Oktoberfest is right around the corner and there are so many events taking place here, all around Canada and in other countries. What is Oktoberfest you may ask? Oktoberfest is a two-week festival that is held every year in Munich, Germany during late September (usually the third week of September) and early October (usually the first Sunday of October) to celebrate Bavarian culture. It’s the largest folk festival in the world. Yes, it is usually very well known for its beer-based celebrations but there is more than just that. There are other cultural things during it like German entertainment, food, parades, and people dressing up. 

You might be wondering why I am talking about Oktoberfest. Well, here in Canada we do have some celebrations for Oktoberfest. People celebrate it all around the world but the largest one in Canada is in Kitchener, Ontario, which actually is the largest one outside of Germany. 

Here in the Greater Vancouver Area, we have a few places that you can go to. You have the Harvest Haus beer fest on October 4 and 5 at the PNE Forum. The Parallel 49 Brewery has festivities with German-inspired music, German-style food and prizes for best dressed from September 20 until October 5. And there are even festivities at the Bacchus Restaurant located in the Wedgewood Hotel. It is to pay tribute to their executive chef who has German heritage. They have a limited-time menu that features a Bavarian platter, a poached Bavarian weisswurst and a warm apple strudel. Bacchus Restaurant’s festivities run from September 21 to October 6. Some of these places do this sort of thing every year for Oktoberfest. 

Oktoberfest has been happening in Germany since 1810, with periods of time where they couldn’t have it, obviously, but it is a big tradition. Funny enough the last day of Bavarian Oktoberfest falls on the German equivalent of Thanksgiving, Erntedankfest, which is about a week before we have Thanksgiving here in Canada. 

I am part German myself so I do find it ironic that I am talking about a German holiday. It’s also funny because I’ve never been to any Oktoberfest events myself but I’ve also never had time when it’s happening to be able to go. I do wish to go for one year hopefully. If I’m not too busy when it happens next year or in the coming future years I’ll actually be able to go.