The ultimate guide to everything you need to know about celebrating Oktoberfest

Not the wurst

The ultimate guide to everything you need to know about celebrating Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a world-famous annual festival that traditionally takes place in Munich, Germany, but now has events across the globe. Check out everything you need to know about the wild party including all of the events happening in the UK.

Tom Watts

Want Oktoberfest events in the UK? Check out our guide to celebrating the Bavarian bash right here in Blighty.
OKTOBERFEST was found in 1810 to commemorate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

The event has now turned into a huge festival which is visited by millions of people from all over the world and it has also sprung up mini-events across the globe.

During Oktoberfest, people typically gather in huge beer tents where they sit at long tables and drink traditional Bavarian beer (well, to be fair the Germans call it just ‘Beer’), sausages and pretzels while listening to music. The festival also features parades, midway rides & games and a host of other traditional cultural displays making this an exciting celebration including the spirit of Bavarian culture.

Read on to discover all you need to know about celebrating Oktoberfest in the UK and beyond.

oktoberfest music — The music and dancing is an essential part of Oktoberfest | Image: The London Bierfest

Oompah-tastic! Oktoberfest’s musical mayhem and bavarian boogie

If you thought Oktoberfest was all about beer and bratwurst then you were wrong – It’s the music that has the crazies climbing onto tables and belting it out, stein in hand and it is really what makes the party such a winner.

From oompah bands to Bavarian beats, music is an essential part of any great Oktoberfest party.

Oompah bands are brass-blasting heroes who turn a quiet beer tent into absolute carnage. With blaring trumpets, booming tubas and wheezing accordions they will have you swinging from side to side if the beer hasn’t done so already. After a few tunes you’ll be howling like the best local.

However, not all the songs are traditional — lest we forget Oktoberfest is also famous for its party bangers. From classic Schlager to the latest chart-toppers. When thousands of people in lederhosen and dirndls shout out the chorus ‘Sweet Caroline’ as if it’s a football chant there were few sights less forgetful.

It’s a rare cultural mish-mash that seems to just work — just like currywurst and fries. Feeling brave? Then be prepared for the Schuhplattler.This is a dance you do not want to attempt without the proper training and preparation or a few steins.

Basically, it is a lot of thigh-slapping and foot-stomping nonsense that results in you being out-of-breath but smiling like an idiot with beer all over your face. But should you find yourself a bit sloshed from your fifth or sixth stein, be cautious not to slap too enthusiastically and risk leaving the dancefllor hopping back on one leg!

Of course, no visit to Oktoberfest would be complete without a trip on some fairground rides either. Because, after all, the only thing better than spinning around on a teacup ride and trying to not throw up your schnitzel is doing it drunk. Of course that is half the fun though — hang on to your hat (and stomach)! So whether you’re in it for the oompah, those pop hits or just that thigh-slapping madness — Oktoberfest music and entertainment will make sure you dance your way through to dawn. Prost to that!

oktoberfest clothing — Get your Lederhosen at the ready!

Leder-whoa-sen! Get your yodel on with the ultimate oktoberfest fashion

Time to brush off your dirndls and rip open those lederhosen as it is Oktoberfest! The festival is not just about glugging beer and chomping through football-sized pretzels, it’s also a catwalk for the craziest clothing.

None more so than the iconic lederhosen. So whether you actually have calves (or not) that deserve to be seen, these leather breeches are the height of Bavarian cool. Once the preserve of Alpine chaps but now equally at home on beer-swilling blokes or selfie-snapping tourists. Lederhosen are not just for the lads either! Women are beginning to sport their own, demonstrating that leather isn’t made for the blokes – it’s designed for the ladies too!

Dirndl is the authentic dresses mostly worn by the women. These dresses are pretty life changing. The bow on the right? She’s taken, mate. Bow on the left? Single and also ready to mingle! Oh, and if you plan on getting sloshed this Oktoberfest, you best figure out which is your left from right — otherwise that Bavarian love triangle might be sucking you in.

And let us not forget haferlschuhe — tough leather shoes made for either standing on tables or running to the closest beer tent. Add a woolly sock companion, and some ecstatic toe tapping is bound to occur. Accessorise with a festive hat (feathered or otherwise) because every good Oktoberfest outfit calls for one, but make you keep hold of it when the crazy oompah band strikes up! The last thing you want is a wardrobe malfunction after too many steins.

Food for thought. Eating is 100% necessary to keep you afloat | Image: The London Bierfest

Oktoberfeast:The bratwurst battle and pretzel pandemonium at the boozy bash!

The beer is likely flowing like a Bavarian river, but the food also plays a massive part at any Oktoberfest celebration.

Here’s the scoop on some of the best bites to nosh between steins, from sausage-stuffed sensations to pretzels larger than your face.

To begin with, the Bratwurst behemoth. These spicy snags are the true wieners of the festival. Whether in a bun or with pickle, they make an irresistible partner for that perfect pint.

And if you’re very fortunate, the worst-case scenario may lead to being torn between a traditional pork bratwurst and its cheese-stuffed smoky cousin – Käsekrainer. You heard it here first – cheesy sausage is not just a bad joke-its an actual appetiser experience, both in your face and in your mouth.

Not a sausage fan? No problem!

The Pretzels range from a burger-bound regular size to an entire family of giant knots. These bulging bakes are as big as a steering wheel and even more satisfying to get your hands on. Whether you prefer them salted, with butter or dipped in Obatzda (a cheese dip more addictive than a Netflix boxset), these will have your twisting and shouting for another one. But wait there is more to this schnitzel – breaded pork cutlets are just starting to aspire some golden, crispy greatness.

Apple strudel is the slice of (heavenly) pie for those with a sweet tooth. Think apple pie but flaky puff-pastry wrapped around a heady spiced apple filling, and served warm with cream. Enough of a sweet treat to make you completely overlook that the waistband on your increasingly snug lederhosen!

It really is a food lover’s playground so if you’re there for the beer, (and vast quantities of), or just the banter — even if only in sausage form – then Oktoberfest will be right up your street. Prost to that!