Host Your Oktoberfest Party: Traditions And Decoration Ideas
Happy Oktoberfest! If you’re wondering when Oktoberfest is, it actually isn’t in October: It starts on the second Saturday of September. That means it’s finally time to get gussied up with traditional Oktoberfest clothing and celebrate life, love and family with Oktoberfest games. Get ready for elaborate costumes, games and, of course, Oktoberfest beer.
Why Is Oktoberfest Celebrated?
On October 12, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Everyone in Bavaria was invited to take part in the festivities. At the close of the event, horse races took place, and it was decided that the races would happen again the following year. Sure enough in 1811, horse races were put on, along with an agricultural show. After a few decades, beer stands were replaced with the popular beer tents of today. Now there is an entire fun faire, with carousels and games.
If you can’t make it all the way to Germany, but the thought of missing all the fun has you hankering for a stein, make your own Oktoberfest party at home! Here are some simple and fun ways to host your very own Oktoberfest party this year!
Set The Oktoberfest Table
At Oktoberfest, there are game booths, rides, and tents lined with long picnic tables. All around, there are people sitting along tables with sausages, beers and belly laughs. Recreate this feel with centerpieces, stamped tablecloths and seasonal gourds. Some other ideas include:
- Create a cupcake carousel for the dessert table
- Fill steins with treats at the kids’ table
- Make a fondue table for a unique way to snack on all the traditional foods!
Hold Traditional Activities
Hold a beer tasting of specialty German beers, or just with beers you’ve wanted to try! Nowadays there are plenty of Oktoberfest style beers on the market. If you want to stick to tradition, import beer from the classic 6 breweries: Augustiner, Hofbräu Münchner, Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, Löwenbräu, and Spaten-Franziskaner. For kids, use chilled steins to make big root beer floats!
Set The Scene
Set up a photo booth with handmade props, using construction paper, cardstock, glue and embellishments. Make hats, mustaches, speech bubbles and more!
Turn up the music
Play an Oktoberfest playlist! Make your own or use one from online. There are few good ones on Spotify and Pandora. Folk music works just fine, too.
Get Your Costumes On!
Build your own pair of lederhosen with suspenders, shorts and a simple white peasant blouse! For kiddos, you can also make a pair with construction paper and the right adhesives. For ladies, dirndl skirts, peasant blouses, corsets and aprons are perfect for this celebration. Come on down to our craft and costume departments for all your Oktoberfest supplies.
Craft Festive Decorations
Draw a classic beer stein, then cut it out and use it as a stencil to make dozens of them. Next, string them up to create the look of a wall lined with beers. Like a classic Oktoberfest scene.
Prepare a Traditional Oktoberfest Spread
Set the table with hearty, traditional munchies like soft pretzels and mustards, bratwurst sausages and sauerkraut.
