Oktoberfest is one of Germany’s biggest festivals, and sees people from around the globe come together to enjoy beer, food, music, and dancing. Celebrations occur from mid-September to the first Sunday in October – hence the name – and 2019 alone saw an impressive 6.3 million people gather to enjoy beer, have fun, and celebrate the good times.

Are you looking to host your own Oktoberfest celebrations at home, but are unsure about the best place to start? Then we have good news – read on to learn all you need to know about celebrating Oktoberfest at home, and let’s get the party started!

Some great ways to celebrate Oktoberfest at home include:

Host an Oktoberfest party

If you’re looking to throw a real Oktoberfest bash, then why not invite friends over for a few drinks, a bit of live music, and plenty of food and drink? If you want to make it extra special, try making your own Oktoberfest “schorle” – a traditional Oktoberfest beer made using only malt, hops, yeast, and water.

Play the right music to get the party started 

The kind of music that is typically played at Oktoberfest is… well, party music, so you will want to strike exactly that vibe when you’re celebrating Oktoberfest at home. 

Whether you favour the Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, or The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men” – to cite just a few possibilities – if it’s classic party music, it’s likely to be just the thing for an at-home Oktoberfest bash. Or, of course, you could just perform a Spotify search for ‘Oktoberfest’ to find a great playlist (other streaming services are available). 

If you love live music, then there will also be many fantastic bands that will be performing during this year’s festival season. Many of these performances will be streamed and easy to access, meaning that you can enjoy authentic tunes without having to leave your house!

Dress the part!

Oktoberfest is a big event, so dress accordingly! Whether you’re going to wear lederhosen, dirndls, or fancy dresses, make sure you look your best during your at-home Oktoberfest party. It’ll help you feel confident and comfortable while enjoying yourself.

You can also set a dress code or theme for your party to really get everyone in the mood; why not opt for a Bavarian-themed party where guests must wear traditional Bavarian clothing?

Play games

There are lots of games that you can play during your Oktoberfest celebrations. For example, you could organise a game of bierball, which involves throwing a ball into a barrel filled with beer. Or you could even create your own version of the game called “Kegel” – simply put, it involves two teams competing against each other by trying to knock down their opponent’s keg.

Have fun with food and drink

Food and drink are essential parts of any party, and Oktoberfest is no exception. Why not serve up some delicious pretzels, sausages, and breads? You could also make your own OktoberKuchen – a traditional cake made from spiced doughnuts covered in icing.

Get your hands on some craft beer

Craft beers are becoming increasingly popular across the globe and they’re now available in almost every country. So, if you’re planning on hosting an Oktoberfest celebration at home, why not stock up on a few craft beers? There are so many different types of craft beer out there, including pale ales, lagers, stouts, IPAs, porters, and more, so why not opt for a refreshing Kellerbier, Ur Dunkel or Rothaus for an authentic vibe?

Final thoughts

Throwing your own Oktoberfest party is a great way to have fun, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy great German beer – and what could be better than that?