Sydney’s award-winning Oktoberfest is selling fast – more tickets were just released

• Oktoberfest in the Gardens has been named one of the top five Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich.
• Even event is always a huge sell-out, but some last-minute tickets are now available for anyone who missed out on the first few releases.
• Expect everything from Oompah bands to wood-chopping contests.

Out of all the many Oktoberfest celebrations that pop up around the world each year, Australia’s touring Oktoberfest in the Gardens is one of the best. In fact, it’s been named one of the top five Oktoberfest celebrations outside of the big one in Munich, with Australia’s springtime weather setting the perfect scene for a carnivalesque celebration of beer, entertainment and deep diaphragm-shifting singalongs.

When it hits Sydney, Oktoberfest in the Gardens will once again transform The Domain into an epic scene of Bavarian-style bier tents, rides and live music from traditional Oompah bands to a rotating roster of DJs. For a good eight hours, Sydney will become a sub for Munich’s wildest yearly celebration, pitching a similar sense of style with an expected crowd of more than 20,000 expected to snap up tickets well before the event.

And they always do.

Oktoberfest in the Gardens is always sold out well before the event rolls around, which this year is Saturday, October 25. You’ll want to lock down your tickets early, especially if you’re going as part of a big group.

What should I expect at Oktoberfest in the Gardens?

Find some lederhosen or dirndl if you want to really rock up in spirit. Each year, Oktoberfest in the Gardens focuses on being as immersive as possible. You want to shape into character, because just about everyone involved will be really getting into it. We’re talking all the Oktoberfest cliches, from rapidly swaying back and forth while slurring along to traditional German songs, to devouring platters of enormous pretzels and steamed meats with a stein in hand.

Located in the Domain’s Phillip Precinct, at the corner of Art Gallery Road and Hospital Road, Oktoberfest in the Gardens, the festival carves out most of the park and fills it with a proper Bavarian blowout with gates opening at 12pm and the event winding down around 9pm.

Most people tend to rock up later in the day around 3pm, so we advise getting to the grounds earlier and setting up shop for you and your group. The tables will pack out fast once the afternoon rolls on, and anyone who has been to Oktoberfest knows that staking out your table should be the first thing on the agenda.

Some of the pop-ups and features you can look forward to at Sydney’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration this year include:

• Multiple ages with live bands and DJs
• Sideshow alley with short, digestible performances
• Wood-chopping demos
• Amusement rides
• Berghain-inspired pop-up nightclub
• Oompah bands
• Competitions
• Multiple bars

It’s Oktoberfest, so food and drink is going to be salty, delicious and big. Expect German staples like pork hocks and bratwurst along with massive pretzels, pomme frites, gingerbread hearts and more. As for drinks, you’ll be getting a massive list of German and craft beers to pick your way through, but there’s also a range of cider, schnapps, wine, sparkling and spirits to get across.

How do I get tickets to Oktoberfest in the Gardens?

Like clockwork, the first, second and final release allocations have already been sold-out. Although there’s now a bonus release, with a few remaining tickets going for $89.90 each. VIP tickets are also still available, priced at $154.90 each, netting you the following perks

VIP includes:

• Priority entry to the event 
• Access to the VIP garden, with undercover areas 
• A commemorative acrylic stein! 
• 2 drink vouchers to use on any beverages 
• Buffet lunch including all your German faves! (Served from 1.30pm – 4.00pm) 
• Private toilets and bar, and, 
• Heaps of Seating

What should I wear to Oktoberfest Sydney?

Although it’s not mandatory, half the fun of showing up to Oktoberfest is being able to dress up in true Bavarian style. Oktoberfest is staunchly tied to tradition, so men should come in traditional lederhosen while women should be looking for a dirndl.

These two things are tough to find in Sydney. You can order through Blossom Costumes, but you’ll need to leave adequate time for shipping. Alternatively, you can order from Australia’s only traditional German dress shop, Schnucki. They are based in Brisbane but do ship nationally.

These outfits are expensive, however. If you don’t want to commit to an authentic pair of German wear then hit up Snog the Frog in Surry Hills. The comprehensive costume shop has plenty of outfits for hire, and you’re guaranteed to find at least some Oktoberfest fits here.

How do I get to Oktoberfest in Sydney?

Getting to Oktoberfest in the Gardens is easy via public transport. You’ll need to get off the train at St James or Martin Place and walk down Art Gallery Road, towards the North-East corner of Hyde Park. If you’re catching an Uber, note that Art Gallery Road will be closed to inbound traffic from 7pm to 10pm

Oktoberfest in the Gardens

Where: The Domain, Sydney
When: Saturday, October 25 from 12pm
Price: From $89.90 from oktoberfestinthegardens.com.au