Kent welcomes German beer festival Oktoberfest - here’s where you can celebrate this autumn
05:00, 23 September 2024
It’s time to slip into your lederhosen, grab a seat at a wooden table and raise a stein to Oktoberfest.
The festival, which originated in Munich and attracts thousands of international visitors each year, is a favourite with beer lovers across the globe - but you don’t need to travel to Germany, there are plenty of Oktoberfest celebrations right here in Kent…
CANTERBURY: Prost! Canterbury’s biggest indoor venue is gearing up for another beer-soaked bonanza this October. The hall will be decorated with colourful banners, just like an authentic Oktoberfest bier hall, and there will be Bavarian bands pumping the tunes all weekend. So, grab yourself a stein and get stuck into the festivities.
Details: Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5 at Westgate Hall in Canterbury. Book tickets online here.
DEAL: For the first time, Deal will be throwing an Oktoberfest celebration. The festival will include a sit-down dinner with traditional German dishes, a six-piece Oompah band, Bavarian dancers, themed competitions and a selection of beers and wines. It’s all in one day but split into two sessions, so you can choose either the afternoon or evening.
Details: Saturday, October 5 at the Astor Theatre in Deal. Book tickets online here.
FOLKESTONE: After a successful first year, the Wünder Harbour returns to Folkestone with Bavarian booze and Oompah music. Organisers have expanded the festival for this year with even more activities, live bands and food and drink for visitors - and the best part is, it’s all free to enter. The Bettesteiner Footstompers Oompah Band will perform, plus there will be DJs, one-off drinks and authentic German food.
Details: Saturday, September 28; Sunday, September 29; Saturday, October 5; and Sunday, October 6 at Folkestone Harbour. Free entry, no need to book.
GRAVESEND: In a bid to bring more tourists to the town, Gravesend council recently announced the town’s first Oktoberfest. Hatch, which opened as the re-branded market earlier this year, will be transformed into a German-inspired hall with dancing on the tables, fun games and competitions, and food like bratwurst and pretzels.
Details: Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5 at Hatch Market in Gravesend. Book tickets online here.
LONDON: The capital city will be putting its twist on the Munich festival at two venues this October. The annual booze-fest has seen crowds of up to 30,000 people visit the huge beer tent at Hammersmith and Ealing over two weekends. Jump on a train from Kent and step inside the tent, where you can find schnitzel, sausages and steins, as well as traditional German music and an Oktoberfest DJ.
Details: Thursday, October 17 to Saturday, October 19 at St Paul Green in Hammersmith and Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 at Walpole Park in Ealing. Book tickets online here.
MAIDSTONE: All good things must come to an end and, sadly, this year marks Maidstone’s final Oktoberfest. The event is going out with a bang, however, with a line-up of rock and pop music, DJs blasting sing-along tunes and Oompah bands. There will also be plenty of food to soak up all that bier and fancy dress costumes are encouraged.
Details: Saturday, September 28 at Mote Park in Maidstone. Book tickets online here.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS: For the first time, Dunorlan Park will be taken over by hundreds of visitors dressed in lederhosen and ready for a European booze-up. The event, previously hosted in Tonbridge, is setting up shop in a new location this year but everything else is the same - there’s still beer, bites and bands aplenty. Book tickets online here.
Details: Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 at Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells.
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