In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about attending a German beer fest with kids!
This time of year, the biggest party in all of Germany is taking place…It’s the infamous Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest brings together beautifully Germany’s historic and delicious beer tradition with traditional Bavarian culture and a huge dose of fun. Visitors from all over the world flock to Munich, where Oktoberfest takes place, to experience the vibrant festival atmosphere filled with music, table dancing, and the clinking of glasses.
The festival features numerous beer tents that can accommodate thousands of guests, each offering a variety of locally brewed beers, especially the signature Märzen style. Alongside the beer, food served includes traditional Bavarian specialties such as pretzels, sausages, sauerkraut, pork knuckle, and roast chicken as well as charcuterie boards.
Beyond the culinary offerings, Oktoberfest is an opportunity for families to enjoy carnival rides, games, and live entertainment, that showcases folk music and traditional dances.
Beer fests are a fun way to engage in some good old fashioned German tradition! It all started as a wedding celebration in the 1800s. Nowadays, it has truly evolved into a volksfest, meaning a fest for the people, attracting millions of attendees each year from all corners of the globe. This is absolutely apparent when attending! Young and old, foreigners and locals, join together in a celebration of culture, laughter, and community spirit. The atmosphere is electric as the sound of joyous chatter and happy songs fills the festive tents.
If you are operating under the belief that Oktoberfest is not for families, you are operating under a false belief. Yes, it’s absolutely true that you can party hard in a beer tent to the wee early morning hours. However, there is also a family-friendly side to Oktoberfest that becomes more apparent during the daytime hours, making it an ideal excursion for families with children. We’ve taken our kids to countless Fall and Spring German fests in various locations across Germany, and we have always had a great time with them. The festivities at Oktoberfest can indeed be enjoyable for visitors of all ages. You just need to keep in mind a couple of things to ensure a great day for everyone involved.
Tip #1 Arrive Early
In our experience, showing up as a family right when the beer fest opens, typically at 11 a.m., ensures that you have at least a couple of hours to enjoy relaxed festivities before the fest grounds get too crowded. This early arrival allows for a less overwhelming experience, letting kids enjoy the lively atmosphere without being submerged in large crowds. If you have flexibility in your travel itinerary, consider attending during weekdays, which typically see fewer crowds than weekends.
Moreover, all fests have a designated family day, which is usually on Wednesdays. This special family day offers discounted fares on the numerous rides, games, and experiences available throughout the festival grounds, making it an economical choice for families. After all, those rides can add up quickly! You can find fantastic attractions, such as carousels, haunted houses, funhouses, and rides designed specifically for younger children, alongside exciting games and more extreme rides suitable for older kids.
Does your travel schedule not align with Oktoberfest? German beer fests happen semi-annually. They occur once in fall (Oktoberfest) and once in spring (Fruhlingsfest), typically in late Sep/Oct and late April/May. Both fests occur for about a 3 week period; this generous schedule provides plenty of time to fit a fest into your future travel planning!
If you plan to attend a beer fest later in the evening, it’s a good idea to make reservations directly with the beer tent, as this can save you a significant amount of time and hassle. These reservations are typically pre-paid, adding a layer of commitment to your plans. In our experience, especially during the bustling daytime hours, you can walk into most tents without too much difficulty, especially when you arrive early before the peak crowds gather. This allows for flexibility when walking around the fest with kids (which we all know is essential), as well as a chance to sample different beers and foods across the various tents. If a table is reserved, there will be a piece of paper attached to one end, clearly marked with a time slot indicating when the guests will arrive. If you’re ahead of the time printed on the table, the table is yours until that time of the reservation. It’s also good to know that some reservations fail to show, so be ready to move if necessary, but you might get lucky and be able to keep your spot if others are not punctual.
The beer tents can be massive in scale, built to accommodate thousands of excited festival-goers. It’s hard to believe that they are put together just before the fest and taken down just after, showcasing the dedication and effort that goes into making these celebrations possible each year.
If you’re unable to get inside a tent, not to worry; there’s plenty to do outside as well. After all, travel (especially with kids) is all about flexibility right? Walking around the fest grounds, you can enjoy vibrant live music performances, take in the lively atmosphere, and engage in people watching, which is always entertaining. Additionally, going on countless rides can add a thrill to your experience, making it a perfect day filled with food, fun, and festivities.
While you can eat inside the beer tents, there are tons of options for food, snacks, and drinks while walking around the fest grounds. From traditional pretzels and bratwursts to sweet treats like roasted almonds, cotton candy, and apple strudel, the variety of culinary delights is sure to satisfy any craving.
Tip #2 Consider Attending a Smaller Beer Fest
Having attended Oktoberfest, I actually prefer the smaller beer fests, which tend to offer a more intimate, and in my opinion, more enjoyable experience. These include the beer fests held in Stuttgart and Regensberg, where the crowds are much more manageable and the atmosphere feels somehow friendlier. Our favorite beer tent in Regensberg has a pole that anyone can try to climb, if you get to the top and ring the bell, you earn a free mass of beer! Our 7 year-old had a great time attempting a climb while being cheered on by fellow fest goers in the tent.
Regardless of geographic location, each beer tent has its own unique feel. Some tents embrace a more traditional vibe, showcasing folk music, while others focus more on a vibrant party atmosphere, complete with lively DJs.
Tip #3: Learn a Few Fest Songs with your Kids Beforehand
You might want to learn a few German songs before heading out to a beer fest to fully immerse yourself in the experience. If you don’t have time, not to worry, Sweet Caroline, Country Road, and a catchy song that repeats Johnny Depp over and over are some of the most popular songs you’ll hear!
At the very least, I recommend learning Ein Prosit, a festive anthem that is frequently sung by attendees before clinking glasses and taking a gulp of your drink of choice. Knowing these few words helps you better engage with others at the fest, and creates a more lively and enjoyable atmosphere. The song goes like this:
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Tip # 4 Get decked out in some traditional clothing – you and your kids will love it!
It was also in the 1800’s that the dirndl and lederhosen became the official fest attire, as a way to promote Bavarian culture. Dressing up in traditional clothing is a great way to get into the spirit of the fest, and your kids will love it.
You can find vendors offering beautiful (but typically pricey) traditional clothing at the fests, with a wide range of styles and sizes to choose from. Alternatively, you can often find more affordable outfits over Amazon. Allow some planning to make sure everyone has a good fit; it can be helpful to measure each person ahead of time to avoid any last-minute scrambling.
For adults, these lederhosen will work well for your future festivities, providing comfort and style. You want to make sure you are buying genuine leather, otherwise the clothing looks more like Halloween and less traditional. Kids’ lederhosen can be found here. In addition to lederhosen, boys and men typically wear a traditional checkered shirt, contributing to the authentic Bavarian look that embodies the festive spirit.
For ladies, a dirndl is an absolute must! A traditional dirndl has 3 components: blouse, dress, and apron, each often adorned with intricate embroidery or colorful patterns. The dirndl will have you feeling like you’re truly in the spirit of the festivities, blending tradition with charm. There’s a variety of dirndls for girls available on Amazon, such as this one, that perfectly capture the essence of whimsy and elegance, making them ideal for the little ones to twirl around the festival grounds.
If there’s one thing I know about Germany, they do fests very well, with vibrant celebrations that showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of various regions. From the world-renowned Oktoberfest in Munich to the more intimate beer fest in the beautiful town of Regensberg to Germany’s 2nd largest beer fest in Stuttgart. Experiencing a beer fest at least once should be on every family’s bucket list, as these events not only offer a glimpse into German customs but also provide an opportunity to create lasting memories together, surrounded by laughter, music, and the joyous spirit of community.
Who wouldn’t want to share this unforgettable experience with their families?!? is not just a festival; it’s a celebration of life, community, and the rich heritage of Bavaria that brings people together in a spirit of fun and unity. Whether you’re raising a stein or indulging in traditional treats, the memories created at the fest are sure to last a lifetime.
Fest Etiquette & A Few More Helpful Tips
🍻Bring lots of Euro coins -You’ll want to have 1 Euro coins handy to tip your server after delivering your drink refresher. Additionally, toilets typically cost 1 Euro for use (both within and outside the bier tents)
🍻If you have younger kids, try to sit further away from the speakers as the tent can get quite loud and be over-stimulating for the littles. Sometimes the further removed VIP areas offer a bit of distance from the stage, are but close enough to feel engaged.
🍻It’s also a good idea to set a meeting point in case anyone gets separated in the large crowd, ensuring that your family can enjoy the event with peace of mind.
🍻Wear comfortable walking shoes! No, you don’t need heels…you will be walking a lot and the fest grounds can get quite dirty. You will thank me later.
🍻For ladies, wear a pair of shorts under your dirndl-running around fun houses, riding high in flying swings, and the occasional burst of air on fun houses will have you wishing for a little more coverage under that dress.
🍻Pack lightly – you cannot bring in outside food or drinks to the fest grounds. Checkpoints to enter the free festival grounds will look through your purse/bag.
🍻Bring plenty of cash for carnival rides and attractions. Most vendors will accept credit card, but I’ve found cash to be easiest.
🍻Gingerbread is a big thing! But don’t eat it, it’s more for wearing as a sort of necklace. Friends, lovers, and in our case parents, buy gingerbreads that are then hung around the neck with various sayings, such as ‘ich liebe dich’ – I love you, princess, prince, king, etc.
Links to German Beer Festivals:
Stuttgart Volksfest: https://www.cannstatter-volksfest.de/en/
Regensberg Dult Fest: https://www.regensburg.de/aktuelles/dult
Muich Oktoberfest: https://oktoberfest-guide.com/magazine/ein-prosit-der-gemuetlichkeit/
Where to Stay:
If you are planning to attend Okotberfest, you need to book hotels early, as they often double or even triple in price and fill to capacity due to the overwhelming popularity of the event.
For spring and fall fests in Stuttgart and Regensberg, it’s best to plan ahead but no need to book your stay more than a couple months out. If you can find a hotel within walking distance to the fest, that’s best! If you have a car, there are parking areas outside the fest…however consider carefully the idea of driving after attending a beer fest 😅. For stays out of walking reach, uber, local buses or the rail are all viable transport options to get you to/from the fest safely.
Regensberg Hotels
For Regensberg, there are several easily accessible hotels to the fest grounds that can accommodate families including the Ibis Style Regensberg . This hotel offers clean, affordable, no frill rooms with easy walking to the fest grounds and includes a nice breakfast.
The Green Spirit Hotel is located off the Danube River, close to the historic bridge into the aldstadt (old town) and within walking distance to the fest grounds. This smaller hotel has family friendly rooms for an affordable price.
Stuttgart Hotels
Stuttgart has an excellent metro that stops just outside the fest grounds. Finding a hotel close to a metro station is one easy way to secure accommodation for experiencing a beer fest in Stuttgart (besides, the festive atmosphere will already be started with fest goers on the train). There are also multiple hotels within walking distance to the fest grounds.
The Hilton Garden Inn Stuttgart Neckar Park is in a perfect location to attend the beer fest in Stuttgart.
B&B Hotel Stuttgart-Neckarhafen offers clean and simple family rooms and is also walking distance to the fest grounds.
Munich Hotels
August Hotel has excellent family rooms, are just outside the fest grounds and provides free breakfast.
Hotel Uland is also walking distance to the fest grounds, close to the main train station and has family rooms.
We hope that this post was helpful and inspired you to try a beer fest with your family! Have you attended a beer fest in Germany? What was your experience?
The Atlas Expeditions 