If taking a trip to Germany isn’t in the cards—or the budget—this year, host your own Oktoberfest party with help from Farm Boy! From tasty Bavarian-inspired food and brews to décor, games, and more, we have a variety of suggestions to help you celebrate this holiday in style!
This year, Oktoberfest takes place from September 21 to October 6, giving you plenty of time to decide when to throw your own Bavarian bash. Read on to discover how to craft all the essential elements and don’t forget to visit our flyer for Oktoberfest deals found in-store!
What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is a 16- to 18-day “people’s festival” (or volkfest) that has been taking place in Munich, Germany since 1810. It was originally created to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria but has since evolved into a celebration of German culture and tradition. Travellers from all over the world will make the trek to Munich to enjoy a raucous Oktoberfest party, but you don’t have to buy your plane ticket quite yet! Below are steps to host your own Oktoberfest full of delicious ideas, easy décor, and festive games!
Step 1: Have Oktoberfest-Style Beverages
Beer is the traditional beverage of choice for Oktoberfest, specifically German-style beers like Märzen or Festbier. Breweries based in centuries of Bavarian brewing traditions are celebrated during the festival, with their offerings frequently enjoyed in classic steins. However, if you choose not to drink (or are more interested in the food than the bevvies), there’s plenty of non-alcoholic options that’ll still get you in the spirit! (And not the “spirits”!)
Mineral water is a favourite non-alcoholic drink at Oktoberfest parties. Since hydration is key—especially if you get a little tipsy—many German celebrants will opt for naturally refreshing sparkling mineral water.
If you do enjoy the taste of beer but don’t want the alcohol, our zero-proof brews are the choice for you. Known as Schankbier in German, our non-alcoholic beers may not have been brewed in Munich, but they’re still delicious enough to be worthy of the celebration! Enjoy all the flavour with none of the buzz with two refreshing varieties.
Part of a refreshing mocktail known as Apfelsaftschorle, apple juice is mixed with sparkling water to create a fruity, thirst-quenching beverage that can be enjoyed by Oktoberfest partygoers of all ages. Our Organic Apple Juice is a delicious choice as a light, non-alcoholic alternative.
During Oktoberfest, some celebrants like to take a break from the drinking and enjoy something lower-proof. Mixing lemonade with their beer to create a Radler is a crisp, thirst-quenching option. Lemonade is also used in a German mocktail called a Lemon Spezi. Simply pour lemonade into a glass filled with ice, top with your favourite cola, and serve!
Step 2: Create an Oktoberfest-Themed Food Spread
As one of the largest festivals of food (and drink), Oktoberfest prides itself on offering a selection of delicious dishes with a German flair. Must-have items include German potato salad (which has a vinegar-based dressing rather than mayonnaise), potato pancakes, and beer cheese. These classic salty foods make celebrants that much thirstier for the traditional beer! Some of our favourite Farm Boy Oktoberfest-inspired items are below. (Please note that product availability may vary by store.)
Oktoberfest Mains
A crowd-pleasing dish thanks to its crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside composition, pork schnitzel is an Oktoberfest party winner. Simply pan-fry over medium-high heat for a main dish that’s ready in about 15 minutes. In our Butcher Shop, you’ll find classic pork loin schnitzel available. However, if you’d like to serve up something a little more creative, we also offer flavours like Bacon Cheddar, Barbecue, Chipotle Lime, Chorizo Cornbread, and Parmesan Rapini.
German sausages—known as würstl—is an Oktoberfest must-have. Serve them pan-fried (or grilled if the weather is cooperating) and alongside pretzel buns or a hearty helping of bacon and apple sauerkraut. Our Bratwurst Artisan Pork Sausage is sweet and tangy, with the presence of honey and grainy mustard. Our Oktoberfest Artisan Pork Sausage is a delicious medley of grainy mustard and non-alcoholic beer. Find these Oktoberfest-inspired Artisan Sausages and more in our Butcher Shop!
Roast chicken is a popular main dish at Oktoberfest parties. Often spit-roasted until golden brown and crispy, it can be tough to conjure up a rotisserie in your own home. For that, we suggest our chef-prepared Lemon Pepper Flattened Chicken. Pre-seasoned for maximum convenience, this chicken is prepped in a way that allows for a faster cooking time while still retaining moist, tender flavour. Also available in Mesquite, Peri-Peri, Plain, and Sweet Italian.
Oktoberfest Sides
You can’t have an Oktoberfest party without pretzels! Large, soft, and chewy, find pretzel twists in our Bakery. For extra “mmmm”, simply warm them up and serve them with any of our gourmet mustards or a homemade beer cheese dip. These pretzels—or brezen as they’re called in Germany—are a perfect side for your Oktoberfest shindig.
What is a pretzel without mustard for dipping? Made without any added preservatives, our line of gourmet mustards adds a much-needed tang and zip to sausages or pretzels. Choose from six different flavours: BBQ Smoked Apple, Champagne & Honey, Dijon, Garlic Dill, Jalapeño Stout, or Pub-Style.
For real authentic flavour, celebrate Oktoberfest with our Traditional Sauerkraut. Made from raw, organic green cabbage, it’s naturally fermented for a delicious tang that pairs beautifully with sausages. With a wonderful crunch and brightness, try this version that includes classic aromatics like caraway seeds and juniper berries.
Perhaps soft pretzels aren’t your thing (crazy, we know), or maybe you just really prefer a more crunchy, malty flavour. Our perfectly snackable pretzels come in twisted or stick varieties, both of which are light, salty, and delicious. Offer up a couple bowls of these for your guests who just want something to munch on in between sips of their preferred beverage.
Some sauerkraut salads are made with apples, to offset the tang of the fermented cabbage with a juicy sourness. Our red cabbage salad accomplishes just that—no chopping required! Sweet, salty, and tangy, this salad is made in the Polish tradition but is perfect for Oktoberfest. Enjoy it all on its own or alongside pan-fried sausages or schnitzel.
Oktoberfest Desserts
Offer guests a sweet ending to your Oktoberfest party with apple strudel, known as apfelstrudel. While we also offer a mini version in our Bakery, indulge in these larger-sized, plant-based, sweet, flaky pastries. Baked fresh in our stores, serve them warm with a dusting of icing sugar and a dollop of whipped cream.
During Oktoberfest, heart-shaped gingerbread cookies called lebkuchenherzen are a staple. Decorated with intricate icing designs and affectionate phrases, they serve as both décor and dessert. Enjoy that same spicy, sweet flavour profile with our Ginger Snaps. For a fun Oktoberfest activity, provide your guests with a variety of coloured icings to design their own lebkuchenherzen!
Step 3: Decorate
Whether you’re keeping your Oktoberfest party inside or taking it into your backyard, there are a few details that will take your fete to the next level. Don’t feel that you have to purchase a variety of disposable items to celebrate Oktoberfest—simple, reusable, DIY elements are always a winner!
Blue and white are the colours of Oktoberfest, as they are representative of the Bavarian flag, where the celebration originated. Set your table with a blue-and-white tablecloth and offer your guests eco-friendly napkins in the same hues. Want to get a little fancy? Roll your napkins up and tie them together with a length of blue ribbon threaded through a crunchy pretzel!
Sunflowers are a traditional bloom for Oktoberfest—and afterwards, they can be effortlessly worked into the rest of your harvest décor! Visit our Floral department to stock up on fresh-cut sunflowers or a Farm Boy™ Sunflower Bouquet. A few vases on the table filled with these vibrant flowers will add a beautiful pop of colour and energy to your Oktoberfest party.
Why not break out the Christmas lights early? A few twinkling strands will add some warm lighting and a welcoming ambience to an indoor or outdoor gathering.
Step 4: Play Oktoberfest Games
Along with all the drinking, food, and merriment of Oktoberfest, it’s also a chance to have some fun with games! Beer—or non-alcoholic beer—pong is a party favourite that gets everyone together. You can also use your beverage of choice in the classic masskrugstemmen, or beer-stein holding competition! A classic Bavarian test of strength, participants hold a full one-litre beer stein straight out from their bodies for as long as possible until the last person who can manage the weight wins!
Horseshoes is a popular outdoor game, but you can give it an Oktoberfest spin by turning it into a pretzel toss! You can also use pretzels to craft tasty necklaces by threading them through some blue ribbon for a wearable snack—great for any kids in attendance!
More fun Oktoberfest games and activities includes Oktoberfest trivia, yodelling contests, sausage eating contests, and polka dance-offs!
