Celebrated in Munich since 1810, not annually but often, Oktoberfest was grand from the start, beginning as a wedding celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Not one of those low-key weddings — there were horse races, music, and, of course, beer.
The races may have ceased, but the beer and music thrive. In Germany, and despite the name, it runs from mid-September to early October, drawing millions of visitors from across Europe and beyond. They travel for steins of Bavarian beer, fill up on pretzels, sausages, and roast chicken, and dance on the beer hall tables. Dirndls and lederhosen are a common sight.
London was a little slow to catch on, but the past two decades have seen it embrace the Bavarian-themed madness. Things kicked off here in the early 2000s, and now a growing number of venues throw up pop-up beer tents, traditional German brass bands, and a selection of imported Munich beers. Canary Wharf and Greenwich Park have both gone big on it.
This year, there are plenty of events popping up; below is where’s best. Prost!
London Oktoberfest
The prize for largest Oktoberfest in the UK goes to the longstanding London Oktoberfest, which has capacity for 50,000 revellers. This year, there are two different locations: St Paul’s Green in Hammersmith and Walpole Park in Ealing. They offer themselves up as a “cult that you have to join” — stick to the beer, don’t drink the Kool-Aid — and it’s potentially the most authentic recreation of the festival in the city. They even have a preferred clothing brand so you can get your Bavarian costumes before the two big weekends begin.
Tickets from £35. October 17-19, Saint Paul’s Green, W6 9HW, October 25-26, Walpole Park, W5 5EQ; london-oktoberfest.co.uk
Oktoberfest by the Munich Cricket Club
Munich Cricket Club promises to host “the BIGGEST and the BEST OKtoberfest celebration in London EVERYDAY from Thursday 19th September to Saturday 26th October!” and, alarming use of capital letters aside, it does look good. The club is set to party every day until October 26 at three locations (Tower Hill, Victoria, Canary Wharf) — expect an oompah band, sausage boards and buckets of beer — with four additional parties planned, too. Look out for the closing bash in particular, which should be huge.
Tickets from £15, October 3, 5, 24 & 26, Tower Hill, EC3N 2AU; Victoria, SW1P 2LU; Canary Wharf, E14 4AE, munichcricketclub.co.uk
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For an East End Oktoberfest, head to Juju’s, just off Hanbury Street. Every Friday and Saturday until October 12, there will be parties running from 1pm and then again from 7pm. Live oompah music will come courtesy of the Bavarian Strollers, who specialise in sing-along anthems. Look out for hosts Eva Von Schnippish and Envy, and when the oompah stops there is the promise of DJs to soundtrack the rest of the sessions. There’ll be plenty of games, and prizes for the best-dressed too.
Oktoberfest Bottomless Beer Brunch
For those in the mood for something a little earlier on in the day, Hackney Church Brew Co is offering an alternative to the evening celebrations, with a Beery Bavarian Brunch. Sessions start at noon and then again at 2pm, with 90 minutes of bottomless beer (or Prosecco) offered in the tap room, which is set to be done up like the beer halls of Munich. To soak it all up, bratwursts cooked over fire are offered, and there’ll be an oompah band for atmosphere.
Tickets from £35, September 28 and October 5, 17 Bohemia Place, E8 1DU, designmynight.com
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Albert’s Schloss will be stocking all six of the traditional beers served at the Munich bierfest for the course of its celebrations. Events start at 5.30pm each evening, and with no tickets and no entry fees, the bar has a policy of “Everyone ist willkommen”. Expect something akin to heading to an Irish pub on St Patrick’s Day; even when it’s not Oktoberfest, Schloss is good for a proper night out.
It’s short-lived, but this year the Ship is transforming its terrace into a beer hall for the Oktoberfest enthusiasts of the capital. The pub is hosting a full weekend of events to get into the spirit of the festivities. On Friday September 27, there will be a “Do Your Wurst” bratwurst eating competition, where a £30 entry fee buys three bratwurst and a stein to wash them down — quickest time wins a round of beers for up to six people. On Saturday, there will be a stein holding competition — longest time wins, currywurst sharer and a round of beer for four the prize. On Sunday, no competitions, but an oompah band, giant pretzels, and a resident DJ til late.
Tickets from £30, September 27-29, 41 Jews Row, SW18 1TB, theship.co.uk
Camden Oktoberfest at the Electric Ballroom
After a huge success in previous years, the Electric Ballroom is doing it again. Live music comes from the No Limit Street Band, who promise to provide a thigh-slapping soundtrack. Combined with dancers, currywurst and schnitzel, and the finest Bavarian beers.
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For a third year in a row, Dalston FH3 is being transformed into an immersive, authentic beer hall experience. Drink steins of beer and eat bratwurst to your heart’s content to the soundtrack of Eighties and Nineties pop classics, as covered by their live Bavarian oompah band. Having sold out for the last two years, it’s worth getting your tickets early for this one.
Brixton Oktoberfest at the Electric
Josh Counsell
Head down to SW2 to enjoy Brixton Oktoberfest, featuring the remarkable German Jukebox band. The Electric will be transformed into a lively beer hall complete with traditional wooden tables, authentic Bavarian street food and live music. A good one for those who are on a budget, with tickets from £6.
Flat Iron Square Oktoberfest
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Flat Iron Square, the sprawling Borough venue with multiple bars and restaurants, is set to host a serious Oktoberfest celebration on October 5 and 12, with all the classics of the season accounted for. Bratwurst, an oompah band, DJs ‘til late and plenty of German beer make this one a classic, and with its noon-5pm opening hours, well suited for those looking to add a stop to a day-session of Oktoberfest partying.
Oktoberfest on the Common
Many events promise a big night out, but few promise the UK’s biggest party. That’s what’s billed at Clapham Common, which is promising the biggest outdoor Oktoberfest in the country, with 17,500 attendees expected over seven separate sessions this October. Plentiful steins? The event is apparently planning to sling 100,000 of them. Bratwurst? More than 800 types of the authentic sausage are set to be served. Importantly, tents will ensure that the celebrations are weatherproof.