Everything You Need To Know For Your First Oktoberfest
For those of us who live for the planning phase of travel, there are details that are important to know and plenty of planning ahead that needs to be done. Let us take you on the journey to make sure your Oktoberfest experience is the best it can be.
We wanted to go to Oktoberfest in 2020, but then the world shut down. And again in 2021. In 2022, we had prior commitments that caused a third year of missing this bucket list experience. So, 2023 was our year and we were committed to making it happen.
Oktoberfest planning starts in the Spring
Table reservations for all the beer tents open in April or May in the spring prior to Oktoberfest. You will want to jump on these reservations. Yes, even if you are going during the week and during the day.
Reservations are for four-hour blocks, 12-4 or 4-8. And you must reserve the entire table. There are no tables for two or four. Tables in Oktoberfest are for eight to ten people.
And while entry into the tents is free, to make a reservation you must pre-pay for two “Maß” of beer and a half-chicken per person. So, plan to pay approximately 350 euros to make this reservation. And then plan to bring friends!! And enjoy knowing that once you get there those first couple of liters are covered!
Sister Side Note (ssn) – In German, the curly B as in Maß is pronounced like double s. So Mass. Mass is the unit of measure for a standard mug of beer (one liter). The beers are only served by the Mass. Don’t confuse this with a “stein” which is always stoneware/ceramic (literally means “stone”) and are not used.
About those famous Oktoberfest tents
Each tent is owned and operated by a specific brewery. And they only serve their own beer. Paulaner only serves Paulaner, Hofbrau only serves Hofbrau, you get the picture.
You can choose which tent to reserve a table in by the brewery you like best. Or you can choose it based on the atmosphere you wish to experience. It is worth considering what you view your Oktoberfest experience to look like and pick a tent accordingly. They are all gorgeous in their own style, it is all just your own style and personality that will dictate which one best suit you. You will get a feel for what is most “you” when you go to the Oktoberfest website to book the tent. Each tent has their own booking landing page, and it is very much uniquely their theme.
ssn – I was not prepared for how HUGE these tents are! The largest is Hofbrau and it holds over 7,000 people plus another 3,000 outside!
The list of tents
Reserve your seat for the big tents by going to the official Oktoberfest Munchen website and choose from the following big tents:
Armbrustschützen-Festzelt
Augustiner-Festhalle
Festzelt Tradition
Hacker-Festzelt
Herzkasperlzelt
Hofbräu-Festzelt
Löwenbräu-Festzelt
Marstall Festzelt
Paulaner Festzelt
Pschorr-Bräurosl
Schottenhamel-Festhalle
Schützen-Festzelt
Schützenlisl
Starting to plan late? No worries!
Some tents reserve a certain number of spaces for day-of attendees. They have check-in tables at the entrance and if you get there early the day-of, you can score some non-res spots. And the smaller outside beer gardens do not have table reservations, so if it’s a nice day this is a great option.
Just be prepared: the tables are packed, especially on sunny days. They are all community tables, so you will be sitting with strangers, you will be packed in tight back-to-back and side-to-side with other tables. But it is very fun.
ssn – we were able to get a table outside in a beer garden on our first day and then were able to join a table in the walk-in section at a different tent. Highly recommend the inside tables (even if you have to stand). This way you get the full experience with the band, the hourly singing of “Ein Prosit”, the people watching and the sing-a-longs.
And Remember to Eat
Oktoberfest is a marathon in beer drinking. The first one goes down pretty fast, so does the second one. If you are going for a third Mass, you will want to be sure to eat. The tents have great food. The half of a roasted chicken is usually the favorite. They have been doing this for decades, so the recipe and cooking are dialed in and delicious.
ssn – I am not a beer drinker but obviously I sacrificed for this trip. After the first Mass, I switched to Radlers – half beer, half sparkling lemonade – similar to what we call a shandy. Radlers are delicious and can be found everywhere!
Always get a pretzel. There are separate pretzel ladies that wander through the tables with baskets full of pretzels. There’s a reason why they are so well known. But here’s one of our biggest tips: on the menu is something called Obatzda. It is one of the best cheese concoctions known to man. Camembert cheese chunked up in a cream-cheesy spreadable cheese, it looks like spreadable cheddar cheese, but according to the recipe the orange color comes from the paprika. It is a life changing discovery, and I’m glad we were warned ahead of time and started ordering this from day one. You’ve now been told, don’t doubt us on this one.
There are menus for each table, typical German favorites like schwienebraten, schnitzel, ribs, and other specialties of the tent (they vary by tent).
A little heads up, Brats aren’t such a thing in Munich like they are tto us in the states. They are mainly walking foods for casual events (yes, they have booths on the Oktoberfest grounds).
Those gingerbread hearts
They are everywhere.
But they really aren’t intended for eating.
They are kitschy touristy decorations.
They’re cute, but you really don’t want to plan to eat one. They aren’t good.
Outside the tent
Yes, there are other things to do besides drinking beer. (PS, there are two wine tents for your weirdo winos).
Oktoberfest is very much akin to the State Fairs in the US. There are many rides and games. They are privately owned and operated. And the families have been doing this for generations. They are pretty dialed in on the décor. They are safe. And you pay individually at each ride. No wristbands. So, bring Euros.
There are also food vendors serving everything from candied nuts to tornado potato (spiralized potatoes on sticks, they are crazy good, I’m obsessed). There are also candy stands, lots of them.
Oktoberfest is very family friendly and has lots of fun food and games for the kids. This is a traditional celebration, not just a big drinking event.
What to Wear
Traditional dress is best. Lederhosen for the men and Dirndls for the ladies. Or the newest fashion: ladyhosen (lederhosen for women, super cute!).
Do not, emphasize NOT, wear costumes. Do not buy Halloween costumes thinking they will pass. You will look silly and it’s disrespectful to make their culture look cheap and costume-y.
Luckily, there are plenty of places to buy dresses and Lederhosen in Munich. Everything from small tailored places, to larger more commercial places, there are appropriate outfits for everyone.
And let me assure you, there are plus size choices available. They are European sizes, but as a US 20/22, I was able for have 5 or 6 choices in my size (50), and there were four sizes bigger than the one I needed.
Plan this as a budget item, they are not cheap and will run you about $200. However, they are well made, and worth taking the extra step to make your visit more authentic and to help you feel proper. And it’s fun!
We found plus-size friendly dirndls at Angermaier Trachten just off Marienplatz.
ssn – Dirndls are not just an Oktoberfest thing – they are worn year-round for traditional celebrations, weddings and other events. Although you should definitely buy your dirndl/lederhosen in Munich, I did purchase my dirndl blouse on Amazon. It was great and substantially cheaper.
Our favorite Oktoberfest Tip
Your first morning in Munich, schedule a tour. It will help you get adjusted to the rhythm of Oktoberfest and Munich. You will feel much more prepared when you go back to Oktoberfest on your own. Plus, you get a lot of the history of the festival, the beer industry and Munich.
Oktoberfest Experience Tour
We did the Drink Like a Local tour, and it was awesome. The tour started around 9 am with a walking tour of the Marienplatz area of Munich. We will learn about the beer culture, architecture and some great information about the post-WWII rebuild. Then you walk to breakfast, where it’s a traditional Munich breakfast of Weisswurst, pretzels, and beer (and get a lesson for a proper pour).
Weisswurst is a breakfast sausage, typically only served before noon and is a Munich specialty. It’s a white veal sausage that is boiled, not grilled or fried. They are very good, but taking off the outer skin of the sausage makes you think of taking off a condom and is good for a giggle.
After breakfast, you hop on the train to the Wiezen, where you continue on with your tour through the Oktoberfest grounds. You get insider tips, historical knowledge, and get to see everything. It helps to get comfortable with the layout and the goings on, plus is fascinating to hear all the little details that go in to making Oktoberfest happen. Like locals who work at the festival get all their wages tax free, a huge incentive for them to work these weeks.
ssn – Wiezen means meadow or grasslands and this is the term that the locals use to refer to Oktoberfest. “I’m going to the Wiezen”
The best part of this tour is that it comes with table reservations. If you were late to the reservation game, this is a great way to get them.
Tour table reservations
With your tour, you get a group table from noon – four. It includes your first two beers and a $15 credit towards food. Always remember to tip your server! This isn’t just a recommendation, it ensures they will keep coming back…plus it’s the right thing to do – they work so hard! Tables are balcony level, and give you a great view of the tent, band, and people watching.
Our reservation also came with a meat and cheese platter, which scored that beloved Obatzda and lots of radishes.
You will meet so many interesting and fun people on your tour! So be open to talking and sharing, and be ready for lots of “Prost!-ing” with your new friends.
A few last Oktoberfest tips
Carry cash. Everything is a cash business.
Be respectful of the workers, they are working hard.
Puke hill is out behind the Hofbrau. Yes, it’s a thing. No, it’s not where you want to be.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
If you don’t want to get kicked out, don’t stand on the tables.
ssn – to be fair, I’ve always heard about everyone standing on benches, singing and Prost-ing. But was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t a thing on our visit. I’m sure if we would have been there on a weekend night, it would have been! And not once did any band play “Country Roads”!
If you decide you ARE done and want to go out in style, get up on the table, but be prepared that you are expected to chug whatever beer you have left in your Mass while the crowd cheers you on. Don’t embarrass yourself, CHUG THAT BEER.
Related Posts
You May Also Like
