What I Didn't Expect at My First Oktoberfest
A first‑time Oktoberfest attendee shares five surprises: locals often wear vests with lederhosen instead of suspenders; the festival’s tents are huge, multi‑story wooden structures tied to each brewery; etiquette matters—chugging and standing on tables can get you kicked out; there’s a drugless powder called Wiesn Koks (glucose/menthol) some use to wake up; outside the tents lies a full carnival, and the event draws about 6.5 million visitors annually, highlighting the festival’s scale and friendliness.
