Oktoberfest is a famous traditional festival originating in Munich, Germany. While it started as a royal wedding celebration in 1810, it has since become one of the world’s largest and most famous folk festivals.

It is typically held annually from late September to the first Sunday in October. The festival is renowned for its large beer tents, where visitors enjoy a variety of traditional Bavarian beers, along with music, folk dances, colorful costumes, and traditional Bavarian foods such as pretzels, sausages, and roast chicken.

If you can’t make it to Munich, you can create a Bavarian inspired celebration at home for friends. Here are some ideas for an Oktoberfest party.

Ideas for an Oktoberfest Party

1. Traditional Bavarian Decor

• Set up wooden barrels or crates as tables
• Use blue and white checkered tablecloths and banners
• Hang pretzel and beer-themed garlands

2. German Food & Drinks

• Serve bratwurst, pretzels, sauerkraut, and schnitzel
• Offer a variety of German beers, steins, and cider
• Include German desserts like Black Forest cake and apple strudel

3. Beer Tasting

• Set up a variety of German beers for tasting

4. Costume Contest

• Encourage guests to dress in Lederhosen, Dirndls and Bavarian hats
• Have a costume contest with prizes for the best outfits

5. Photo Booth

• Create a photo corner with props like hats, mustaches and beer mugs
• Set up a backdrop with Bavarian village scenes

6. Beer Stein Painting Station

• Set up a craft area where guests can decorate their own beer steins or mugs

7. Pretzel Station

• Set up a station where guests can make or decorate their own pretzels or German cookies
• Offer a range of pretzel types, such as classic soft pretzels, pretzel sticks and bite-sized pretzels

8. Music

• Set up a playlist with traditional German folk music and polkas
• Hire a local band or DJ to play traditional Bavarian folk music

9. Dance & Karaoke

• Host a dance-off featuring traditional dances
• Include a karaoke session with German and popular party songs
• Mix traditional folk tunes with popular German hits to keep guests dancing all night

10. Fun Games and Activities

• Steinholding contest
• Beer stein relay race
• Hammerschlagen
• Cornhole
• Bavarian-themed quiz
• Yodeling challenge

Image by Pierre Gui / Unsplash