Your Ultimate Guide to Oktoberfest in London

Are you ready for the continental party of a lifetime? That’s right – Oktoberfest is vast approaching, so it’s time to get the lederhosen out, and to start doing your arm exercises (steins are pretty heavy, after all).

If you’re heading to London this October during the fun and festive season, the good news is that you don’t need to miss out. In fact, London’s Oktoberfest celebrations are often regarded as the best ones outside of the original one in Germany. Convinced? We thought so. We’ve put together a guide for those interested in dancing the night away on the tables (because where else can you do this in London?!) with a belly full of authentic beer and schnitzel. Prost indeed!

Make sure you book your accommodation wisely

First things first, as with any key event in the London calendar, hotels get booked up really swiftly, particularly those near the main goings-on. The event takes places from the 3rd of October to the 16th of November across a wide variety of great venues in the capital, so it can be tricky to know where to stay.

You’ll definitely want to be near a key transport hub, and there are great options for accommodation Paddington London, which is the ideal choice for a base for your partying, as it’s just far enough from the loud fun and frolics, without being too far when it comes to getting there and back after a wild evening.

You’ll also want somewhere relaxing and serene after all the mayhem the festival guarantees. The Park Grand Paddington Court Hotel is the perfect choice as it offers a true slice of luxury amidst the chaos.

Though if you do want to continue the tradition and enjoy a tipple or two when you return to your hotel, you’ll be pleased to know our bar is second to none – it offers a wonderful collection of alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic drinks and light appetisers in a stylish atmosphere.

Another huge plus? We have great London hotels special offers with breakfast, so you don’t need to worry about nursing your impending hangover on an empty stomach, too!

What to expect from Oktoberfest

Now you’ve got the most important component ticked off your list – somewhere great to stay – it’s time to move onto the festival itself. It will be held across three venues in Canary Wharf, Millwall Park and Finsbury Park – three super diverse and fun areas of the city to explore in between all of the boozing (if you can find the time!).

The main focus of the event is, of course, the food and drink. Unsurprisingly, there are a good few different types of beer for purchase on-site in the fun beer tents. This includes (but isn’t limited to) the specially-brewed Oktoberfest beer in Bavaria, Germany, 5% ABV, and their world-famous Bavarian Craft Beer. The different options are specially transported over the UK for your drinking pleasure.

When sharing a thought about the beers, event director said; ‘Our beer is a wonderful dark lager with 5% and produced just for us in Bavaria under the German purity law, so fresh and tasty.’ If that doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will.

As well as all that beer, you’ll be happy to know for those in the mood for something else, you’ll be covered. The bars will serve a range of different wine, champagne, soft drinks and even a cocktail or two.

Ok so now onto the VERY best bit – the food! German cuisine is synonymous with hearty portions of meat and carbs, and Oktoberfest in London offers this by the bucket load. Traditional German food you’ll find on the menu includes bratwurst, schnitzel and brezel, which is enough of a reason in itself to attend.

Not into meat? Don’t worry, there will be vegan and vegetarian options available for those following a plant-based diet, as well as some halal and gluten-free offerings also on the menu – just check with your server for full dietary details.

Hungry for more meat-free Oktoberfest celebrations? You’re in luck! Thanks to the rise in popularity of the diet in the capital during recent years, there’s even a Vegan Oktoberfest taking place in Greenwich Market on Friday 4th October. From vegan ‘würstl’ and ‘knödel’ to a fancy variety of crisp, refreshing vegan beers, there’s everything here you’ll need to feel part of the fun, and then some. There will also be a band to fire up the audience and spread the good vibes at the city’s second annual Vegan Oktoberfest.

What to wear 

As well as all the food, drink and music, it’s a good idea to get clued up on the attire. After all, when you arrive, you’ll notice just how enthusiastic partygoers get when it comes to dressing up.

One of the reasons why this event is so great is that people really do love getting involved in the ‘traditional’ attire best associated with the original Munich Oktoberfest experience. The colour scheme is centred around blue, green and white, and it’s ALL about the lederhosen. There are great options both for males and females, so do a quick Google search to spot the general vibe.

There’s even a Halloween event this year in West Kensington, which is a spooky and exciting first for the festival. If heading to this one, make sure to ‘spooky up’ your outfit – creativity is encouraged!

The important stuff 

Travelling with little ones in tow? There’s a special allowance for children on Sunday when they are free to come and get the taste of Oktoberfest (without the beer, of course). Better still, Park Grand Paddington Court Hotel has rooms perfect for the whole family.

To book tickets, visit the official London Oktoberfest website, where you’ll be greeted with a range of different ticket choices. There are different options available for those who want to make a true night of it – with food and drinks packages – or simply for those just wanting to enjoy a drink or two, you can purchase the standard entry ticket.

See you there!