From Wonder Shuffle contributor Kaffee:

Honoring Bavarian culture and heritage since 1810, Munich’s Oktoberfest is one of the world’s most popular festivals, held for two weeks between mid-September and early October. 

For some, Oktoberfest – held on fairgrounds near Munich’s Old Town – is really loud, crowded and not a lot of much fun.

But if you follow these tips, we’ll have you soaking up the energy for two to three hours - and who knows, maybe you’ll want to stay longer to eat, drink and be very, very merry. 

Take Public Transportation

Traffic is not allowed in the area during Oktoberfest. If you’re driving, find a carpark a couple of subway stops away under Karlsplatz (Stachus) station.

Go Off-Cycle

Attend Oktoberfest when there’s less noise and wait. Visit around 11 am or 12 noon and plan to have a late lunch and a beer. It’s a nice option if you don’t want to be stuck with crowds. 

You Don’t Have to Dress Up

It’s more fun if you do, and you will stand out, but you can go as you are or you can wear something with a similar vibe - like a checked button down (for men) or a dress with a dirndl pattern. If you’re looking to go in costume, you can visit this site for a reputable seller of dirndls or lederhosen.

Also, beware what type of dirndl you buy. A friend of ours, who was traveling to Munich, purchased her dirndl ahead of time in Vienna. When she arrived at the Munich fairgrounds she realized she was dressed like one the waitstaff... and everyone tried to order a beer from her.

Reservations

The experience of Oktoberfest goes hand in hand with its food and drink tents. Dinner reservations are nearly impossible to secure - as reservations open up eleven months in advance. So book as early as possible if you can. If not, it’s easier to reserve or secure a morning or lunch slot. One of our favorite tents, by the way, is the Käfer Wiesn-Schanke. It's also a recommendation from Michelin chef Kurt of Wallse.

Food & Drink

Dishes in the tents are pretty much all the same. But you can’t go wrong with the rotisserie chicken (called backhendl), which goes really well with a side of German potato salad. You’ll want to wash down the deliciousness with Oktoberfest beer. The alcohol percentage in the beer is higher and you can find yourself drunk with a one liter mug. But the taste is outstanding.

For those that wish to ease into their festival experience, order a Radler instead. This drink (named after the German word for “cyclist") consists of beer mixed with lemonade. They say the Radler doesn’t make you too drunk -- so you can still ride home on a bicycle. 

Late Night

A popular fairground destination is the Kufflers Weinzelt wine tent. While most Oktoberfest tents close at 11 pm, this tent stays open to 1 am. After that you can follow the crowd to P1, a go-to for all the clubbing people in Munich. Or you can join the young and the hip at clubs in the Werksveirtel district. 

Experience the Rides

From a swing carousel to a rollercoaster, Oktoberfest has proper rides, which the organizers rent from amusement parks. The rides are expensive. But they have Family Day, every Tuesday, when the rides are cheaper. The catch: you have to go with kids.

For Parents

A family friendly tent is Cafe Kaiserschmarrn, or the Rischart tent. It’s a great place to have a coffee, tea or prosecco with a snack or something sweet, such as kaiserschmarrn pancakes. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

https://www.oktoberfest.de/en

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Photo by Jakob Strauß from Pixabay