Guten Tag, and welcome to this week’s party guide! Today, we have a special, and perhaps a rather unique, one for you – an Oktoberfest party! Oktoberfest is that time of year when it’s socially acceptable (and even encouraged) to wear leather shorts, eat sausages, and drink Bier to your heart’s content! So, when is Oktoberfest in 2025? This year, it’s from the 20th of September to the 5th of October, so this is the best opportunity to get in one last hoorah before fall fully kicks in!
A Little Bit of Oktoberfest History
Oktoberfest began way back in 1810, in the city of Munich, to commemorate the marriage of Prince Ludwig (later to be known as King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen (try saying that ten times in a row). Back then, the festivities lasted about a week, finishing with a horse race! After a brief cancellation of the festival in 1813, it came back better than ever, occurring every year from 1819 onwards. Now it’s become one of the most exciting and famed festivals in the world!
Bring Your Best Bier Buddies
Time to really get into the party planning mode! Firstly, and obviously most importantly, is choosing which fine Damen and Herren (ladies and gentlemen) to Bier the night away with! Invite your best pals, your family members, and just about anyone with even a hint of German ancestry with themed invitations! This is an opportunity to spend time with those whom you might not get to see often, and that’s the true meaning of Oktoberfest.
Bavarian Backdrop
The Bavarian flag, which features white and blue stripes or a lozenge pattern, is an ideal baseline to begin your decoration planning. Snatch up some banners or signs that say “Willkommen” (which means “Welcome” in German) and personalize them any way you like! Hang up some garden lights to really bring out that ‘beer garden’ feel, and if you can find any old crates, barrels, or picnic tables, then you’ve got yourself a real backyard Oktoberfest!
Dirndls & Lederhosen: The Ultimate Oktoberfest Outfit
For any of you fans of The Sound of Music, it’s time to channel your inner von Trapp and don those Dirndls and Lederhosen! If you’re not in the mood to go out and buy a full-blown Oktoberfest costume, then a DIY approach is an ideal solution! All you need for a Lederhosen is a plaid shirt, some suspenders, and brown shorts. For a Dirndl, a skirt or dress with a blouse, a simple apron with a ribbon, and top it off with a belt or corset! And with that, you have outfits ready to rumble! You could even set up a little table with all the bits needed for your guests to hop into party-ready attire.
Oktoberfest Food and Beer: A Fiest Fit for the Biergarten
Now we’ve come to perhaps the most important part of the planning process: food and beer! We’d recommend laying out a few picnic tables with a variety of food and beverage options (topped with a festive tablecloth, naturally). Oktoberfest wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without some steins to fill with classic beer! Here are a few examples of food and beverage options to get you started:
Essen (Food):
- Pretzels
- Bratwurst
- Sauerkraut
- Spaetzle
- Apfelstrudel (apple strudel)
- Kartoffelsalat (potato salad)
Trinken (Drink):
- Bier
- Wein (wine)
- Spezi (mixture of cola & fizzy orange)
- Non-alcoholic and gluten-free options
- A range of juices with sparkling water
The Fest in Oktoberfest
Arguably, at this stage, people are going to be having a blast with all the delicious food and drinks laid out. But, it wouldn’t be a party without some tunes and games to keep those energy levels high. Bring out your speaker and play your favorite playlists or, better yet, play some oompah music! For those of you who don’t know, Oompah music is a brass-based Bavarian genre from the 19th century, known for its really jolly and rhythmic sound! And while your guests are frolicking away, you can set up some fun party games! Some of the most common games at a party like this are pretzel toss, a stein race, and a stein-holding contest! Check out this video to learn exactly how to do a stein holding contest and then show your guests! There’ll certainly be some tired arms by the end of it.
And with that, esteemed Damen and Herren, you’ve reached the end of today’s party guide! Oktoberfest is all about spending time with your family, friends, and meeting a whole new range of interesting people. So grab your steins, raise them up, and give a big Prost (cheers) to a great night of celebrations! Auf Wiedersen!
Adam L is a Content Specialist from Kerry, Ireland. His passions include going for long runs, video games, a love for animals, coffee, and travel!
