September Festivals - Raising a Glass to Local Tradition

Beer giggles at the Septemberfest

September means that summer is over. Back to work, back to school and air fares back to normal. Memories may be fading of those happy mid-summer rain soaked days but the global festival wheels keep on turning and there is still plenty happening.

If you have leftover annual leave then it’s a great month to travel with lower prices, decent weather and unused holiday bragging rights. September has some great traditional events and these ones are all free to attend.

Brooklyn: Not good enough to be named twice

If you are in New York on 25 September then head to Brooklyn for the biggest Big Apple festival you’ve never heard of, The Atlantic Antic. The oldest and largest in New York, this is a one day street festival with lots of food and music spread over 10 blocks covering 4 neighbourhoods between Hicks Street and Fourth Avenue. 

Afterwards be sure to visit Peter Luger’s Restaurant, voted by Zagat as the best steak house in New York - for the past 30 years in a row! Book ahead and take cash - no cards accepted!

HOW: Fly to New York’s JFK or Newark airports. Or sail on the elegant Queen Mary 2 from Southampton. Stay in Manhattan. Brooklyn is over the East River by Subway or Taxi.

Hermanus: Get ready for Whalenados

If the USD exchange rate is too eye watering at the moment, try South Africa which is still a currency bargain. The spectacular Cape coast is always worth a visit although not known for it’s friendly maritime inhabitants.

However, if you go to the town of Hermanus on the 30 September, it will be the start of their eco-marine Whale Festival. Watch the migration of the Southern Right Whales through the comfort of binoculars from the cliff tops accompanied by live music, local food and a cheeky Cape wine. 

HOW: Fly to Cape Town. Hermanus is 120km away. Hire a car for flexibility to explore the coastal region including the Cape of Good Hope, Stellenbosch and the Garden Route.   

Barcelona: The roof, the roof is on fire

Meanwhile back in Europe, the festival calendar continues. Regional festivals in Spain involve processions, tapas and pyrotechnics. Experience the Barcelona version at the Festes de la Merce from 22-24 September. 

Trying to see the stage at La Merce

A multi event programme celebrating the city’s Patron Saint covers music, food, Castellers - human castles or people standing on top on each other and Correfocs - fire runners who set fire to things and try to ignite the entire city with sparklers.


HOW: Fly to Barcelona from across the UK. Bring earplugs, fire retardant clothing & a good appetite. If it all gets too much, escape to the beach.

Munich: No skinny lattes or grilled halloumi here

Our final festival (and a personal favourite) is called the Oktoberfest even though it runs from 17 September to 3 October this year. So much for German precision! If you like beer then this Munich stalwart has been the go to place since 1810. 

Lederhosen clad locals fill giant beer halls run by different breweries which last year served 7.3m litres of beer brewed to Bavarian purity laws. That means it tastes very good. Chickens and sausages by the truck load are consumed to the accompaniment of Oompah bands. 

Oktoberfest: Redefining the concept of beer tents

HOW: Fly to Munich from UK airports. The festival site is at Theresienweise, close to the city centre. Access is by U-bahn lines U4,U5. 

Stay somewhere you can remember, get there early and touch glasses when somebody says ‘Proust!’ to make new friends. Before you know it you will be singing along with everybody else and having fun.

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Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages including any of the places featured above or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. 

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david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

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Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit! 

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 
5 August 2016