Oktoberfest i Tyskland - och andra tyska folkfester

Who doesn't want to experience Oktoberfest in Germany? We've put together everything you need to know to experience Oktoberfest in Munich, and also suggest a few more festivals in Germany that you won't want to miss.

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Who doesn't want to experience Oktoberfest in Germany?

We have never yet experienced a real Oktoberfest in Germany. The closest we've come is probably the Oktoberfest at the Elmia Fair, and although it was fun, it can't compare to the original. In today's post, we have gathered tips for those who want to visit the big Oktoberfest in Munich. We also offer tips on several other German folk festivals.

oktoberfest i Tyskland? Nej, på Elmia — Peter at Oktoberfest at Elmia Caravan Motorhome 2016

What is Oktoberfest in Germany?

Oktoberfest, or Wiesn as it may also be called, is a traditional German beer festival held in late September and early October in Munich, Bavaria. The festival was first organised in 1810, and today it is considered to be the the world's biggest folk festival. The celebration has also become contagious and many smaller versions of 'Oktoberfest' are held in many places, both in Germany and abroad.

How is Oktoberfest celebrated in Germany?

The festivities take place over sixteen days on the Theresienwiese in Munich and include parades, concerts, food and beer tents, and various amusements. During the festival, a special Oktoberfest beer is brewed and served in special one-litre jugs called Maß. Women prefer to wear the traditional Dirndl dress and men like to wear Lederhosen.

Oktoberfest i Tyskland och klänningen dirndl

READ MORE: Beer in Germany - 6 German experiences with a beer theme
READ MORE: Festivals in Germany - now the festival season begins

Five great folk festivals in Germany

So, what do you do if you want to experience Oktoberfest in Germany, or perhaps one of Germany's other festivals? Here are five great festivals in Germany that you won't want to miss. Do you have tips for more?

1. Oktoberfest (Wiesn) in Munich

The Oktoberfest in Munich is the largest beer festival in Germany and starts in September. As usual, this year's festival features colourful parades, a brass band concert, beer tents (of course) and a variety of fairground and ride attractions. One of the things you don't want to miss is the the parade of folk costumesThe 'Trachten- und Schützenzug', which this year takes place on 22 September and starts on Maximilianstraße.

Other things you might not want to miss are the world's largest portable roller coaster, the Olympia Looping, and the nostalgic "Oide Wiesn" (Old Wiesn). The Oide Wiesn was first organised in 2010 to celebrate the festival's 200th anniversary, but now no one can imagine an Oktoberfest without this part of the festival, which includes a time travel experience with historical rides.

Every year, Munich's breweries apply to participate in the Oktoberfest with own beer tents. You can book the beer tents from March each year, and it is good to book well in advance if you want one in the evening. There are both large and small beer tents, and it is easiest to book online in the large tents. The following tents are recommended by the German Tourist Board:

Schottenhammel Festival Hall - with the Oktoberfest opening ceremony and the pouring of the first pint of beer by the Mayor.
Löwenbräu marquee - Löwenbräu one of the most famous beers in Munich
Hofbräu marquee - another of the most famous beers in Munich.
Oktoberfest tent Tradition (Oide Wiesn) - a classic
Käfer Wies'n Schänke - a little more luxurious

Date: 21/9-6/10 2019 and 19/9-4/10 2020 and 18/9-3/10 2021
Read more: Oktoberfest.de
Good to know: The slit on the right side of the women's dirndl means she is busy, while the slit on the left means she is single.
Campsites: Wies'n camp and Campsites in Munich

2nd Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart

In Stuttgart, the Cannstatter Volksfest (Cannstatt Folk Festival), which starts at the end of September, is like a 'little sister' to the Oktoberfest in Munich. The festival includes a horse-drawn beer cart parade, a family day with activities for children and fireworks by world champion Joachim Berner, accompanied by music. For those who wish, there is also the possibility of a guided tour. Here are the German Tourist Board's suggestions for beer tents during the festival, with links for booking:

Dinkelacker marquee Klauss & Klauss - one of the best-known beers in Stuttgart, with a brewery in the centre of the city.
Wilhelmer's Swabia - two-storey wooden interiors and the Schwabenbräu beer, bottled in a traditional bottle with a hanger.
Göckelesmaier - The speciality is roast chicken, the Stuttgarter Hofbräu beer served in this tent was the official supplier of the Royal House of Württemberg in the 20th century.

Date: 27/9- 3/10 2019 and 25/9-11/10 2020 and 24/9-10/10 2021
Read more: Cannstatter-volksfest.de
Good to know: Diesel cars need an exemption to drive in the city. To book a guided tour, please contact i-w.pfeffer@t-online.de or isolde.pfeffer@outlook.com
Camping: The campsite Cannstatter Wasen is located right next to the festival.

Stuttgart Cannstatter Wasen © Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH (SMG) / Jana Zieseniss

3rd Hannover shooting festival

I Hanover The largest shooting festival in the world is organised every year, and has been since 1529. The tradition of shooting at parrots is even older than the festival, dating back to the 15th century. "The 'Star Wars parade' is a more recent addition to the festivities.

Of course, they also drink beer. In particular, there is the 'Lüttje Lage' - a drink of beer and grain brandy traditionally drunk in two glasses. Another tradition associated with the festival is the appointment of four 'bruchmeisters' who perform various representative tasks. Tips on beer tents from the German Tourist Board:

Oil-covered round section - in the heart of the festival site, with the motto 'something for everyone and the right thing for everyone'. Booking at info@eisermanns.de
The mill (mill) - the wing can be seen from afar and cocktails are also served here. Reservation at die-muehle@gmx.de
Marris Festival Hall - here the mayor opens the festival. There will be a feast in the first week on Tuesday, and a craft day on Thursday. Reservation at info@marris.de

Date: 3-12 July 2020 and 2-11 July 2021
Read more: Schuetzenfest-hannover.de
Camping: In motorhome/caravan parking are located next to the fair. In addition, the campsites are Lake Arnum and Parskee Lohne.

4. free market in Bremen

The Bremen Free Market is the largest folk festival in northern Germany and has been organised regularly since 1035 (!). Many Swedish bus tour operators organise trips here every year, and the festival is often referred to as the 'Bremen Oktoberfest'.

For seventeen days there is a healthy celebration in Bremen including beer tents, a funfair and a market with a medieval atmosphere. Don't miss the parade, which takes place on the second Saturday of the festival. Also, don't miss the regional beer Haake Beck, which, by the way, has a lot of character. own song!

Date: 18/10-3/11 2019 and 16/10-1/11 2020 and 15/10-31/10 2021
Read more: Freimarkt.de
Good to know: "Ischa Freimaak!" is the festival's traditional exclamation.
Camping: Hansecamping at Stadtwaldsee

Bremen, view of the square and St Peter's Cathedral © GNTB / Francesco Carovillano

5th Rostock Oktoberfest

The Rostock Oktoberfest is the largest Oktoberfest (named 'Oktoberfest') in northern Germany, and it's also easily accessible by TT-Lines or Scandlines ferries from Trelleborg or Gedser. The Rostock Oktoberfest may only have one beer tent, but the festival is popular!

This year's festival is the sixth of its kind and promises Bavarian cuisine, speciality beers and live music. If you want to go 'all in', you can hire traditional costumes and dirndl dresses at the Costume hire Klamoettchen. You can book a place in the beer tent here:

Marquee in Rostock harbour (Warnowufer 65)
"Gastropackage" includes entrance fee and starter, main course and drinks

Date: 11-12/10 and 18-19/10 2019 and 16-17/10 and 23-24/10 2020
Read more: Rostock Oktoberfest
Campsites: Baltic Sea Camp Rostocker Heide, Camp & holiday parkmarkgrafenheide and Holiday Camp Börgerende

Have you experienced Oktoberfest in Germany?

After reading up on all the German celebrations, a bunch of festivals have appeared on our bucket list! Have you experienced Oktoberfest in Germany, maybe even in Munich? Or any other German folk festival? Tell us about it!

All photos in the post, except those labelled, are borrowed from Pixabay.

10 Comments

Add yours →

Elisabeth says:

Experiencing the Oktoberfest in Munich, or even further down in Bavaria, is something very special to me. Oddly enough, the times I went when I was in my 20s were even more fun than in recent years. Can you imagine?

29 August 2019 - 9:21

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you've been to these festivals! We also have to make sure to take advantage of the opportunity! ??
  
  29 August 2019 - 17:10
  
BP says:

Actually, I have been to Munich's Oktoberfet. I worked in Munich and most companies offered their employees vouchers for a beer and a grilled chicken. Great fun actually, if it hadn't been for the humpa-dumpa orchestras;-)

29 August 2019 - 15:14

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fun! ?? "Humpa dumpa", haha ?
  
  29 August 2019 - 17:11
  
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

My experience of Oktoberfest in Germany is a weekend in Hamburg during my studies. Thankfully, it is probably time-barred now. Sounds a bit tempting when we will return home through Germany at the end of September-October (and then possibly. aimed at wine festival choices in the Mosel ...).

29 August 2019 - 16:59

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Both wine festival and Oktoberfest, sounds like perfect planning! ??
  
  29 August 2019 - 17:11
  
- Lasse Bengtsson says:
  
  Wine fests in the Palatinate are 10 times more pleasant and 20 times healthier than beer fests in Bavaria. ?
  Weinschorle in half-litre glasses. Mainly rosé wine or white with about 60 mineral waters are good. Or try local wines at low prices, and local food. E.g. onion pie. Now in September and October there is also neuwein. Fresh wine that ferments further in the stomach, down the onion pie?
  In October I am going to a slightly larger party in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. A folk festival that makes Swedish pk soberists shake. Zum wohl!
  
  30 August 2019 - 17:38
  
  - Comment by post author
    
    Helena says:
    
    Great to hear about your experiences Lasse! It sounds really nice 🙂 .
    
    06 January 2020 - 20:50
    
Lena - gott för själen says:

It seems like a great time. I've never been to an Oktoberfest, but I think I'd like to someday.

Hug Lena

02 September 2019 - 6:48

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We've only been to the Swedish mini version of the Elmiamässan 😉 But I would like to experience it all in Germany! 🙂
  
  06 January 2020 - 20:51

Oktoberfest in Germany - and other German folk festivals

Who doesn't want to experience Oktoberfest in Germany?

What is Oktoberfest in Germany?

How is Oktoberfest celebrated in Germany?

Five great folk festivals in Germany

1. Oktoberfest (Wiesn) in Munich

2nd Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart

3rd Hannover shooting festival

4. free market in Bremen

5th Rostock Oktoberfest

Have you experienced Oktoberfest in Germany?

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10 Comments

Elisabeth says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Lasse Bengtsson says:

Helena says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Helena says:

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