Oktoberfest in Munich: A September to Remember
Cool things you didn't know about the world's largest folk festival.
The September newsletter is a bit late because I was busy getting my dirndl on at Oktoberfest in Munich. Read on to find out:
Why is Oktoberfest in September?
How to enjoy Oktoberfest like a local.
What NOT to do at Oktoberfest.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oktoberfest.
Why is Oktoberfest in September?
The first Oktoberfest was in 1810, a horse race celebrating the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Sassonia-Hildburghausen. The marriage didn’t work out very well, but the event proved so popular — and beneficial to the local economy — that local leaders expanded on the festival, with the first beer served in 1818. War and other hardships including Covid have forced cancellations in the past.
In the modern day, the dates have shifted to September to take advantage of the mild autumn weather. The 2023 edition took place from Sept. 16 to October 3. During those 18 crazy days, an estimated six million people were expected to visit the sprawling fairground known as “Theresienwiese,” or simply Wies’n. Most are Germans, but diverse partygoers from around the world are welcome.
How to Enjoy Oktoberfest Like a Local
Courtesy of our hosts at Paulaner and our German journalism colleagues, here’s what you need to know.
Dress up! You’re not required to wear a traditional Bavarian costume — dirndl for the women and lederhosen for the men — but you’ll have more fun if you do. Plan ahead to shop for affordable attire because they sell out and the really cheap ones look like Halloween costumes. It’s possible to spend thousands of euros on handcrafted, locally made outfits.
Make an online reservation. It’s FREE to enter the Wies’n, but you should visit one of the sponsors’ websites to guarantee your spot in the beer tents. Each has its own personality, attracting families, seniors and hipsters at different times of day. A few spots are left open for those without reservations, but they fill up fast.
Pace yourself. The special beer brewed for Oktoberfest typically has a six percent alcohol content. Your one-liter “Maß” (pronounced mahss) beer weighs more than two kilos (4.4 pounds) and cost 14.50 Euros in 2023. Don’t forget to order a mug of water on the side and marvel at how the waiters and waitresses manage to carry all of it to your table in a single trip. Of course, there’s plenty of delicious food to balance out the alcohol as well.
Learn the song. Trust me, our group of Americans got better as the night went on.
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit.
Then lift your mug and say, “Oans, zwoa, drei, gsuffa!” or One, Two, Three Drink!
Traditional German music must be played until 6 pm. Then the “party music” will have you singing and dancing along to international favorites like Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ and John Denver’s ‘Country Roads.’
What NOT to do at Oktoberfest
Do NOT try to steal a beer mug. They are for sale at kiosks and in the online gift shop. Or just ask your server. And yes, you are very likely to be caught by the Wies’n police who have the entire fairgrounds under video surveillance.
Do NOT end up on “vomit hill,” where folks who overindulged might be sleeping it off. And yes, the cops are watching. We visited the police station where lawbreakers are swiftly dealt with. Fortunately, the vast majority of people at Oktoberfest are safe, happy and having a great time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oktoberfest
When should I plan my trip to Octoberfest? Make hotel reservations early. Munich fills up during the event. Opening hours are on the website. The whole city gets into the spirit with people wearing their traditional clothes on the streets of Munich.
Is it expensive to visit Oktoberfest? Entrance to the Weis’n is FREE and there’s a small charge for tent reservations. Some have a minimum purchase for food/drink but it’s mostly pay as you go. Bring cash.
Can I have a good time if I don’t drink alcohol? Absolutely! The beer tents offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for your sober Oktoberfest. You might wish to try Paulaner’s Weizen Radler 0.0% non-alcoholic beer if it’s suitable for you. And there is a lot to do besides drinking; the Wies’n is like a county fair on steroids.
Can I bring my kids to Oktoberfest? The children and families page of the official website recommends that families visit early in the day. There are plenty of thrill rides, shows and food to delight kids of all ages. Those under 16 without their parents are not allowed in the tents after 8 pm, and no kids under age 6. The drinking age in Germany is 16, with ID.
What’s NOT allowed at Octoberfest? Baby strollers after 6 pm and on a few of the most crowded days. Pets, except service dogs, are not allowed. Any bags must be small enough to pass through security, no larger than 8 x 6 x 4 inches.
Coming Soon on the Strangers in the Living Room Blog
What stunned me about Oktoberfest is how massive it is. German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States. But saying that Munich’s big event is similar to your local beer and sausage fest would be like calling the Super Bowl just another football game. It’s going to take me a few more weeks to put it all together in a post with video. I’ll also be traveling to London to write about a weekend theater break in the West End.
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