If you missed it, this weekend kicked off Okoberfest in Munich. With the tapping of the keg and the magical words of “O’zapft is” (“It’s tapped”), the biggest beer festival in the world has begun.

Last year was the first year after the pandemic that the event was held and over 5.7 million people attended. This year looks like it could top those numbers and the phenomenal 5.6 million liters (or Mass) of beer drunk annually. But it is not all fun and games at the Fest. There is a lot that can go wrong, which I can personally attest to.

Drank too much? Check.
Got pushed out of the tents in a flood of people and was not able to get back in? Check.
Overpaid for hotel? Check.

Let me share some of my insights into visiting Oktoberfest in Munich and how you can avoid the worst mistakes.

Oktoberfest in Munich

Avoid the Stampede and Worst of the Crowds

If you follow our German-Way Instagram or any social media focused on Germany, you probably saw crowds of people dressed in Tract (traditional Bavarian clothes) running at full speed into the Fest. The videos were a little terrifying and certainly didn’t make me want to join in. This is the madness which accompanies the start of Oktoberfest and the fevered activity that envelopes the high times of the festival. Unless that type of frenzy interests you, it is best to avoid opening weekend, actually weekends in general, and also the two Tuesdays designated as Familientage (family days). If you want a more relaxed experience, go on off times.

Don´t Focus Just on the Beer

While beer is an integral part of Bavarian culture and the backbone of the festival, it isn´t the only reason people come to Oktoberfest. There have been a flurry of posts from non-drinkers at the festival proving there is more to be enjoyed. The atmosphere in the tents is electric and if you want to just experience Oktoberfest you can pick a seat and order a cola or water in a Mass and Prost (cheers) away. Beware that a liter of alternative beverage does cost as much as a beer which is between 12 and 15 euro this year – ouch.

You also need to make time to leave the tents to see what else the Oide Wiesn (festival grounds) has to offer. It is a full-on fair with carnival games, exhilirating rides, and enough food to eat for weeks. If you want to take in both beer and rides, consider rides first as a belly full of beer is not the best for rides. This takes me to my next point….

Remember to Eat!

Particularly if you are drinking, but really no matter the case, food is an essential part of the Oktoberfest experience and your lifeline to surviving the festival. Some Oktoberfest food classics:

• Brezel (pretzel)
• Gebrannte Mandeln (roasted almonds)
• Weisswurst (part of a balanced Bavarian breakfast as a pair of sauasge in a pot of warm water, Senf, Brezel and a Weißbier naturally)
• Wiesn-Hendl or Halbes Hendl or any varition of names on a roasted half chicken
• Spanferkel (suckling pig)
• Fischsemmel (fish rolls)
• Ochsen (Oxen is served in many differnt ways from roasted in a roll to in soup. If you are a fan, go to the Spaten beer tent, also known as the Ochsenbraterei)
• Schweinhaxe (roast pork knuckle)
• Desserts: Lebkuchenherz (gingerbread heart), Kaiserschmarrn (thick pancake torn, carmelized and served with powedered sugar and compote), Dampfnudel, Rohrnudel, Germknödel (dumplings with sauce); Apfelkücherl (battered fried apple ring); Apfelstrudel

One thing, beware the increasingly steep prices as a half a chicken will set you back 20 euro. And try to avoid the generic German specialties like Currywurst that is best eaten at an Imbiss in Berlin or ubequitious Döner Kebab.

Weißwurst PHOTO Alie C

Bring Cash

Post pandemic more places than ever accept card payments. However, Oktoberfest keeps things traditional with only a few tents accepting card. Even in tents where card is accepted, you will quickly find how awkward this is as the mighty Kellner/in’s (waiters) limited customer service is spread thin as they elbow through boisterous crowds with 12 liters of beer only to try and run your card. Plus, giving a hearty Trinkgeld (tip) in cash on your first beer can help expediate service throughout the day as you camp out at your table.

Also, do yourself a favor and get cash before entering the grounds or you will spend valuable Fest time standing in line for the Geldautomat (ATM). Another note – while the vibes are superb at Oktoberfest, that doesn’t mean it is immune from theft. Bring your cash and do your best to protect it as tents full of revelers are a paradise for pickpockets, too.

You Don’t Have to Wear Lederhosen

…but it is more fun! Tracht is sold everywhere from high-end shops specializing in Lederhosen and Dirndls (traditional dresses) with all the accessories to department stores to second-hand shops. Look early for the best prices and options, but there really is something for every budget. However, the cheapest options are quite costumey, less comfortable and more likely to rip at inopportune times. German-Way blogger Ali shared her tips on buying Tracht in her post. I have gotten years of use out of my Dirndl and consider it a wise investment. My husband’s 30 euro wool socks he wore once, not so much.

If dressing in costume really isn’t your thing you can easily skip this step. People arrive in all sorts of gear throughout the Fest and the most important thing is comfort, especially considering the variable weather of Herbst (fall).

Plan your Oktoberfest Early

If you are looking at pictures of this year’s Oktoberfest enviosuly, start planning now for next year’s trip right now. It is really never too early to plan a trip to Oktoberfest with booking seats at your preferred tent a total process, and accomodation booking up a year in advance. The earlier you plan, the more stress-free and fun-filled your trip may be.

Alternately, there may be an Oktoberfest near you in North America (part 2) or elsewhere in which to experience the joy of a giant beer fest.

Share your tips for what to do (or not) at Oktoberfest below!