How to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich

Posted by Anonymous , 9/5/2007 Tags:CelebrateOktoberfestMunich
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How to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich

Introduction

Munich's very first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate the royal wedding of Ludwig I of Bavaria. Today, the Oktoberfest in Munich is renowned as being the world's largest kegger. The annual 16-day beer festival officially kicks off in the Schottenhamel beer tent when the mayor of Munich shouts the traditional words, "O' sapft is!" while tapping the first keg of beer on opening day. In addition to having more than 14 beer tents and festival halls, the famous Oktoberfest grounds are filled with over 200 sideshows, carnival rides and other amusements.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Enjoy Oktoberfest in Munich

Steps

1

Step One

Arrive early on the third Saturday of September to see the traditional Weis'n' publicans opening ceremony parade that runs down the Schwanthaler Strasse towards the Theresienwiese.
2

Step Two

Visit the Oktoberfest grounds, commonly referred to as the Weis'n', each Tuesday from noon until 6 p.m. for Family Day.
3

Step Three

Use Munich's sophisticated public transportation system, MVV, to get to and from the event. The integrated network consists of trams, buses, underground U-Bahn trains and street-going S-Bahn trains.
4

Step Four

Book hotel reservations in Munich's downtown village-like district to experience many of the city's cultural attractions while also enjoying short commutes to the Oktoberfest grounds.
5

Step Five

Stroll down the Budenstrasse, meaning Avenue of Booths, where you'll find a variety of sponsored booths that sell souvenirs, traditional foods and drinks and feature games of skill for prizes.
6

Step Six

Learn to say the phrase, "Eins, zwei, drei, g'suffa," which is German for "One, two, three, drink!"
7

Step Seven

Celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich by joining others in singing beer drinking songs from across the world. One popular beer chant that originated in Northern Germany goes, "Zicke-Zicka, Zicke-Zicka, Hoi, Hoi, Hoi!"
8

Step Eight

Participate in one of the festival's many beer drinking games or similar skill events such as the beer keg tapping competition or the empty keg toss.
9

Step Nine

Attend one of the festival's unique parades such as the Grand Entry of the Landlords and Breweries Parade or the Costume and Riflemen's Parade and celebrate the pageantry of Munich's Oktoberfest.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • Prepare a survival kit that includes a map of the Weis'n' grounds and emergency phone numbers for Oktoberfest Lost and Found, Lost Children, Police and Red Cross.
  • Although the festival is called Oktoberfest, the event in Munich actually takes place in September because the weather conditions during Bavarian autumns is very unpredictable.
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