One of the most well-known German festivals is Oktoberfest. It is the world’s largest Volksfest (people’s festival) that combines a cultural festival with carnival attractions like amusement rides, game booths and food vendors. Read on to learn more about my experience with this famous traditional event!
Oktoberfest is held annually in Munich from around mid-September to the first Sunday of October. Though it was a couple months ago now, I was able to attend the festivities for the 2025 Oktoberfest that lasted between Saturday, September 20th, and Sunday, October 5th. I had just moved to Munich around the middle of September, so this was one of my first major encounters with local traditions.
Oktoberfest draws very large crowds each year, with the record being around seven million over the course of two weeks. To avoid being stuck within masses of people, my friends and I traveled to the festival grounds in the city center of Munich on a Wednesday evening. Once we got to Oktoberfest, we immediately saw many small booths lining the footpath selling candy and other foods, as well as a Ferris Wheel. Many of the booths sold mandeln (caramelized almonds), which are a traditional snack.
