Oktoberfest in the Gardens

Overview

Every September and October, Germany erupts with brews, food and lederhosen-wearing revellers for its annual Oktoberfest celebrations. Come Saturday, October 19, Melbourne Showgrounds will serve up the same kind of beer and bratwurst-fuelled shenanigans.

If you're a Melburnian with a hankering for doppelbock, schnitzel and dancing to polka, it's the next best thing to heading to Europe.

This year's Oktoberfest in the Gardens will add an extra attraction, too — as well as serving a variety of pilsners, ciders, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, it'll construct the a huge beer hall to house the boozy merriment. Just how big it'll be hasn't been revealed, but given that the festival usually attracts quite a crowd, expect it to be sizeable.

When you're not raising a stein — or several — at the day-long event, you can tuck into pretzels and other traditional snacks at up to 30 food stalls, or check out the hefty array of entertainment. Live music, roving performers, markets and wood-chopping are all on the agenda, as is a silent disco, dodgeball, rides and a sideshow alley.

Early bird tickets go on sale at 7am on Thursday, August 1 for $54.90, with full-price entry costing $69.90.