Oktoberfest is the world’s largest German festival. More than six million people plan trips to Germany for Oktoberfest!

The festival began on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Today, it takes place every year in late September and early October in Munich. It’s full of Bavarian beer, treats, music, and dancing!

Oktoberfest 2021 has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns. As of right now, the festival is scheduled to resume in 2022 and we have Oktoberfest tour packages available.

One of the best parts of all our Oktoberfest tours is trying all kinds of traditional Bavarian foods. Here are some of the most common dishes to order on your Oktoberfest trip:

• Schweinebraten (roast pork). This classic Bavarian dish is made with a variety of pork cuts before being  roasted with beer and onions. Roast chicken is popular, too!
• Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick). It’s marinated, skewered, and grilled, and it’s delicious.
• Würstl (sausages). These classic Bavarian sausages pair perfectly with a stein of beer.
• Brezen (pretzels). You can’t go on an Oktoberfest tour without having at least one classic German soft pretzel! 
• Käsespätzle (cheese noodles). This savory dish is made with spätzle, a traditional egg noodle, and cottage cheese. It’s like mac and cheese, only German.
• Sauerkraut. This one doesn’t need an English translation because it’s that popular. This pickled cabbage side goes with pretty much any of the above.

Planning a trip to Oktoberfest? Here are the top things to know:

• Accommodations can be expensive and hard to find. We may be biased, but we always recommend choosing Oktoberfest travel packages that include accommodations. It takes the stress and inconvenience right out of the equation.
• Locals call it Wisen. So if you hear that term while on your Oktoberfest tour, just know it’s the same thing.
• Get there early. There are no tickets, so it’s first-come, first-serve to get in. Another benefit of choosing one of our Oktoberfest tour packages is that you won’t have to worry about admission!
• Bring cash. Most vendors do not accept cards. There are ATMs on-site, but they are always very busy and include lots of fees.
• Every tent is different. Each tent has a unique vibe and mood, and you may want to explore multiple tents to find one that you enjoy the most. It’s one of the best parts of any Oktoberfest tour package.
• It’s so much more than beer. While beer is a large part of the famed festival, there are also many other games, activities, foods, and even drinks to try!

Don’t forget your dirndl or lederhosen for our Oktoberfest group tours—seriously! Almost everyone at Oktoberfest wears traditional Bavarian attire. Don’t go with a Halloween costume, as it can come across as inappropriate. Go with the real thing.

Since you will be standing and walking a lot, be sure to pack comfortable shoes you don’t mind spilling beer on because, with the crowds and all the full steins of beer, you never know what could happen!