GermanFest

I this was so fun!! The other reviews are accurate- the lines are very long and there are a lot of them. But honestly I was having so much fun I didn't mind! There are 2 stages so there is always live music while you are waiting in lines which helps. The food was SO GOOD from the vendor they brought it, and the beer choices were very good! Even as someone who pretty much only likes sours and ciders, I was able to find 2 beers I liked enough to drink 32 oz of it. The events were really what made this so much fun! My favorite was the daschund races obviously. We got to the "arena" area about 20 minutes early with our beer and got front row seats - so worth it!! They are so cute and it is so fun. The stein holding contest was also very impressive and fun to watch. We danced at the Rathskeller, cheered along to live music, and saw lots of people we knew. Looking forward to this next year!

Went to Germanfest today. I had a couple tickets waiting for me that I won from @YelpIndy. There was confusion by everyone around the ticketing and also they could not find my tickets. People waited in line for wrist bands only to find out they needed to go to the podium first to get a ticket. This is the 13th year for this event I would think things like this would be worked out.I found a parking spot about a half a block away so that worked out well. I had a nice time. I talked to a lot of nice folks. I ate some good food. I really enjoyed my potato pancakes with sour cream. I do not drink beer but they also had wine and regular cocktails. They had German music and everyone really enjoyed it. They had weiner dog races but it was very crowded around the track and I did not get to see them but I did see plenty walking around the event. They had several vendors and I purchased a hat for my grandchild. I had fun and also enjoyed a meal at The Rathskeller.

I had won tickets to the GermanFest on Instagram from Yelp. This was my first time attending and I will say the event was nice but it was crowded and had long lines for everything. I love how their were things to do for everyone from adults to the kids and the dogs. There was face painting and crafts for the kids. I enjoyed the music that was playing and loved how people were dressed up. The prices for the different vendors were reasonable.

This event is good but the lines are terrible. There's a line to buy tickets. A line to buy beer. And THEN ANOTHER LINE to buy food. The events are cool, but it's way to crowded. This even needs to DOUBLE it's beer and good capacity. There's not enough. The lines are too long and too slow. Don't go here unless you're ready for a wait, for many waits.

Love this festival and this year was the most perfect weather for it. I wasn't there for long (we came at the end), but the sun was out, the beer was delicious and there were a lot of food trucks, although they didn't have anything to do with Germany (would love some more German food around!). Being at the most gorgeous, traditional German venue in Indy, you almost feel as if you've stepped into a street festival in Europe. My favorite part were the dachshund races. There are SO many wiener dogs dressed in full German outfits and that alone makes the event amazing. In addition to the races, they have yodeling contests, durstig games, bratwurst eating competitions and more. The lines are long for beer, so I'd recommend getting the bigger one to hold you over for longer. The earlier in the day, the less crowded it is, so I'll definitely arrive earlier next year!

The Sankt Nikolaus Fest as been kicking in Indianapolis since 1985! I visited with my family this year, and it was a nice way to start the holiday season, as the Sankt Nikolaus Fest happens at the beginning of December every year. It takes place in the Athenaeum on the first floor right next to Coat Check Coffee. This is a family-friendly festival that celebrates Christmas the German way. There are German cookies and desserts to try (like springerle, cherry stollen and other sweets), cranberry punch, a craft room where you can make paper stars, gingerbread house-making, dancing and singing, live music, a puppet show and an appearance by Sankt Nikolaus (the OG Santa Claus) himself. The festival last three hours. At the end is when you get to see Sankt Nikolaus, and that's when it got a little bizarre because Santa came out with some Gollum-looking character named Knecht Ruprecht wearing a robe and scary makeup who was supposed to represent "the dark side of Christmas." Now, I am 100% down with learning about how other countries celebrate Christmas. I get that not everyone has the same traditions. However, Knecht Ruprecht was scaring my kids, and that's when me and my family peaced the eff out. So, be aware that there is a dude named Knecht Ruprecht that's part of the festival and he might be scary to young children.The festival is small and contained to the first floor of the Athenaeum, but we had a really good time and stayed for the whole festival. This is a fun local tradition to add to our list of Christmassy things to do during this holiday season.

What a treat! I won two free tickets to GermanFest this year thanks to Yelp Indy and it was the perfect day outside. This was my first time attending this event. Everyone at the festival was very inviting and friendly. Sharing seats at the outdoor picnic tables with the friendliest strangers. Everyone we spoke to had a smile on their face and you could feel the community spirit. I enjoyed hand-rolled pretzels and tried the spicy mustard. I wasn't prepared for the spicy kick from the mustard and found out quickly that it had a real punch! They also have cheese to dip the pretzel in if you prefer the American way. You can't go to the Biergarten without trying some beer! I'm not a real beer drinker but I was able to taste one with a cider infused. Very crisp flavor! I wasn't adventurous enough to get sausage and sauerkraut. There were other tasty looking foods to try as well. The music and yodeling contest was my favorite. I felt like I stepped into a German neighborhood party it was great to feel an escape for the afternoon! And all the cute wiener dogs in their costumes and outfits was the cutest sight to see. Will definitely attend again in the future and invite some friends!

I love this festival. This was my 5th year attending and it's high time I finally write a review. The day-long festival/fundraiser put on by the Athenaeum Foundation on Mass Ave (same building as the Rathskeller and YMCA) featuring beer games (Durstig games), polka music, weightlifting competition, weiner dog races, German food by locals like Heidlburg Restaurant and Der Pretzel Wagen, a beer garden via Rathskeller, and 5K filled with drindl and leiderhosen clad runners. It's family friendly, easy to access along East Street and Mass Ave and the vibe varies throughout the day depending on what you're looking for - eats? several beers and dancing? dressing up your weiner dog? You can find it all here. Similar to Vam's note in her review - there is a very upbeat and friendly vibe with smiles all around. I'm always up for an opportunity to throw my dirndl on. Note that this event is a fundraiser for the Athenaeum Foundation.

It was far too expensive for what it was. $55 for 2 people. And there wasn't really that much there. I was incredibly disappointed. It felt like an absolute waste of money.

this was the worst event i have ever gone to. Everything was "authentic" the prices were horrible for 2 people it was 55 dollars and the parking was also expensive. I want a refund