Even if you can’t make it to Munich, you can still celebrate! Plan an Oktoberfest Party at home with these Oktoberfest Theme Party Ideas! All you need is beer, food, music, and some fun Oktoberfest party supplies/ decorations to get everyone in the mood!
You can go big! Rent a tent, hire a band, and tap a keg or two. Or go a little smaller, and decorate the patio, put in some CDs, and bring in a case of beer. Either way, your guests are sure to appreciate the German Gemütlichkeit. Traditionally, Oktoberfest begins in September and runs for 16 days before the first Sunday in October, but if it’s your party, you can have it any time you want!
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What is Oktoberfest?
A little history first to put the celebration into perspective. In October of 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. All Bavarians were invited to celebrate with Festivities (mostly horse racing) in the Theresenwiese, a meadow renamed for the event. It was so popular that they celebrated it again the next year! And the next, and the next. The powers that organize these things made the wise decision to move the event to September, to take advantage of better weather. Except for years of War or Global Pandemic, Oktoberfest has been celebrated every year since then. Read more about Oktoberfest HERE
Plan An Oktoberfest Party
Begin by planning out how many people you want to invite. Will it be a large party? Or a smaller, more intimate gathering of friends? This way, you can figure out if you need to rent tables and chairs, set up a tent, or use the furniture you have. Remember, if you need to rent or buy furniture, it’s best to arrange this well in advance. Also, if it’s a larger party, consider hiring some help, such as a professional caterer or a few teenagers who need extra money.
Oktoberfest Theme Party Ideas
An Oktoberfest Arch of Balloons and Bunting is a GREAT way to welcome guests!
This kit comes loaded with LOADS of balloons! Including two shiny balloons with beer and pretzel decorations. All of the balloons need to be inflated. Get the Pretzel Balloons ready for twisting! all for under $20!
Bunting and Signs, Balloons and Bunting- These decoration packs are a one-stop shop!
TUPARKA Oktoberfest Decorations Kit Octoberfest Party Supplies for Oktoberfest Decor Oktoberfest German Party Decorations, Includes Oktoberfest Bavarian Tablecloth Sign Flag Pennant Banner
Nepnuser Oktoberfest Fence Banner for German October Fest Themed Party Decoration Blue Bavarian Flag Check Hanging Banners for Beer Party Supply
Oktoberfest Invitation Ideas
Send out invitations early, these digital downloads make printing up those invites EASY. Get those RSVPs! Let people know what sort of party it is… whether you are inside, or out in a beer garden.
Oktoberfest Invitation Template, Editable German Fall Festival Invite, Printable Autumn Beer Stein Party Invite, Instant Download Canva 5×7
Funny Oktoberfest Invitation: Wurst Party Ever, Beer Pretzel 5×7 4×6 Editable Template PDF JPG
Bier Tent? Biergarten?
If you have the space and a lot of friends, a Bier Tent might be a fun way to get everyone in the mood (and keep your party from being rained out!). Decorate the tent with Blue and White banners to give it an authentic look. If you don’t want to set up a tent, how about re-creating a Biergarten? Tables with benches on either side create a space that feels like Germany. You can cover the tables with a blue and white checked cloth, and even some fun centerpieces.
These tables fold down nicely, so you can pack them away for next year.
Giantex 3 PCS Beer Table Bench Set Folding Wooden Top Picnic Table Patio Garden
Beer- What Many Consider the Centerpiece of Oktoberfest
And other Drinks..
In Munich, only beer brewed within the city limits is served at Oktoberfest, limiting the offerings to Augustiner, Hacker-Schorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. Of these, only Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten Oktoberfestbier are shipped to the United States. Now, how authentic you want to be depends on you (and your budget). If there is a brew that you and your friends prefer, by all means, serve it! If you can get a keg, that would be wonderful! But if all you can find are bottles, that’s fine too. (Find out more about Oktoberfest Beer here)
Don’t forget to say “O’zapft is!“ when you tap your keg! Or pop the cap on that bottle.
Serve the Beer in liter Steins, or something smaller. What a great time to show off your Stein collection. Let people bring their own if they want! Worried about breakage? The 8-oz plastic version will keep your fabulous collection safe and secure.
1 Liter HBCollectible German Castle Festive Engraved Cobalt Blue Beer Stein with metal lid
Keep it Cool!!!
Whether you serve beer or soda, you want to keep it cool.
(or you can just fill the inflatable mug with a LOT of beer and use a straw.)
Beistle Inflatable Beer Stein Cooler, 18 by 27-Inch, 1 piece
Don’t forget the Koozies! They keep the beer cool, and the hand dry.
Tioncy 16 Pcs Oktoberfest Beer Can Sleeves Oktoberfest Bavarian Can Coolers Multicolor Can Sleeve Coolers Insulated Collapsible Reusable Beer Drink Covers for 12 oz Cans Bottle Beverage (Classic)Roshtia 20 Pcs Oktoberfest Decorations Beer Bottle Sleeve Insulators 12 oz Bavarian Beer Bottle Jacket Cooler Sleeve with Zipper Neoprene Oktoberfest Couples Lover Gifts Party Favors
For non-Beer Drinkers, prepare a Bowle or Radler
Germans LOVE to mix up their drinks. Yes, they even mix soda or juice with beer! (don’t scoff, it’s delicious!)
Bowle a sort of punch made with wine or beer and fruit.
Radler a mix of soda/lemonade and beer. This refreshing beer mix is perfect for people who aren’t sure they like beer… or maybe they just want to drink their beer half as fast.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Serve Sodas like Fanta or mix up some Apfel Schorle (a carbonated apple juice)
For more German Mixed Drink ideas Click HERE–>German Mixed Drinks
Get some Oktoberfest Food Menu Ideas Here
Traditional Oktoberfest Food Recipes
What are the Traditional foods served at Oktoberfest?
(click the names to get the recipes!)
Pretzels…. Big, thick and delicious Pretzels, perfect for soaking up beer!
Obatzda.… cheese spread
Brathandel/ Roasted Chicken... In Munich you get Half a Chicken! You can cut it smaller
Steckerlfisch… Grilled fish on a stick
Schweinehaxe... Ham Hock
Sausage–Nurenburger Bratwurst, Thuringer, Weisswurst or Knackwurst… easy and delicious! And don’t forget the mustard!
Brat Kartoffel / Fried Potatoes… crispy and good
Knoedel… potato or bread dumplings
Kaese Spaetzele…. a cheesy noodle dish
Kartoffel Salat / German Potato Salad.… cold or warm
Sauerkraut…. perfect with sausages- Don’t just serve it straight from the Jar! Drain it, rinse it a bit, then cook it on the stove top with a little (ok, a lot) of White Wine, bacon and some cloves.
Rotkohl or Blaukraut / Red Cabbage... warm and tangy. You can even make it cold as a salad.
Apfel Strudel…. Apple Streudel
Apfel Kuchen.… Apple Cake
Oktoberfest COOKIES
Don’t forget the Lebkuchen Hearts! These decorated Gingerbread Cookies are not only decorative, they taste good! The decorated sugar cookies make great dessert and a nice party favor.
German Baked Holiday CookiesOctoberfest & Beer Decorated Cookies
Oktoberfest necklace sugar cookie favors
For More Recipes-
The Oktoberfest Cookbook is Pure Oktoberfest Cooking…. for a wider range of German Recipes, including many Oktoberfest Foods, check out my Easy German Cookbook.
Oktoberfest Party Supplies/Decorations
Cheap Oktoberfest Decorations-
Oktoberfest is a very Bavarian tradition, so stick with the Blue and White Checkerboard colors. Banners, tablecloths and napkins would set the scene well. You don’t have to break the bank. These cheap Oktoberfest Decorations will make the space look festive at low cost.
Oktoberfest Decorations Kit for German Beer Festival Theme Party | Includes 4 Table Covers, 1 Pennant Banner and 2 Door Banners for Oktoberfest Party Decorations236 FT Oktoberfest Bavarian Check Flag,Large German Pennant Banner | Double-Sided Blue and White Bavarian Flag for Oktoberfest Decoration,German Theme Parties,Beer Festivals and Outdoor DisplaysBeistle Oktoberfest Beverage Napkins Bavarian Party Tableware 16 Pack | 4.94 Inch 2 Ply Oktoberfest Beverage Napkins with Beer Stein and Pretzel Design for Bavarian Parties and CelebrationsTudomro 6 x 4 ft Oktoberfest Couple Photo Door Banner Party Decorations | German Theme Photo Prop, Bavarian Backdrop Door Banner for Oktoberfest Themed Party Supplies Festivals Decor7.5FT Oktoberfest Inflatable Arch, Blow Up Beer Mug Pretzel and Hot Dog Archway with Built-in LED Lights for Oktoberfest Decorations Party, Yard Lawn Patio Garden Outdoor DecorGeefuun 50Packs Oktoberfest Decorations Paper Food Trays | Disposable Serving Plates,German Octoberfest Theme,Party Table Supplies,Pretzel Snacks Serving,Party Favors,Bulk PackZYP 5 Pack Oktoberfest Tablecloths, 54 x 108 Inch Plastic Table Covers | Blue and White Checkered Bavarian Style for German Theme Parties, Beer Festivals and Oktoberfest Decorations
Oktoberfest Party Game Ideas
When hosting your own Oktoberfest, be sure to include fun games and activities… for the kids, and the young at heart.
Standard backyard carnival games are appropriate … especially if you have kids present. Put out a Cornhole game or Ring Toss.
Some good Oktoberfest contests-
Stein Holding Contest
- Line everyone up. Each participant is given a Stein full of beer, and must hold it out straight in front of them. The last one able to hold the beer up (without bending the arm) WINS.
Stein Relay Race
- Set up a race track. Maybe add an obstacle or two. Divide the participants into teams. Each team gets a Stein of Beer (or water if you don’t trust them with good beer). This is a relay race, so the first person on each team takes off and goes around the obstacle, while holding the stein. When they come back to the start, the next person on their team goes. The team who goes fastest, but spills the least beer, WINS.
Oktoberfest Trivia and Write in Games
Test everyone’s knowledge of Oktoberfest Trivia! Did you know that Oktoberfest started as a wedding party? Oktoberfest Bingo! How good is your German? These downloadable Oktoberfest Games are certain to be a hit!.
Oktoberfest Games, Oktoberfest Trivia Games, Oktoberfest Games Trivia Bundle, Oktoberfest Party Games, Oktoberfest Activities BundleOktoberfest Games MEGA Bundle: 50 Printable Party Activities (PDF Download)
Order a set of Oktoberfest Bingo Cards Here
Oktoberfest Bingo, 50 Oktoberfest Bingo Cards,
Don’t forget!!!
Every 30 minutes you want the whole group to stand up and sing “Ein Prosit!” then drink
“Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit.”
“Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit.”
“Oins, zwoi, drei g’suffa!”
“Prost!”
Oktoberfest Clothes
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Dirndls from Rare Dirndl, in fact I have 4 of them in my closet.
Bavaria Trachten makes Lederhosen for Men AND Women! Plus you get a 10% Discount when you use the coupon code GERMANGIRL!
You could provide hats for guests to wear, both serious and silly. Beads and Pins make a fun-take home gift for your party.
90shine 36PCS Oktoberfest Party Favors – German Themed Party Decorations Supplies
Melesh Adult Felt German Alpine Bavarian Oktoberfest Hat Cap (M)Beistle 60289 Alpine Hair ClipOktoberfest Stein Party HatAbove all, Oktoberfest is meant to be FUN! Have a party that you and your friends enjoy! You don’t have to have the most fabulous space. It doesn’t have to be huge. People love to come together and celebrate.
If you invite them, they will come!
Oktoberfest Music CDs-
Happy German Festival music is ideal for your home Oktoberfest! If your party is big enough, hire a local band to play (but be sure to hire them early, German bands are in high demand this time of year) Otherwise, stock up on a few CDs of party music, both in English and German. Click HERE –> for the Most Popular Oktoberfest Songs
Die Freistadt Alte Kameraden- Spielen AufGermanGirl ShopGermanfest mit die Freistadt Alte KameradenGermanGirl Shop
Pieptone! Plitsch PlatschGermanGirl Shop
German Drinking SongsGerman Beer Drinking & Merrymaking Songs: Featuring Music From The Octoberfest In Munich
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Hi Karen, You placed a great amount of research into this post. Thank you for all the wonderdul information and product selections. Happy celebrating.from Ontario, Canada.