An American's Perspective on Surviving Oktoberfest

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is one of the world’s most popular annual festivals held in Munich, Germany. Although the festival has “October” in its name, the festivities start earlier, around mid-September, and end on the first Sunday of October. The festival dates back to 1810, when it was created to celebrate a royal wedding and welcome Munich's citizens to participate in this yearly tradition.

But something tells us you're not here for a history lesson. You're here to learn the best way to plan your visit and how to maximize your experience. We at the Edge are happy to be your guide in navigating all things Oktoberfest!

What to Wear?

One of the traditions that makes Oktoberfest stand out is the outfits. Guests are encouraged to wear traditional German clothing. Women wear a dirndl, and men wear lederhosen.

It's debatable whether it’s worth buying these clothes for a single day. An authentic garment can cost up to 200 dollars, which is out of most travelers' budgets and can feel too expensive for one day.

You can rent a dirndl or lederhosen before you head to Munich, so you won't have to stress about finding these outfits on the day. One rental shop a writer at the Edge used and recommends is Lederhosen. They offer full, authentic outfits that you can have delivered to your hotel/hostel or pick up and drop off at their store.

However, if renting isn't your style, many stores throughout Munich sell dirndls and lederhosen for around 50 euros. They might not be 100% traditional, but they will look stylish and help you fit right into the festivities. The best part is that you get to keep them and take them home, and brag at your next Oktoberfest party that your outfit is from Germany. An in-person store recommendation is Lederhosen & Dirndl Outlet München, which offers a more affordable and authentic outfit.

Common Myths

During planning, rumors may go around about how to successfully conquer Oktoberfest. One myth you will hear about is tickets. I remember panicking after hearing about people buying tickets. Rest assured that there is no ticket or entry fee to enter the main grounds or beer tents.

Another rumor that may go around is that you need to reserve a table in one of the beer tents in order to get a spot. As a visitor, you don't need to reserve anything, since that costs extra money. While you may think the entire festival fills up immediately, if you get there before it opens, you will most likely get a spot.

Another popular rumor that may be going around, but isn't necessarily true, is camping in tents outside the festival to secure a spot at the front of the line and guarantee a table. People often camp in tents the night before the festival because it's inexpensive and can help you beat the crowd. However, this is definitely not the end-all, be-all way to secure your spot. Staying at a hotel or hostel will not put you at a disadvantage and may feel safer and more comfortable as a visitor to Germany.

Getting ready in Munich

In the tents, servers will almost always only accept euros for drinks and food. We recommend stopping by an ATM in Germany at least a day before the event to withdraw your comfortable amount of euros. Many independent ATMs abroad take a larger percentage when you withdraw, which is why we recommend using a bank ATM, as they are usually fairer.

Set a few alarms the morning of, as the recommended time to line up is no later than 8:00 AM. Wear comfortable shoes as you will spend most of the day on your feet (not jumping up on the tables). Pack a small bag with your personal essentials. Make sure to stay close to your friends in line because when the festival opens, the rush can make reuniting next to impossible.

You made it, now what?

Once you have made it to Oktoberfest, the most important part begins: having fun! Take as many pictures as you can to capture these memories. Try your best to pace yourself with the drinks, as the day is longer than you can imagine and the glasses are probably the size of your head. Besides the tents, there are rides, history, and food to try out.

We at The Edge wish you the best on your Oktoberfest journey! If you have any fun photos, please share them @theedgemag

Thumbnail: Sam Pascale