How to Enjoy Oktoberfest in Munich
Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, is one of the largest festivals in the world. Over six million visitors attend the festival each year, which lasts for 16 days from around September 20th to October 5th. This beer fest began back in 1810 as a celebration of King Ludwig I's marriage to Princess Theresa of Saxony-Hildburghhausen. The festival started out as horse racing and an agricultural show, but grew to include everything from roller coasters to beer tents seating 10,000 people.
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Instructions
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Watch one of the festive parades. Watch the opening day parade starting at 10:45 a.m. on the first day of the festival. This parade includes bands and waitresses from the beer tents, and carriages drawn by horses carrying the families of the landlords. The second parade is on the second day of Oktoberfest, a Sunday. This is the Costume and Rifleman's parade. It starts at 10 a.m. and lasts for two and a half hours. The parade displays the customs of the local local area and surrounding regions, with floats, carriages, troops dressed up in uniforms and local animals such as cows and goats.
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See the open-air concert. The concert takes place on the second Sunday of the festival, usually around September 28th. It is found by the statue of Bavaria. Over 400 musicians play as guests enjoy the big band music.
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Enjoy food and drink in the beer tents. Although this isn't the only thing that Oktoberfest has to offer, it's one of the main attractions. Beer is served in liter mugs carried to you by German waitresses. You'll find Bavarian food, including large Bavarian pretzels, sausage, kasespaetzle (cheese noodles) and sauerkraut. There is always some type of music inside the tents.
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Ride the rides. Ride roller coasters and Ferris wheels, as well as other carnival rides. The rides are open from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The festival is known for its fast roller coasters.
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Attend the Agricultural Festival, which occurs the first week of Oktoberfest. Check out the animal shows with cows and horses. Watch a sheep get sheared. Gaze at the other farm animals. The event is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day and costs about $15.
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Walk around the festival, enjoying the local scenery and customs. The festival is open each day from around 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with some beer tents staying open later until 1 a.m.
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Check out the souvenir tents and take home some authentic Oktoberfest souvenirs.
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Tips & Warnings
Make reservations early in the year for your hotel, rental car and train passes and flights. Make reservations to the beer tents early. Oktoberfest hosts over six million people, so you don't want to find yourself without accommodations and the ability to visit the beer tents.
Some tour companies offer package deals that include hotel, flight and entrance into the beer tents.
On certain days of the festival, the admission prices are lower. Midweek, such as Tuesday or Wednesday, is generally the most economical time to visit.
Pace your drinking each day. If you find yourself drunk an hour after the beer tents open, you won't make it through the whole day. You'll miss out on much of the celebration.
Resources
- Photo Credit www.bigfoto.com
