Experience the grandeur of the Munich Oktoberfest in full swing — complete with dazzling traditional attire and endless beer!

Text and photos by /Shuangshuang’s EuroYo Diary

I’ve heard about the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany for years but never had the chance to join this grand event—until this year, when I finally got to drink to my heart’s content (or not, lol)! The Munich Oktoberfest, also known as Munich Octoberfest or Munich Beerfest in English, is one of the most (deliciously) famous beer festivals in the world.

It’s said that the festivities began over two hundred years ago, in 1810. This 16-day event usually takes place between late September and early October. During the festival, you can indulge in traditional Bavarian cuisine such as roast chicken, grilled meats, sausages, potato pancakes, and sauerkraut, as well as enjoy traditional dances, festive parades, and wild amusement rides.

First of all, if you want to join this celebration, you absolutely need to wear traditional local attire. Many people have asked Shuangshuang whether it’s better to rent or buy. Answer: it depends on your needs (obviously).

Generally speaking, buying costs around €40–100 for women and €60–120 for men (depending on design and material), while renting might be €30–80 (but there aren’t many rental shops). However, some locals wear incredibly elaborate traditional outfits, with prices going up to €200–300. (But they wear them every year, so it makes sense to invest in something nicer, right? Haha.)

My rule is to compare prices before buying—nothing beats a good bargain. The cheapest outfit we initially saw was €80–100 each. But us aunties weren’t giving up, so we kept looking until we found a shop where the original price was €50. After some haggling, we managed to get four outfits for €45 each. Wasn’t that a great deal? (Classic auntie move.)

As soon as we entered the festival grounds (which are free to access), we were blown away by the sights—it was so extravagant. It’s just a festival lasting less than three weeks, yet everything was so elaborately set up. There were food stalls, amusement rides, and countless beer tents, all meticulously arranged. The decorations were incredibly detailed, almost like bringing an entire theme park here, authentically recreated. Whether it was dry ice displays, lighting, or sound effects, everything was perfect. Prices? Well… those were a bit less perfect. XD

After exploring the “Grand View Garden” like Grandma Liu, it was time for the next part: eating and drinking. First, we headed to the tent area. To be honest, frugal me thought the tent area was just, well, tents. But actually, it’s a collection of different beer halls (or tents). Seats in the tents can be reserved in advance, but there’s a minimum spend requirement. And of course, the good spots were all gone within seconds.

But we were super lucky that day. We arrived in the afternoon and managed to sneak in quietly. Even though seats were nearly impossible to find, we still secured a spot!! The atmosphere was incredibly lively and high-energy. We drank and ate with the locals, having an amazing time!!

Cheers!!

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.

Hahaha, even though he didn’t look too comfortable—and was totally drunk—so many people still wanted to take photos with him.

The different beer halls mentioned earlier vary based on the breweries, beer flavors, aromas, and even the exterior designs and styles of the buildings. It’s truly a drink-until-you-drop experience!! XD

After stuffing ourselves with food and drinks, it was time to tackle the terrifying amusement rides.

We spent €9 to ride this incredible roller coaster—the “Giant Wheel Coaster.” The view was amazing, and it was super romantic at night too.

The romantic Ferris wheel at night.

In short, I highly recommend that everyone, if given the chance, must come to the Munich Oktoberfest and experience the crazy, festive atmosphere!!

Hello, this is Shuangshuang’s EuroYo Diary, sharing European food, work, travel, shopping, and personal stories.