Hallo Greenville! I’m back from Oktoberfest in Munich just in time to start celebrating here.

It’s true what they say – everyone really does rock authentic German outfits so if you don’t have your lederhosen or dirndls yet, here’s where to buy them locally: Halloween Highway, Costume Curio, or buy online here. (P.S. Ladies, tie the knot on your dirndl on the right to show that you’re taken or on the left shows that you are single)

Good news is, you don’t even need to go to Munich to enjoy the fun. Here’s where to eat, drink, and dance locally. Prost!

🍺 Oktoberfest at NOMA Square | Oct. 5 – 8

Downtown Greenville’s Oktoberfest has everything you need to get your German on: grilled bratwurst, pretzels + beer cheese, Paulaner Munich Lager, Hefeweizen, and Oktoberfest games, contests and live entertainment. Want to really show your spirit? Sign up for the bratwurst-eating contest.

🍺 Oktoberfest at Hanz & Franz | Oct. 14, 4 – 11 p.m.

Get ready to dance on the benches and sing along with German Oompah bands at Greenville’s resident German eatery (and our only authentic biergarten). P.S. Parking is limited so try to carpool or take an Uber to be on the safe side.

🍺 Oktoberfest in Helen, GA | Every day until Oct. 29

When you look around at an authentic German town + then remember you’re in Georgia, you know you’re in for an Oktoberfest to rule them all. The month-long celebration in Helen, the south’s own German replica city, starts at 6 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on weekends. With German food, beer, and a huge lineup of German bands, you won’t even know you’re not in Munich. Pro tip: Sunday admission is free.

🍺 Oktoberfest Columbia | Oct. 13 – 15

If you want to road trip for your Oktoberfest, Columbia’s celebration will have authentic German food, live music + tons of brews from Goose Island, Brewery 85, Columbia Craft Brewing, Hi Wire, Wicked Weed + more. There will also be plenty of activities for kids, making this Oktoberfest pretty family-friendly.

🍺 Greer Station Oktoberfest | October 21, 12 – 10 p.m.

Prost! Raise a stein full of Pilsener, Dunkel and König Ludwig Weissbier beers from Warsteiner, Germany's largest privately owned brewery. Munch on knackwurst, bratwursts, sausages, spaetzl, chipstix, German chocolate cake + fresh baked pretzels all under $5 each.

🍺 Walhalla Oktoberfest | Oct. 20 – 22

Take road trip #2 to Walhalla, which celebrates its German heritage with a weekend full of carnival rides, authentic German food, vendor crafts + goods, performances by Little German Band and Dancers + Walhalla Oktoberfest Dancers, music, and fireworks.

🍺 Oktoberfest Community Dinner at Swamp Rabbit Cafe | Oct. 6, 5 – 8 p.m.

Oktoberfest doesn’t mean you have to party all night – but it does mean there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy hearty German dishes. Feast with Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery as they cook up brats, potatoes, cabbage + apple sharlotka.

Words to know for Oktoberfest:

🗣 Prost!: Cheers!

Brezeln/Brezl: Pretzel

🍗 Hendl: Roasted chicken

Schnitzl: Thin slice of breaded fried meat, usually pork or veal

Weisswurst: White sausage, typically enjoyed in the morning

🥔 Kartoffeln: Potatoes

Spätzl: Egg noodles with cheese sauce (as a vegetarian, this dish saved me.)

🧀 Käse: Cheese

I had no idea Munich’s Oktoberfest was actually a giant carnival (in addition to a giant beer drinking festival). People bring their kids to enjoy food, roller coasters, and rides – it really is an all day affair...unless you end up asking for “eins mass bitte” one too many times.

Basically, Germany was amazing but I am happy to be home in Greenville.

– Jordan

P.S. If you want to see some of the pics from my trip, check out my Instagram.

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