Oktoberfest Party Ideas: How to Celebrate Oktoberfest at Home

Oktoberfest is one of the biggest global festivals of the autumn. This lively event is filled with food, music and celebration (and a whole lot of German beer!) And if you want to join the party this year, this guide will show you how to celebrate Oktoberfest at home!

In this guide you will find all the resources you need to throw your own Oktoberfest celebration. Including traditional German recipes, beer, music playlists and decor. Get ready to discover how to celebrate Oktoberfest at home this year.

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About Oktoberfest

Before we delve into how to celebrate Oktoberfest at home, here is a brief history of Oktoberfest including how and why it is celebrated.

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest. A Volksfest is a combination of a beer festival and a travelling funfair. It runs between 16-18 days from mid-September until the first Sunday in October. Annually, it is attended by than six million people from around the world.

Why is Oktoberfest Celebrated?

The very first Oktoberfest celebration took place over 200 years ago. It was on 12th October 1810. The day marked the celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

These royals knew how to throw a party! The celebrations lasted for days and comprised of drinking and feasting. The celebration remains fairly similar today!

What Happens at Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest has a reputation as an event of excessive drinking. And it is true that the beer tents are a huge attraction at the event, but there is a whole lot more to Oktoberfest than just the beer! Oktoberfest is also an opportunity to enjoy some popular German food, listen to traditional Bavarian music and experience the thrills of a travelling funfair!

How to Celebrate Oktoberfest at Home

Today, you can find several Oktoberfest celebrations taking place around the world. If you are wondering how to celebrate Oktoberfest at home this year, here is everything you need to know about hosting an Oktoberfest party!

What Foods Are Traditionally Eaten at Oktoberfest?

Food is the main event at any party or celebration, and Oktoberfest is no different. A variety of foods are served at Oktoberfest every year including chicken, pork, ham, fish and more. Here are three traditional German recipes that you can cook up to celebrate Oktoberfest at home.

Currywurst Recipe

Currywurst is Germany’s favourite fast food. Smokey and spicy, it is the ultimate German comfort food dish. Combined with the fact it is super easy to make, this makes currywurst the ideal Oktoberfest dish!

Currywurst is commonly served with French fries. Like most comfort foods, a side of salty carbs is what is needed to go alongside it! Alternatively, you may choose to serve currywurst with a bread bun on the side instead.

German Pretzel Recipe

Want something to go on the side? Traditional German pretzels are a great Oktoberfest staple to soak up that beer!

Pretzels have become a popular snack around the globe and can be found in a variety of forms. But their deepest roots can be found in Germany, where they have been a key part of traditional German baking for centuries.

You will need to set aside some time to make your pretzels ahead of your Oktoberfest party. Baking pretzels using the traditional German method takes some time and patience, but this delicious snack will be well worth the time you invest.

Lebkuchen Recipe

And of course, you don’t want to forget about dessert!

Lebkuchen is a honey-sweetened German cake that is similar to gingerbread. It has become a popular treat at Oktoberfest and Christmas celebrations.

Lebkuchen is easily recognizable as it is often cut into large heart shapes and decorated with colourful icing.

This sweet treat is a delicious addition to your Oktberfest celebrations, and you can make your own with this simple recipe.

German Beer for Oktoberfest

German beer is obviously an essential part of all Oktoberfest celebrations. So, make sure you stock up! And don’t forget your German steins!

Beer is a big part of German culture. Beer in Germany is brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot, which is a regulation limiting the ingredients in beer. This means their beer is brewed using only water, hops, and malt.

Did you know? During the 16-day festival in 2013, 7.7 million litres of beer were served at the Oktoberfest celebration!

What Music is Played at Oktoberfest?

Now the food and drink are sorted, you’re going to want to cue the music. Oktoberfest traditionally features a Bavarian oompah band, but over the years the celebration has evolved to incorporate many other types of music too.

Some of the most popular songs to be played in Oktoberfest beer tents include:

• Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
• Liechtensteiner Polka
• Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit
• Hey Baby by Bruce Channel
• So Ein Schoner Tag (Fliegerlied)
• Angels by Robbie Williams
• 99 Luftballons by Nena
• Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

But in keeping with tradition, here is a brass music playlist of classics to help you celebrate Oktoberfest in true German style.

What to Wear at Oktoberfest

If you’re going to celebrate Oktoberfest at home, you’re still going to need to look the part! Dressing up in traditional dirndl or lederhosen is a big part of the Oktoberfest celebrations. You’ll feel out of place if you don’t look the part! But don’t worry, it’s easy enough to purchase your costume online, wherever you are in the world.

Get Your Oktoberfest Essentials

So, with music and food taken care of, you don’t want to overlook your Oktoberfest decor. Amazon have a huge supply of Oktoberfest accessories and essentials to fully embrace the Oktoberfest celebrations.

Here are just a few of my favourite pieces:

Plan an Oktoberfest Trip

If you really want to celebrate Oktoberfest, why not plan a trip to experience the real thing? Most Oktoberfest celebrations have been cancelled for 2021, but that gives you a great head start on planning a trip for 2022!

Here are all the resources you will need if you are planning an Oktoberfest trip.

Oktoberfest Munich

Although Oktoberfest celebrations take place around the world today, the biggest festival takes place in the home of the first celebration, Munich. So, if you want to experience the real deal, it’s time to start planning your German trip!

Book Your Trip

If you’re ready to book your trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, here is a quick-reference link of all the resources you will need to book all your travel essentials. From flights, to hotels, to tours and insurance, all in one convenient place!

• Find flights to Munich with Google Flights
• Book affordable accommodation in Munich with TripAdvisor or Booking.com
• Want someone else to do the hard work? Book a Munich package with EasyJet Holidays
• Get travel insurance from Coverwise
• Hire a car through Travel Supermarket
• Never pay international payment fees again with a debit card from Currensea that works with your existing bank account.
• Book a tour of Munich with Get Your Guide or Viatour

Where to Stay in Munich

If you’re planning a visit to Munich for Oktoberfest, here are some of the top accommodation options depending on your budget. Keep in mind, many hotels in the city will inflate their prices during Oktoberfest due to the popularity of the event.

Luxury Accommodation in Munich

If you want to indulge in a luxury stay in Munich, relexa hotel München is the ideal location. This modern hotel is just a short walk from the Oktoberfest celebrations. And while this hotel is quite the splurge, you’ll be able to enjoy a large, comfortable room and gigantic bed!

Mid-Range Accommodation in Munich

If you would prefer mid-range accommodation in Munich, Eden Hotel Wolff gives you great value for a reasonable price. The hotel is conveniently located next to Munich Central Station with many public transport options nearby. The rooms offer a combination of classic and modern styles, and spa facilities are available.

Budget Accommodation in Munich

Hotels in Munich always come at a premium price during the Oktoberfest celebrations. But if you want to save money on your hotel room, either Ibis München City Arnulfpark or Novotel München City are slightly cheaper options. They are located slightly further away, but have easy public transport connections. Both hotels boast comfortable rooms and modern amenities.

Things to do in Munich

Celebrating Oktoberfest is just one of the many things to do in Munich. Check out the city guide below to discover some of the top things to do in Munich on your visit.

Before You Go

So, if you’ve found this guide to how to celebrate Oktoberfest useful and you’re ready to start planning your own Oktoberfest celebration be sure to bookmark this page or pin it using the pin below.

Are you planning an Oktoberfest celebration this year? Or have you ever visited Oktoberfest in Munich? I’d love to hear about your Oktoberfest experiences! Tell me about them in the comments!

Until our next adventure,

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