"Oktoberfest" outside Germany/ How to experience the best of Bavarian culture beyond German borders

2025-09-25 12:54:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

"Oktoberfest" outside Germany/ How to experience the best of Bavarian

Yes, it's true that Oktoberfest takes place in Germany, but this year the festivities are no longer limited to Munich. The annual Bavarian heritage parade has found numerous international branches: from golf courses in Majorca, to luxury resorts in the Maldives, and even virtual beer tents.

Hundreds and thousands of liters of beer are expected to flow through the pumps at Munich's 190th Oktoberfest, currently underway at the Theresienwiese, home of the festival that gives the Bavarian capital a different look every year.
Since the famous "O'zapft is!" signal was given on Saturday, people from all over the world have gathered to worship at long tables in the open area, loyal to the motto "beer, fun and leather pants!".
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Oktoberfest must be very hot, as there is now a constant stream of copycat events that extend far beyond Bavaria's borders.
Whether on boats, on a golf course or even virtually, there is something for everyone.
If you can't make it to the original venue, or want an alternative way to celebrate, here are some of the most unusual examples of this iconic display of Bavarian cultural heritage.

Start with a beer: Oktoberfest in Mallorca

When you think of “Oktoberfest in Mallorca,” you might be forgiven for imagining buckets of sangria and beer tents. This version, however, is a much more elegant and exclusive event, with polo shirts de rigueur.
On November 1, 2025, Son Gual Golf Club will host its annual Wiesn tournament. Single Stableford will be played, with prizes awarded for first place Gross, first Neto and the classics Nearest to the Pin and Longest Drive – separately for men and women. In the evening, a sumptuous buffet, an awards ceremony and a raffle await you at the Club before the party really gets going.
But be careful not to get too competitive. With a glass of beer in one hand and a golf club in the other, your aim may not be as accurate as usual.

Dirndl meets yacht/Oktoberfest on the Côte d'Azur

Want something a little more luxurious? Then head to Oktoberfest on the Côte d'Azur! Here, the Bavarian "Gaudi" is transformed into a glamorous party on the port under the palm trees. At the initiative of Magali Altounian, Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor for European Affairs, the City of Nice and the organization Port To Be Nice invite you to a very special Oktoberfest experience. The event, which is free and open to everyone, promises to combine the traditions of the Munich original with Mediterranean style.
The program includes food trucks with regional specialties, local beers, makeup and hands-on workshops, as well as dance groups from the city. All in the spirit of Franco-German friendship.

Happy in Paradise/Oktoberfest in the Maldives

Nice and Mallorca not exclusive enough? Then why not look no further and opt for what is billed as the ultimate luxury Oktoberfest experience... in the Maldives. Oktoberfest is now celebrated there too, albeit in a much more luxurious setting.
Hotel chain Sun Siyam Resorts is hosting its own "Wiesn" serving German beer and a leather-pants atmosphere amidst swaying palm trees, infinity pools and white-sand beaches. If you need a break from the beer-soaking, you can try coral diving or a wellness treatment.
Nearby Sun Siyam Olhuveli is throwing a big party, where pretzels and brass band music meet lobster grills, belly dancing and international DJ sets. A heady mix of Bavarian comfort and tropical luxury.

From Bavaria to Florida/ Oktoberfest Athletics in Dania Beach

Less glamorous, but still on the beach, Florida is hosting the "Dania Beach After Dark Oktoberfest" in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
The lineup includes live music, food trucks and restaurants. Beer lovers in particular should get their money's worth with more than 40 breweries featuring a wide selection of beers, some of which even use regional ingredients.
For families, there are additional activities like a pumpkin patch, face painting for kids, costume contests and a beer toss.

Beer boards and glasses/Oktoberfest at the port of Gothenburg

Much closer to the German coast, Gothenburg hosts a Swedish celebration on the Ostindiefararen Götheborg, a faithful replica of an 18th-century sailing ship. Normally, the ship commemorates the great days of trading voyages to Asia, but for Oktoberfest, its rigging and railings are remodeled to hold beers. Lots of them.

“O'zapft” on the high seas

If you want to spend a little more time on the ship, consider a cruise to celebrate Oktoberfest on the water.
The shipping company AIDA, for example, offers special itineraries during September, with onboard programs based on the Munich folk festival. There are choices between metropolitan itineraries with stops in Northern Europe and a cruise along the Norwegian fjords. On board, music, traditional costumes and Bavarian specialties are as much a part of the experience as the competitions and entertainment programs. The atmosphere of traditional costumes and Oktoberfest customs are combined with very different backgrounds, from the skyline to the panorama of the fjords.

Oktoberfest New York style/ Sauerkraut and kimchi

There are also unusual variations of Oktoberfest in the US. In Flushing, in the Queens borough of New York, the Voelker Orth Museum is hosting a "Flushing Style Oktoberfest," which combines German and Korean elements. In addition to bratwurst, Korean dishes such as japchae are served, along with beer, music by orchestras and K-pop groups, and a cultural program in the museum's garden.
The Voelker Orth Museum in Flushing, Queens, is a former home of a German-born immigrant family in the 1890s. Today, it serves as a museum, bird sanctuary, and garden, and chronicles the local cultural, natural, and immigration history./ CNA, translated by Euronews