Octoberfest
 

Planning a stop to check out Octoberfest in Munich this September. Any advise on the do's and don't's?

Well the absolute highlight to me is the very first days - the weekend when the parade winds thru Munich, with throngs of people lining the route - with the huge beer kegs being transported by horse-drawn carriages - to the Festival Site - then once they arrrive, at noon i believe there is a ceremony marking the start of Oktoberfest

The initial weekend parades are world-famous.

As for the various tents i like to pop into all of them - all different and no charge to walk in and stand and listen. Some tents need seat reservations for sitting but standing is always possible.

do not wander into the vomit pits instead of the loo when looking for toilets.

Make hotel reservations waaaay early. Palenque's suggestion about the first days sound good to me.

I've been to the Oktoberfest as a drinker and as a non-drinker. It was much better as a drinker. I wouldn't go back again. Too many drunk Aussies and Americans.

Second the idea of getting hotel reservations...YESTERDAY if you actually want to stay in Munich. We found the "carnival" atmosphere at the fest grounds to be a lot of fun and even rode that ridiculously expensive ferris wheel, got those outrageous "cookies" people wear around their necks, etc., etc. Great fun despite those who enjoy drinking enthusiastically and "shharing" it with your clothes. Enjoy!

Get ready to hear the song, "Hey, baby... I wanna knooooowwwww if you'll be my girl" every few minutes!

And, try to remember which entrance you came into the grounds through... makes it a lot easier and faster when you're leaving!!!

Have fun! It's a great time!

Hi bes1244,
If you have trouble getting reservations, or they are too expensive in Munich, you can stay in Augsburg like we did. It was about a 30 minute train ride into Munich. Very easy and we saved a bundle on our room.

Head to the Oktoberfest grounds early to check out the tents and then you can roam around Munich and then come back for lunch in your favorite tent if you don't have dinner reservations. There was plenty of music and singing and drinking starting at 11 am. The food was great.

I don't know if it is like this every year or just last year because of the terrorist threats that happened the weekend we attended, but our tiny backpacks were searched thoroughly and one tent even turned us away because we had them. No water bottles either. The police had the entrance to the fairgrounds blockaded with a very narrow entrance. They were all carrying machine guns. Lots of police presence.

There are no words to describe Oktoberfest, you just have to experience it for yourself. Just be sure to ride the crazy rides BEFORE you start drinking!

Have fun,
Michele

And be prepared to hear lots of American songs... especially Frank Sinatra tunes! Completely stunned me... Oktoberfest, I was expecting all German tunes! Certainly not New York, New York!

Where was the Chicken Dance... "with a little bit of this, and a little bit of that, da, da, da, da"?

And the Notre Dame fight song i have heard more than once.

Thank you

When will Oktoberfest 2010 take place? On Saturday, September 18th, the Schottenhamel tent is the place to be, if you want to catch the official opening ...
http://www.oktoberfest.de/...Oktober...rfest/.../751/

Oktoberfest.de - Hotels, Tickets, Beer - everything about the ...
Oktoberfest.de - the 'Wiesn' Website - everything about the world's biggest fair. ... 2010 Datenwerk GmbH all rights reserved. Imprint | Contact | Newsletter.
www.oktoberfest.de/en/

These are the official Oktoberfest sites

BTW it once was in October but i understand was moved up to September for better weather.

Been to Oktoberfest the past two years. It is a hoot!!! The first year, there were far less younger kids drinking. Last year was more like "kids first drinking experience" fest. Nonetheless, a load of fun. More American songs played that I thought I would here there. We managed on both occassions to get into the Schottenhamel tent on opening day, with last year watching the tapping of the first keg. VERY hard to get into a tent on the first weekend.

Everyone is right. There are no words to describe it. And there is no ordering anything if you are not sitting. Get to a table if you get into a tent so you can order.

The night before opening day, the Hofbrauhaus is great fun. A little bit of warm up for the real thing...

If you have not already made reservations, you are too late. Finding rooms at a decent price this late will be nearly impossible.

Have fun. It is truly something to be seen and experienced. Have a Ayinger for me...

Hello folks,
Very nice to find this forum with pretty cool information. Hope you can help me out!

My friends have decided that it is cheaper to fly to Munich from the UK later in the festival, during weekdays than during the opening weekend. I however am sold on the opening weekend. Hmmm..

Going there for the opening weekend only makes sense if I can get into Schottenhamel tent and see the Mayor tap the first keg of beer. If not for that, any other day or any other tent during the festival is fine. Tickets no longer available for the Schottenhamel online. Plus, being only one person I doubt I will be able to book a place anyways.

Now the question is...., will I be able to get into the Schottenhamel on Saturday the 18th of September by noon, even if I have to queue up by 6am or 7am that morning? If yes, I'm coming on the opening weekend. If every single seat in that 10,000 seat tent is booked up in advance then there is no chance.. but if there is even a slight chance that a person can get there really early, wait,wait and wait and get a seat (or even stand) for the opening ceremony,.. I'm in.

I just want to see the ceremony, even standing up, take a video and some photos and find somewhere afterwards to start boozing up :-)

Any ideas guys?

TC,

K

P.S: Am trying to find a host on couchsurfing.com who can put me up for a few days, but it's difficult. Hostels are all booked up. Tents, whilst still available, might be cold in September. Ideas there too folks? Am a very considerate guest! :-)

If you are there really early, you might get in. I have heard that people line up for that tent at insane hours. 2 years ago, friends of mine got there at 6am and got in.

Good luck. It is the place to be.