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Explore ExperiencesOktoberfest in Munich, Germany, is said to be one of the largest folk festivals in the world! Millions of people have visited this festival and have spent their time having the best beer, food, parades, games and countless rides that Germany has to offer! More than a festival, it is a celebration of culture and adventure in the most exciting way. For those who want to immerse in the joy of celebration, Oktoberfest welcomes you with open arms.
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So What Is Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest originally began sometime in October (obviously), 1810. It was held as a celebration for the wedding of the Crown Prince of Bavaria, Prince Ludwig to a Saxon princess, Therese. So, after the wedding, all of the wealthy citizens of Munich were invited to spend 5 days of non-stop eating, drinking and merrymaking! There were carnival rides, games, music and races that made the festivities even more enjoyable! Everyone had such a good time that this was no longer just a one-time celebration, but was made to be a tradition for the burghers of Munich and from then on, for everyone and anyone.
When And Where Is It Held
The festival runs for about two weeks (16-18 days) every year, typically from mid-September to the first Sunday in October. Do check before booking as dates for the German Oktoberfest Munich festival tends to change every year. It is held in a large open place called Theresienwiese, which is very close to the center of Munich.
Entry Ticket For The Oktoberfest
The grounds of the Oktoberfest are vast and completely filled with tents. These tents are where all the food, drinks and some games are generally held. There are no entry fees or tickets to get into the grounds or to enter any tents. But once inside, you will be charged for anything that you consume. Simple rule; you pay for only what you consume.
Click Here To Book Your Evening Reservation And Tour At The Oktoberfest
Tips To Make Your Oktoberfest Stress-Free
Arrive Early
On weekends most of the tents fill up quickly and get closed when full. Hence make sure to arrive by 10:00am to avoid last minute disappointments.
Make Reservations
Now what you may not know is that it is highly recommended to make reservations for the tents that you want to visit. Tents get full quite fast and normally they will close doors as soon as they fill up, which is usually about 11 am on weekdays and by noon on weekends. All you need to do to make a reservation is contact the tent – on the phone or online – beforehand.
Grab A Bite Someplace Else
The food in Oktoberfest is honestly the same as the food outside the fest – except that it’s much more expensive. Since there are no entry fees, you can always step outside and get something to eat before returning to the fest. This will save you a ton of money – money that you can use to get more beer!
Tip, Tip, Tip!
When you’re inside the tents, you will be one amongst the hundreds there. There are very few servers available, so make sure you tip generously so that you won’t be left ignored!
Plan A Meetup Spot
It’s very likely that you could get lost in the crowds, both inside and outside the tents. So make sure that you and your friends plan a meet up spot beforehand so that you know where to go if you can’t find them anymore.
Stay Hydrated
Carry plenty of drinking water and make sure to drink it between beers. This will help reduce the risk of dehydration and other symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.
Carry Cash
Many tents don’t accept cards, hence always carry some cash. In crowded places, cash transactions are the quickest and hassle free form of transaction.
Budget Friendly
Those visiting on Tuesdays will be eligible for a special discount as it is Family Day. Everything from food, drinks, snack bars and rides will be available at a special discounted price. This offer is specially designed to make it budget friendly for people coming with families.
Avoid Drunken Driving
As this festival involves a lot of drinking, avoid driving. Use Munich’s public transport like U-Bahn and S-Bahn to get to places easily.
Download Offline Maps
Do not rely on online maps as once inside the tents Wi-Fi isn’t very strong. Download offline maps to get uninterrupted access wherever you go.
Best Oktoberfest Tents
There are around 17 large beer tents and a few smaller ones that offer a unique atmosphere and experience. Listed below are some of the most popular ones.
Hofbräu Festzelt – It is the most popular tent among international visitors, especially Americans. This energetic and fun place can get too busy at times.
Paulaner Festzelt – This is a massive tent in the whole of Oktoberfest which can accommodate over 8000 people. It is a great place for the young and old alike.
Schottenhamel – It is the oldest tent at Oktoberfest and this is where the festival officially kick starts. This is also a big tent with a capacity to accommodate over 6000 people.
Augustiner-Festhalle – To get a seat at this tent, one needs to book a table well in advance. Since it is the most family-friendly option, locals book this place months in advance. The highlight of the place is the serving of beer in wooden barrels.
Marstall – This modern and inventive tent has decorations with eye-catching horse race themes. It is an ideal family tent as the menu has wonderful options for the little ones too.
8 Exciting Things To Do At Oktoberfest
- Attend the opening ceremony of Oktoberfest which has the Mayor of Munich tapping the first barrel of beer.
- Visit Munich’s iconic beer tents to enjoy some authentic Bavarian beer.
- Don a traditional costume and be a part of the costume parade that passes through Munich.
- Experience the thrill by riding exciting rides like Ferris wheels, roller coasters and other fun rides.
- Learn some basic traditional dance steps and dance to lively tunes inside the beer tents with friends and strangers.
- Wander through the lively carnival ground and explore everything around.
- Savor some popular Bavarian food such as roasted chicken, pork knuckle, pretzels, sausages and much more.
- Shop for mugs, hats, and traditional clothing to take back home as souvenirs.
Also Read: Visiting Munich During Oktoberfest
FAQ’s
Yes, children are allowed to attend the festival, however those under 16 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The festival is not just about drinking, there are many activities and events, including costume parades, music, folk dancing, games, amusement rides and much more.
Gates to the fest open at 10:00am, however people arrive here as early as 6:00am to get a seat in one of the beer tents. Arriving early on a weekday can increase the chances of securing a spot in the beer tents.
For safety and security purposes, many things are prohibited. Some of the most common items not allowed inside are large bags/backpacks, sharp objects, glass bottles, psychoactive substances, sprays and drones.