Oktoberfest Party Ideas – How to throw the best Oktoberfest celebration

If you can’t go to Munich this year, don’t worry! We will help you bring the best of Bavaria to your backyard. From a grab-and-go version of your favorite German fare to suggestions for setting up a backyard bar that will delight your guests, here are our best Oktoberfest party ideas.

Plus, games that will throw your Oktoberfest party over the top. Continue reading for the best Oktoberfest party ideas, including German foods, easy crafts, outfits, and decoration ideas.

What Is Oktoberfest?

Before you get too excited about Oktoberfest party ideas, you may want to consider what Oktoberfest is.

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk festival. Millions of people worldwide participate in it, and travel to Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Tourists will want to taste traditional foods, wear traditional Bavarian attire, listen to traditional music, and drink the renowned Oktoberfest/Marzen beer.

When is Oktoberfest celebrated?

It is celebrated between mid-September and early October. Since 1950, the opening ceremony of the event has remained unchanged. Munich hosted the original Oktoberfest on October 12, 1810. It was a commemoration of the royal marriage ceremony between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

The mayor of Munich taps the first keg and presents the first glass to the person being honored, typically the prime minister.

While Oktoberfest has changed in recent years, it is still a joyous occasion, drinking beer and spending time with old friends.

Oktoberfest Party Décor and Essentials

The beer tents at the Oktoberfest fields are futuristic, colossal buildings. You can install tiny Oktoberfest tents in your yard or living room to enhance the atmosphere of your Oktoberfest celebration.

• Decorations – Oktoberfest party ideas include decorations that are necessary for your celebration. Decorate your room with typical Bavarian blue and white elements. To create the familiar Oktoberfest atmosphere, you can hang German or Bavarian emblems, slogans, flags, wreaths, ribbons, or flowers.

• Steins – Acquire some authentic glasses to sip your beer in the German-style or use them as decorative elements! Fill some of your beer mugs with German sweets, pretzel sticks, or something else that you or your companions enjoy.

• Bavarian Flags – The traditional colors of Bavaria are blue and white. Find blue and white decorations, flags, streamers, posters, tableware, and linens from your local craft store or your craft supplies to create party decorations.

What to wear to an Oktoberfest party

If you attend Oktoberfest dressed in traditional garb, you will have a much easier time blending in with the crowd, and you will have a lot more fun overall.

Oktoberfest Outfits for Women

If you are attending an Oktoberfest celebration, it is essential to understand the layers of the dirndl. Traditional dirndls are composed of a white shirt, a skirt, waist apron, and a bust-accentuating bodice. A dirndl garment comes in a variety of lengths to suit your preferences. Plus you have the option between long and short dirndls. And if you’re feeling sultry and daring, you can even wear a tiny dirndl skirt.

Next, for footwear, either closed-toe or open-toe heeled sandals are a perfect choice. Because Oktoberfest is a multi-day event that will likely go into the night, it is essential to be as comfortable as possible. Wear nude stockings to prevent your legs and thighs from blistering, followed by knee-high socks to safeguard your feet.

One crucial thing to keep in mind is how to make your apron knot. The knot indicates your civil status. If you tie it on your left side, you are single; you are dating someone if you tie it on your right side. A center knot indicates that you are either a virgin or in an intimate relationship. A back knot suggests that you’re a widow, server, or child.

Oktoberfest Outfits for Men

The selections for men’s Oktoberfest attire tend to be more classic and plainer than those for women. For men, a typical Oktoberfest attire consists of a button-down shirt (either white or plaid), leather Lederhosen shorts, suspenders, a traditional hat, classic socks, and sturdy Bavarian shoes.

Classic suspenders called hosentrager are the most traditional lederhosen accessory and fit your shorts well to stay in place on their own. The front straps of the breastplate should create an H across the chest. If you are attending the party with a basic ensemble, an embellished front strap on your suspenders is an excellent way to add some flair.

Oktoberfest Party Entertainment

Book live entertainment to bring a genuine festival-style celebration. Here are some entertainment ideas for your Oktoberfest party.

• German Band

Maintain the authentic atmosphere of your Oktoberfest celebration by reserving a German band. This form of music uses brass, drums, and bass to produce a distinctive sound; the musicians may even dress in classic German garb.

• Polka Band

Polka is a trendy genre of music in Europe. You can also listen to it on the streets at Oktoberfest. A traditional Polka Band will perform this festive and upbeat music, allowing you to enjoy it while dancing.

• Accordion Performer

The accordion is a distinctive and original German musical instrument. Invite a traditional accordionist to perform at your home Oktoberfest celebration.

• Bartender

Oktoberfest is all about beer. However, hire a bartender if you wish to make your celebration remarkable. These experts will serve delectable German-inspired concoctions and classic Oktoberfest beer.

• Disc Jockey

If you like to add a contemporary touch to the festivities, consider hiring a Disc Jockey to play all your favorite music. And request that they integrate some German songs from this Oktoberfest music collection to maintain the theme.

Oktoberfest Food Menu

Having appropriate Oktoberfest cuisine options for your event can help in creating an authentic atmosphere. Serve conventional or German-inspired food like German potato salad in addition to the following creative Oktoberfest dish ideas:

• Beer-Braised Brats

“Beer brats” are a fantastic evening meal or game-day snack consisting of bratwurst, caramelized onions, and grainy mustard served on buns.

• Soft Beer Pretzels with Oktoberfest Cheese Dip

The beer pretzels with cheese dip are soft and airy pretzels accompanied by a creamy dip. This snack is ideal for parties or whenever you require a nibble to go with your beer.

• Bavarian Cream Puff

This delightful dessert is a twist on classic Bavarian cream that your guests adore. These Bavarian cream puffs will melt in your mouth, crafted with a soft batter and a whipped cream stuffing.

• Crispy Sauerkraut Fritters

This traditional Bavarian snack, consisting of golden-brown, golden-crisp ping-pong-sized balls, mixes the richness of potatoes with the tangy tartness of sauerkraut. These cheesy, crispy snacks have plenty of flavors. Plus they are ideal for making ahead as a side dish.

• German Spice Cookies

These traditional chewy German cookies contain ginger and molasses, making them the ideal dessert for Oktoberfest.

• Food Trucks

Finally, transport your visitors by replicating the same atmosphere and enthusiasm at the event with food trucks. Book two food trucks and set them up outdoors for the ideal Oktoberfest festival in your backyard.

Oktoberfest Drinks

Undoubtedly, beer is likely the first thing that comes to mind when considering Oktoberfest cuisine ideas. Creativity is required while organizing an Oktoberfest celebration. Imbibe delectable cocktails inspired by German culture during your autumn festivities. Take note that some of these beverages contain beer.

• Radler Beer

The traditional Bavarian beer cocktail Radler is a must-have at Oktoberfest. Mix any lager or pilsner with lemonade on ice and sprinkle with lemon and rosemary. And you can even forego beer in favor of a sparkling mocktail that everyone will appreciate.

• Raspberry Wheat Beer Punch

If you’re not the biggest beer enthusiast, Raspberry Wheat Beer Punch, also known as Weissbierbowle, is your drink. This fruity cocktail combines raspberries, schnapps, and riesling with any wheat beer.

• Bourbon Apple Smash

Despite not being a German drink, Bourbon Apple Smash is a sweet and tangy autumn starter perfect for the occasion. This delicious drink combines bourbon, vanilla, and hard cider. You can garnish it with an apple.

• German Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is the ideal beverage for any autumn gathering. Offer this to your friends to make them feel as though they are in the alleys of Munich partying.

• German Chocolate Cake Martini

Another good drink option, the German Chocolate Cake Martini is the ideal dessert cocktail to conclude the festivities of Oktoberfest. Combining almond milk, rum, hazelnut vodka, and chocolate sauce will result in a drink that tastes like a large slice of chocolate cake.

Oktoberfest Games and Activities

Of course, group participation is an integral part of the entertainment at Oktoberfest. Hold sing-alongs and various engaging games to create a lively community festival atmosphere. Remember, activities spark friendly competition, laughing, and fun at your Oktoberfest party.

• Costume competition

Inviting visitors to wear classic German attire will elevate your Oktoberfest celebration at home. Encourage them to adopt the theme and dress appropriately to make the celebration more joyful and enjoyable.

• Beer tasting

Since beer is the focal point of Oktoberfest, seize the chance to host a tasting of German beers for your visitors. Grab plastic boots and prepare for some fun drinking.

• Karaoke

Guests can sing karaoke with the assistance of an incredible Karaoke Jockey! Play your much-loved German songs or hold a yodeling competition that will make everybody laugh and enjoy.

• Bottle ring toss

As you will likely have many beer bottles hanging around, make good use of them by setting up a ring toss battle.

• Prost!

Your celebration of Oktoberfest will go off without a hitch if you follow the mentioned Oktoberfest party ideas and come prepared with the right ideas, dishes, and beverages. As you eat that schnitzel, lift your glass and shout “Prost!”

Oktoberfest Party Ideas – Final Note

An Oktoberfest party is the perfect theme for fall. Plus it has all the elements of a great party, a fun theme, good costume ideas and great food options. We hope your Oktoberfest party is awesome!

About Author

Jane Sheriff is the founder, creative director, party planner and mom of three. She started Darling Celebrations back in 2012 to share easy and beautiful ideas for celebrating the special events in life.