Table of Contents
We say ‘Oktoberfest’ and you think ‘beer’. That’s no coincidence.
The annual festival is internationally renowned for its dancing, partying, dirndls and other Bavarian accoutrements, and above all, beer, beer, beer.
People flock to Munich from all over the world to take part in the time-honoured tradition of Oktoberfest in Germany. You can too, and with our help you’ll know what to expect. Here’s our quick and easy guide to one of the world’s most spectacular festivals.
Oktoberfest fun facts and vocabulary
It’s not in October
Yes, the name is very clear. Unfortunately, it’s also very misleading. The Oktoberfest in Germany takes place every year in… September. Don’t give us the stink eye. We don’t make the rules.
It’s not even called Oktoberfest
So you’re thinking we’re really out of our minds, but it’s the truth. The only people who call it Oktoberfest are the hordes of people who come from other countries. Locally, it’s known as the Wies’n (pronounced Vi-Zn). And while we’re at it, Munich is called Munich in German. Always handy to know when you’re trying to buy train tickets!
The beer there is beerier
There’s only one beer at the Oktoberfest in Germany: Märzen. It’s brewed especially for the festival and is stronger than normal beer (around 5.7% alcohol by volume). It’s also served in larger quantities: the Bavarian Maß contains a litre of beer.
There’s more than beer
There are also some spirits served at the Oktoberfest. They are called schnapps.
Wear it proudly
Lederhosen are the traditional Bavarian costume for men, just as the Dirndl is for women. Do you have to wear them to take part? Of course not. But the real question is: why wouldn’t you want to try them? After all, “when in Rome…”
Ladies, when you put on your dirndl, make sure you tie your apron on the right side! One side is for single women, the other for the “unavailable”!
What’s on offer?
While the Oktoberfest is primarily associated with drinking beer, and lots of it, there are other attractions that are well worth your time.
In Germany, the Oktoberfest is a multi-generational festival. From toddlers to the elderly, there is something fun and fantastic for everyone to do at Theresienwiese, the site of the festival in Munich.
Funfair rides
Every year during the festival the square is full of rides and games of skill. It’s like a county fair! There are rides of all kinds and children will have a great time on the Ferris wheel, the balloon race or the children’s rides. If you’re lucky enough to be on the Ferris wheel on a clear day, you can even see the Alps in the distance.
Souvenirs galore
Souvenirs of all kinds are available at the Oktoberfest. Whether you are looking for something serious or kitschy, the Oktoberfest has it all. You can buy a beer, teddy bears, horrible party hats of all kinds, jewellery, heart-shaped biscuits… there is even a special temporary post office where you can send postcards to your friends!
Eat your fill
While beer is the main attraction at the Oktoberfest, the food is not to be missed. Try the Weißwurst, of which Munich is the world capital. Sample the wares of dozens of sausage stands offering some of the best meats in the world. Pretzels, of course, are ubiquitous, as is sauerkraut. Don’t be shy!
But there are two special dishes that you must try. Overlook them at your own peril:
Firstly, the Bavarian Brathendl, which is sold in huge quantities (almost 500,000 chickens are devoured over the 16 days of the festival). The second is the Steckerlfisch, a large fish that is skewered whole, salted and roasted over hot coals until it is surprisingly succulent and juicy.
Beer, beer, beer…
More than 7.7 million litres of beer are consumed at the Oktoberfest in Germany every year. Some festival-goers start very early in the morning: young people arrive at the gates of the festival before it opens with their own crates of beer. Sometimes they finish the case before they’ve even arrived!
Only a few German breweries are allowed to sell at the Oktoberfest. Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, Augustiner, Spaten, Löwenbräu and Hofbräu-München are the only ones to brew Märzen for the event.
Get there early
During the evening, every table is reserved. They are expensive, at least 300 euros to reserve a whole table, so don’t think you can sit at an empty table for long. If someone shows up at your table, you’ll be asked to leave. This means that the only way to get a table in one of the huge tents at the event is to get there before 5pm! Many companies reward their employees with a table in one of the tents, so this is usually when the older crowd arrives. Traditional bands start to play and after a few litres, people get up on the tables to dance and sing!
At night the party continues both inside and outside the tents. At 23:30 the party comes to an end. There will be no question that it’s time to go: closing time is signalled by all the lights going out. Some of the partygoers will then light up the place with their lighters and smartphones, continue singing without music, finish their beers and head for the exits.
When the festival site closes, all the city’s pubs and clubs quickly fill up as festival-goers head into the city for more drinks. Especially over the weekend, every single bar makes a lot of money. Some people even party until the sun rises and the gates of the Oktoberfest open again!
Cover photo credit: München Tourismus/Christian Kasper
