This week, pictures of my visit to Oktoberfest 16 years ago keep popping up in my Facebook feed. I was living and teaching in Berlin, Germany and after a year of traditions and seasons our friend group planned a trip to Munich to enjoy our first Oktoberfest in the Hippodrom tent. I still have my hand-painted Hippodrom stein as a memory, which is good because I don’t exactly remember this festival with the most clarity. I drank less than 1 beer, since I’ve never been a beer drinker and then kept shooting back tequila shots for the rest of the night! Not exactly the most traditional memories, but a fun time nonetheless.
I do remember the party atmosphere that takes over Munich and the whole German country. Opening weekend starts with the Grand Parade of the Oktoberfest landlords and breweries. Decorated horse-drawn wagons of the 6 large Munich breweries, 16 carriages of the large tent “landlords” and “landlords” of the smaller tents (the landlords are similar to a host company). After the parade, the 2-week long party begins, with traditional German foods, everyone wearing their dirndls and lederhosen and polka bands playing. Oktoberfest is often compared to a huge folk festival or country fair, but with lots of beer.
History of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest was originally in honor of the nuptials of the Bravarian crown prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hilburghausen on October 17, 1810. Bravaris was a new kingdom, after years of the Holy Roman Empire. The new German kingdom resulted from an alliance between King Maximilian 1st and Napoleon and was seen as a way to show a new national pride. The original Oktoberfest was centered around a week of games and horse races and the first beer concessions were not a part of the festival until 5 years later! An agricultural group hosted the festival for a few years, adding cattle markets and animal contests giving it more of a state farm feel. The city of Munich took over the festival in 1819, adding merry-go-rounds, ferris wheels and infusing German heritage to the event
Oktoberfest in Munich
Today, Oktoberfest looks different from the 19th century mainly by cutting out the horse races. Instead, the volume of beer consumption has increased significantly to more than 6 million liters each year. The meadow where Oktoberfest was originally held was named Theresienwiese (or D’Wiesn) in honor of the bride and is still used for the festival each year. 24 temporary tent structures are set up on the festival grounds and the tents fill with music, dancing and delicious German foods. Beer can only come for the 6 traditional breweries:
•Augustiner
•Paulaner
•Spaten-Franziskaner
•Löwenbräu
•Hacker-Pschorr
•Hofbräu
With Paulaner & Hofbräu as the clear favorites outside of Germany at Oktoberfest celebrations around the world. Be sure to say the word “PROST” when toasting before your first sip and always look others in the eye when yelling Prost! The Germans believe you’ll give yourself 7 years of bad sex if you look down or away. It might be superstitious, but I certainly am not willing to test the theory!
Many people think Oktoberfest is held in October, but really it is celebrated the last 2 weeks of September, typically 16 days long, usually ending the first weekend of October (spelled Oktober in German). This is not to be confusing, but simply to avoid the wet German weather in October. The city didn’t want to disrupt the harvest season, so the short window of time after season and before the rainy autumn has been set since 1910. This year, Oktoberfest began on September 21st and will last until October 6th 2024.
The Oktoberfest festivities begin with the Grand Parade featuring the kegs of the 6 breweries and tent hosts entering the grounds. In the 1950’s, the mayor of Munich took center stage at the parade, by tapping the first keg with a funky hammer inside the largest tent, the Schottenhamel. Everyone yells ‘O’zapft is! (it is tapped!) and the cheers let the other beer tents know that they can officially sell beer (or bier in German). A 12-gun salute is aimed in the direction of the Bavaria statue that overlooks the festival grounds. On the first Sunday of Oktoberfest a 5 mile procession of dancers, marching bands and people dressed in traditional costumes proudly prance from Munich’s city center to the festival grounds. There is a costume contest with various categories and prizes to be won. However, most festival goers dress up in dirndls and lederhosen or some version of traditional dress. Let the boobs & calves loose for this fun festival.
Inside the tents, food is served to keep partiers going and it is more than just huge pretzels called Brezl. Most tables have a large board of snacks called Brotzeit that are like a German charcuterie board, with meats, cheeses, bread and radishes, Germans love their radishes. Try some of the other great German foods like:
•Bratwurst- traditional pork sausage
•Hendl- roasted chicken
•Haxn- pork knuckles
•Steckerlfisch- grilled whitefish on a stick
•Knodel- dumplings with meat
•Schnitzel- pork, veal or chicken that is cut thin, breaded and fried
•Spaetzle- cheesy noodles often served with grilled onions
In many Oktoberfest celebrations in the USA, you can also find flammkuchen, which is traditionally found at Christmas Markets in Germany and other Bavarian regions. This thin crust pizza is baked in outdoor ovens with a white garlic sauce base and topped with ham and scallions. It might not sound appetizing, but if you have a chance to give it a try, you won’t be sorry.
Schlager is traditional Bravarian music that you will hear, a mix of German folk songs, modern songs and the classic “Ein Prosit” song. Before your next Oktoberfest experience be sure to look it up on youtube to learn the lyrics and tune. The chicken dance is very popular, done to a slightly different tune than you may remember from weddings in the 90’s. You will see people flapping their wings and using their hands like chicken beaks. Silly dances will be seen all over the festival grounds.
Oktoberfest World Wide
Oktoberfest is now a global phenomenon, where 6 million people or more crowd the streets of Munich and the festival grounds of the city. However, German heritage and influence is celebrated all over the world, most attending the celebration and singing the traditional toast to the health of the Bavarian royal couple, most know nothing about. These are the top 10 Oktoberfests celebrated in some surprising places around the world.
North America is known for its German immigration and has Germantown and other towns named after German locations, words and families all over the country. The Pennsylvania Dutch, also known as the Amish, still speak a German dialect in their communities today. Cincinnati, Ohio is America’s strongest Oktoberfests with 500k-700k attendees annually and affectionately called Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. Leavenworth, Washington has a Bavarian-style village at the foothills of the northern Cascade mountains attracting visitors for the first 3 weekends of October and the Mayor taps the keg as the tradition calls for in Munich. Even in Canada the German heritage is strong since the city of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario was named Berlin until 1916. Today, it hosts an Oktoberfest where you can enjoy beer steins, blunt-tipped archery, a fashion show and an art gallery, all before the Canadian Thanksgiving parade.
In South America there is a lot more German culture than one would think, many Germans immigrated to countries in South America after both World Wars. Colonia, Venezuela is called the “Germany of the Caribbean” with its unlikely Bavarian architecture and Black Forest immigrants. Blumenau, Brazil was founded by a small group of German immigrants. Try their local brewery called Das Bier at Latin America’s largest Oktoberfest. Even as south as Australia Oktoberfest celebrations are set up in September. Brisbane, Australia is a balmy location for a Bavarian festival, but hosts a popular Strongman Competition, cowbell ringing and a yodeler named Heidi. The German Club of Port Elizabeth, South Africa opens its members-only beer garden to the whole Nelson Mandela Bay for the largest celebration on the African continent.
Asian countries have gotten on board too, whether the ties are via history or industry. Dubai, UAE hosts a day-long party at the Dubai Sports City complex and area resorts. There is also a restaurant at the famous Jumeira Rotana hotel called Brauhaus German Restaurant. Bangalore, India is a surprising place to find an Oktoberfest, but the leading Indian brewery Kingfisher throws an annual festival at the Jayamahal Palace with multiple stages of music and a flea market. Finally, Hong Kong, China is home to an annual bierfest at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, overlooking the Victoria Harbor. No matter where you are next fall, look into where your local Oktoberfest is being held or travel to one of these huge festivals.
Oktoberfest in the USA
German heritage makes up 15% of all US citizens, with Irish at 10.8% and English at 9% are the next highest. Many Germans immigrated back in the 1670’s with other British in early settlements. The 19th century brought the most immigration of Germans and when they saw the highest social status in America, before WWI backlash and discrimination changed the popular opinion. WWII didn’t help restore the perception of Germans with schools, streets and towns all changing their names to sound less German. Foods were also named with less German sounding names and music composed by Wagner & Mendelsson were removed from concerts. In addition to the burning of German books, the language was washed from the American dialect, even though there are still traces in vocabulary and pronunciation. Today, the highest concentration of German ancestry is found in the Northeastern and Mid-western states of Massachussetes, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and into Missouri. Smaller groupings in Kansas, Colorado and Texas and micro communities in places like Helen, Georgia all hold Oktoberfest activities to celebrate their German heritage. Check out some of the best Oktoberfest locations in the United States in these Germanic areas.
Helen, Georgia is located at the base of the Appalachian Mountains and looks like a storybook Bavarian town all year round. In 1969 this mountain town got an update in an effort to bring in more tourism. The artist drew inspirations from his time serving in Southern Germany during WWII. Helen still celebrates one of the largest Oktoberfests in the US and has year round German attractions like the alpine mountain coaster, ziplining, hiking and river tubing.
The Oktoberfest celebration in Big Bear Lake in Southern California is the longest running Oktoberfest, running for 9 weekends each fall, from September 11th through November 7th this year! The organizers ensure the event is as traditional as possible, bringing in the same beers that are being consumed in Munich, including Spaten, Warsteiner and Ayinger. Fun events for adults and kids include a log sawing contest, beer-drinking contest and a pretzel toss for kids.
Who remembers the Sound of Music? Many might remember the classic songs like the title track and “Doe a Deer,” but the plot of the story was the musical family escaping Nazi Austria, by crossing into neutral Switzerland. The story continues with the Trapp Family Singers touring around the United States and eventually settling down in Vermont and running a hotel called the Trapp Family Lodge. The lodge is still family run today with the addition of restaurants, a brewery and mountain landscape for hiking, biking and enjoying. Each fall, the lodge hosts an Oktoberfest with a popular Stein holding competition.
La Crosse, Wisconsin hosts one of the best Oktoberfest in the States. A whopping 42% of Wisconsin residents claim German heritage, which is why they take pride in being the first Oktoberfest celebration in America. When the city was looking to incorporate a city-wide event, a German-owned brewery suggested an Oktoberfest celebration which has become quite the annual event today. The three days are full of live music, festival performances, a parade and lots of beer.
Mount Angel, Oregon is known as being Oregon’s wine country, but once a year everything changes to beer. They hold an authentic celebration with polka music, German foods and lots of dancing. The beauty of the scenic Willamette Valley is especially gorgeous with the autumn colors on display at the end of September.
Fredricksburg, Texas has both Old World German feel and a mix of today with both German beers and local wine for a unique twist on a typical Oktoberfest. This town’s nickname is the Polka Capital of Texas. So enjoy the oompah music, Bavarian cuisine and the costume contest that are all set against a Texas Hill Country backdrop…even if the Texas summer weather has not shown any relief in September.
Frankenmuth, Michigan might be one of the newest Oktoberfest celebrations in the US, but was sanctioned by the mayor of Munich because it was the first place in the States to import beer from the iconic Munich brewery, the Hofbrauhaus. This might be why Frankenmuth is called “Michigan’s Little Bavaria.”
Oktoberfest Festivals in Colorado
My current hometown of Denver, Colorado hosts a huge Oktoberfest celebration with 150 breweries represented. We have two weekends dedicated to keg bowling, wiener dog races and beer halls with live entertainment and more German and European food than you can imagine. There are lots of stalls and food trucks with traditional German brats and schnitzel to crepes and Belgium waffles. I’ve been going to this event for years and it gets very crowded and lines for food and beer can get very long. The city changes up the location, depending on current urban trends and availability of space. Hopefully the move closer to the sports center of the city this year helped more visitors to enjoy the festival. The best part of any event in Denver is being at the base of the amazing Rocky Mountains, it really sets the stage for a great Alpine day, even though it is typically still sunny and hot at that time of year (although snow storms are still a possibility in September).
Many smaller Oktoberfest celebrations can be even more enjoyable with attention to tradition and heritage and not a packed house to contest with each year. The closest local events to me are Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock and Evergreen. Highlands Ranch kicks off their Oktoberfest festivities with an early morning 5k race, but then gets into the eating and drinking activities in the afternoon. This is where we were first introduced to the dachshund races, which have seemed to elude us each year, either because of a planned trip, sick puppy or hurt paw. Next year our Bailey will be winning the foot race! The Castle Rock festival highlights local craft brewers and you can catch the free trolley shuttle so there is no need to drive. There is also a street fair, food trucks and family games. Don’t miss this one day show, the same as Evergreen. It’s worth splitting time with the new Evergreen Oktoberfest, since 2024 is only its second year running the event. The long dog races were our favorite and I can’t wait to sign up at least one of our two dachshunds next year, the older one is too crabby to compete. Evergreen had a kids area with lots of craft and game activities, food booths and a stage for oompah music, but not enough was being played when we were there. Even if they don’t have enough band participation yet, they need to start pumping recorded music through the speakers to keep the spirits high.
The mountain towns of Breckenridge, Vail and Steamboat Springs all have their own Oktoberfest celebrations each September. Vail is the largest one over two weekends in both Lionshead and Vail Village. The schedules are full of Bavarian music, yodeling, keg bowling and a bratwurst eating contest. Breckenridge holds their Oktoberfest for one weekend, but all three days make the most out of the German spirit with a huge street party. They boast 25 hours of live polka music and the kids have their own area at Riverwalk center with bounce houses and face painting. Steamboat Springs has a fun 1-day event held at their Gondola Square and at the Steamboat Resort. Celebrate some of the great craft beers that Colorado has to offer at this brewfest, rather than a Bravarian festival.
Loveland’s Oktoberfest and Greeley’s Oktobrewfest both represent the Northern Colorado area. With a two day event of stein raising and German music, plus activities for the kids to get them involved. For the Greeley Oktobrewfest expect a less traditional experience with live music, tasty food and fire spinners. Saturday is the day for kids, with lots of harvest season games and activities like balloon art and pumpkin decorating. In the Southern part of the Front Range, Colorado Springs holds their 3-day event at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry for a mix of Bravarian and Western history. Pueblo holds a one day event at the Pueblo Union Depot on the first Sunday of October, the 5th this year. Probably the latest event held in Colorado and certainly ends the season of fun activities before Full Peak Leaf Season and Halloween settles upon the region.
Many Americans think Oktoberfest is just a beer holiday or an excuse to dress up & drink and that is true… but also a lot more cultural than just beer drinking. First of all, Oktoberfest festivals are typically family friendly. Is beer drinking really a family friendly activity? Drinking culture in many European countries, especially Germany, is not the same as the States. Many of the countries like Germany and the Netherlands developed beer to drink because it was a safer drink than the contaminated water in their area. Italy, France and Spain have similar reasons in history for developing wines that children typically drank. Even as a child growing up in an Italian family in Philadelphia, when we visited the family from the old country they spent hours making wine in the basement of the row home and us kids were given it mixed half & half with water to get us used to the taste and were allowed to drink “family wine” freely. Similarly, in Germany kids often grow up drinking beer & wine at home and can drink and purchase it by the time they are 16, and hard alcohol by 18. Many Beer Gardens in Germany have a playground or area for kids to play with toys in a sand pit or grassy areas. Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Germany, typically have activities for kids to participate in or crafts. Many have added things that American kids love like bounce houses and face painting.
Final question I am often asked is, what is the difference between German and Bavarian? Can they be used interchangeably? The real answer is Bavaria is the largest state in Germany, located in the southern part of the country. This region was originally part of the Holy Roman Empire and why there is still a strong tie to Catholicism and traditional values. At times it stretched into areas of Switzerland and Austria, which is why German is spoken in these countries as well and most similar to the Bavarian Region of Germany, than the rest of the modern country. Be sure to visit both Germany and Bavaria, they should be two different bucket list locations, especially Bavaria during Oktoberfest!
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