Sometimes referred to as the “Kleine Wiesn” (Little Oktoberfest), Munchener Fruhlingsfest is the Munich Spring Festival that runs over two weeks and takes place at Munich’s Theresienwiese. Think Oktoberfest, then shrink it. It’s the best place to enjoy great Bavarian beer, traditional German culture and animated singing and dancing without having to actually go to the crowded and expensive Oktoberfest in September.
We arrived in Munich, Germany, after an amazing 12 day tour in Turkey. On our first full day in Munich we joined up with a few friends and descended into Munich’s Theresienwiese to join in on Munchener Fruhlingsfest. We sheltered from the rain and wind in the Augustiner–Bräu (Augustiner beer) tent for most of the day. We all sampled the fare and most of our group enjoyed the Augustiner beer served in one liter steins by buxom servers carrying a seemingly impossible number of the enormous glasses. Each Munchener Fruhlingsfest server is in charge of table service for only a small number of tables so you are never far from your next stein.
The trick is to get a seat. We were lucky enough to grab a table near enough to the front that we could enjoy the band, but with enough space so that we were not crushed in between the locals clad in traditional Bavarian lederhosen and dirndl.
Throughout the day we were joined by locals and treated to the upbeat tunes of the band that encouraged much dancing upon benches and singing along. Inside the tent it was warm, crowded, loud and somewhat homey… if that is possible? With dirndls, lederhosen, animated singing, a loud brass band, ample pork knuckles and carnival rides, Munchener Fruhlingsfest was the best of Germany in one big beer hall.
As a non-drinker for this holiday, I didn’t find any issues with joining in the merriment and the noise was not intolerable. However, I did find it hard to understand the mix of English and German the more slurred and half-yelled the conversations became.
Dan used his Go Pro on three shot per second setting to capture the day as it unfolded. This is the time lapse that has ensued. No edits to the photos have been made. Enjoy!
No Comments