Oktoberfest Brisbane: Guide to Australia’s biggest German festival

Grab your favourite stein and strap into your lederhosen, because one of the biggest Oktoberfests outside of Germany is returning to Brisbane from this weekend. Read our full guide.

Grab your favourite stein and strap into your lederhosen, because Oktoberfest Brisbane is back for a ‘wunderbar’ four-day event across two weekends.

For the first-timers, the Courier-Mail has compiled an Oktoberfest Brisbane ‘how-to’ guide, covering everything from tickets and parking, to where to buy a dirndl.

What is Oktoberfest?

Often associated with beer drinking, Oktoberfest actually started as a royal wedding celebration more than 200 years ago.

On October 12, 1810 Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

The wedding was celebrated with multiple days of drinking, feasting and horse races. Everyone had such a good time that it was decided it would happen again the very next year, and every year after that.

Teneille Anderson, Zoltan Hegedus and Tia Puxley ahead of this year's Oktoberfest, which will return to Brisbane Showgrounds. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Oktoberfest celebrations can be found all over the world, including right here in Brisbane.

Inspired by the original Oktoberfest Munich extravaganza, German couple Kim and Boris Zoulek have created and grown an authentic German Festival in the heart of Brisbane.

Since its inception in 2008, Oktoberfest Brisbane has grown to become Australia’s largest German Festival, with more than 35,000 culture-seeking enthusiasts descending upon the Brisbane Showgrounds each year to experience and celebrate German culture and tradition.

How to celebrate Oktoberfest in Brisbane

Oktoberfest Brisbane 2022 is a licensed all ages event that will take place at the Brisbane Showgrounds, over two weekends on October 7 to 9 and 14 to 16. On Fridays and Saturdays the Festival is open from 12pm to midnight while on Sundays, the festival is open from 12pm to 8pm.

Oktoberfest Brisbane has grown to become the biggest German festival in Australia.

What to wear to Oktoberfest

Dressing the part is encouraged at Oktoberfest Brisbane, in traditional German clothing (aka Tracht) consisting of lederhosen for the gents, and dirndl for the ladies.

Lederhosen are short or knee-length leather breeches, and were originally created as work wear for peasants in the 1700s. Lederhosen today is usually only worn during Oktoberfest celebrations and are often paired with an Alpine hat.

Dirndl is as a dress, consisting of a bodice, blouse, full skirt and apron, originally worn by women who worked on farms in Bavaria and Austria in the 18th century. The dirndl was then adapted by the upper and middle classes as a fashion mode, and today is considered a cultural symbol.

Get dressed in your best dirndl and lederhosen for the festival. Picture: Supplied

Where to find an Oktoberfest outfit

For those wanting to purchase traditional ‘German Tracht’, you can visit https://www.schnucki.com.au/ a locally owned authentic Bavarian fashion company. You can also hire and/or purchase your very own lederhosen or grindl from https://www.disguises.com.au/ located in Woolloongabba.

How do I get Oktoberfest tickets?

Tickets start as low as $25 on Sundays, and $40 on Fridays and Saturdays, with kids under 18 entering for free. Bavarian VIP Experience tickets are also available at an additional cost.

Purchasing tickets can be done online via the Festival website, or through Ticketek Australia either online, on the phone or at an outlet. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets on the day from the Box Office at the Festival (limited numbers).

Public transport and parking

For cheap all day parking, Oktoberfest goers can park at the Brisbane Showgrounds Pavilion Car Park off O’Connell Terrace for $15 a day, the Royal International Convention Centre (Royal ICC) Car Park via Gregory Terrace for $15 a day, or King Street Parking via Machinery or Alexandria Streets for just $10 a day.

But for those wanting to partake in the ‘bier’ drinking, Bowen Hills train station is within a 12 minute walk to the showgrounds, and the RBWH bus station is within a 15 minute walk.

There will also be a dedicated drop off and pick up zone for taxis and ride share on Gregory Terrace.

There will be performances and competitions throughout Brisbane Oktoberfest. Picture: Supplied

Program schedule and event guide

The Anzapfen (Opening Ceremony) is a highlight at Oktoberfest with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner set to tap the first keg of Bier on October 7 from 2:30pm.

On Fridays and Saturdays the Bavarian Village is open from 12pm to midnight

Plan a Dämmerschoppen (Sunday session) with freunde and familie – enjoy free rides or groove to the famous Bavarian Oompah band.

The Big German Quiz is a fast-paced quiz hosted live and interactive through a smart device, drawing crowds of competitors to test their German knowledge – Sunday October 9 (2pm to 4:45pm).

Or take a ride through German automotive engineering, innovation and luxury with over 20 vintage, classic and late model German cars on display at the exclusive Autoshow event on October 16 (12pm – 4pm).

Miss Oktoberfest Brisbane will given women a chance to compete in various heats including Brezn (Pretzel) eating, stein holding and cow milking on Saturday October 15 (1:30pm to 5:45pm).

Meanwhile, the action-packed ‘Bavarian Strongmen’ competition is the ultimate team event and longstanding tradition – Saturday October 8 (1:30pm to 5:45pm).

Tuck into some German fare during Oktoberfest. Picture: Supplied

Food and drink

Schnitzels, pork knuckles and bratwurst are just some of the legendary German offerings but wander further into the village and you’ll find more authentic specialties from baked potato dishes to freshly baked pretzels and the lesser known German Ravioli.

Sweet tooths can also enjoy caramelised almonds or a slice of Black Forest, Bee Sting, Sacher Torter or Apple Strudel.

Gotzinger Bavarian Breakfast

Served on Saturdays and Sundays between 12:00pm – 1:30pm, the traditional breakfast at the Oktoberfest tent includes two Gotzinger Weisswurst sausages, freshly – baked Pretzel, sweet mustard and a stein of Wheat beer (or alternative).

Bier is a large part of German Culture but offerings also include red and white wine, champagne along with a range of cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages – water, soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee and tea.