Oktoberfest in Munich, the world's most famous beer festival, takes place every year in September and October; here are the exact dates of Oktoberfest and the opening hours of all Oktoberfest beer tents and fun rides.
Dates of Oktoberfest:
2011: September 17 - October 3
2012: September 22 - October 7
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When is Oktoberfest - Dates and Opening Hours
Does anyone know how many people come to Munich for the Beer Festival every year? Maybe there is a chart showing if the numbers vary from year to year, someplace on the internet? If someone finds one before I do, would you post a link to it here. 😊
Reply to this I won't go, I've never gone, and I'll never go. There are beer fests all over Germany, at most of them you get better value for your money, less pretentiousness, less crowds, no aggressive security. It's for tourists who think they'll be experiencing the real Germany there.
Reply to this Judging by the blogs comming in, there are at least 2 TravelBloggers at the Munich Beer Festival.Maybe they are having too good a time, or too drunk to post on this thread, so I will post a couple of photos by them. 😉
Despite that I live in Munich, I dont go to the beer festival, for the same reasons as Jens describes in Msg 2. There are lots of beer gardens in Germany, where you can sit at a table with your own picnic and buy a drink to go with it. It is an inexpensive and relaxing way to spend a Sunday, unlike what a visit to the beer festival would be. I would likely be thrown out for not drinking my beer fast enough. Getting a lot of overpriced beer into people is generally the main aim of the beer festival staff.
Reply to this Um! There hasn't even been any drunk posting from TravelBloggers, even though the blogs comming in prove they are here in Munich, at the beer festival.
I will post some of their pics for them. 😊
Reply to this We've talked about going to Oktoberfest for years and have not made it yet. Poor planning I guess. We have some relatives who celebrated New Year's in a beer garden in Germany a couple of years ago and said it was a grand time. I assume Oktoberfest is a larger celebration than the NY's festivities?
I'm not sure that I agree with Jens that it is just for the tourists. We have several German friends in the states and they have planned their trips back to the homeland about this festival. It is an easy way for them to get several people together. But---even if it were I would still want to go at least once. I'm intrigued by the event and look forward to going.
Reply to this I assume Oktoberfest is a larger celebration than the NY's festivities?
Traditionally, it is a celebration of the harvest. I think, it used to be a small community affair of farmers celebrating, in the old days.
I'm not sure that I agree with Jens that it is just for the tourists.
It is a big deal, for a lot of people living here in Munich too. They must spend hundreds of Euros on it every year.
But---even if it were I would still want to go at least once. I'm intrigued by the event and look forward to going.
Be sure to book your hotel and table in a tent as early as possible. Price go up, and accomodation and table in the tents get booked up way in advance. And, be sure to let me know when you are here, so we can have a coffee together or something. 😊
Reply to this In response to: Msg #144284
Mel,
Honestly, I'm not sure I'm going to be drinking coffee at the Oktoberfest...but I understand what you are saying. I'll let you know when we are coming!
Who knows-- maybe next year. Future travel is uncertain at this point.
Reply to this Those who are currently enjoying the beer festival, will also be enjoying the weather. Yesterday was the warmest 1st October in Munich ever recorded. People in the city were wearing shorts and t-shirts when I was in the center of Munich yesterday. Not a winter coat or even a sweater in sight. 😊
Reply to this Ohhh I wish I could be!! I have always wanted to go there, hopefully I'll make it to Germany in the next couple years after south america and asia!
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