OKTOBERFEST explained by a Munich Native! Everything you need to know! | Feli from Germany

Today would have been the last day of Oktoberfest (Wiesn) in Munich - if it hadn't been canceled. But I was still there in my mind and as a Munich native who grew up going to Oktoberfest every year, I wanted to share some Oktoberfest knowledge with you guys! :) So here is everything you need to know about it - background information, insider knowledge, and an Oktoberfest Guide with hands-on tips and DOs and DON'Ts for those of you who plan on visiting Oktoberfest next year (or sometime in the future) because in 349 days, the mayor of Munich will hopefully say "O'zapft is!" again and open the fifth season of the year.
++Reason for blurs/muted audio: This channel was renamed in Oct 2021. All references to the old name have been removed.++

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0:00 Intro
2:28 Basic Facts & Background
6:14 Myths
8:30 Oktoberfest Guide | Dos&Don'ts
19:34 Numbers & Statistics
20:51 Prost!
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ABOUT ME: Hallo, Servus, and welcome to my channel! My name is Felicia (Feli), I'm 26, and I'm a German living in the USA! I was born and raised in Munich, Germany but have been living in Cincinnati, Ohio off and on since 2016. I first came here for an exchange semester during my undergrad at LMU Munich, then I returned for an internship, and then I got my master's degree in Cincinnati. I was lucky enough to win the Green Card lottery and have been a permanent resident since 2019! In my videos, I talk about cultural differences between America and Germany, things I like and dislike about living here, and other experiences that I have made during my time in the States. Let me know what YOU would like to hear about in the comments below. DANKE :)
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Picture/Video credits:
Teufelsrad Video: Veronica Hitzler

[FelifromGermany]

What did you think about the information I shared on Oktoberfest? What surprised you? Have you been to the Munich Oktoberfest before or do you plan on going in the future? Let me know in the comments below!
*edit: Yes, I pronounced bow wrong. I know how to pronounce it but sometimes while recording I say world's weirdly and don't notice until I edit it. I do know how to pronounce it though :)

[guydavies]

One of my best life experiences was to visit the Oktoberfest with a girlfriend from Munich. Being a Scotsman, I went in my own traditional clothing (kilt). I was unable to buy my own beer for at least 3 days, as the people were all so friendly to me, and they all bought me beer! Of course, they all wanted to know if I was really wearing (or perhaps not wearing) my clothing properly!! It is wonderful to experience one another’s cultures and I am certain we would have much fewer issues if people were more willing to travel and enjoy different cultures.

[CreatorInTrng]

Hi Felicia, I've been living in München for 25 years and have had the chance to visit Oktoberfest many times including the parades (I don't think you mentioned them.) And yes, everything you said was spot on - of course, you're from here. However, I think you left out one very effective way to get a seat after the reservation time - hübsches Mädel. I know you know what I am talking about. A young woman(girl) goes to a table and asks if there is room for her and her companion - helps if it's another young woman standing next to her. Ten minutes later the table is swamped with her boyfriend, her friend's boyfriend and the rest of her group. Seen it many times. But heh, it's Oktoberfest!

[Hive__]

As a Bavarian I will never be able to adjust to the english pronounciation "Pretzels"

[TheGonz]

Went to Octoberfest in 2019, stayed on the outside Leonardo Hotel and took the train to the fest September 18-24 excellent hotel great bartender.
I was stationed in Germany back in the late 80’s early 90’s, Geoppingen . I tell everyone that’s going to Europe that they have to go to Germany it’s beautiful people are truly friendly easy to get around and centrally located to travel around to other countries either by car or train.
Octoberfest is a bucket list must

[tcartwright]

I’m from Bellbrook just outside of Dayton now in Portland. You have an amazing screen presence. You are beautiful, have a great speaking voice and present yourself well. Thanks for the Octoberfest tips. I love your videos! Perhaps you should be in television or the 🎥 movies 😀!

[elcuki]

I went in 2018 and I loved it!
I’m going again this year and I cannot wait!!!

[blucy]

10 of us went in 2019, including 2 of my nieces in dirndls (both handmade). We had made reservations at Schottenhamel-Festhalle. We actually stayed in a house in Trudering, and the best part of our time was a restaurant in the area.

[deanhockenberry]

My experience with the various festivals in 1976 was fun. I knew very little of the language or traditions but the locals always took good care to explain customs. I was invited to share tables when there because I was polite and asked questions. Many of the fellow soldiers were not so fortunate because they usually were drunk and obnoxious.

[Psiberzerker]

I just happened to have a Warsteiner, but as it's the end of Oktoberfest, and it's canceled this year as well, it's the best I could do. Gutes Jahr, veil Glück.

[ryano.]

I have two things:

Thing #1 - The whole chicken-dance thing...it's a party song American accordionists and polka bands know, and is GUARANTEED to get the crowd dancing. That, and I think a good number of American-style polka bands aren't as aware of traditional Bavarian music as they are of the polka "standards" from the likes of Frankie Yankovic and his contemporaries. Bavarian-style bands don't seem to be super common in the United States, in my experience.

Thing #2 - I'd be interested to see your reaction to the 2006 American comedy movie, Beerfest. It might not be the most respectful of German culture, but it is definitely a cinematic experience that might be worth some commentary and insight from someone who is actually from Germany. I also feel like it might be responsible for perpetuating some of the myths about Octoberfest...

[kennywainwright]

I’ve recently discovered your videos and I think they are great. I loved this one as well but also for two very specific reasons. The first is that being born and raised in New Orleans with Marsh Gras, there are definitely do’s and don’t just like at Oktoberfest. And yes, we New Orleanians are also snubbish about our food. The second is that I have lived in Dallas for quite some time and Texas is like a whole other country. So, if you’ve never been to either place you may want to consider it.

[ericmcquisten]

Ahhh yes.. what we single guys like to see... Felicia's beautiful Dirndl is tied on the left... YES :)
The food looks good too!

[recifebra]

Love your videos. I grew up in La Crosse, WI - we have the third largest Oktoberfest in the USA :) You should try to visit someday; it's is a beautiful scenery on the Mississippi River b/t Wisconsin and Minnesota.

[derEchteGunslingeR]

Goetheplatz, Poccistr and Schwanthalerhöhe are also good alternative U-Bahn options, not just Theresienwiese ;)

[jorgebelo]

Thank you very much for the info.
I hope one day I will visit Munich for Oktoberfest. I've been to Munich and Dusseldorf but for business (three days each visit), so I couldn't really visit.

I would love, and most probably everyone will concord that a Münchner tell us in a video about Munich delicatessen/dishes (typical food) other than sourkraut und wienners, even if you are a vegetarian.

I will start trying German beers to prepare in advance and decide which tent I'll like to seat in.

Thanks again.

[mariocobos]

i like your videos
because you talk about munich native you explaned every things and all the we need know thank you for you videos i like watch your videos and you are a woman beautiful i love know about german culture

[Guitcad]

19:42 I did a double-take @ "124 oxen." 🤨
Is that how Germans refer to beef cattle?
In English, "ox" (pl. "oxen") is used to denote cattle used as draft animals. Obviously, you can still eat them, but I imagine they're not going to be very tender. Maybe in sausages? 🤔

[RoadRashHD]

I guess Erdinger and Ayinger are not traditional Oktoberfest beers. But i do have a Paulaner Oktoberfest beer glass, i actually have 3 of them, that are 1 liter each. Going to try my first Ayinger Oktoberfest beer this weekend. Wish i could get my hands on a Hofbrau, Lowenbrau and a Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest beer here in Canada to try

[nibzee]

Thanks for doing this video. I just wish I had found it before I went.