Sixteen days, over five million people, and—most importantly—seven million liters of beer: that’s Oktoberfest in Munich.
What began as a wedding celebration in 1810 has grown into the world’s largest fair, attracting locals and tourists to the Bavarian city every September and October to down tasty traditional treats followed by long swigs of brew.
Sound amazing? Yeah, it’s pretty hard to beat. But nonetheless, it has inspired copycats all over the world, and they’re doing a pretty darn good job at keeping up. From Santiago to Hong Kong, Bavarian aficionados have hosted their own Oktoberfests for years: some are traditional, some not so much, but they all hearken back to their Munich origins in one way or another.
So if you can’t make it to Germany this year, don’t fret. We have the scoop on the most wunderbar Oktoberfests across the globe—and the best hotels for sleeping off those delicious Bavarian brews. Prost!
#1 Santiago, Chile
Multiple bierfests are celebrated every fall throughout Chile, due largely to a mass German immigration that began in 1848 and continued throughout the 19th century. And today’s locals do not skimp on their festivals.
For example, Malloco’s Oktoberfest—or Fiesta de la Cerveza—is held this year from October 30 through November. Just a short ride from Santiago’s city center, the festival serves food and drinks from Der Munchner, a traditional German restaurant in Malloco, whose owners also run an organization promoting German events in the area.
Where to Stay: The Aubrey
#2 Kitchener and Waterloo, Canada
Located an hour outside of Toronto, the twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo are home to the world’s third largest Oktoberfest, falling in line right after Munich and Brazil’s Oktoberfest of Blumenau. After all, Kitchener and Waterloo each have deep German roots, with many individuals still speaking German in the area.
And Kitchener was even originally named Berlin, so it makes sense that these cities can celebrate almost as well as Munich. Attracting over one million visitors annually, the nine-day festival is best known for its beer-based celebrations, but there is also a parade held on Canadian Thanksgiving, as well as several other German-Canadian cultural celebrations throughout the festival. And music lovers will definitely want to check out the “Rocktoberfest” and “Hip-Hoptoberfest” concerts.
Where to Stay: Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square
#3 Boston, Massachusetts
For the last 23 years, Harpoon’s Ocktoberfest has been a Boston tradition.
The brewery sets aside the last weekend in September each year to swill their Oktoberfest beer (but brewed with a New England twist, of course), serve up German fare such as würstl (sausages) and brezeln (pretzels), and pump some bangin’ oompah music throughout Boston’s Waterfront.
Where to Stay: The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston
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