When it comes to visiting the biggest and most traditional Oktoberfest worldwide, there is an answer for you: You have to visit Munich in Bavaria. Munich is the original hometown of the Oktoberfest. All other beer festivals on the planet - from Australia to Brasil - are celebrating this role model.

Visit the Original!

Many people travel to the Chinese Wall, to New York or to other spectacular tourist places. You would miss something if you have never visited Munichs famous Theresienwiese. Here the best known Oktoberfest takes place every year. This famous Bavarian beer festival inspired several other beer festivals worldwide. It is known in Japan or in Namibia. A Bavarian Oktoberfest is a folkloristic fair with lots of carnival and thrill rides. These modern technologies are contradicted by thousands of people wearing traditional Bavarian fashion. For ten days each year, the crowd enjoys merrymaking and drinking vast amounts of beer in big tents with traditional Bavarian music. The Oktoberfest in Munich is a unique party. It is started with an almost holy ritual when the mayor of town taps the first beer keg with the words "O'zapft is".

The different beer tents attract many people. Many of them come from foreign countries. Year by year, famous Hollywood stars and other celebrities join the crowd, notoriously wearing a traditional or modern Bavarian "Tracht". Every year, some details of the traditional fashion changes. The length and colors of the worn Tracht follow fashion dictates. What never changes is that women and their daughters wear the traditional Dirndl dress. Men and their sons wear short leather trousers or leather brogues, combined with chequered shirts and the famous Haferlshoes. You don't need to pay fees anywhere, but the prices for beer, roast chuckling pig, pretzels or chicken are quite juicy. However, it is no option to miss Munichs yearly Oktoberfest. It might well be that you end up being one of the notorious fans.

The Oktoberfest fashion

It is interesting to watch the various Oktoberfest outfits that are worn. The traditional Bavarian Tracht can be seen in various modifications. Modern designer Trachten, halfhearted modern combinations of Jeans and classic Gilet or inherited traditional dresses can be seen. Almost all visitors try to blend in with a Tracht of their own. It is not a question of age if you wear Tracht. It is a question of belonging. If you want to belong, you have to wear the customary outfit. Nowadays you can buy it online from any place on this planet. Ladies should be mindful when it comes to placing the Dirndl bow. Tradition has it that when the bow is tied on the left side, the woman in question is free for romantic advances. Merried or committed women tie their bow on the right side. Virgins tie their bow in front, widows and waitresses in the back. If you wish to visit Munich at the time, you better book a hotel near the towns center in advance.