Oktoberfest is the most popular beer festival in the world because it offers legendary amounts of beer and fun. How much beer? A little over 7.3 million liters. How much fun? The sky's the limit!

There’s so much to do and so much to explore! If you’re preparing to party big time for the upcoming Oktoberfest and you want to go all out, do take note of our 10 pro tips from Oktoberfest hustlers. Taking note of each will make your next Oktoberfest more fun and memorable! 

1. Prepare by researching

To make the most out of your Oktoberfest experience, you should be proactive when it comes to researching. Knowing stuff – places, events, activities, history – beforehand will give you quite an advantage during the festivities. You’d know just exactly what to look out for and you’d have easier time scheduling activities.

Researching will give you an insight on how to better prepare for the following:

• Lodging
• Expenses
• Attire
• Logistics (car rental or taxi)

2. Look for a tour director

You’d get the most out of your Oktoberfest experience if you’d have a tour director. Researching can only take you so far so it’s best if you also have a tour director who knows Oktoberfest like the back of his or her hand.  Your tour director can organize all your activities for you. He’d also be with you every step of the way when touring areas around Munich. Check out Thirsty Swagman's Oktoberfest tours if you want a full Oktoberfest experience with optimum convenience and ease. Your tour director will make everything easier for you so you’d have more time to party and enjoy the festivity!

3. Explore your food options

You will have such a grand time if you’d go all out exploring different Oktoberfest food options. Make sure that you check out each and every tent to get a taste of the following:

• grilled ham hock
• roast chicken
• pretzel
• sandwiches
• deliciously flavored meats

4. Look the part

You’d have a grander time at Oktoberfest if you’d wear traditional Bavarian outfits. The locals will enjoy interacting with you and you’d truly get a good hearty feel of the festivity. Your photos will also look good! You can opt to buy a traditional outfit before Oktoberfest or simply look for one upon arrival in Munich. You better go shopping early though as Dirndls and Lederhosens get out of stock real quick during the festivities. Because yes, everyone wants the full Oktoberfest experience!

5. Explore the tents

Enjoy Oktoberfest to the hilt by going tent-hopping. You can choose from 21 small tents and 17 large tents during the festivity. Each tent comes with a different beer! Depending on how long you’re planning to stay, you can check out two to three tents a day. If you have limited time, you can go from one tent to another until you get tired on any given day. You’d always be welcome to any tent so long as there is still space!

6. Enjoy the games

Oktoberfest also offers enjoyable games and rides. It has its staple legendary massive Ferris wheel together with over 200 other rides for people of every age to enjoy. PRO TIP: Ride the Ferris wheel during dusk. The view will be A+. Kids will truly enjoy swing carousels while adults will be in for a ride on Oktoberfest’s high-tech roller coasters. 

7. Dance away

Oktoberfest won’t be complete without the non-stop dancing. As soon as the sun goes down, you can very well be sure that all the parties will begin. All its tents are always filled with dancing crowds. Some even go all out and dance on tables! Oktoberfest will be quite a paradise if you highly enjoy dancing! Be careful though. You should still strictly observe tent protocols. Not all tents allow dancing on tables. Best if you’d observe the crowd first. Wouldn’t hurt if you’d also simply ask the organizers. We promise that they won’t be weirded out if you’d ask if it’s okay to dance on tables. 

8. Mingle with the locals

Don’t miss the chance to hang out with the locals. Germans are friendly and they know how to party. You’d have more fun if you’d mingle and socialize with them. This will be easy as most tents have communal tables where different groups can easily interact. Learn basic German phrases! You won’t regret it! 

9. Have a designated meet-up place

This is an important logistic hack if you’re coming with a group of friends or your family. Oktoberfest nights are so unpredictable so you’d almost always end up splitting up with the people that you came with. To make it easier to find each other by the end of the night, always have a set meet-up place and time. Having one will regroup and share a taxi ride back to your hotel. 

10. Have an open and adventurous mindset

Be open to adventure! You’re at the biggest beer festival in the world and you should duly up your game! Don’t be afraid to try out new things! If you haven’t tried dark beer yet, Oktoberfest is the best time to do it! Don’t know the taste of liver? Order one at any of the tents! Don’t know the music that’s playing? Just dance! Open yourself up to celebration, joy, and adventure. Choose to enjoy every step of the way!