If you have decided to make the trip to Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest this year, then you need to know what you will be doing there. After all, Oktoberfest has been around for almost two centuries now and the celebration has quite a bit of history behind it which you can read about here (What is Oktoberfest and how it started?). So naturally there are plenty of things to see and do during the festival. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place because we have an easy and brief guide for all the fun and exciting activities you can take part in during Oktoberfest in Munich. So let’s take a look.
Wear a Lederhosen
Lederhosen are the traditional clothing of Bavaria, where Oktoberfest started back in the 18th century. It is essentially a pair of leather trousers with a front drop flap. Comfortable to wear and easy on the eye, Lederhosen are an integral part of Oktoberfest. The Bavarian locals also appreciate tourists wearing good quality Lederhosen which shows that they appreciate and understand the culture of the region.
There are plenty of stores in the Alpine region of Germany where good quality Lederhosen is sold but in case that’s not too accessible for you, you can always order Lederhosen online. One of the best stores to shop for Lederhosen online is the Lederhosen Store where you can get high quality Lederhosen for sale. It is important to buy good quality Lederhosen since the locals can spot a cheap and low quality Lederhosen from a mile away and do not particularly appreciate it.
Ozapft is!
Obviously, the biggest part of Oktoberfest is the beer. But the drinking can’t officially start until the first Mayor of Munich taps the first keg and shouts “Ozapft is!” meaning “It is tapped!” This is a tradition that dates back centuries to the beginning of Oktoberfest and it marks the start of the event every year. The keg tapping takes place in the Schottenhamel tent every year and it gets crowded pretty quickly so you might want to make a reservation beforehand. The keg tapping only takes place on the first day of Oktoberfest and is a spectacular sight to see and an amazing experience to be a part of so be sure not to miss it.
Visit the Tents
Oktoberfest in Munich isn’t a small affair. The Oktoberfest grounds cover an area of 420,000 square feet in which there are numerous big and small tents. The sixteen big tents serve different kinds of beer and food while providing a unique and distinct environment to the visitors. There are also around twenty small tents that serve an array of snacks and meals that you can enjoy for breakfast and lunch. Outside the tents are festival stalls and games as well as merchandise shops where you can buy Oktoberfest merchandise.
These are just some of the main attractions and events at the festival but there’s so much more around the Oktoberfest grounds as well as the city of Munich itself. Be sure to visit places in the city and expose yourself to the culture there.