Oktoberfest is officially the world’s biggest party so this year I was there….It is really one of the things that you should try to do at least once in your life.
Where?
The action takes place on Munich’s fairgrounds, (officially called the Theresienwiese, informally, d’Wiesn), located near Munich’s center and south-west of the city’s Main Train Station. You can check it on Google Maps
When?
The Oktoberfest begins in September, usually on the second last weekend, and it lasts for at least 16 days, ending on the first Sunday in October or on October 3 (Day of German Unity), whatever is later.
There’s a costume parade and a gay party on the first Sunday. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends, especially around lunchtime. Personal suggestion: weekdays
Why???
-6 breweries – Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten – are permitted to serve beer at the festival.
-14 beer tents.
-16 days of partying, beginning around the third week of September and going into October.
-98,000 visitors can be seated at any one time in all the tents, beer gardens combined.
-1.5 million gallons of beer on average served over Oktoberfest
-6 million visitors a year.
-450 million euros are added to the Munich’s coffers each year through Oktoberfest
Munich’s Oktoberfest originated in 1810 as a horse race to celebrate royal wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. But everyone apparently enjoyed the drinking a lot more and they decided to do it all again the following year till be the world’s biggest party.
How much it costs?
The entrance to the festival and to most of the beer tents is free of charge. Sitting down at a table in a tent is free as well. Sometimes you will find a tent closed during the day because it’s already too full. This happens frequently during weekends and public holidays, and on cold or rainy days. In this case you will need either a reservation, or a good portion of luck.
Please note that they just accept cash in the tents, except when you have vouchers for food and drinks.
What to do?
Beer!!!! The amber fluid is served exclusively in one litre glass mugs, called Maß (mass) that cost about €9.50 inside of the tents normally you pay €10. The beer is slowly brewed through the summer and packs a six-percent alcoholic punch.
Food is everywhere at Oktoberfest Munich. Popular picks are grilled chicken (Hendl), pork knuckles (Schweinshaxe) and giant pretzels (Breze). 1 chicken, or similar food cost around 10.00 € and one Brez’n, or similar food @ 4.20 Euro
What to say?
Prost!!!!!!! -Salud!-Cheers!
(One, two, three, four, five) beers, please!
(Ein, zwei, drei, vier, fünf) Bier, bitte!
(One, two, three, four, five) chicken, please!
(Ein, zwei, drei, vier, fünf) Wiesn-Hendl, bitte!
This is all that you need.
What to wear?
Boy’s dress: Checkered Shirt (plain white is also OK), Leather trousers (with suspenders, without is also OK), Off-white Slouch socks (pulled down!), Haferl Shoes (black!) and No scarf (even if they sell it to you!)
Girl’s dress: Short-sleeved white blouse, Traditional dress (the Dirndl), Pinafore, Sheer pantyhose, Elegant low-heeled loafers
Other option is whatever you want…as I did.
Where to go?
The Beer Serving Hours are 10am to 10:30pm on weekdays, and 9am to 10:30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (exception: on opening Saturday they will start beer serving at noon). Only exception to this is the Käfer tent which closes at 1am (last orders at 12:15am).
It depends on the day and the people. From my point of view, the best option is try to take a look of the 6 main breweries tents and for sure always try to finish the party in Hacker tent.
Hacker tent is young people, nice music, full of fun and the Bavarian’s heaven!!!! Himmel der Bayern!!!Bienvenidos al cielo bavaro!!
Main thing
Brost!!!…Have fun….Talk with people…Dance on the bench. It is the most important part of the party. Dance on the bench and decide who go up to dance with you…really funny!!When you are on the bench you have the power …and see you at d’Wiesn next September 22 – October 7 2012!!!!!
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page” 