From mid-September right up to the first weekend in October, you can attend the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest in Munich. Baroque Travel finds out all the details
Germany’s fabulous annual 18-day folk festival attracts more than six million visitors each year who come to enjoy the excitement and festivities on offer, as well as Germany’s famous beer. The Oktoberfest has been part of German culture since the Middle Ages, and shows no signs of abating. In fact, it’s become such a popular event that many other countries around the world celebrate Oktoberfest as well.
Of course, the main reason to attend the festival is the beer, but there are numerous other activities to enjoy, including amusement rides, games and plenty of side stalls, all offering lots of fun and excitement.
This year’s Oktoberfest opens on Saturday 16 September. At noon, Munich’s Mayor will officially open the festival at the Schottenhamel tent by tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. Once this keg has been tapped, visitors can partake of the beverage. Throughout the fest, beer will be served between 10am and 10.30pm on weekdays, and 9am and 10.30pm on weekends. For those who enjoy partying later, you can do so at Käfers Wiesnschänke till 12.30am, and Weinzelt until 1am.
The 2017 Oktoberfest has some new attractions, including six fun new rides such as the Drifting Coaster, a wild ride featuring swinging gondolas and the Jules Vernes Tower, which takes one on a 65km per hour ‘chairoplane’ flight to a height of 70 meters. For the less adventurous there’s the Märchenlandexpress ride through a land full of fairytales as well as the Caribbean-themed Big Bamboo, full of bridges, barrels and mambo music, plus a century-old merry-go-round.
The new Marstall tent, which succeeded the Hippodrome tent four years ago is a unique equestrian-themed tent and there’s a new tent, Kalbsbraterei, where guests can enjoy traditional Oktoberfest dishes.
Here is a list of the highlights for the 2017 Oktoberfest:
Saturday 16 September
11am Parade through Munich
12pm Munich Mayor officially opens Oktoberfest
Sunday 17 September
10am Traditional Costume parade through Munich
Tuesday 19 September
Until 7pm Family Day – all rides and performances at a discount
Thursday 21 September
10am Traditional religious Oktoberfest Mass
Sunday 24 September
11am Traditional concert of Oktoberfest brass bands at foot of the Bavaria
Tuesday 26 September
11am Traditional gun salute on the steps of the Bavaria monument