Bring your homemade baked apple pie or cake entry by 10:30 am on October 1 along with a copy of the complete recipe. The recipe must include apples. Your entry will be good for one free adult admission to the Apple Butter Frolic. Gift baskets of Bauman’s Fruit Butters will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Winners of the baking contest will be announced at 1:30 pm. For more information call 215.256.3020 or email info@mhep.org.

6. Triumph Oktoberfest

Saturday, October 1, 12 – 6 pm, Triumph Brewery, 400 Union Square, New Hope, PA

Triumph Brewery’s annual Oktoberfest celebration is back! Get ready for traditional German food, beer, and music, with a Triumph twist. Food includes Triumph’s locally sourced menu, along with German dishes. All of the meat will be sourced from Reiker’s Prime Meats, a local Philadelphia butcher. The Firehouse Polka Band will play from 12 – 4 pm.

To kick off the event, the first barrel of Oktoberfest beer will be tapped by New Hope’s Mayor Keller at noon. This Oktoberfest also features kid’s activities from 12 – 6 pm, like face painting and other entertainment. You must be 21+ to participate in adult activities, and there is a $5 cover starting at 9 pm.

7. Oktoberfest!

Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, The Rising Sun Inn, 898 Allentown Rd., Telford, PA

Step inside the rustic barn at the Rising Sun Inn and you’ll think you’re in a beer tent in Munich during the traditional Oktoberfest. This weekend, you can experience an all-you-can-eat buffet of traditional German fare like lentil frankfurter soup, sauerbraten, sweet red cabbage, black forest roast pork and sauerkraut, Nuremberg bratwurst, wiener schnitzel over buttery spaetzle noodles, bock wurst, and more. For dessert, the inn is serving up black forest cake, honey almond bee-sting cake, hot baked apple dumplings, and linzer torte.

It wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without authentic German draft beers. The Rising Sun Inn will have a cash bar available, so you can pair your traditional German food with a nice cold brew. Tickets are $25 per person. Oktoberfest runs from 4 – 10 pm on Saturday, and 2 – 8 pm on Sunday. Call 215.721.6350 to make your reservation. The Rising Sun Inn will also feature German cuisine specials throughout the month of October.

8. Community Hot Dog Roast

Saturday, October 1, 6 – 9 pm, Thornridge Community Church, 7 Thornridge Place, Levittown, PA

10. Music and Whiskey at Dad’s Hat

Saturday, October 1, 7 pm, Dad’s Hat Rye Whiskey Distillery, 925 Canal Street, Building #4, Bristol, PA

Join the Dad’s Hat crew this Saturday, October 1 for a night of music featuring acclaimed Austin, Texas singer/songwriter Beaver Nelson. Opening for him will be local Philadelphia area folk/Americana trio, Found Wandering.

Cocktails feature Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey, which will also be available for purchase at the event. There are only a few tickets left, and they are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. Buy your tickets here.

11. Harvest at the Wycombe Vineyards

Sunday, October 2, 9 am, Wycombe Vineyards & Winery, 1391 Forest Grove Rd., Furlong, PA

Wycombe Vineyards needs your help! This weekend, they need helpful grape pickers to harvest the fruit for the season. Pickers will get a free glass of wine and lunch. Please arrive on time, dress for the outdoors, and bring the following: kitchen scissors or shears, garden gloves, your own lawn chair, sun protective hat, and sunscreen. Also: Beware of bees and yellow jackets! If you’re allergic it’s wise if you don’t pick, since the bees love the grapes this time of year. Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne. Save your spot online here.

12. Picnic in the Vineyard

Sunday, October 2, 12 pm, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Rd., Washington Crossing, PA

How does a casual fall picnic with a basket of goodies and a bottle of wine sound? This weekend at Crossing Vineyards & Winery, grab a blanket and head to the winery for a picnic in the vineyard. Snack and sip your wine and enjoy a basket for two filled with mini sandwiches, salad, fruit, a box of six chocolate truffles, and two bottled waters. Bonus: You get to keep the basket, glasses, and a souvenir corkscrew. Perfect for couples, friends or families. Each basket costs $85.

None of these strike your fancy? You can always check our Food Events in Bucks County calendar 7 days a week, 24 hours a day here.

Want to know what’s happening in Hunterdon County? See our Food Events in Hunterdon County calendar.