Festivals are the most animated events that celebrate communities, cultures, and art. One such enlightening experience is Oktoberfest in Munich. This life-size festival has been running successfully for over two centuries (with only 26 cancellations). The easiest way to explain it is: EVERYTHING BAVARIAN!
It means slight preparation is needed to make the most of it. The brew at the festival is stronger than regular beer, and the ground is filled with large and small marquees serving it. Go through all the Oktoberfest Tips and Tricks to make the most of your experience.
The whole Oktoberfest experience is optimized if you put things in order. Little details make the biggest difference!
The world’s largest beer fest runs for 16-18 days, making it one of the longest-running Volkfests around the globe. It starts at the end of September and lasts till the start of October. It means you have to decide which days are best for you to attend the festival.
If you love having people around, then the busy days at Oktoberfest are for you. All the important dates at the festival have some kind of event planned.
All these events mark the special days of the festival, and it’s sometimes hard to find a spot, so you'd better be on time!
Weekdays at the festival are relaxed, and a great time to find a spot and enter the Theresienwiese without getting in line. Mornings have especially less turnover, and the best time to experience the festival without the hustle and bustle.
Day Deciding Tip! Check the Oktoberfest barometer to shortlist the best days to attend the festival according to your crowd preference.
The operational hours of the Oktoberfest vary for the tents and the days. Beer serving at the tents is discontinued a little before the tents' business hours.
Note: Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Kuffler’s Weinzelt (wine tent) are open till 1:00 a.m., with the bar closing half an hour before.
Beer Tent Timing Tip: If you plan to stay late, rush to the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke or Kuffler’s Weinzelt to score a spot.
The 42 hectares of the Oktoberfest fairground have 17 large and 21 small tents. It is impossible to cover all the beer marquees, especially if you attend the festival for only one day.
Image Courtesy: Oktoberfest.de
All the beer tents have different vibes and decor, and they serve one of six Munich beers. Research all the major tents to decide, avoid disappointment, and manage expectations.
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Oktoberfest Beer Tent Tip! All the beer tents serve different Oktoberfest beers (from one of the six beers), and the organizers don’t regulate the prices. This means the cost of a stein varies for different tents. If you plan an Oktoberfest on a budget, check the beer prices in advance to make an informed decision. |
The Midday Oktoberfest (Mittagswiesn) was introduced in 1998 to encourage more visitors to visit the fairground between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
During these hours, daily specials are offered on the menu at discounted prices. It is your chance to enjoy one of the low-cost Bavarian specialties.
The Oktoberfest beers (Augustiner-Bräu, Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spatenbräu, Hofbräu) are only served at the tents. These beers are especially brewed for the Oktoberfest, having higher alcohol content, between 5.8% to 6.2% (regular beer has 4% alcohol content).
|
Oktoberfest Beer |
Alcohol Content |
|
Augustiner |
6% |
|
Hacker-Pschorr |
5.8% |
|
Lowenbrau |
6.1% |
|
Paulaner |
6% |
|
Spatenbrau |
5.9% |
|
Hofbräu |
6.3% |
The Oktoberfest Marzen lager easily washes down; without knowing, you can chug many steins. Pace your drinking game to enjoy all aspects of the world's largest Volkfest.
Since Oktoberfest beer is strong and easily drinkable, drinking it on an empty stomach can result in quicker and worse intoxication, which can ruin the whole festival plan.
There are certain rules and protocols for attending an event, especially if it is grand like Oktoberfest (with a 200+ year history).
The German currency, the Euro (€), is used at Oktoberfest. Cash is the king at the fairground. Credit cards are not accepted there; debit cards work only for the whole table reservation. Some stalls and rides accept cards, but there may be some issues. The ATM at the fairground charges a hefty amount, so bring some cash with you.
The festival has no obligatory dress code, but most locals attend the festival wearing dirndls and lederhosen (traditional German attire), which elevates the whole festive experience.
Men at Oktoberfest wear;
Women's dress code for Oktoberfest is:
Oktoberfest clothing Tip! It is better to skip the Oktoberfest costume altogether than wear a low-quality one.
The festival ground is quite long (100 acres) and has seven entrances. Your favorite Oktoberfest tent may be located quite far from the entrance. Comfortable shoes help you go a long way without having foot sores. Closed shoes are recommended for both men and women exploring the Oktoberfest fairground.
There are certain rules and regulations, and Oktoberfest police roam around to ensure everyone abides by them.
The famous “Puke Hill” or, as locals say, “Kotzhügel" is a notorious spot behind the beer tents. Many intoxicated visitors lie there after having had steins of beer. Many people avoid it for hygiene reasons. Despite very few incident reports, it is also a famous pickpocket spot.
Tip: Take a water break between drinking sessions. And return to the hotel if you are a solo Oktoberfest visitor.
If you plan on spending most of your time at the Oktoberfest beer halls, prepare to tip well. The recommended tip is 5 to 10% of your bill per serving, which is roughly €1-2 per beer serving. Tipping well means getting your order in time!
Note: The servers also rely greatly on the tips as their base salary is quite marginal.
The Oktoberfest celebration got an extension on its southern part to celebrate the 200th anniversary. It is decorated to celebrate the traditional vibe of the festival with beer tents and rides during the early years of the festival.
The Oide Wiesn (Historical Oktoberfest) is replaced every four years with the Agricultural fair. So, check the official Oktoberfest website before visiting!
The whole Oktoberfest experience is incomplete without the Carnival rides. Some of the rides are so much fun, especially for adrenaline junkies. Some of the top recommended Oktoberfest carnival rides are;
Olympia Looping
Toboggan
Teufelsrad
Ferris Wheel
71% of the Oktoberfest visitors are Bavarian, mostly conversing only in German. Having a little knowledge of German can help navigate the festival easily.
Munich’s weather is unpredictable, with rain on roughly 180 days a year. It can downpour at Oktoberfest at any hour. It is great to have a compact umbrella or rain poncho handy to shield your awesome lederhosen or german dirndl dresses from getting soaked.
The world's biggest Volksfest, Oktoberfest Munich, is one of the most hyped celebrations. Everyone loves Wiesn for many reasons, but going to the first straight without having the essentials sorted can ruin the whole experience. It is best to shortlist the festival days of visitation, check the beer tent timings, and have enough cash on hand to have the time of your life!