Decorations Used for Oktoberfest in Germany

Sure you can buy a bunch of blue-and-white streamers and little men in lederhosen to line your house for an Oktoberfest celebration, but consider opting for more authentic decorations to make your party look like the real thing. Take some cues from Munich's legendary beer festival.

Lowenbrau beers at Oktoberfest, Munich.

Beer and Mugs

Paulaner is served at Oktoberfest.

Serve the right type of beer. Brewers often give away free posters, steins or other paraphernalia that you can use for decoration. Or, consider providing mugs from the official Germany Oktoberfest brewers: Spaten, Paulaner, Augustiner, Löwenbräu, Hofbräu and Hacker-Pschorr.

Tents and Tables

Drinking under an Oktoberfest tent.

During Oktoberfest, people spend all day drinking under enormous tents. If you have the space, think about renting a tent for your yard and adding a few wooden picnic tables.

The Tap

The entrance of the Spaten Oktoberfest barrels.

The official first tap is what kicks off the annual Oktoberfest celebration. Consider getting a keg from your local supplier and dressing it up as the Germans do, with green wreaths and blue-and-white ribbons.

Colors

Blue and white streamers under an Oktoberfest tent.

Cobalt blue and snow white are the official colors of Bavaria, and the dominant colors streaming around the tents, but Oktoberfest is also a celebration of the fall, so you will see yellow, orange, red and green stripes--and wood everywhere, including tables, chairs and barrels.

Hops

Hops adorn tent interiors.

A nice decorative addition to a beer festival that celebrates the simple ingredients used to make beer (and one found in many tents during Oktoberfest) is hops--the plant that provides beer with a bitter flavor. These plants are a fun way to dress up a party, especially when they're flowering, which happens during the Oktoberfest season.

Dishes

Bratwurst, sauerkraut and potatoes with mustard.

What is an Oktoberfest celebration without sausage? And what is sausage in Germany without sauerkraut and mustard? Think about getting special German mustard pots, usually white porcelain with blue stripes and a crest, and plates and bowls to match.

References

• The Oktoberfest Website