Ellyne PhneahIt began as a royal wedding celebration in Bavaria in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig was wed to Princess Theresa von Saschen-Hildburghausen. Today, it is an annual 16-day festival where people indulge in German oompah music, stuff themselves with bratwursts, raise mugs of beers, dance and play carnival games.
You don’t have to be in Germany to enjoy the magic of Oktoberfest. Here are five ways Singapore has taken a twist to jazz up the world’s largest folk celebration and how you can celebrate it in this month:
1. Party it up in a city tent
Image credit: Oktoberfest Asia 2017
Date: 19 – 21 Oct 2017
Time: 6pm – 11.30pm
Venue: Tan Quee Lan Street
Oktoberfest Asia 2017, into its fifth year in Singapore, will be held in an fully air-conditioned tent, where you can enjoy beers from Paulaner Bräuhaus, Weihenstephaner, Bitburger and Benediktiner; including festival beers that are brewed specially for Oktoberfest.
On top of that, there will also be decorations, German “Oom-pah” live music, dancing with the Hofbrauhaus Show, and German delicacies such as Roast Pork Knuckles, Crispy Pork Porchetta, Grilled German Sausage Medley and Homemade Sauerkraut. What a way to immerse yourself in the Bavarian culture!
Tickets start from $100. Get yours here.
2. Go Prost! by the beach
Image credit: Sentosa
Date: 5 – 8 Oct 2017
Time: 6pm – 10pm (Thursday and Friday), 12pm – 10pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Venue: Siloso Beach, Sentosa
Are you a beach bum with a weakness for beer and German cuisine? Now you can celebrate Oktoberfest on SIloso Beach at its six beach bars. Staff are dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes, to serve you German beers and cuisines while you enjoy the sea breeze. There will also be German music performances by The Paulaner Musikanten, and games such as Hammer a Nail, Speed Cage Soccer, and Golf Bunker Challenge. We’re sure the beachy Oktoberfest experience doesn’t get any more authentic than this!
3. Feast on an all-you-can-eat German buffet – with a view!
Image credit: Spuds and Aprons
Date: 6 – 7, 13 – 14 Oct 2017
Time: 7pm – 12am
Venue: Spuds and Aprons, Mount Faber
How about enjoying Oktoberfest while taking in panoramic hilltop views of Harbourfront and Sentosa? At 100m above sea level, have an all-you-can-eat buffet of traditional German delicacies, quench your thirst with German Erdinger Weissbier and Tiger Beer. You can also drink from the “Tallest Beer Tower in Singapore” which stand 2.5 metres high and is set to enter the Singapore Book of Records on 6 October 2017.
Feeling up for a challenge? You can also join the Beer Holding Competition where the person who keeps their stein aloft for the longest period stands a chance to win a prize.
Tickets start from $98+ per pax, and you can get yours here.
4. Paint the town red in the heart of the city
Image credit: Clarke Quay
Date: 6 – 7 Oct 2017
Time: 7pm – 11:30pm
Venue: Clarke Quay Fountain Square, 3 River Valley Road
If you want to know what Oktoberfest in the city is like, head over to Clarke Quay, as the Fountain Square transforms into a traditional fairground with blue and white streams of ribbons and hanging wreaths.
Oktoberfest band, Die Dorf Fest Kapelle, will enhance the mood by performing traditional German waltzes, Polkas and Marches. If you’re up for merry-making, participate in some Oktoberfest games including Mug Pong and Bottle Cap Toss at the booths, or take the battle to the stage with the Oktoberfest Chicken Dance Off.
Image credit: Paulaner Brauhaus
Hungry after dancing to Bavarian tracks? Get some savoury Sauerkraut, crispy Pork Knuckle with homemade Beef Gravy, and Pan-fried Potato Salad, along with cool jugs of beer from Paulaner Brauhaus.
5. Get hipster with fusion German food
Image credit: Timbre+
Date: 25 Sep – 14 Oct 2017
Time: 6pm – 12am (Monday – Thursday), 6pm – 1am (Friday – Saturday)
Venue: Timbre+, 734 Ayer Rajah Crescent
Oktoberfest has already started at container gastropark, Timbre+, and the party is set to go on for three weeks. Timbre+ has taken the liberty to innovate traditional German food, and this is certain to make fusion food lovers ogle. Be sure to check out the Garçons Meat Platter ($108) which serves up pork delicacies from the East and West, and The Rib and Wings Platter ($92), which includes prawn paste chicken wings, pork ribs in claypot and claypot tau kee.
Image credit: Timbre+
The hipster food is not the only highlight, as it will never be Oktoberfest without beer and music. Get a bucket of Erdinger (five bottles) for $60, and enjoy more than 200 rotating beers at Bottle Shop. Residents bands will take also take centrestage to get you moving, along with Oktoberfest games such as Gelände Quaffing, Stein Hoisting, Nageln and Beer Chug.
Admission is free.
