Oktoberfest Guide for the Quiet First-Timer

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When you think of massive festivals around the world, one of the first that you think about is Oktoberfest. Two weeks of drinking copious amounts of German beer, giant pretzels, and loud singing and dancing are at the forefront of this massive festival.

As an introvert, I tend to shy away from large crowds and loud, obnoxious groups of people. But even I had to admit curiosity at the prospect of drinking beer by the liter and listening to German songs sung at the top of people’s lungs. I may be quiet, but I love cultural events, and Oktoberfest is one of the biggest in the world.

Despite the stigma that introverts don’t enjoy loud obnoxious fun, many of us love to go out and sing and dance and be around lots of people. We just wear down a bit faster than our extroverted counterparts. Along with some general festival tips that you need to know, I want to give some advice to my quiet friends, who may be wondering how to navigate such a large festival without wanting to go home immediately.

Is Oktoberfest for you?

Oktoberfest is huge. There is no doubt about that. There are certain things about the festival that you need to know in order to make the decision to go in the first place.

Number one is that you don’t actually have to drink tons of beer to go. It is a family-friendly event. There are tons of stands with food and non-alcoholic drinks available. Rides that you would expect to see at a fair or amusement park are at every turn. I personally hate rides (the whole motion sickness thing), but you could spend a whole day riding rides and not drinking if that floats your boat.

Number two, if you are a beer drinker, like me, you will need to go into a tent or find a bier garten. The tents are very crowded so expect to bump some elbows. They get rowdier as the beer continues to flow. I kind of loved the happy atmosphere of the tents. They are full of singing and dancing, but they can wear you out.

Number three, I personally think that a single day is all you need for Oktoberfest. This is heavily due to the fact that I can’t enjoy multiple days of rowdy drinking and crowds. If you love crowds, you may want to spend a few days. There is certainly a lot to do. However, if you are an introvert like me, you may not want to commit to more than one or two days. If you do, maybe go out and explore Munich instead to escape the crowds. Make sure that you give yourself time to recharge your social battery. It is important!

What You Need to Know

This festival is free to the public. Just know that you will need cash to purchase anything once inside. Beers are around 11-13 euros each for a liter. You can buy a half liter, but I didn’t see anyone doing that.

If you want to drink beer, you must be seated at a table in a tent or bier garten. We did manage to get a beer without a table once, but he had to set them down on an empty table for us, which brings me to my next topic.

You can reserve tables, but it is not always necessary. I noticed that most tables were reserved for 4 or 5 PM. You could sit at them before that. If you find a table after those times with a reservation on it that has not been claimed, feel free to sit down. Just be ready to move when the reserved party shows up. You can also ask to join a table. It is a friendly environment and we all know drunk people love to make friends.

If you have a large group, I highly recommend reserving a table. We managed to find a place for four of us, but any more than that would have been impossible.

A tip is not included in the price of drinks. 5 to 10 percent tip is the norm in Germany. I definitely over-tipped a lot in Europe since I am so used to American tipping.

You can also order food at the tables, and you will see people walking around with baskets of giant pretzels to buy. Trust me, you will want to eat something with all of that beer you are about to drink.

Keep in mind that German beer packs a punch. Some tents only serve one beer, while others will allow you to order different kinds. Remember, always drink responsibly.

To Dress Up or Not to Dress Up

Traditionally speaking, women wear Clearlove Women Bavarian Dirndl Plus Size Dress 3-Pieces with Apron and Blouse Red Plaid 2XL” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer” data-wplink-url-error=”true”>dirndls and men wear InCharacter Bavarian Guy Adult Costume Brown” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer” data-wplink-url-error=”true”>lederhosen. You will see a LOT of people in traditional dress.

However, you will also see plenty of people in regular clothes. If you are traveling all over and don’t want to weigh down your bag with an Oktoberfest outfit that you will only wear once or twice, don’t feel like you must.

I opted for wearing

Background of Oktoberfest

If you are wondering why Oktoberfest is a thing, I am here to provide. I like to know the background of the events I attend. Surely this festival isn’t all about drinking. As it turns out, it isn’t.

Oktoberfest began in 1810 with the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to the festivities, and the grounds were named Theresienwiese (Theresa Fields), which the grounds are still called to this day. The locals often refer to the festival as “Weisn”.

The tradition was continued for years with horse races, then agricultural shows. In 1818, the first carousel and two swings were added, and small beer stands were set up. The beer stands slowly grew more numerous and eventually full beer halls were put in place.

The rest is history, and now we have the beer-drinking, pretzel eating, and the general good time that is Oktoberfest.

A Festival for Everyone

Whether you love giant festivals, love to ride rollercoasters, eat your way around the world, or just like some good people watching, Oktoberfest is something that everyone should experience in their lifetime. Even I had an amazing time despite bumping some elbows, getting stepped on, and having to yell to speak (I was hoarse the next day). Honestly, the beer helps with all of that.

If you are thinking about going, but aren’t sure if Oktoberfest is for you, please reach out to me with questions. I would be happy to help you!

Have you been to Oktoberfest? What was your favorite part?

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