Oktoberfest: What To Pack
Oktoberfest: What To Pack
So you’ve booked your trip, the airfare is bought and in no time at all, you’ll be drinking beer in Munich, Germany with a few million other people at the legendary festival.
Now you’re just wondering what to pack for Oktoberfest?
Before you roll that suitcase out of your house and onto a plane- there’s a few things you’ll want to make sure you bring! From chilly German weather, to the right accessories- there are a few things to keep in mind when you pack!
Dirndl for the ladies or Lederhosen for the men
You don’t technically have to dress up but did you really come all this way to NOT to go in costume?! Of course not.
And this is one of the things I love about Oktoberfest: people really commit.
You will see very few people dressed in normal, every day clothing. Just about everyone wears the traditional outfits. And this only adds to the fun!
You can buy them in Germany or online before the festival starts. If you buy a dirndl that doesn’t come as a set, be sure to buy the white under piece separately.
Just click the styles below to start shopping!
Dirndls
Lederhosen
Oktoberfest Accessories:
Jewelry for the Ladies
Ladies, give your outfit the finishing touch with the traditional style choker necklace and earrings! You can also buy them at the festival.
They tend to look something like this:
Hats for the men
Fellas, you might want to complete the look with the traditional style hat!
Sweater
For those chilly nights in the beer garden, ladies might want a sweater to toss on over their dirndl! You can find cute, cropped cardigans in a color to match your dress.
So you’re warm but it still fits with your German outfit. Success!
Gloves
Unfortunately, it gets COLD at the night most years.
If you plan to be outside riding rides or even walking around after dark- you might want to have a pair of mittens or gloves in your bag for when things cool down.
A Bra that won’t show over your dress
Ladies, the Oktoberfest dresses are well… low cut to say the least! If you typically wear a more full coverage bra- it might show over the top of your dirndl. If you are looking for something low cut with a little boost- this option is very affordable!
Flower Crown
Some ladies (myself included) love to pair a flower crown with their dirndl.
You can buy real flower crowns at the festival but be prepared to spend a fair bit of money on them!
So if you want one you can reuse, you can buy it online ahead of time.
Tights
Again, it’s Germany. Meaning, it’s cold in October at night. I found the festival a lot more enjoyable in the evenings when my legs weren’t totally bare.
Tall socks for warmth
You’ll be fine during the day but socks can make all the difference at night! Plus how cute do they look with the whole ensemble?!
The Right Shoes
Any style of Mary Janes or ballet flats should do the trick for women!
Likewise for men, any dress shoe will work if you don’t want to buy a specific, new pair.
Umbrella
Look ahead at the forecast, it often ends up raining. So it might be worth having an umbrella tucked in your bag to avoid showing up at the festival soaking wet!
Power Bank for Your Phone
You’re in for a long day at the beer halls!
People tend to show up early and stay until the halls close at night.
Most likely you’ll be taking lots of photos (not to mention embarrassing videos of your friends once they’ve had a few steins!) so don’t let your phone die while you’re out.
It makes getting back to your accommodation and reconnecting with lost friends a lot more difficult.
Purse for your ID, money and phone
An over the shoulder purse or small backpack is less likely to be set down and left behind while drinking. Bonus if it goes with you outfit!
These styles work great depending on how much space you think you’ll need.
Pro tip: Ladies, wear shorts with pockets under your dirndl so you can avoid bringing a bag altogether! The fabric is thick & long enough to hide shorts and then you’ll be less likely to lose anything in the chaos.
Any questions about what to pack for Oktoberfest? Send me your questions! Otherwise enjoy your time in Munich and have a beer for me 😉 Prost!
Interested in camping at Oktoberfest? Check out these deals with Stoke Travel.
MORE ON OKTOBERFEST:
HOW TO GET AN EPIC JOB AT OKTOBERFEST – Interested in working the festival with Stoke Travel? Find out more!
HOW TO DO MUNICH’S OKTOBERFEST ON A BUDGET – If you can forgo the hotel room and opt for a campsite instead- you’ll save a fortune!
HOW TO SURVIVE OKTOBERFEST WITH STOKE TRAVEL – a guide to surviving Oktoberfest with the wildest, craziest company at Oktoberfest!