Travel Tips

Missed out on Munich? Try these 6 Oktoberfest alternatives🍻

Think Oktoberfest only happens in Munich? Think again. In 2025, you can raise a stein at various Oktoberfest celebrations outside Germany — from Vienna’s alpine folk fest to Mallorca’s sunny seaside beer party.

Missed out on reservations for Munich this year?

Fear not, because you don’t have to jet off to Germany to get your fill of Bavarian delights.

From Alpine beer fests in Italy to seaside steins in Spain, many European cities have put their own spin on this legendary festival.

Intrigued?

In this list, we’re sharing 6 surprising Oktoberfest Europe 2025 spots you probably didn’t know existed, but you’ll definitely want to visit!

In this article

Why Oktoberfest isn’t just about Munich

Oktoberfest originated in Munich in 1810, when Bavarians gathered for a royal wedding celebration. Yet today it’s a world-famous event where the Theresienwiese (Therese’s Green) in Munich fills up with beer halls, traditional food, amusement rides, and cultural parades.

Oktoberfest has now grown so popular that the iconic beer festival expands further each year. In 2025, you can find many Oktoberfest celebrations outside Germany, from Austria and Italy to Spain and the UK. Each city blends the Bavarian traditions with local twists, making each event unique and unexpected.

6 surprising 2025 Oktoberfest celebrations outside Germany

If you can’t make it to Munich or are seeing a different kind of Oktoberfest this year, the following 6 Oktoberfest celebrations might be just the ticket.

Austria (Vienna)

Dates: Sep 25 – Oct 12

Price: Daytime admission is free / Evening events start from €35 EUR

Austria’s take on Oktoberfest, Vienna Kaiser Wiesn, takes place from September 25 to October 12. It consists of three marquees, five alpine pastures, and a huge outdoor area in the Prater park in Vienna.

What makes it unique is that a staggering 1,900 musicians play at this festival! And along with Bavarian traditions, you’ll hear plenty of Austrian folk music. It’s lively and fun, but without the massive crowds of Munich!

Find out more on the official website.

Spain (Mallorca)

Dates: Not yet announced

Price: From €5 EUR

When you think of Mallorca, you’re more likely to envision beaches and cocktails than Festbier and Bratwurst. Yet every Autumn, this popular tourist island transforms into a Bavarian-style beer haven, uniting German expats, locals, and fun-loving tourists.

Hosted at ‘House of Son Amar’ just outside Palma, Oktoberfest Mallorca combines traditional German cuisine, beer, and music with a laid-back, beachy vibe. With daytime temperatures averaging a pleasant 23 °C, we recommend this Oktoberfest Mallorca if you want a warmer alternative to Munich!

Learn more here.

UK (London Oktoberfest)

Dates: Oct 9-11 / Oct 16-18 / Oct 23-25

Price: From £10 – £15 GBP

London’s take on Oktoberfest stands out as they throw not one but two awesome German-style parties. It all kicks off with a 3-day event in Finsbury Park from October 9 to 11 before an epic 6-day celebration (spanning 2 weeks) in Hammersmith during the second half of the month.

We recommend it for anyone who wants the energy and traditions of Oktoberfest without leaving London. Plus, with multiple dates and locations, it’s easy to fit into your schedule.

Find full details on the official website.

Italy (South Tyrol)

Dates: Sep 27-28

Price: Admission is free but cable car transfer to and from the event costs €18 per person

South Tyrol, Italy’s northernmost region, blends German and Italian cultures, making it a perfect setting for Speckfest, a huge Autumn festival with food, drink, and music.

What makes it unique? Alongside traditional Bavarian festivities, you’ll enjoy local specialties like Speck Alto Adige (a smoked cured meat). Music-wise, you’ll enjoy all the usual Schuhplattler dances and a diverse array of artists playing everything from folk to pop.

What makes it even more special is that it takes place at Mount Kronplatz, a magical Alpine setting with breathtaking views!

Learn more here.

Czech Republic (Prague Oktoberfest)

Dates: Sep 17-20

Price: Free entry

If you’re looking for the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations outside Germany, Prague’s Oktoberfest is it. This traditional and lively celebration features all your usual Bavarian delights like authentic German food, live music, dancing, and endless steins of beer.

During the 4-day event, you can partake in beer contests, creating an immersive and interactive festival atmosphere. If you want full Oktoberfest traditions in a picturesque city, all without leaving Central Europe, this is it!

Get all the details on the Prague City Tourism website.

Sweden (Stockholm Oktoberfest)

Dates: Sep 11-13

Price: From 150 SEK (14 EUR)

Stockholm Oktoberfest brings authentic Bavarian traditions to Sweden. With an iconic blue and white tent, guests wearing Dirndl and Lederhosen, and plenty of dancing on the tables, you’ll feel as though you are at the real thing.

Held over three days in Gärdet, one of Stockholm’s largest open fields, Stockholm Oktoberfest welcomes over 2,000 people. This fun and accessible 3-day festival is a top choice for locals and visitors alike.

Learn more here.

Pro tips to plan your Oktoberfest Europe 2025 trip

Book early – With Oktoberfest celebrations outside Germany becoming increasingly popular, flights and accommodation can fill up fast. For the best deals, book your tickets and plan your trip well in advance.
Travel mid-week if possible – For many European cities, flights and trains are typically cheaper and quieter mid-week. So look for events that run during the week rather than at the weekend.
Set a budget – Beyond the entry fee, food, drinks, souvenirs, and costumes can make Oktoberfest pretty pricey. To avoid coming home with an empty wallet, think about how much you are willing to spend during the event.
Stay connected – Most Oktoberfest celebrations offer WiFi. Still, with thousands of people using it, you’re unlikely to get a strong enough connection to share your hilarious Oktoberfest snaps in real-time. Instead, use an international eSIM like Holafly, which provides instant data, fast upload speeds, and a reliable connection for your entire trip.
Coordinate with friends – Festivals like Oktoberfest can get extremely crowded, making it easy to lose your friends, especially after a few beers. Pre-plan meeting spots and ensure everyone has mobile data and a fully charged phone to stay safe and connected.

Stay connected while festival-hopping in Europe

Don’t let slow WiFi or pricey roaming ruin your European festival adventure.

Holafly offers travel eSIMs for over 270 destinations, instantly connecting you to reliable local networks the moment you land. That means less time hunting for local SIM cards and more time enjoying the music and tasting the local delights!

Shop Holafly eSIMs here and choose the perfect plan for your next trip.