(Beware – this is a picture heavy post… You have been warned!!)
There are plenty of things that you should know about Oktoberfest if you want to look like a seasoned visitor, or perhaps even a local (at a stretch). The following might help…
1) Do not stand up on a bench with a bier in your hand. A lesson learned by Mr R last Saturday, at a gathering with a group of friends (sans enfants obviously) in the Armbrustschutzen Festhalle… Stuck at the end of a bench – and in an effort to swap places with the person opposite, he stood up. I will never get over the look of horror on his face when it dawned on him that the thousands of people (and this is no exaggeration, the place was packed and it fits 7,500!) suddenly cheering, were doing so for him – in anticipation of him downing his entire Maß (a litre) in one… He managed it, but he won’t be repeating that mistake in a hurry!
2) You could avoid the main festival altogether, and head for the much more family friendly Oide Wiesn (Old Oktoberfest – held on the same site!) instead, for a day filled with traditions, plenty of nostalgia, and quite hysterical signage.
And this was how we spent Sunday with the Small People – their first ever Oktoberfest visit in the (almost) 3 years that we have been here (we usually opt to take them to the quieter Fruhlingsfest instead!)
From what I can gather (and for those in the know – do correct me if I am wrong) the Oide Wiesn started back in 2010 on the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest. The organisers were planning on holding it every seven years (they like seven year things here) but it proved so popular that it is held every year, and to think of the thousands of Oktoberfest tourists that just walk straight past!
It’s also the only place on the entire site where you can still buy a Maß for just under €10, and with most of the traditional rides and attractions costing a bargain €1 each, it’s not hard to understand why it’s so popular… Some of these have to be seen to be believed too! Our particular favourites were The Caterpillar (hailing from 1926), featuring a bright green hood that covers the carriages a minute or so before the ride ends – complete with big sign above from a more innocent time that reads “kisses allowed”…
Just beyond the sweetest (and oldest) shooting gallery I have ever seen lies The Velodrome, a festhalle complete with a centre with wonky bikes to ride. A friend of mine watched an incredibly elderly gentleman glide past everyone else as they were busy falling off. From what we could see on Sunday, it was just everyone falling off.
And when you’ve had your fill of historical rides, and traditional attractions (they are always so sweet with children at these things by the way – letting them “cheat”, and always handing over small prizes whatever the outcome!) then there are several traditional bier tents to relax in where it actually feels a little like going back in time. As much fun as the huge main Oktoberfest tents can be, these ones are definitely more “civilised” at times, as there aren’t so many of the usual “bier visitors” in evidence, and unlike the others there is usually traditional dancing etc. too.
Our day at the Oide Wiesn began bright and early in the thick fog of a morning, in order to retrieve our car parked nearby the day before. And although it was torturous getting up, it worked in our favour as we didn’t have to queue to get in (entrance is €3 but that comes with a wrist band allowing you to come and go as you please – and it really is worth the paltry fee!). As the morning progressed and the sun came out, so did the crowds, and it wasn’t long before we were beginning to pine for a bit of space…
We made our way out, snaking through the crowds of the main festival, and heading up the steps past Bavaria herself (busy keeping an eye over the proceedings below) and then (thanks to a little tip from my friend Rachel at Arts in Munich), we cut through the woods behind, and on to the Augustiner Bier Garten for a steckerlfisch (barbecued mackerel in this instance), a couple of giant brezen, and absolutely no crowds whatsoever, for lunch.
It was definitely one of those blissful afternoons that will remain forever etched in the memory of our time here – if not for the odd conker clonk on the head from the canopy of horse chestnut trees above. And just in case you need to know such things, dirndl aprons make very good conker gathering implements apparently…
Oh that would be the October Fest for me! ‘Gentle’ vintage fairground rides, lots to photograph and not too much beer!! Beautiful photos as ever. x
Yes, it’s definitely more you Mum! :D xx
Brilliant! Poor Mr R….. did his head hurt afterwards? X
Thank you… He was fine luckily! :D xx
Had to laugh at your husband’s “mistake”… ;)
I am not a beer drinker but it would be fun to take the girls to the Oide Wiesn.
And it always confuses me that it is called “Oktoberfest” when it happens mainly during the month of September!!
Great pics, really showing the atmosphere. xx
It did start off in Oktober, but gradually over the years they moved it to September when the weather was supposed to be better! :D Thank you x
I’ve been chuckling ever since I heard of your husband’s faux-pas. I can just imagine how he felt…and you watching him, too.
These rides and stalls look so beautiful and traditional. Love the idea of the children being given treats…that’s never happened at fun fairs here.
Thank you Trish! We went last night, when standing on the bench is acceptable as everyone is dancing on them! He was quite relieved! :D
Ah, I love your picture heavy posts! Brilliant, as ever :)
Thanks so much Sarah! :) x
can’t quite believe it’s Oktoberfest time again! Where’s the year gone? Sounds like a lot of fun, especially the kids’ fair. You’ve obviously picked up some great tips over the 3 years…. a part from the not-standing-up-on-the-bench-with-a-litre-of-beer bit…! Wonderful photos, as always x
Thanks so much, the funny thing is, the standing on the bench thing is one of the first rules you probably learn when you’ve been once or twice, he just completely forgot! :D X
Gosh, how times flies, I remember seeing your posts about this last year, looks fab yet again. Mich x
Thank you Mich! :) x
I would’ve loved to see a pic of your husband’s face when he realised his error. Really great photos. You’re so clever. Love your new look blog too x
Thanks so much Rachel! :) x
well i never knew they had a family version too. i would actually die if i had to drink that much in one go!
Not that many people do! I almost feel guilty for writing about it! :D Thank you V. x
I like that not only did he stand up and have to drink it all but that it was filmed too lol. Thank you for all the tips as I really do want to go one year.
Thank you J! Whenever I have a “fed up” day, I am going to watch that film. It makes me laugh my head off every time I watch it!… The roar when he finished drinking it was quite something! :D
Nice. i always fancied attending and maybe one day i could. who knows when though….
Soon I hope Otilia! :) Thank you…
Another thing on the bucket list. I think I added it last year when you wrote about it actually. Love your photos as always.
Thank you so much R. :)
Sounds like a fabulous day, I adore all the vintage fairground pictures, so beautiful, and I want some of that gingerbread, and a giant pretzel please!
Would you believe me if I told you that quite often the pretzels taste nicer than the gingerbread hearts?!? Thank you Sonya! (:
I am absolutely in love with those vintage fairground rides!
Gorgeous aren’t they? There were a few more that I didn’t get pictures of sadly, next time! :) Thank you!
I SOOOO WANT TO GO! (excuse the shouting)
It’s definitely one of those things that you need to see at least once! Thanks Maggy! :)
Awww, Emma, Oktoberfest looks amazing and I love that there is a child friendly version. I think I could do with one of those aprons here :-)
Thanks Emma, it was a brilliant day. Have to wash that apron now somehow, but still!… :D
Haha! Poor Mr R…. The days when downing a litre of beer in one sounded like a fun challenge are long, long behind me….so thanks for the tip! Wonderful photos as always. x
I know right, I think he was thinking the same thing – until that happened! :D Thank you xx
Love the adventure of Mr R…classic! Great post!!!!
Thanks Leslie, still laughing about it! :D x
Oh i do love a good fair and festival
Thank you Becky, I think this is the biggest in the world of its kind! (: