Oktoberfest costumes, customs and cuisine
How to survive Oktoberfest
O'zaptf is! That means "it's tapped" in German. What better way to ring in a new season of Oktoberfest? It's time to rip the lid off another international German festival, with all the beer, food and dancing that you could possibly imagine.
First things first. There's one important word to learn before you undertake any Oktoberfest celebration:
- Prost means "cheers" in German. It is usually said before a toast, and is followed by a swig from your stein. Alternatively, feel free to shout Zum Wohl which means "to your health".
All over the world, people are gearing up for Oktoberfest celebrations. If you're looking forward to a day of drinking beer on a long timber table, then this is your go-to Oktoberfest guide. For all your Oktoberfest costume needs, visit Blossom Costumes.
Dress
There's no point getting under the big tent if you don't look the part. Our collection of Oktoberfest outfits are sure to get you in the mood for good cheer, cold beer and great food.
Lederhosen are male-orientated Oktoberfest costumes - traditional knee length leather or suede breeches worn with a white or checker shirt.. They come in a variety of colours and styles including Classic Brown, Green Suede and Dark Brown.
The dirndl is the feminine equivalent of this classic Alpine garb. These consist of a skirt or pinafore dress, lowcut blouse and puff sleeves. Dirndls come in a range of colours and styles, from the traditional, to the conservative, to the outright scandalous. View our Oktoberfest costume range for more.
We also have a range of accessories to complement your Oktoberfest outfit:
- Keep the sun off with a traditional German hat, a Trenker hat, or novelty Beer Mug hat.
- You'll be seeing double the fun with our Beer Mug Glasses or Beer Bottle Glasses.
- Our Oktoberfest Mugs and Flashing LED Beer Mugs are to have and to hold.
Drink
Dunkelweizen, Doppelbock, Hefeweizen, Eisbock. If you're not an expert on German beer, then these terms might be foreign to you. Thankfully, your decision-making process at Oktoberfest is aided by the world's oldest brewing tradition.
Here's a quick-fire list of the types of beer that may be on offer:
- Hefeweizen: pale, yellow coloured wheat ale with notes of banana and sultanas
- Kolsh: light, bright and crisp ale, leaving a sharp grape and apricot flavour
- Dunkelweizen: rich and bold ale with a chocolatey palette and appearance
- Weissbier: light, fizzy ale with sour and tart flavours of lemon, raspberry and peach
- Bock: dark, malty lager with a toasted, nutty aroma and profile
- Helles: Munich-style session lager with a light, crisp finish
- Pilsner: zesty lager with a tasty floral aroma. Also Germany's most popular export
- Märzen: autumn lager and most popular festival beer in Germany
For the non-beer drinkers, there may also be schnapps available. These delicious fruit brandies come in a variety of flavours, including apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum, and apricot.
Remember to always drink responsibly. Make sure you drink water, at least one glass per alcoholic drink. Also, take a break and eat some food. This will pay dividends for you the day after!
Eat
It's important to pad your stomach for a full day of German cultural experience. Thankfully, some of the best highlights of the European culinary landscape come from Germany. All of these foods are best enjoyed washed down with the help of a full Bierkrug.
- Traditional German pretzels are slathered in butter and salt, giving you a starchy but deliciously filling morsel to pick at all day.
- To be frank, German sausages are just the wurst. There are dozens of styles to choose from from boiled, to broiled, to filled with cheese.
- Nothing hits the spot quite like a pork hock. This giant side of pork on the bone comes with potato salad and sauerkraut. If you can get through this without dozing off, you are a true hero.
- If you feel a bit flat, schnitzel is the answer. Battered and fried to perfection, these tasty portions of chicken and pork usually come with coleslaw and mashed potatoes.
Dance
If modern pop music has left you pining for the fjords, then it's time to get down and dirty with some traditional dancing. If you're in a beer tent for the day, it may be tempting to get up on a table and shake your stuff. We advise against this. You may fall down and injure yourself or someone else.
- Originally from the Bohemia region of the modern day Czech Republic, polka is a lively music style that involves percussion, strings and a huge brass section.
- Schuhplattler is a vibrant Bavarian folk dance that involves clapping and slapping the soles of your shoes. If you don't know how to do it, just look around and follow along.
Take Care
Oktoberfest celebrations can make for a long day, and it can be overwhelming at times. No matter where in the world you spend it, it's important that you keep yourself and your friends safe.
- Don't drink to excess, eat food and have plenty of water.
- Keep an eye on each other and your drinks at all times.
- Set a meeting point, or leave together as a group.
If you're celebrating the rich cultural traditions of German this October, we hope you have a fun and safe time. For authentic, traditional lederhosen and dirndls, visit our online store.