Oktoberfest Munich, Germany: Things to do and Attractions (Besides Beer that is...)

Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany is the largest beer festival in the world! But did you know that besides beer guzzling and more beer guzzling, there are actually alot of festivities and fringe activities all around the festival arena? In this post, we will show you the things to do and attractions at Oktoberfest Germany in Munich!

Interesting facts about Oktoberfest Germany

Did you know…

1. Oktoberfest DOES NOT start in October! Oktoberfest usually starts in the last week of September and ends in the first week of October. If you visit Munich somewhere in mid to end October thinking that you can catch the Oktoberfest, you’ll be in for a huge disappointment!

2. In 2013, Oktoberfest will be celebrating its 180th Beer festival! Although Oktoberfest was first started in 1810, there have been several festivals that were cancelled due to epidemics and war.

3. Oktoberfest is not only the largest beer festival in the world. It is THE LARGEST FESTIVAL in the world (beer left out in this sentence). Besides the 14 large beer tents (including famous brews such as Hofbrau, Lowenbrau and Augustiner), there are also 21 smaller tents selling their specialities such as roasted chicken (and beer of course). But there’s more to the 42 hectares (can you believe the size?!) Theresienwiese Oktoberfest area. There are MANY fringe activities such as games, rides and food that caters to the entire family!

Beer guzzling and more beer guzzling

Oktoberfest gives people an impression that it is a beer festival. It sure is the biggest beer festival in the world. With millions of visitors all over the world drinking and guzzling millions more litres of beer each year, it is no wonder that people only think about beer at Oktoberfest.

Lowenbrau and its moving (and growling) lion (at Oktoberfest)

Throngs of people in the Oktoberfest beer tents - in the middle of the day! — Throngs of people in the Oktoberfest beer tents – in the middle of the day!

Lining the Tummy – Oktoberfest Food!

Many a beer drinker would advise that you line your tummy with fatty foods before you hit the beer tents. There are indeed many variety of food available at Oktoberfest. Here are some of the foods we’ve tried!

One of the fattiest street snack you can find at Oktoberfest has got to be the pork knuckle sandwich! The skin is crispy and flavourful while the fatty bits beneath gives you the lining that you need to survive the beer festival! While you’re trying out the street foods, why not give the crispy schnitzel burger a try as well?

At Oktoberfest, there are many tents selling roasted chicken. Tender, moist and well marinated, the roasted smell of the chicken can really attract its customers!

Do try the desserts at Oktoberfest, the waffle and apple pie were, “oh so good!”. Ask Kate and she’ll tell ya!

Have you seen anything like that? - A full grown pig being roasted at Oktoberfest — Have you seen anything like that? – A full grown pig being roasted at Oktoberfest

Crispy Pork Schnitzel Burger (Oktoberfest Munich)

Moist & tender Roasted Chicken with vege stuffing

Huge Pretzels anyone? (Oktoberfest Augustiner Beer Tent)

Freshly baked crispy fluffy waffle with sugar icing - Yum! (Oktoberfest Munich Germany) — Freshly baked crispy fluffy waffle with sugar icing – Yum! (Oktoberfest Munich Germany)

Apple Strudel at Oktoberfest Germany Munich

Fun rides for the entire family!

As we have mentioned, there are many other games and rides at Oktoberfest. Games would include throwing balls or rings to win prizes. Or simply using a huge hammer to see if the indicator hits the bell at the top. Besides the game stalls, there are many other exciting rides at Oktoberfest!

Crazy ride at Oktoberfest - with 3 axis of spin — Crazy ride at Oktoberfest – with 3 axis of spin

Olympia Loop - A roller coaster ride! at Oktoberfest — Olympia Loop – A roller coaster ride! at Oktoberfest

Besides the crazy rides for the thrill seekers, there’s also a section of the fair dedicated to kids to have some fun of their own. Train rides for kids and slides are also available at Oktoberfest!