Oktoberfest Munich 2012- A first-timer's guide

OKTOBERFEST MUNICH 2012: You race a mob of lads in leather shorts to find a seat in the packed, wooden tent.

A busty barmaid whams down an enormous glass of beer. You drink to the cry of Prost! and get ready to do it again.

Then you stroll outside and jump on the roller-coaster. You’re pushed, pulled, stretched and slammed and decide this would have been a better idea before the beer!

Feeling hungry now? Nothing a plate of pork knuckles wouldn’t fix. Easy to fill your belly here, if you’ve got the coin for it.
The sun goes down and you head back inside. You start swinging your drink and singing along to the sound of oom-pah music.
Soon you’re dancing on the benches with a dozen friendly locals…

Cheeky: Two guys peck a girl in a Dirndl at
Oktoberfest Munich. Pic: © DPA

How it started

Munich’s Oktoberfest originated in 1810 as a horse race to celebrate royal wedding. But everyone apparently enjoyed the drinking a lot more, and had such a great time they decided to do it all again the following year.

The horse race is now part of history but the beer certainly isn’t and neither are those willing to drink it. Oktoberfest (with a k, not Octoberfest) is officially the world’s biggest party drawing about six million visitors a year to southern Germany.

The action takes place on Munich’s fairgrounds, (offically called the Theresienwiese, informally, d'Wiesn), south-west of the city’s Main Train Station.

Festive atmosphere: A group of good-looking ladies in traditional Oktoberfest dresses share a few drinks at the Munich Oktoberfest. Pic: © Reuters

When to go to Oktoberfest Munich

Woof: No-one’s excluded from
the festivities – even some
dogs dress up for the
Oktoberfest Munich 2012. Pic: © DPA

Oktoberfest 2012 starts on Saturday, September 22 and finishes on Sunday, October 7.

There’s often a mad rush to find a seat before the beer starts flowing at 10am (9am on weekends).

There’s a costume parade and a gay party on the first Sunday. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends, especially around lunchtime.

Which tent to pick

Most of the drinking is done in the 14 big beer “tents” - actually big wooden halls. You can reserve tables through www.oktoberfest.de but most sell out months in advance.

The festivities officially start in the Schottenhamel tent and often reach their rowdiest in the Hacker (Heaven of Bavaria).
The bright red Hippodrom tent near the main entrance can’t be missed: It’s the place to see and be seen among Munich’s hipper, younger, set.

The Hofbräu tent is famed for pulling far more tourists than locals, the Augustiner might be the best for Bavarian authenticity and the Löwenbräu becomes a good option when everywhere else is full.

Dressed to kill: It could be the world’s most elegant traditional costume - the Bavarian Dirndl. It comes in many different styles, as you’ll see at the Munich Oktoberfest 2012. Pic: © Reuters

Where to stay

Munich’s Thalkirchen Camping Ground could be the cheapest place to stay with tents available for just a few euros. There’s a small supermarket on site, regular buses to the Wiesen and a 24-hour party ambience during Oktoberfest. It’s at Zentralländstr. 49, Munich.

A handful of good hostels sit just south of the main train station, about a 15 minute stagger back from the Wiesn. Check out Jaeger’s www.jaegershotel.de for its friendly bar or the top-rated Wombat’s www.wombats-hostels.com. Both are in Senefelder Strasse.

What to wear to Oktoberfest 2012

Practically anything goes, but for an extra layer of fun consider kitting out like a local. For guys, a pair of Lederhosen leather shorts start from €120. For gals, a traditional Dirndl dress cost upwards of about €100.

Tip: When worn correctly Dirndls also reveal the wearers’ availability. Look just above the apron: If there’s a bow on the right she’s taken.
A bow on the left means she’s still to be had, and a bow bang on the front marks a virgin.

What to eat and drink

Spirits up: A group of friends
in Bavarian costume at
the Munich Oktoberfest. Pic: © DPA

Beer! The amber fluid is served exclusively in one litre glass mugs, called Maß (mass) that cost about €8.60. The beer is slowly brewed through the summer and packs a six-percent alcoholic punch. For a change, try the beery-lemonade mixture called Radler, or head out to the wine tent.

Food is everywhere at Oktoberfest Munich. Popular picks are grilled chicken (Hendl), pork knuckles (Schweinshaxe) and giant pretzels (Breze).
The huge hearts half the girls hang around their necks are made of gingerbread. For the daring there’s the Ox (Osche).

What to say - Oktoberfest Munich essential phrases

To help you along, I’ve compiled a list of essential phrases every visitor should consider learning for Oktoberfest 2012 . If anybody can report using the one about the meadow full of cows successfully, I’ll happily buy them a Maß.

A few more Oktoberfest Munich pictures...

Looking good: Cute Oktoberfest girls in Dirndls pose for the camera at
the Munich festival. Pic: © AFP

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Oktoberfest Munich index

Oktoberfest picture galleries

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Oktoberfest tips and tales

▪ Oktoberfest beds - Find your bed before they're all sold out - again!


▪ The Münchner Kindl - What's this girl got to do with the beer fest?

▪ Your Oktoberfest stories - Got a story about a visit to the Munich Oktoberfest? Or have you been to a similar festival elsewhere in the world? Tell us about it!
Go here to contribute and check out other readers' tipsy tales.

What's on and when to go

▪ Oktoberfest parades - Take a walk on the wild side. The parades at Oktoberfest Munich.

Slur along

What to wear to Oktoberfest?

▪ Traditional German lederhosen - An exploration of leather pants.
(More photos at Bavarian lederhosen photos).

Good to know - essential festival info

▪ Oktoberfest lost and found - Angel wings, wedding rings and other strange things.

Beyond the Munich Oktoberfest

▪ Oktoberfest clipart Need Oktoberfest clip art? Here's the best place to look.
▪ Oktoberfest archives Where the older stories are shelved.