Boston Calling and Samuel Adams Annual Octoberfest are two citywide events that we have to look forward to come fall: one bringing headliners like Lorde and Nas into City Hall Plaza for a three-day music festival, the other celebrating the autumn season with beer and German fare.
This year, however, the two will merge to become one standout event of the season. Boston Calling, which will return to Government Center from September 5 to 7, will now incorporate Samuel Adams annual Octoberfest celebration into its festivities, adding a new element to Boston’s landmark music festival.
According to an official release, Boston Calling goers can expect season Sam Adams beer, stein-hoisting competitions, warm pretzels and German sausages, lawn games, a photobooth and more, all in a “beer hall setting” within the festival grounds. In addition to the Octoberfest-style activities, food and beer, guests are encouraged to dress in traditional leiderhosen garb in order to play up the Octoberfest spirit. Sorry, Octoberfest, but the cutest dirndl isn’t going to turn most Boston Calling guests away from the festival chic trend that’s swept the culture, even here in Boston.
While this year’s Sam Adams Octoberfest is part of its 30th anniversary celebration, it feels as though the beer-laden festival will be overshadowed in a music festival setting, which, if past events are any indication, attracts a large number of underage fans who will be left out of any beer hall festivities. Last year, Octoberfest was held on September 14 at the Park Plaza Castle, a 21+ event that sold tickets at a price range between $17.50 and $38.50.
No alternative ticket sales for Octoberfest are included on Boston Calling’s website, but tickets are still available for single-day passes ($50 on Friday, $75 on Saturday and Sunday), two-day weekend passes ($135 for Saturday and Sunday) and three-day passes ($175). Presale tickets for the festival have long sold out. Check out this September’s full lineup here.
Combining a traditional fall celebration with a relatively recent Boston music event is certainly an interesting experiment, but only this September’s Boston Calling festival will tell if the music fans welcome the leiderhosen-wearing Octoberfesters. Thoughts?
Image via Boston Calling/Facebook
