The best Oktoberfests in the UK
October is famous for Halloween and with all types of spooky events and attractions taking place across the UK each year you'd think that’s all the month is known for. But did you know that October also hosts a very special and growing tradition?
Oktoberfest 2019
That's right the German beer festival is almost here again! Known for its gigantic steins, delicious German food and distinctive oompah music, the festival has grown in popularity in Britain. With more cities and towns hosting events every year, we wanted to find out more about the festival and how it all started.
History of Oktoberfest
Originating in Germany, the very first Oktoberfest festival wasn't a festival at all. It was actually a celebration of the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen in 1810. The royal couple invited the people of Munich to celebrate the festivities of their wedding by hosting a commemoration in front of the city gates. The party was that good they decided to do it every year and they still do.
How is it celebrated today?
The festival is now celebrated every year in huge tents filled with rows of tables where partygoers will eat, drink and dance to brilliant oompah music and play hilarious party games.
Last year almost 6 million people descended on Munich Oktoberfest. Dressed in traditional Lederhosen and Dirndl, revellers treated themselves to over 6 million litres of beer, yep 6 million! In addition to beer, Oktoberfest is well known for delicious food such as huge pretzels, German sausages, dumplings, roast pork and of course sauerkraut. The festival is so popular in Germany’s capital that their football teams get in on the tradition too. Bayern Munich FC are official partners with German Brewery ‘Paulaner’ and the players visit the festival each year, whereas 1860 Munich FC have previously released a limited edition, blue and white checked Oktoberfest football kit.
UK Festivals
Back home our celebrations are also growing. With huge tents popping up all over, thousands of people flock each year to dance on tables to brilliant live music and of course sample the delicious food and beer.
There are many festivals happening across the UK in October which you can attend, see some examples of the best Oktoberfest events in the UK below:
Where: Millwall Park, Canary Wharf & Finsbury Park
When: 10-12 & 24-26 October
The largest celebration in the UK, London’s take on the Bavarian bash is split between two locations with a more traditional event occurring at Millwall Park earlier in the month and then Olympia London’s gigantic Halloween special later on! It is sure to be fangtastic.
Where: Hampton Street
When: 18-19 October
Started in 2014 Birmingham’s Oktoberfest is back for its fifth year and this will be its biggest yet! Pitching up at a brand new venue on Hampton Street, Birmingham Oktoberfest will teleport you to Germany with its authentic atmosphere and gallons of beer.
Where: The Level
When: 10 – 12 October
Brighton’s Oktoberfest celebration is back again for 2019. After last year’s success, it returns to ‘The Level’ and the festival will be even bigger this year, featuring live entertainment, traditional German food and some of the best oompah bands from across the globe.
Where: South Bank Depot
When: 10-12 & 18-19 October
Taking place at Temple Arches, Leeds’ German festival will be putting a Yorkshire spin on proceedings, featuring a large capacity tent with a variety of bars, live bands and lots of table dancing.
Fancy having a German knees up? We offer great value travel to multiple city locations that will be celebrating this autumn. So strap on your Lederhosen and get ready to eat, drink and dance the night away. Don’t forget to tag photos from your night with #NXShared too. We love to see what you get up to!
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