Oktoberfest 2021 may be cancelled in Munich, but why not celebrate Oktoberfest with a group of your favourite people from the home or office this year? Put on some lederhosen, it's time to come up with some fun, festive ideas to celebrate Oktoberfest with colleagues, friends and family.
If you're celebrating in Germany, it's going to be great – but if not, why not plan a different kind of Oktoberfest celebration at home with family and friends this year? Really, Oktoberfest is about getting together with friends and enjoying some German food, so why not bring the party to you?
What is Oktoberfest and when is it?
Oktoberfest (also known as Wiesn) is basically a huge fair that takes place annually in Munich to celebrate Bavarian culture and has been around for over 200 years. It usually runs from late September through early October, and it's the world's largest public festival: around 7 million people attend every year!
Oktoberfest Catering Ideas
The first step to planning your own Oktoberfest party is to think about what type of food you want to serve. Traditionally, meals at the festival are served in large "Mass" (liters) or 1 litre mugs called Steins,
If you don't even know where to start with planning this kind of celebration, then look no further! Here are 5 ways that you can celebrate Oktoberfest.
5 Fun Ways To Celebrate Oktoberfest 2021 At Work And Home
1. Create Your Own Oktoberfest Decorations
One of the best ways to get into the spirit of things is by decorating your home in a suitably festive way. If you're not sure where to start with this, take a look at some of our suggestions! There are plenty of ideas that you can just print out and put together, so you can spend your valuable time hosting a party rather than doing the decorating.
After all, Oktoberfest is a chance to enjoy some fun and games with friends – not a DIY project! Here are three simple suggestions:
Oktoberfest Banner
If you have a lot of string lying around at home, why not use it to make an Oktoberfest banner? There are lots of templates online to choose from, but these simple brown kraft paper ones are particularly homely.
Felt Oktoberfest Banner
This felt Oktoberfest banner is another great option for those who like the relaxed style of decorating. The free template is available on Etsy, so you can cut each letter out of felt and get to work.
Oktoberfest Still Life
For those who are more keen on pretending they are in Munich rather than actually being there, this Oktoberfest still life printable is a popular choice. There are six different designs to choose from, so you can pick your favorite and print as many as you like.
2. Go Old School With Traditional Oktoberfest Games
Oktoberfest isn't just about food and drink – there's a whole festival that means lots of traditional games, too! If you want to go back to basics with your party, why not put some effort into making some of these games part of your celebration?
Here are three different options for traditional Oktoberfest games that you can take inspiration from:
Ring Toss
One popular game at any Oktoberfest celebration is the ring toss. This is particularly fun when it's played with small, portable plastic rings that you can buy off Amazon.
Lederhosen Toss
Another traditional game is the Lederhosen Toss, otherwise known as the barrel toss or keg toss. It's a simple game of skill involving throwing an object at a barrel, but it's very rewarding when you get good!
Beer Barrel Race
It wouldn't be Oktoberfest without a little bit of beer involved somewhere, so why not add an element of fun to the traditional beer barrel race? Simply divide your guests into teams and let them have a go at racing across the room with full glasses in hand.
3. Prepare Oktoberfest Themed Food Or Get Oktoberfest Catering!
Oktoberfest food is a big part of the celebration – and if you're going to celebrate Oktoberfest at home, it makes sense to go all out with the food that you provide. This might be a meal or just an evening snack, but either way it'll help everyone get into the Oktoberfest spirit!
Here are some simple ideas for themed dishes:
- Pretzels
Oktoberfest food isn't complete without some chocolate covered pretzels, and these cute twisty ones mean that you can get into the theme easily. If you're worried about your guests getting a bit hungry between meals, then this is a great option for them to snack on!
- Currywurst And Chips
If you want to serve traditional Oktoberfest food, then this is a great option. The currywurst and chips are simple to prepare, but very tasty for your guests.
- German Chocolate Cake
This takes some preparation time if you're planning on making one yourself, but it's definitely worth the effort! There are plenty of recipes online, so you can pick your favorite and add some Oktoberfest elements such as the pretzels to decorate.
4. Have A "Prost!" And Get Into The German Spirit
Oktoberfest is a celebration of Bavarian culture, which has its roots in German culture, so it's no surprise that when it comes to Oktoberfest, the Germans are the ones who know how it's done!
Here are some great ways to get into the German spirit:
Brew Some Beer
If you want everyone to get into the spirit of things, then why not brew your own beer? There are lots of recipes online that you can follow for beginners, so you can have a go at making your own beer and see what people think.
- Marzen And Hefeweizen Beer
If you want to stick with something more traditional, then why not try these two types of beer? It's great for Oktoberfest because they are some of the most popular beers that are brewed in Germany.
- Serve With Oktoberfest Beer Glasses
If you're going to serve your own beer at the party, then why not ensure that everything matches by serving it in Oktoberfest themed glasses? These classic and traditional looking pint glasses are perfect for this and they're a lot of fun to drink from.
5. Decorate Your Space In Traditional Oktoberfest Style
Oktoberfest is all about tradition, so if you want to get into the spirit of things without actually having to visit Munich, then you should decorate your home in the same way as over there! Here's how:
- Make A Beer Keg Standee To Decorate With!
Beer keg standees are a great way to decorate your home for Oktoberfest, and you can find lots of them on Amazon. There are also many options for standing cardboard beer kegs if you need more than one!
- Use Oktoberfest Beer Mats As Coasters
If you're going to use coasters in your house, then why not get some traditional Oktoberfest themed ones? They come with a range of colors and designs that will go perfectly in any German inspired area of your home.
- Get An Oktoberfest Flag To Hang Up
Oktoberfest flags are always popular wherever the party is happening, so they're perfect for hanging up at home too. You can find them very cheap online and there's sure to be one that you like the look of.
If you want to celebrate Oktoberfest in style this year, then why not use these ideas for inspiration? Whether you're looking for some classic German food or just a fun game for everyone to get involved with, there's always something that will suit your needs. And while planning ahead is never much fun, at least it means that when October finally arrives, all you need to do is enjoy!
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