What Is Oktoberfest?

We’re so glad you asked. Oktoberfest is a huge folk festival held in Munich, in the Bavarian region of Germany, every year from September through to October. More than six million people wearing traditional Oktoberfest costumes attend the festival every year, and many millions more celebrate smaller Oktoberfest events around the world. Here in Australia, you’ve probably even been to your own Oktoberfest event.

The very first Oktoberfest began on October 12 (hence the name) in 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Ever since then, the city of Munich has taken on the responsibility of keeping up the tradition and throwing a no-holds-barred folk festival. The area in Munich where the festival takes place is now known as Theresienwiese, the field of Therese, and many locals will call Oktoberfest the Wiesn.

How Is Oktoberfest Celebrated?

In Munich, the millions of attendees in traditional German costume celebrate by drinking huge amounts of beer, singing rowdy songs and eating local food in big tents sponsored by the six major breweries in the region. There are also fairground rides, games and souvenirs. Sounds good, ja? Well, if you can’t make it to Munich this year, grab yourself an excellent Oktoberfest outfit – whether it’s traditional or a little more tongue in cheek – and find an Oktoberfest party a little closer to home. Or put up some extravagant decorations and throw your own!

What To Wear To An Oktoberfest Party

When it comes to this time of year, choosing the perfect Oktoberfest costumes is half the fun! In Munich, an authentic Oktoberfest outfit is called tracht (tra-oct), and both the men’s and the women’s version are great to wear to Oktoberfest-themed parties (or around the house, we won’t judge you).

Women’s Oktoberfest Costumes

If you’re a blushing fräulein, you might want to buy yourself a pretty and flattering dirndl. You may be thinking, what is a dirndl? A dirndl is a traditional German outfit for women, sometimes known as an Oktoberfest dress or a German maid costume. A dirndl has a full circle skirt that traditionally falls just below the knee, but CostumeBox also stocks them in mini lengths for a flirty modern twist. They usually have a low neckline and a corset to show off your bust in the most flattering way and an apron, all decked out in bright colours like green and red. Pair it with knee-high socks, a wig with long plaits and a stein of beer for the full traditional German costume for women.

Men’s Oktoberfest Costumes

If you’re a dashing herr you may be looking for a lederhosen to show off your best (and wurst) features. Lederhosen are the iconic, slightly dorky shorts held up with the H-shaped suspenders that men in the Alpine region traditionally wear. To complete your lederhosen look, pick up one of our traditional lederhosen hats, knee-high socks and, again, a stein of beer.

The traditional German costume doesn’t appeal? You might want to opt for a beer buddy costume so you look like you have a helpful friend carrying you around all night. CostumeBox has several beer buddies or beer wenches to choose from. Or maybe you want to dress up as the main event – we have full-body beer bottle, stein or keg costumes that will ensure you’re the life of the party.

Costume Alternatives

If you don’t want to go the full costume, you can create your own cheap Oktoberfest costume by mixing and matching from our huge assortment of fun hats, headbands, glasses and other accessories that will bring you into theme. Every Oktoberfest outfit is a wiener at CostumeBox!

Throwing An Oktoberfest Party

If you’re throwing your own Oktoberfest party, you’re going to need beer. Lots of beer. The traditional Oktoberfest style of beer is a dark, strong brew called Märzen, but you can serve whatever you like in your own beer tent, er, house. Once that’s sorted, you’re going to need plenty of party supplies.

First, deck your whole house out in Oktoberfest decorations: think bunting, balloons, flags, streamers and lanterns in blue and white, the colours of the Bavarian flag. Then lay out the Oktoberfest-themed tablecloths, cups and plates, and serve plenty of German food like pretzels (the big, cheesy ones), bratwurst in soft white rolls (fried onions on the sausage not under, please) and heart-shaped gingerbread cookies with messages iced on them. And beer. Did we mention the beer?

Where to buy Oktoberfest costumes

Why, at CostumeBox of course! Find your Oktoberfest outfit and all your party supplies here at CostumeBox and have it delivered – free for all orders over $99 – in plenty of time for your Oktoberfest 2019 party. Prost!