It’s a bummer that the official Oktoberfest has been cancelled during your semester abroad, but don’t worry – Oktoberfest is arguably the most famous festival in the world, and the organizers and community in Munich don’t plan on letting it disappear.
This year, rather than feeling you’ve missed out on Oktoberfest, you’ll have an even more unique experience that most people will never get to have. So, how can you celebrate Oktoberfest 2021 like a true Bavarian?
Grab Your Traditional Garments
The first thing you should do when you arrive in Munich is get the right costume. Oktoberfest is famous for its traditional attire – the dirndl, usually worn by women, and lederhosen, usually worn by men. You can find your dirndl or lederhosen all over Munich during Oktoberfest season (or snag yours straight from us for a massive discount!)
Hit the Beer Halls
The traditional Oktoberfest fairgrounds are currently playing host to Covid testing centers, but don’t worry – as fun as those massive tents are, we promise you won’t miss them. The alternative is arguably more traditional and charming. This year, spend your Oktoberfest in Munich’s beautiful historic beer halls, the very places where Oktoberfest was born. Party to your heart’s content surrounded by happy revelers, lively tunes and history.
Explore Munich, Your Lovely Host City
One of the upsides of the official festival being cancelled is that you can visit places in Munich you might not have time to see otherwise. See architectural feats like the Nymphenburg Palace and Munich Residenz (which also make great Instagram spots), have a picnic with your friends in the gorgeous English Garden, or learn the origins of Oktoberfest at the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum. A dose of Munich’s vibrant culture will help round out the perfect Oktoberfest experience.
Head to Local Pubs & Restaurants
This year, Munich bars and restaurants are coming together to provide a unique Oktoberfest for locals and visitors alike. Visit Munich’s beloved restaurants and pubs which will be decorated in the style of the famous tents and feature live traditional music. Here, you can try culinary staples like Bratwurst and Schweinebraten. Wash it all down with a pint (or four) of delicious local ale, and you’ll be ready to partake in the inevitable dancing and revelry.
Visit a Beer Garden
You can’t visit Munich without experiencing the magic of a Bavarian beer garden. A beer garden is an open-air oasis where you can drink, dance, feast, and mingle with your fellow beer-lovers, all in a beautiful outdoor setting. Don’t worry about the autumn chill, because most of these gardens have heaters aplenty to keep you warm while you party. For our personal favorite, head to the English Gardens and discover their beautiful beer garden, Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm (Beer Garden at the Chinese Tower.)
Become a Beer Pong Champion
What better way to celebrate a beer festival than a game of beer pong? Our Oktoberfest experiences are traditional with a twist, so we’ve thrown in a bit of healthy competition to keep everyone on their toes. Team up with your friends and battle it out against other abroad students for the very special (secret) grand prize.
As you can see, there is plenty to do in Munich besides the official Oktoberfest. The community in Munich is working hard this year to keep the tradition alive and welcome beer-lovers from around the world. To join in the fun, check out our Oktoberfest weekend package here. And before booking, don’t forget to contact us for an exclusive promo code to save big time on our trips!
