What You Should Know About Celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich

Oktoberfest is a global phenomenon, a Bavarian beer festival celebrated in countries around the world.

But many say the festival doesn't get much more fun than its home in Munich, which attracts about six million participants each year, according to the festival's website, which is run by the Munich Ministry of Labor and Economy.

As a non-Bavarian German, I visit Munich regularly and have learned a few things about attending the festival known simply as “Wiesn.” Here are my tips.

For many people, the dress code is traditional Bavarian dress for women and traditional trousers for men. Unlike in other parts of the world, you won’t be accused of appropriating local culture here – locals even invite foreign visitors to wear traditional costumes.

These clothes are available for any budget, from inexpensive, one-time wear to vintage and custom-made clothing rentals.

Two things to keep in mind: Lederhosen is plural, so a pair of leather trousers is simply Lederhose. These are Bavarian-style clothing, not German as many travelers think. If you travel north, you won't see them – except at Oktoberfest, of course.

Beer is not served in glasses as many people think, but in mugs called “lumps”, which are one liter of beer. Waiters carry up to six lumps in each hand, weighing about 12 kilograms (26 pounds). Waiters get a percentage of the beer and food they serve, plus tips. So please tip well.

To attract their attention, the waiters wear clothespins with their name written on them, but they also respond to an address with “du” – which means “you” – in German.

The celebrants hold the mass by the handle so that they can easily clink the glasses and drink with the toast. When the band calls out: “Ein Prosit, ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit. Oans, zwoa, driel g'suffa!” – which translates as “A toast, a toast to fun and goodwill. One, two, three, drink!” – the celebrants are expected to finish their glasses and rearrange them.

Other times, they perform the “Shunklin” dance, where they link arms and swing to the music.

Women: If you're wearing a traditional outfit, pay attention to where you tie your tie. Ties on the right usually mean you're single and open to flirting.

Oktoberfest is all about beer, which is brewed especially for the event and is very strong (over 6%). But there is also wine, Apfelschorle (a drink made from soda water and apple juice), non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks and water.

Along the Wiesn River, there are countless food stalls offering giant pretzels called Breisen, meats like bratwurst, weisswurst and schnitzel, as well as French fries, curries and much more.

Within walking distance of the Theresienwiese – meaning “Therese's Meadow”, where the festival takes place – travelers can visit Sendlinger Tor, a former city gate, and the Viktualienmarkt, a beautiful market.

The historic Old Town is also nearby, home to the former royal palace, the Residenz Palace, the world-famous Hofbräuhaus, the beer museum and the Oktoberfest.

If you want to take a day trip from the city, the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle is a 90-minute drive from Munich. Salzburg in Austria is less than two hours away by train – a wonderful city, as is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, north of Munich, which looks like a picture-postcard.

After all that beer, a relaxing day amidst the snow-covered Alps at Lake Starnberg could also be a good option.

No need to worry for those who can't visit Munich, there are great festivals all over the world to enjoy traditions, fun, food and drink.

One of the biggest celebrations takes place in Hong Kong, with all the festival trappings, plus views of Hong Kong Harbour.

In the United States, a major festival is held in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in South America in Blumenau, Brazil.

For those who don't fancy crowds, another annual German celebration is the Spring Festival. The festival takes place at the same location, Theresienwiese in Munich, but with fewer tents, and can be just as fun.