Things to know about celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich

Oktoberfest is a worldwide phenomenon and the Bavarian Oktoberfest celebrated in countries around the world.

But many say there is no place more interesting than its hometown of Munich. The festival attracts about 6 million celebrants each year, according to the festival website run by Munich’s Ministry of Labor and Economics.

As a non-Bavarian German I visit Munich regularly and learned a bit about attending this festival (called simply “Wiesn”). This is my suggestion.

The dress code for many is a traditional Bavarian dress for women and leather pants for men. In stark contrast to the rest of the world, you won’t be accused of cultural appropriation here – in fact, locals invite international visitors to dress in traditional clothing.

The clothing is suitable for any budget, from cheap one-off clothing to vintage and custom clothing rentals.

A few things to remember: Lederhosen is plural, so a pair of leather pants is a pair of leather pants. These are Bavarian-style clothing, not the German style that many travelers think of. Head north and you won’t see them – except for Oktoberfest, of course.

Beer does not come in a beer glass as many people think, but in a glass called a “mass”, which is a liter of beer. The server can hold up to 6 objects in each hand and weighs approximately 12 kg (26 lbs). Waiters are paid a percentage of the beer and food they serve, plus tips. So please tip.

To get their attention, waiters will wear a clothespin with their name on it, but they’ll also use the casual “du” meaning “you.” — German.

Revelers hold onto the handles so they can easily clink glasses and raise toasts. When the band shouts: “Ein Prosit, ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit. Oans, zwoa, driel g’suffa!” – which translates to “Cheers, cheers to fun and friendship. One, two, three, cheers!” – revelers Should have finished the cup and reordered.

Other times, they would practice “Schunkeln,” linking arms and swaying to the music.

Women: If you wear a dress, be careful about how you tie the bow. Traditionally, a tie on the right side means you are single and willing to flirt.

The theme of Oktoberfest is beer. The beer is specially brewed for the Oktoberfest and has a strong taste (more than 6%). But there is also wine, Apfelschorle (a drink made of carbonated water and apple juice), non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks and water.

There are countless food stalls along the Weizen River, serving giant pretzels (called brezen), meats such as bratwurst, weisswurst and schnitzel, as well as chips, curry and more.

Just a short walk from Theresienwiese (meaning “Theresa’s meadow” and the site of the festival), travelers can visit the former city gate Sendlinger Tor and the lovely cereal market (Viktualienmarkt).

The historic Old Town is also nearby, home to the former Royal Palace, the Royal Palace, the world-famous Hofbräuhaus and the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum.

For a day trip from the city, the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle is a 90-minute drive from Munich. Salzburg, Austria, is a beautiful city less than two hours away by train, as is the picturesque town of Rothenburg just north of Munich.

After your beer, consider a day relaxing in the snow-capped Alps at Lake Starnberg.

Those who can’t travel to Munich don’t have to worry. There are wonderful festivals around the world where you can experience tradition, fun and food.

One of the biggest celebrations is in Hong Kong. The Marco Polo Oktoberfest has all the trappings of a festival, plus views of Hong Kong Harbour.

In the United States, large festivals are held in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in Blumenau, Brazil, South America.

Those who don’t like crowds can try another annual German celebration – the Spring Festival. It was held at the same venue, the Theresienwiese in Munich, but with fewer tents and in many ways just as interesting.