Oktoberfest: how do different countries celebrate?
Oktoberfest kicked off last Saturday for its two week celebration of German culture, beer, and bratwurst, and will continue into the month of October!
Originating in Munich, Germany, around 6 million people join in on the festival each year, so we were interested to understand how different countries celebrate Oktoberfest, and the importance of this lengthy celebration in these regions.
Let’s take a look!
Germany
If we are going to start anywhere, it has to be Germany.
Oktoberfest has returned after a 2-year hiatus in Munich, delayed due to the pandemic.
Besides the obvious intake of beer, traditions of Bavarian music, open-air performances, a grand entry and parades, vendor tents, carnival rides, a shooting competition, and traditional German outfits are celebrated during the two weeks.
Fun fact: Oktoberfest has been cancelled 24 times in it’s 200 years of running!
However, this is just scratching the surface of the festivities! Check out the official events of the festival to find out more.
UK
London launched their first Oktoberfest in 2011, with 50,000 guests returning each year!
This year’s plans include live music and full blue and white Oktoberfest decoration at the central London venue, and the festivities even run into Halloween and November so that nobody misses out.
It’s not too late to join in on the fun! General admission tickets are as low as £5, so make sure to check out the Oktoberfest activities in London.
Netherlands
Unfortunately for our friends in the Netherlands, Oktoberfest has been cancelled!
The Dutch Oktoberfest website said that “with us, nothing is too crazy” suggesting that the event has tendencies to get pretty wild!
We are keeping our fingers crossed for a 2023 celebration.
Spain
Taking place in Barcelona at the Plaza Universo, Spain will be respecting classic German culture as their own take of Oktoberfest “is mimicking the original festival of Munich with the stands, activities and entertainment having the touch of German culture. Polka bands in traditional German costumes and DJs will be providing the music for the event.”
Denmark
The fun will begin in Copenhagen – the largest Oktoberfest in Denmark! Taking place over two weekends, all within September.
Enjoy free entrance, and “bring colleagues, friends or customers and experience a great Bavarian night – just like in Munich.” You can expect to find waitresses and waiters dressed in Dirndl and Lederhosen, all to be located at Femøren, Amager Strand in a 2650 m2 big tent.
The Denmark Oktoberfest is also offering great packages for companies to bring along their colleagues. What a fun team day out opportunity!
Norway
Kicking off on the 13th of October, Oktoberfest is based in Oslo at the Youngstorget venue, where those attending will be able to enjoy “the sound of our Tyrolean Orchestra ‘Ronald Schnipfelgrüber Tyrolerkapelle’ filling the tent daily, while you and your friends sit side by side and experience a true Bavarian atmosphere with Scandinavia’s biggest Oktoberfest.”
For Norway, the food will be the star of the show as you can feast on a range of different sharing platters, consisting of pork knuckles, wurst, neck chops, chicken, sauerkraut, and potato salad to name a few.
USA
Finally, Oktoberfest is surprisingly big in the US and celebrated across various states, including Ohio, Washington, Georgia, and Arizona as it is said that “America’s rich history of immigration over the centuries has comprised a large number of German settlers – a trend that has given rise to Oktoberfest celebrations across the nation.”
To keep with tradition, they all follow authentic activities that are enjoyed in Munich every year, including the classic food and drink options and non-stop entertainment. Another interesting addition is the organisation of a drop-in ‘Kinderplatz’ to entertain and look after your little ones during the festivities – something we haven’t seen in other countries!
It’s great to see the differences between the Oktoberfest celebrations across Europe and the US, but as you can already tell – there are also a lot of similarities. If something isn’t broken – don’t change it!
Oktoberfest is said to be the most famous festival in the world, which is why so many countries decide to take part in the festivities and put their own spin on the annual event.
Will you be attending any of the above events?