THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO OKTOBERFEST 2015 UPDATE EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MUNICH’S WORLD FAMOUS BEER FESTIVAL departDEPARTFUL.COMful 1 CONTENTS A Quick Introduction 3 Chapter 1: The Basics 4 Key Dates for Oktoberfest 2015 5 The Weather 6 The Price 6 When To Go 7 Chapter 2: The Journey 8 Getting Around Munich 9 Chapter 3: The Grounds 10 Tents At A Glance 11 The Big Tents 12 Theresienwiese Map 14 How To Get Into A Tent 15 Once You’re In A Tent, Stay There 17 Chapter 4: The Drinks 18 Oktoberfest Beer Checklist 19 What If I Don’t Like Beer? 19 Chapter 5: The Food 20 Oktoberfoods 21 Chapter 6: What To Bring 22 Lederhosen For The Guys 23 Dirndls For The Girls 24 Where To Buy Your Outfi t 25 What To Pack 26 What To Leave At Home 27 Chapter 7: The After Party 28 Chapter 8: Where To Stay 29 Chapter 9: Oktoberfest Tips 32 Chapter 10: More Than Oktoberfest 36 German 101 38 About Departful 40 Acknowledgments 40 2 OKTOBERFEST Photo courtesy of Flickr, erdquadrat (CC BY 2.0) A QUICK INTRODUCTION Oktoberfest is more than a great about Oktoberfest and its beautiful It was around this time that beer festival. For many, attending host city. We’ve put together this stands were first erected, providing Munich’s historic beerfest is an guidebook to share these tips with sudsy refreshments for visitors. accomplishment on par with your fellow festival-goers in the hopes At the turn of the century, these graduation, wedding, or the birth that you’ll avoid the mistakes many refreshment stands were replaced of your first child. It’s an event that first timers make and arrive at - thanks to the support of local will leave you with stories that your the festival prepared for anything. patrons and breweries - with the friends and family will grow to hate Before we get into the details, let’s tents you’ll soon come to enjoy. as you recount them year after start with a quick history lesson. year; of course, you’ll need to make While today most people associate it through the festival with your This infamous festival dates back to Oktoberfest with beer, it’s also the memories in tact first. 1810, when Bavarians were invited world’s largest fun fair, complete to partake in the lavish marriage with carnival rides, food stalls, Unfortunately, not everyone has celebration of Prince Ludwig and parades and live music. For all an equally incredible experience Princess Therese von Sachsen- of these reasons, Oktoberfest at Oktoberfest. For some, it’s too Hildburghausen. In its inaugural has become one of our favourite expensive, for others, too busy, year, the festival was held outside festivals. It has drawn our team to and for others still, it’s simply the Munich city gates and festivities Germany year after year, and we impossible to get into any of the included horse races that were held have little doubt that you’ll enjoy it best beer tents. We get it. We’ve in honour of the royal family. as much as we have. been there, and we can tell you first hand that with just a bit of good In subsequent years, the festival And with that, we’d like to welcome planning, you’ve got nothing to grew in both size and scope. you to our Oktoberfest guide. We worry about. First, an agricultural fair was hope you enjoy the read, as well incorporated into the event. By as the well-planned, culturally- Throughout the years, our team 1818, a carousel and other rides enriching, and often messy fun, has gained some critical knowledge were set up for guests to enjoy. that will surely follow. DEPARTFUL.COM 3 THE I BASICS WELCOME TO SEPTEMBERFEST... ? OKTOBERFEST DATES It may come as a surprise to many 2015 Saturday, September 19th - Sunday, October 4th first time Oktoberfest revelers that the 2016 Saturday, September 17th - Monday, October 3rd majority of Oktoberfest doesn’t actually 2017 Saturday, September 16th - Monday, October 1st occur in October. Instead, the festival runs from the 3rd Saturday in September to the first Sunday of October. OPENING AND CLOSING HOURS TENTS Every so often, the dates are extended Monday to Friday: 10am to 10:30pm to accommodate the placement of the Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 9am to 10:30pm October 3rd holiday, German Unity Day, and Oktoberfest goers get a few extra STALLS days of beer-ish fun. Oh, and that whole Monday to Friday 10am to 11:30pm/midnight September thing? The idea originated Saturday, Sundays and Holidays: 9am to 11:30/midnight in 1872 to take advantage of milder temperatures, an idea we endorse entirely as Canadians. 4 OKTOBERFEST THE BASICS Photo courtesy of Flickr, SteFou! (CC BY 2.0) KEY DATES FOR OKTOBERFEST 2014 SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY SEPT 19 SEPT 20 SEPT 21 SEPT 22 11AM: Grand Entry Parade 10AM: 12PM: 12PM-6PM: Tent patrons, waitresses, bands and brewers parade Oktoberfest Costume Seniors Lunch Family Day through Munich toward the Oktoberfest grounds on and Riflemen’s Parade If you’re up and about Family Day is marked floats, horse-drawn carriages and beer wagons. 8,000 performers by lunchtime on by discounts on rides parade through the Monday (and over and performances. 12PM: Official Keg Tapping Ceremony centre of Munich in 60) it may be worth While you may save Join the Mayor of Munich in the Schottenhamel tent regional costumes checking out some a few euros on the as the first keg of beer is tapped and Oktoberfest is alongside an array of of the festivals larger midway, you can also officially launched. If you want to join the party, it’s floats, marching bands, tents for a special expect longer wait necessary to get there 3 to 4 hours early. beer wagons, and more. seniors lunch. times as a result. THURSDAY SUNDAY TUESDAY SUNDAY SEPT 24 SEPT 27 SEPT 29 OCT 4 10AM: 11AM: 12PM-6PM: 12PM: Traditional Gun Salute Oktoberfest Mass Open Air Oktoberfest Family Day Again This traditional gun salute or “Boellerschiessen” is Join Oktoberfest staff Music Festival In case you slept held every year at the foot of the Lady Bavaria statue to celebrate traditional This Big Band music through the first to mark the end of Oktoberfest. Don’t worry though, mass. This has festival features over Family Day, all rides the taps will still be open for a few more hours. historically taken place 400 musicians and and performances on in the Hippodrom tent, takes place on the the Oktoberfest 11:30PM: Tents, Stalls, and Rides Close which has since closed. steps of the Lady grounds are discounted If you’re still with us and thirsty, make sure to get Ask upon arrival for an Bavaria statue. once again for that last beer around 10:30 p.m. Everything shuts updated location. Family Day #2. down and your recovery begins at 11:30 p.m. sharp. DEPARTFUL.COM 5 THE WEATHER While visitors are typically interested in the tents outdoor spots are certainly not ideal. As a result, at Oktoberfest, there are around 25,000 seats the demand for seats inside the tents increases. in the outdoor beer gardens. While they have a If you’re visiting on a day with sub-par weather, different atmosphere, the gardens are a lovely be prepared to have an even harder time than and sometimes equally rambunctious place to expected fi nding a spot in a beer tent. Of course, enjoy a beer on a pleasant day. with a positive attitude and some good rain gear, nothing but lightning will prevent you from When the weather is cold or rainy, which is sitting at your choice of beer gardens should it a distinct possibility you should plan for, the start to pour out. THE PRICE THE FREEMIUM MODEL WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY IN THE TENTS Entering the Oktoberfest is completely free and the While beer prices are somewhat standardized across grounds are accessible from several entrances. This all tents, it’s worth noting that food prices can vary means that you can peruse the food and gift stands, substantially depending where you decide to eat. scope out the fair games and rides, and engage in some of the most entertaining people-watching BEER without spending a cent. Of course, this free ride Expect to pay between €9.80 to €10.10 for a one-litre ends once you decide to have a drink or six. beer (or Maß) in the large tents and slightly less in the smaller tents. The cheapest steins will be found at While walking into one of the festival’s many beer Augustiner and the most expensive at Löwenbräu and tents is free of charge, you will be expected to buy Schottenhammel. something, even if it’s not beer, the second you take a seat. FOOD For a basic fare like roast half-chicken, bratwurst, If you’re interested in taking a spin on some of the and käsespätzle expect to pay between €8 and €12. rides, you will have to buy tickets from the booths Larger, more traditional meals including full platters marked “Kasse”. Depending on the nature and traditional Oktoberfest foods can cost upwards of €25. popularity of the ride, prices range between A large pretzel makes a good beer-drinking snack and €3-€8 per person. will usually run you about €4. Many of the tents also have a set-price lunch for around €10 on weekdays.