Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk and beer festival. Held annually in Munich, Germany from mid-late September to the first Sunday in October. It attracts over 6 million visitors per year, with over 7 million litres of beer being consumed.
You might think this is a college frat party fuelled beer craze-esque experience. Surprisingly, this is not actually the case. Of course, there is a certain segment of people enjoying the festivities a bit too much, however, I found it to actually be a rather civilized event. Everyone is drinking a lot, however I rarely saw a fight break out, or anyone throwing up in public, so I consider that a win.
Oktoberfest is a large fair. Families attend. You see grandparents with grandchildren walking the grounds. Couples, groups of friends, basically everyone is invited. And its free to get in! There are rides, games and lots of delicious food stalls with classic German treats. My favourite was the Haxen Semmel, which is basically a schweinshaxen (roasted ham hock) sandwich. You definitely will not go hungry here!
Lets talk beer tents! Most of the large beer companies in Germany are represented here in the large tents. There are also a large variety of smaller tents, if you feel like a more “boutique” experience. However, all of them are really lively and include live music. When you order a beer, you get a large, 1 litre glass of the one type of beer that the brewery made for Oktoberfest that year. Also, it is recommended that you reserve tables in advance. And I mean WAY in advance. You need to book with the beer tent itself, as there is no central reservation system. You must reserve a full table and booking opens as early as January. If you do not book a table ahead of time, then you must rely on your friendliness and the kindness of strangers to allow you to sit at their table with them. Generally its pretty easy if there is just 2 of you, however if you have a large group, definitely book a table in advance. There is not a time when the tents are not packed, so plan accordingly. Beers also run between 10 – 12 Euro, so bring cash. **Pro tip – there is a traditional German tent at the very far end of Oktoberfest in the VIP area. You basically pay to get into that area (around 3 Euro when I was there) and you get access to this great traditional tent with traditional dancing, music and actual beer steins. Feels a bit classier than the other tents as well, so its worth checking out.
Oktoberfest is an event that brings people in from all of the world. However, it actually includes a large portion of locals, and everyone I met there was German. So though this is an International event, it still has a very local feel.
Munich is extremely busy during the months of September and October. I highly recommend booking as early as absolutely possible in order to get the hotel and Oktoberfest reservation you are looking for. With some amazing contacts in Munich, I am able to help you make the most of your trip, so contact me today to get started planning!
