Karneval

Overview

Only three things are certain in life: death, taxes and good German beer, and it's the latter that helps you deal with the first two. Luckily, Wellington's very own bier haus is here to help.

Munchen has long been known as the go-to spot for German quenchers, and it's hard to beat the idea of a two-day event that literally describes itself as 'The German Festival of Happiness'. Karneval is the German equivalent of Mardi Gras, dedicated to beer, food, music and all-round good times, and Munchen promises all that and more.

With an array of great German craft beers, hearty food and foot-stomping live music, it's an enticing way to enjoy the wind down of summer. $30 gets you admission and an entry drink, and if you pull together a group of friends you can book a VIP table for eight, which throws in two beer tasting trays and two food platters at $50 a head.

In Germany, a close cousin of Karnival is Fastnacht, which translates to something like 'a night of being wild and foolish'. So get down to Munchen and grab yourself a stein. Being wild and foolish is what it's all about.