Everything you always wanted to know about the Munich Oktoberfest
When it comes to massive international events like Oktoberfest, lingering queries are a given. Since our tour guides have been leading Oktoberfest excursions for many years, they have accumulated a wealth of expertise that may help visitors get the most out of their trip. Here is all the information you require.
History of Oktoberfest
On October 12, 1810, the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese served as the inaugural event for Oktoberfest. The event was held in the meadows beyond the city walls, and all the residents were invited. The fields were renamed Theresienwiese after the Princess after the wedding, and the festival was so well-attended that the locals requested King Ludwig to continue it the next year.
In 2017, Oktoberfest will celebrate its 210th anniversary.
The remains of the gates may still be seen today, and Oktoberfest, the biggest beer festival in the world, is held in the fields known to locals as the Wies’n. What started as a straightforward wedding celebration has grown into a 17–18 day festival attended by 7 million people from all over the world, who drink more than 6 million litres of Bavarian beer. Beer in the amount of a million gallons! On the second to last Saturday in September at noon, the mayor of Munich taps the first barrel at the Schottenhamel Tent while yelling, “O’zapft is” (It’s open), signalling the start of Oktoberfest. Following German Reunification Day on October 5, the event ends on the first Sunday in October.
The Theresienwiese grounds have 14 large beer tents that serve beverages by the Maß (1-liter stein). Six of the 14 tents, totaling 12,000 people per day, are huge tents. That much beer is a lot! The Oktoberfest grounds only have six brewers represented: Späten, Augustiner, Paulaner, Hacker-Poschorr, Hofbräu, and Löwenbräu. By the end, everyone has a favourite brew; which one will it be for you?
Oktoberfest is held where?
The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich, Germany, on a location called Theresienwiese, also referred to as “Festwiese” by locals.
The grounds are merely a public park for half the year. The foundations for the tents and the amusement park start to be built in stages around June, and they are finished in late September, just in time for the festival to start. From the heart of Munich, it is simple to travel to this region, which has 420,000 square feet of space.
Oktoberfest is held when?
Oktoberfest runs from the first Sunday in October through the third of October, whichever comes first. There are at least 16 days in it.
September is the start of Oktoberfest.What makes Oktoberfest so special?
In 1810, Munich hosted the first Oktoberfest in honour of the union of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The celebrations started on October 12 and continued for almost a week, ending on October 17. A thrilling horse race brought the public celebrations to a close. The happy couple agreed that the same kind of festival should be held every year after such an amazing party. The galas were repeated, prolonged, and eventually carried forward into September in the following years, mostly due to the weather.
How can I make reservations for a beer tent?
Every year, booking beer tent reservations takes a lot of time, and you might not always get what you want. Additionally, each tent begins the reservation process at a different time of the year, thus each has its own procedure. The majority of bookings go to locals who have occupied tables at the Wies’n for numerous generations, and you must always make reservations in groups of 8–10 people.
The biggest tents, which can accommodate 7,000–10,000 people at once, are the most challenging to enter and frequently shut their doors by noon on Saturdays due to overcrowding. On a crowded day, it’s very hard to enter a large tent without a reservation; however, you might be able to wedge in with someone at a table outside and order a beer to claim your space.
If the reservation period has passed and you are already in a tent, you may stay there as long as you can find a table in a non-reserved area.
Weekend nights and Saturdays are substantially more packed than weekdays. Most of the time, two people can enter a tent and locate a seat.
Even though it can be difficult to purchase meals at night (unless you have coupons with your reservation), don’t panic; there are many vendors on the Oktoberfest Fair Grounds selling filling Bavarian fare.
One beer tent reservation per person is included in the Bucket List Events packages. Depending on the weekend you’re in Munich, you can be assigned to a large tent (capacity 5,000+) or a medium tent (capacity 1,000–5,000).
One food voucher (often a chicken plate) and two drinks (1 litre each) are typically included with reservations. Ask us about adding a second beer tent reservation to your package; we may be able to do so on occasion for an extra fee.
Exists a top tent?
Actually, there isn’t a top tent. A native would laugh in your face if you showed them a ranking list from one of the few travel blogs that exists. All of the tourist tents are the most frequently requested ones.
Each tent is different in some way, but none of them is better than the others. Locals like lesser-known tents, whilst college students favour the Hofbräu. You will have a blast regardless of the tent you are in. Just be careful not to drink too much and remember to take pictures!
Is beer the only beverage available?
The 420,000 square foot Oktoberfest grounds will be almost entirely filled with beer, but there are wine and champagne options at almost every tent if you inquire.
How much alcohol by volume does the beer contain?
All of the beer offered at Oktoberfest is 13.5% Stammwürze, or roughly 6% alcohol by volume. An American beer typically has 3-5% alcohol. In addition, the beer is frequently stronger than at home, so take it slow and eat a lot.
What age is it legal to drink?
In Germany, 16 years of age is the legal drinking age for both beer and wine. Spirits and other distilled alcoholic beverages can be bought at age 18.
At Oktoberfest, what kind of beer is served?
At Oktoberfest, only beers that adhere to the Reinheitsgebot and have a minimum alcohol content of 13.5% Stammwürze (or around 6% by volume) may be served. The beer must also be produced on Munich-property soil. Beers that match these requirements may be called Oktoberfest Beers.
At Oktoberfest, how much beer should I consume?
You wouldn’t want to travel all the way to Munich simply to become so inebriated that you lose all memory. You didn’t go all this way, though, just to miss the pleasure. How much beer from Oktoberfest is ideal for a fantastic experience?
We define a good measure as up to two Mass beers (two litres). Normal people can usually take this without any memory loss, grovelling, or stomach problems. With three Mass (three litres), you will be close to the limit in no time. The beers are robust and strong.
What else than drinking is there to do at Oktoberfest?
At Oktoberfest, drinking, eating, dancing, and singing are the main attractions. This heritage, environment, and spectacle are what make it so unique.
However, this does not imply that the only thing to do at the Oktoberfest grounds is drink.
The fairground that surrounds the beer tents offers what seems like an unlimited number of rides and funfair games to participate in if you need a break from drinking. However, if you come at the appropriate moment, you might coincide with some of the noteworthy occasions that happen.
The Costume and Riflemen’s Parade, which takes place on the opening weekend of the Oktoberfest, features 7,000 costumed performers and musicians, together with thoroughbred horses, oxen, and other related farmyard animals, marching through Munich’s city centre. 400 musicians perform in an outdoor concert if the weather cooperates.
When do tents shut their doors?
Beer is normally served from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends, holidays, and weekdays. The band will stop playing at 10:30 PM, the lights will come on, and the waitstaff will begin cleaning the tables near you. The tent must normally be abandoned by 10:50 PM.
The Wies’n is what?
Wies’n is a Bavarian dialect term that means “field” or “meadow” (the high German equivalent is die Wiese). The Theresienwiese, where the Oktoberfest is held, is sometimes referred to as “die Wies’n” by locals in Munich. Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, the bride whose wedding provided the impetus for the Oktoberfest custom, inspired the naming of Theresienwiese.
What is the typical age of customers of Bucket List Events?
It’s difficult to say, but the majority of our clients are between the ages of 28 and 45. However, it differs for every group. There have also been visitors in their 60s and older, as well as children and their families and college students. You only need to be prepared to have a wonderful time because we don’t have any age limitations.
Are young ones welcome at Oktoberfest?
On the grounds of the festival, kids are welcome. Even though they are with their parents, young children under the age of six must leave the beer tents by eight o’clock. By dusk, the tents tend to become packed, making it unfun for both kids and adults.
Do we need to wear in traditional Bavarian garb?
Even though it’s not required, we strongly advise it. If you don’t wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen, you’ll undoubtedly feel fairly out of place because most festival visitors will be wearing costumes. The cultural experience includes it! Many residents and guests of all ages from throughout the globe will don the customary Tracht. Visit our blog to learn more about Oktoberfest attire.
Where can we buy dirndls or Lederhosen?
Where can’t you buy clothing given the number of shops in the area around your hotel? The prices are relatively constantly in the range of €100-125 euros, whether it’s in the train station or a pop-up seller right outside the tents. We suggest the well-known department store C&A, which is situated in the Neuhauser- and Kaufinger Straße, if you wish to browse at a more varied selection of stores. You may get here from your accommodation with ease.
What are the Oktoberfest Dos and Don’ts?
We have attended Oktoberfests before. We’ve been bringing groups to Munich for the festivities for years, so we’ve put together an incredible infographic outlining all the dos and don’ts on how to have an awesome time there.
German is not a language I know. Will this cause any issues?
If you don’t speak German, you won’t run into many issues in Munich. The majority of Germans began studying English in school at least when they were 10 years old. Most Germans under the age of 50 have a sufficient command of the language to carry on a conversation or give you directions.
Additionally, you’ll see that many of the popular tourist attractions will have English-language signage. In addition to offering menus in German and English, most crowded food booths, beer tents, and restaurants also broadcast announcements in English.
But it doesn’t hurt to know the fundamentals! You’ll be understood if you say please (bitte), thank you (danke schön), excuse me (entschuldigen), and cheers (prost!)
How much is a typical tip?
It varies inside the grounds of Oktoberfest. Sometimes the tip is included with bookings and vouchers. If the service was exceptional, you are only required to tip more in this situation. The waitress will disclose the tip amount to you if it is not already included. In actuality, it’s more akin to a “service fee” than a tip. It shouldn’t be more than 10 to 15 percent of the cost of the alcohol or food. And yes, tipping a little more will guarantee that the server will always serve you promptly and courteously.
At Oktoberfest, what do you eat?
There are many tasty meals to sample at Oktoberfest. The traditional “Wiesn-Hendl” (grilled chicken), which is a must-order, is best served with french fries. After a few drinks, the slow-roasted, butter-basted chicken is impossible to resist. Pretzels are quite popular and wonderful when they are freshly made and doughy with salt on them. Expect to enjoy traditional sausages as well as the almost limitless selection of desserts offered at Oktoberfest. Visit our blog to learn more about meals to try at Oktoberfest.
Is there a schedule of events we can view?
The Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen’s Parade is the Wies’n’s main event. On the first Wies’n Sunday of Oktoberfest, the parade takes place. It begins at 10 am and goes for around three hours. Along the 7 kilometre (5 mile) parade route, more than 7,000 entertainers will take part.
The Oktoberfest Mass, the Böllerschießen (handheld canon salute) in front of the Bavaria statue, the Parade of Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, the Official Tapping of the Keg on Opening Day (at the Schottenhamel tent), and the Open-Air Oktoberfest Music Concert Fest are additional noteworthy occasions.
How do I travel to the event?
The hotels where attendees of Bucket List Events stay are located within a few blocks from the Oktoberfest grounds. Our staff will direct you to your location whenever there is a dinner or beer tent reservation. Your hotel is only a few blocks from a railway station that can connect you to the rest of the city if you decide to venture out on your own.
How safe is Oktoberfest?
Yes, Oktoberfest and Munich are very secure places. But as with any trip or festival, pay attention to your surroundings. Keep your cash in a secure location (not your back pocket). Although everyone is really amicable, there will inevitably be some fights given the amount of beer consumed. Police are stationed outside the tents and security is heavily deployed inside. In response to recent terrorist acts throughout the world, security has also been stepped up. To prevent vehicles from entering the Wies’n, strong cement barricades have been built around the festival’s perimeter.
How does Munich compare?
metropolis of Bavaria is Munich. Munich is a fusion of culture, art, and history that is really European in every meaning of the word. More museums can be found here than in any other German city. There are countless things to do in Munich, such as taking a walking or bicycle tour, admiring the stunning English Gardens, exploring its world-class museums and art, exploring the pedestrianised areas around Marienplatz, or simply unwinding in a beer garden or beer ha
When most travellers think of Germany, they picture Munich and the surrounding area of Bavaria. This is the home of lederhosen, liter-sized beer steins, oom-pah-pah bands, and spectacular Alpine views. Munich was formerly the heart of Nazi Germany, and many of its buildings still bear the wounds of World War II and the horrors of Hitler’s Third Reich. Munich is not just known for its excellent beer and the Bavarian Alps.
A sobering reminder of the history of Nazi Germany can be obtained by taking a day journey outside of the city to the former Dachau concentration camp. Although it doesn’t quite fit with the boisterous fun of Oktoberfest, Bucket List Events wholeheartedly endorses this website.
On a brighter note, Munich is ideally situated for interesting day adventures. You can take a quick train ride to the Andechs Kloster (monastery) in the countryside near Munich or to King Ludwig’s breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle in the heart of the Alps, on which Disney based their famous fairy tale castle. If you still want more, go a little further north and check out some of the “Romantic Road’s” lovely mediaeval villages, such Rothenburg.
