Under a vibrant display of Bavarian decorations, vendors are busy serving up generous steins filled with pilsner, dunkel, and weissbier, paired with hearty platters of bratwurst, pork knuckle, and pretzels. Dressed in traditional lederhosen, the Bettesteiner Footstompers energize the crowd with a lively oompah singalong, chanting, “Eins, zwei, g’suffa!” (meaning “One, two, drink up!”). The atmosphere quickly transitions from foot-tapping and glass-clinking to spirited dancing, culminating in an exuberant conga line.
The essence of Oktoberfest has arrived, yet we find ourselves over 500 miles away from Munich. My friends and I are enjoying the festivities at Wünder Harbour in Folkestone, Kent, an homage to the traditional German festival. Established in 2023, Wünder Harbour has expanded from a single weekend event to a four-week celebration due to its growing popularity. This gathering is just one of many Oktoberfest-inspired events taking place across the UK, from cozy bars to large marquees in nearly every major city.
The inaugural Oktoberfest took place in Munich in 1810, commemorating the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria—who later became King Ludwig I—and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The original festivities included a horse race and a five-day celebration, which proved so successful that it has been celebrated every year since, with exceptions made during wars and pandemics, and now spans more than two weeks. Despite its name, most of Oktoberfest occurs in September, with this year’s festival running from September 19 to October 4.
Recognized as the largest beer festival in the world, Munich’s Oktoberfest attracted 6.5 million visitors last year, who collectively consumed 6.5 million liters of beer. While many associate the event with bratwurst, the most popular dish is actually Wiesnhendl, or roast chicken. The festival offers more than just drinking; according to an official report from the 2025 event, “The festival audience was a colorful mix of families, colleagues, young adults, and seniors, all gathering at the Theresienwiese [festival grounds] to enjoy rides, food, drinks, and the festive atmosphere.” Approximately 30% of attendees were from abroad, with British visitors ranking third after Americans and Italians.
In the UK, the Campaign for Real Ale and other beer enthusiasts have hosted autumn beer festivals inspired by Oktoberfest for years. However, large-scale German-themed events are a more recent trend. Belfast was among the first cities to host such a festival in 2008, followed by London in 2011, Edinburgh in 2013, and Cardiff in 2014. Today, these events can be found in city squares, parks, racecourses, and town halls across the nation, with Southampton claiming to host the largest Oktoberfest in the UK.
Some of these celebrations are designed to be family-friendly, like the one in Folkestone. Dan Johannsen, the marketing manager for Folkestone Harbour Arm, explains that the event was named Wünder Harbour instead of Oktoberfest to appeal to a wider audience. Families enjoying fish and chips and ice cream are just as prevalent as groups indulging in steins of beer. “The world needs more of this!” exclaimed one attendee after a rousing rendition of Edelweiss.
Contrastingly, other venues lean more towards a lively drinking atmosphere. British beer halls have embraced the festival spirit, such as Albert’s Schloss, which hosts Oktoberfest celebrations across its locations in Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and London for five weeks. I experienced the opening night at Bermondsey Bierkeller, which touts itself as “London’s wildest Oktoberfest.” Within moments, my friends and I found ourselves standing on tables, beers raised high, singing along to an oompah rendition of Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”
“As a German-themed bar, celebrating Oktoberfest is essential for us,” said Jim Gallivan, the general manager of the Bierkeller. He noted that the event began post-COVID and has seen increasing attendance each year. On Saturday nights, he estimates that about half of the crowd dresses in costume, with many sporting lederhosen and dirndls. Gallivan attributes the festival’s popularity to its immersive experience, featuring actors, stilt-walkers, and a seven-piece band. “People are looking to maximize their night out,” he remarked.
This desire for a memorable experience may be driving the trend. “Social media plays a role,” suggested Beth Heath, co-owner of Shropshire Festivals, which runs an Oktoberfest in Shrewsbury. “Themed events create great moments for Instagram.” Heath organized the inaugural Shropshire Oktoberfest in 2017 for her husband, who had expressed a lack of male-oriented events. “We had a kids’ festival and a food festival for me, so I decided to create a beer festival for him.” The first event attracted around 6,000 attendees—40% of whom were women—and by last year, the turnout had doubled to 12,000, prompting an expansion of facilities to accommodate the influx.
Heath noted that the festival is particularly popular among groups of friends. “We see large parties, including university reunions,” she explained. “They can drink, dance, and still be in bed by 11, and attendees come from all over the UK, with accommodations in Shrewsbury often booked out a year in advance.” About 70% of guests arrive in creative costumes, with past themes including giant pickles and sausages.
In addition to traditional oompah music, the festival features various acts, including skiffle groups and local party bands. “It’s got a wedding disco vibe,” Heath described. Other activities include carpool karaoke, a silent disco, and a comedy tent. “It’s not solely about getting drunk,” she clarified. However, many attendees do come for the beer, which is sourced from local Shropshire breweries. “We’re aiming for authenticity while adding a Shropshire twist,” she said.
Heath believes that celebrating Oktoberfest serves as a way to overcome the post-summer lull and inject excitement into the autumn season.
