The 2025 Oktoberfest runs from September 20 to October 5, drawing millions of visitors to Munich’s Theresienwiese.
While tourists from across the globe gather to celebrate beer, music, and Bavarian tradition, many locals prefer to avoid the heavy crowds. For them, autumn offers a wide array of alternative events across Germany and even abroad.
German Oktoberfests with fewer crowds
Several German cities stage their own Oktoberfest-style festivals, combining Bavarian flair with smaller, more relaxed atmospheres.
- Stuttgart – Cannstatter Wasen (September 26 – October 12)
- Nuremberg – Altstadtfest (September 19 – October 5)
- Hamburg – Oktoberfest (September 19 – October 5)
- Frankfurt – Oktoberfest (September 17 – October 12)
- Koblenz – Oktoberfest (September 12 – October 11)
These events bring the beer tent atmosphere without the overwhelming visitor numbers seen in Munich.
A taste of wine in Italy
For those who would rather swap beer for wine, the “Festa dell’Uva e del Vino” in Bardolino on Lake Garda (October 2–6) provides a relaxed Italian alternative.
Visitors can enjoy regional wines, food, and music in a lakeside setting far removed from the hectic Wiesn.
Culture highlights in Munich and across Germany
Even while the Oktoberfest dominates Munich, the city’s cultural calendar continues:
- Volkstheater premiere “Glaube Liebe Roboter” on September 25
- Montez concert at the Olympiahalle on September 26
- Ander Art Festival at Odeonsplatz on September 27 with free open-air performances
Elsewhere in Germany, the cultural options are equally rich:
- Hamburg: Harbour Front Literature Festival (September 20 – October 19), Filmfest Hamburg (September 25 – October 4)
- Cologne: Fantasy Filmfest (September 17 – 24)
- Frankfurt: Latin American Weekend (September 19 – 21)
International cultural escapes
If you’re traveling abroad, options include:
- Amsterdam: Afrovibes Festival (October 2 – 11)
- Belfast: Anime & Gaming Con (September 27 – 28)
- Paris: Manga & Sci-Fi Show (October 4 – 5)
These events offer global perspectives and lively atmospheres for those seeking something beyond Bavarian beer culture.
Sport as an Oktoberfest alternative
Munich also hosts plenty of sports events during the Wiesn period.
The Outdoorsportfestival in the Olympiapark on September 28 invites visitors to try out over 50 different disciplines for free.
Meanwhile, FC Bayern Munich fans can enjoy a packed football schedule:
- Bundesliga: vs. Werder Bremen (September 26, home), vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (October 4, away)
- Champions League: vs. Pafos FC in Cyprus (September 30)
