How did it start?

The original Oktoberfest in October 1810 was held in honour of the wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. For five full days, the burghers of Munich were invited to eat, drink and be merry, and enjoy parades involving kettle drums and music, shooting displays and a horse race around a meadow on the edge of town. Such a good time was had by all that it was decided to stage the race (and the accompanying indulgences) every year. There has been the occasional pause in proceedings (usually at times of war), but this year will mark the 182nd time Oktoberfest is held.

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Where is it held?

The main Oktoberfest is held on the original meadow, named, in honour of Ludwig’s bride, the Theresienwiese (shortened to the “Wiesn”), a short tram ride from the centre of Munich.

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The grand parade

The opening day of the festival is marked by a colourful parade of carriages, floats and people in a variety of costumes winding its way through the streets of Munich. The Costume und Riflemen’s Procession takes place on the first Sunday of Oktoberfest; a week later there’s the open-air big band concert. For a full programme follow this link.

The original Oktoberfest in October 1810 was held in honour of the wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen  Photo: GETTY

Is it really held in tents?

The structure erected to keep Ludwig and Therese out of the sun in 1810 may well have been a tent, but the vast ones used today are much more solid affairs with colourful façades, long wooden tables and benches, and frequently on more than one level. Some can hold up to 10,000 visitors.

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What’s the best time to go?

General hours are 10.00am to 10.30pm (from 9am on Saturdays and Sundays). It is pretty packed at weekends; many locals prefer to pop in during the week. For full timings follow this link.

Do I have to dress up?

Lederhosen for men and Dirndl (a traditional Bavarian dress with full skirt, apron and tight bodice) for women are compulsory. Not really (we wish!). But it’s nice to see so many Bavarians – and foreigners – making the effort. If you want to join in, there are several shops in town specialising in such gear.

Lederhosen and Dirndl are not compulsory  Photo: Johannes Simon/Getty Images

Isn’t it full of drunken Australians and Brits?

No. While there is undoubtedly an Antipodean contingent (and indeed plenty of Britons), most tend to be found at the Hofbräu tent. The overwhelming majority of visitors are from Bavaria itself (about 70 per cent), or other parts of Germany (15 per cent).

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So which tent should I aim for?

To get a more rounded feel of the event, try some of the other tents (there are 14 in total), such as the Hackerbräu (decked out in Bavarian blue and white) and the Winzerer Fähndl (complete with beer garden). The Augustiner Festhalle is more moderately paced and popular with families, particularly on Tuesdays. The largest tent is the 10,000-seater Schottenhamel, where the first beer of the season is poured to rapturous applause and cheering. The smallest is the Glöckle Wirt, has room for just 98 people, and its walls are lined with traditional instruments, cooking utensils and paintings.

Do I need to book a place in a tent?

It is advisable, particularly at the more popular ones – and best to apply to them directly. Failing that turn up in good time and stake a claim at one of the unclaimed wooden benches to be found in most of them.

The only beer served comes from Munich breweries  Photo: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Beer necessities

The only beer served comes from Munich breweries such as the Augustiner, Paulaner and Spaten. The most popular variation is the lager-like Helles. And there are no half measures: beer is served in one-litre glasses (ein Maß), several of which are typically carried at one time by buxom barmaids. Having introduced in 2014 for the first time a price of €10 (£7.50) for a litre (ein Maß) in some of the tents, that is now the minimum price, with the cost in some going up to €10.40. But you don’t need too many. If you want to pace yourself, ask for a Radler (beer with lemonade).

And to soak it up?

Typically, half a roasted chicken with a giant-sized pretzel. Additionally, Bratwurst (sausages), knuckles of pork, freshly smoked fish and lots of colourful gingerbread creations. The really hungry may like to head to the Ochsenbraterei, where they can enjoy ox roasted on a spit.

What if I don’t like beer?

If you don’t like drinking beer Oktoberfest is perhaps not for you. That said, the Weinzelt (wine tent) is where you can choose from more than 15 different wines (and there are some excellent ones in Germany, especially from Franconia) in addition to different types of Sekt (sparkling wine) and champagne. Bodo’s Cafe is where you can find all manner of cakes and pastries (including strudel) to go with your coffee or, if it’s that time of day, cocktail.

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Is there anything apart from eating and drinking?

Believe it or not, Oktoberfest is also aimed at families – with lots of fairground attractions. These include spectacular rides such as the “Höllenblitz” (“Lightning from Hell”), the “Sky Fall”, the “Teufelsrad” (“Devil’s Wheel”) or, for those seeking something gentler, the “Krinoline” (an old-fashioned merry-go-round). There are also candyfloss stalls and shooting galleries. Most tents offer traditional Bavarian music (accompanying thigh-slapping is voluntary) while those seeking traditional Bavarian folk dance should make for the Herzkasperl tent. Live band entertainment is offered at Bodo’s (see above), while a variety of shows are staged at the Puppet Theater. Munich itself has a welter of attractions – first-rate museums and galleries, a beautiful town hall, a skyline full of spires and domes, great shopping and nightlife, the beautiful Englischer Garten – and, of course, in Bayern Munich, the football club from which came half of Germany’s winning 2014 World Cup team.

Fairground attractions are big at Oktoberfest  Photo: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Sprechen Sie Bayerisch?

Bavarian (or Bayerisch) is a language all unto itself. But here are a couple of terms you might find useful: O’zapft is! (“It is tapped” – the phrase uttered by Munich’s mayor to mark the opening of the first beer barrel and the commencement of the drinking), Oans–zwoa-drei-gsuffa (“One, two, three, bottoms up!”) and I mog di (“I like/love you”). For more see oktoberfest.de/en/lexikon

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What’s new for Oktoberfest 2015?

Arranged over four levels, the new “Daemonium” attraction will appeal to those for whom a stroll through a haunted house is just the ticket after three litres of beer. Alternatively they may like to try the “Konga” – billed as Europe’s biggest and fastest swing, transporting those who dare into a high-speed flight over a jungle, or pop in on the Oide Wiesn, where daredevil motorcycle drivers will be showcasing their skills. While there, they might like to sample the goods at a Fifties-style ice cream bar.

How to get there

Several airlines including easyJet, British Airways, air Berlin and Lufthansa fly to Munich direct. For best fares try flight comparison websites momondo.com, skyscanner.net, kayak.co.uk and travelsupermarket.com. Once there, many hotels will be full and those that aren’t will be charging heftily. Alternatively, try the popular accommodation websites booking.com and airbnb.com for other options over the festival period.

Packages

Fred Holidays (0808 274 5685; fredholidays.co.uk) offers packages to Munich, though availability over the Oktoberfest period is always tight. Other firms include Top Deck.

Further information

For more information, oktoberfest.eu is the festival’s official website (click on ‘International’ top right for English language version), complete with handy Wiesn map. Another useful site is oktoberfest.de, source of a welter of information on activities surrounding the period, how best to enjoy it and key numbers to call should you need help. The German National Tourist Office (germany.travel) and Munich Tourist Office (muenchen-tourist.de) also provide useful steers.

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