Oktoberfest is known as the most famous cultural and traditional festival in the history of Germany, attracting around 6 million international visitors from all over the world, and 85% of total visitors are locals, consuming up to 7 million liters of beer each year. Oktoberfest was first held in Munich when citizens were invited to attend the wedding festivity happening on the ground in front of the city. Thus, it was named "Wiesn," which means meadows. That's why, even today, locals call Oktoberfest Wiesn. It was later called Oktoberfest because it was organized in October.
The festival is marked as a 16-18-day event beginning in late September and extending to October. The festival starts with the symbolic tapping of the first barrel by Munich's mayor, and he shouts, "O'zapft is!
Here are the 10 easy steps to making the most of your visit to Oktoberfest. Let's begin!
Wearing traditional outfits is essential for getting the whole Oktoberfest experience. Donning the Bavarian lederhosen men or a Dirndl adds to the fun and authenticity of the festival. While high-quality Lederhosen typically starts at around 140-175 EUR and Dirndls at 100 EUR, there are also more budget-friendly options if you're not looking for premium quality.
You can conveniently purchase these outfits from online stores before your trip begins. Consider renting an outfit, which could be an excellent, cheaper alternative. It would cost you between 45-60 EUR a day, especially if you only go to the Oktoberfest for a day or two. But if you're staying longer at the festival, it's more cost-effective to buy the outfit.
Although it might seem like Oktoberfest is constantly crowded, this is only sometimes the case. To avoid the busiest times, avoid Saturdays and October 3rd if it falls on a Friday. These days are known for their high crowd levels, making even simple tasks like buying a beer difficult.
It's not advisable to plan your visit from Friday afternoon to Sunday, as this typically covers the most crowded periods, including Friday night and all of Saturday.
If you need to go on a weekend, aim for the first Saturday of the festival as it's less busy. Picking suitable days can help you have a more enjoyable time at Oktoberfest, letting you experience the fun atmosphere more comfortably without too many people.
At Oktoberfest, all tents are free to enter and offer both free and reserved tables, with reserved tables typically positioned centrally and ideal for dining. To secure a table, especially if you wish to eat, making a reservation is advisable. Oktoberfest tents feature 17 large tents, each accommodating around thousands, serving beer from the local hosts. The more famous tents, like Augustiner Bräu and Hofbräu, attract larger fun loving crowds and are popular with tourists.
To reserve a table, you should contact the desired tent directly through email, phone, or even fax, with reservations usually opening between January and April. Remember that tables often seat 8-10 people and cost about 300-400 EUR per table, translating to roughly 30-40 EUR per person. You need to book an entire table, even if fewer people attend.
Regarding the kind of accommodation, whether a hotel, or Airbnb, booking early is critical. The thing about Oktoberfest is that spots are taken very quickly, and it is common for them to get full even a year ahead. As a rule, the closer the place to the festival area is, the more expensive it is and the faster it gets.
If you want to save money, here are the possible options:
Munich has excellent transport links. The second-largest airport in Germany – Franz-Josef-Strauß Airport – has existed for several decades, and a smaller option in Memmingen is located 100 km west of the city; it is also cheaper. Two close transportation options to arrive at Oktoberfest are by air and train. Try to plan your way to be relaxed and enjoy the arrival.
During the first weekend, Saturday is marked by a big parade. The march starts downtown with brewery wagons lavishly decorated with flowers and pulled by beautifully dressed horses moving toward the Theresienwiese. Münchner Kindl is the world-famous leading parade. The following Sunday, you can see the Trachten- und Schützenzug, an even more giant parade. There are over 9000 participants dressed in traditional outfits from their regions, putting on a spectacle of colorful history and culture. It starts in the downtown area at 10 a.m. at Maximiliansbrücke. This day is something special, given the joyous mood in the entire city.
Entry to all the tents at Oktoberfest is free. Inside, beer prices usually range from 12 to 13 EUR, while full meals cost between 12 and 20 EUR. Many tents also offer lunch specials priced from 10 to 15 EUR. Additionally, you'll find numerous stands throughout the festival selling sausage and wurst for about 5 to 6 EUR.
Although reserving a table doesn't cost anything upfront, you must order food and drinks to secure one. Typically, this means spending on items like two beers and half a chicken, which totals around 30 to 35 EUR per person. Therefore, a table for 10 people could cost about 300 EUR, depending on the tent.
While Oktoberfest is challenging to attend on a tight budget, you can save money by eating and drinking outside the festival grounds before arriving. However, if you plan to buy anything inside the tents, be prepared to spend.
Oktoberfest has several thrilling rides, each offering unique experiences that increase the festive spirit. Olympia Looping, a standout roller coaster since 1989, dazzles with its Olympic ring-like loops and intense speed, creating memorable moments for its riders.
Collectively, these attractions embody Oktoberfest's vibrant energy and innovative spirit, making it a landmark event filled with adventure and joy for all ages.
Food is one of the main attractions of Oktoberfest as it offers a wide range of options to satisfy any taste bud or dietary preference. All dishes served at the celebration are designed to fuel the visitors during the busy days filled with dance, music, and socializing. In addition to alleviating hunger, food helps keep the event atmosphere festive and cheerful due to its high-calorie ingredients, lavishing tastes, and traditionalism. With such an extensive selection, Oktoberfest blends traditional German fare with international flavors to satisfy all palates.
Here are some of the well-known food choices available at Oktoberfest:
Drinks are the second most critical part of Oktoberfest's event. It is known for its extraordinary beer, all brewed in Munich and adhering to the Reinheitsgebot, also known as German Punkrock. In every large Munich brewery's tent, the two-liter glasses, also known as Mass, are filled with beer in their best varieties with rich lagers and light wheat beers. Because of the set beer price limits in the tents, everyone can order a big glass without worrying about price differences.
Wine and champagne are available in some tents for those seeking nonalcoholic options, and for those who need a sober fest. There are plenty of beverages like coffee, lemonade, sodas, water, and alcohol-free beer. For those who want to feel the spirit of the event, there are also plenty of good Bavarian drinks like Schnapps and Ratler, which are popular among the attendees.
To conclude, if you want to have a great time and enjoy your trip to Germany's Oktoberfest, cherish the entire journey from the moment of planning to adore every detail of the festival. Remember that beer is not the only Oktoberfest component but a proud part of it. Try to wear Dirndls and Lederhosen and go on rides. Participate in the beautiful event of losing your senses and tasting local dishes. Fully enjoy Oktoberfest because you will still be able to do it after all. Oktoberfest is a diverse cultural event that can quickly unite fun, educational moments of tradition and an unforgettable experience. For those attending for the first time and those who have been there, the celebration is filled with color and atmosphere, where you can find the most festive way to take pleasure in everything that is Oktoberfest.
