Oktoberfest Party Ideas
Oktoberfest is the worlds largest fair and has taken place in Munich for 16 days at the end of September, beginning of October every year since 1810. Up to 6 million people attend from Bavaria, all over Germany and indeed the world over!
However, you can hold your own Oktoberfest party with our Oktoberfest party ideas, bringing a bit of Bavarian culture to your own town!
Because of Oktoberfest, the world has got to know many of the German stereotypes and I suggest that these stereotypes be taken advantage of during your Oktoberfest theme party.
Before planning your Oktoberfest theme party, I suggest you take a look at Theme Party Secrets, to have an efficiently run party instead of a party that is no laughing matter (see what I did?). I hope the following Oktoberfest party ideas give you some inspiration:
Oktoberfest Party Ideas
Invitations
There are plenty of things you could do for your invitations! Get some card and cut out invitations in the shape of lederhosen, a beer glass, a beer keg, beer goggles, beer stein or some bratwurst.
State clearly that it is expected that everybody must dress up, or they will be charged an admittance fee!
Costumes
The costumes are fairly obvious. The guys have to wear full lederhosen meaning leather trousers, which actually only go as far as the knee to be even more ridiculous. You also need suspenders to hold them up, even though i’m sure they’re probably tight enough already! You also need a feathered Alpine hat and knee height socks. Pray you’re not the only one dressing up!
The ladies should go for an Alpine peasant girl look with lacy blouse and tight bodice. If you wish, you can dye your hair blonde and tie it up in pig tails!
Oktoberfest Party Ideas
Decorations
1. The colors of the Bavarian flag are blue and white. So get plenty of balloons in these colors, tie them together and…you know what to do!
2. Try and make your venue look like a traditional German beer keller or brau haus! The best thing to have would be 1 long wooden table stretching all the way across the room! You could fix several smaller ones together of course.
3. Hang German things from the ceiling! Either cardboard cut outs or the real thing! Steins (German beer mugs), bratwurst, gingerbread men, Wellington boots (actually a British invention but you get the idea), a pair of lederhosen and beer kegs etc.
4. It may be painful, but you can hang the hideous German flag on the walls and put mini versions on the tables!
5. Get features such as an accordion, beer keg or large novelty beer glass to put around your venue and on the tables!
Oktoberfest Party Ideas
Music
Hire out a brass band to play traditional German music as long as its in your budget. Otherwise a single accordion player will be much cheaper.
Or you could play German beer hall music. I have found This and This for you!
Food
There are plenty of delicious and traditional German food that can be served at your Oktoberfest theme party. Consider hiring a chef if you have a budget or otherwise find some recipes for some of the following which I recommend:
Starters: Pretzels, Wiener Schnitzel, Potato Salad, Garlic Bread, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms.
Main: Bratwurst, Nuremburgers, Meatloaf, Sauerkraut.
Dessert: Apple Strudel, Gingerbread Men, Stollen, Black Forest Cake.
Oktoberfest Party Ideas
Drink
You don’t need me to tell you that your Oktoberfest theme party would be nothing without the drink. So lets get to it!
Germany is known for making the best beer in the world! Take advantage of this fact and buy in only German beers. Get plenty of different varieties as your guests will be drinking lots and will be wanting to experiment trying many different beers. Some German beer is made especially for Oktoberfest every year! You should try and get in some dark beers with their full bodied flavor.
If you have given plenty of time to prepare for Oktoberfest, you could even Make Your Own Beer which will save you a lot of money especially if you’re planning on hosting a large party.
Just as important as the beer is what you are serving it in. I highly suggest you have plenty of German steins and beer glasses.
An alternative to beer would be Kirschwasser (a kind of cherry brandy) or brandy. For the non-alcoholics, make sure you have the usual soft drinks and of course hot chocolate which is very popular in Germany.
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