12 “Ale-some” Oktoberfest Activities for Teams to Toast Together

Say Prost! to the beer season with your team through a fun and interactive Oktoberfest party. While Munich may be the spotlight of this legendary celebration, who says teams can’t enjoy the Bavarian party vibe at the office? Beyond just beer and bratwurst, the right Oktoberfest activities can get your team in the Gaudi mode. We’ve handpicked a selection of activities that will bring the lively spirit of this German festival to life for both in-person and remote teams.

In this article, you will explore: 

• What is Oktoberfest?
• Oktoberfest activities for Remote Teams
• Oktoberfest activities for In-person Teams

Table of Contents

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is a world-renowned German festival that originated in Munich in 1810, coinciding with the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria. It’s a celebration of Bavarian culture, featuring lively traditions that include beer, food, music, and dancing. Traditionally held from late September to the first weekend in October, the festival draws millions of people to enjoy steins of beer, bratwurst, pretzels, and a variety of fun activities. While Oktoberfest has its roots in Bavarian culture, its festive spirit has spread globally, with communities and workplaces celebrating in their unique ways. 

How Do We Celebrate Oktoberfest at Work?

Celebrate Oktoberfest at work by embracing Bavarian traditions through team-building activities centered around food, drinks, games, and music. Here are some amazing options for both remote and in-person teams to celebrate the holiday together. 

Best Oktoberfest Activities for Remote Teams

Even if your remote team cannot join the Munich festivities in person, they don’t have to miss out on the fun. Here are some fun virtual Oktoberfest activities that everyone can enjoy together.  

1. Festive Game-Off

Looking for fun yet competitive Oktoberfest games for work? Host a thrilling game hour filled with Bavarian-themed challenges and collaborative activities. They’re a great way for your global teams to learn about Oktoberfest traditions and enjoy the celebration together, no matter where they’re joining in from. 

Here are some Oktoberfest game ideas for teams to explore: 

Oktoberfest Trivia: Test your team’s knowledge of the history and traditions of Bavarian culture, cuisine, lederhosen, dirndls, and, of course, German beer. 

Bavarian Bingo:  A festive take on the classic game where participants mark off Bavarian-themed prompts or icons to complete a row and call out “Bingo”.

Scavenger Hunt: Players must locate various Oktoberfest-themed items, such as beer bottles, pretzels, or hats, within their immediate surroundings within a set time frame. 

Pro tip: Add silly challenges in between, like grooving to a German song or finding something blue in 10 seconds, to keep the energy high. 

2. German Beer Tasting 🍺

An authentic German beer tasting is a great way to enjoy a core part of Bavarian culture. Team members can sample classic German beers such as Pilsner, Hefeweizen, Kölsch, or Dunkel while learning about their origins, brewing styles, and flavor profiles. Make sure to send Beer tasting kits in advance to the team, or have them collect them locally. 

We recently hosted a German beer tasting at our workplace, and it was such a hit. One of our colleagues, Mike, who usually sticks to coffee, turned out to be the most curious about the different brews. Our beer expert even shared a fun fact about how Dunkel beer was once considered a “liquid bread” in Bavaria. We also had a ‘First Beer Ever’ story circle, and the whole team cracked up hearing everyone’s hilarious first-time experiences.

Pro tip: Opt for non-alcoholic options for team members who prefer to skip alcohol so everyone can join the fun. 

3. Beer Stein Decorating 🎨

Beer stein decorating is a fun, hands-on Oktoberfest activity where teams personalize traditional German beer mugs with paints, decals, or markers. You can arrange to deliver curated decorating kits, or they can pick up their supplies from a local vendor. To take things up a notch, consider a hosted stein decorating where a professional artist guides the session. 

Need inspiration? Try one of these easy themes during the session:

• Classic Oktoberfest: beer mugs, pretzels, and ‘Prost!’ lettering
• Bavarian Icons: Edelweiss flowers, alpine hats, and cuckoo clocks
• German Folk Art: Floral patterns, swirls, and hearts
• Personalized Stein: Initials, team catchphrases, personality traits

Pro tip: Create a shared Oktoberfest playlist and play the songs during the event for a more festive vibe.

4. Pretzel Making Class🥨

A Pretzel making class is a delicious way to enjoy a classic German snack with your whole team. In a guided baking class, teams will learn to knead, shape, and knot the dough to bake chewy, fluffy German pretzels. Send curated kits to the team members with pre-portioned ingredients in advance, or share a list for everyone to source them locally. 

Teams can bring preferred toppings, such as cheese, cinnamon sugar, or mustard dips, for a flavorful finish. Pair your freshly baked pretzels with traditional German sides like Obatzda, bratwurst, or a crisp Hefeweizen (or a non-alcoholic brew) for an Oktoberfest-style snack hour.

Pro tip: Host a pretzel decorating competition and award creative titles like ‘Twist Master’ or Brezn Picasso‘ to the best ones. 

5. German Crash Course 📚

A German crash course introduces your team to basic language skills and cultural phrases tied to Oktoberfest.  It’s a fun and interactive way to learn greetings, toasts, and traditions. These mini language lessons can be scheduled daily or weekly, helping teams bond while embracing the spirit of the season. You can bring in a professional German tutor or even ask a fluent team member to lead the session. Alternatively, you can opt for online tutorials to learn the language from scratch together. 

Here’s what teams can learn during the course:

• Common Oktoberfest greetings like “Servus” and “Grüß Gott.”
• How to say “Cheers!” (Prost!) and other toast etiquette.
• Useful phrases for ordering food and drinks.
• Basic pronunciation of iconic German words and dish names.
• An intro to German numbers and counting. 

Pro tip: To turn this option into one of the thrilling Oktoberfest activities, we recommend hosting a German-language quiz, pronunciation challenge, or phrase match-up game. 

6. Alpine Hat Decorating 🤠

Alpine hat decorating is a hands-on team activity where participants personalize traditional Bavarian felt hats and make a perfect addition to your list of Oktoberfest activities.

Team members can decorate their hats with colorful feathers, braided cords, faux flowers, or mini pretzels. You can also vote for the best ones and award creative titles like ‘Best Bavarian Flair’ or ‘Most Creative Hat’ to recognize everyone’s efforts. 

Pro tip: Set up a DIY station with all the necessary supplies so they can have fun crafting their accessories together without the hassle of sourcing everything.

Top Oktoberfest Celebration Ideas for In-person Teams

Recreate the vibrant atmosphere of a Munich Oktoberfest party right in your office with our lineup of Oktoberfest activities and games. Whether you’re celebrating indoors or outdoors, your team is sure to enjoy the festive fun.  

7. Oktoberfest Bar Games 🎯

Oktoberfest bar games bring the festive energy of a traditional German beer hall to your team event. Teams can participate in a series of classic themed games that encourage lighthearted competition and team bonding. 

Here are some top game picks for Oktoberfest fun:

• Masskrugstemmen: Participants need to hold a stein filled with beer, keeping their arms fully extended and parallel to the ground for as long as possible. 

• Hammer Schlagen: Teams need to drive a nail into a wooden stump using a wedge-shaped hammer. The goal is to complete the challenge with the fewest number of hits to score a win. 

• Beer Pong: Players take turns to throw ping pong balls into the opposing team’s cups. If a ball lands in a cup, the other team must drink its contents.

Pro tip: Give fun prizes to the winners, such as Oktoberfest-themed goodies, badges, gift cards, and more, to reward them. 

8. Bavarian Themed Party 🎉

A Bavarian-themed party is a festive way to bring the spirit of Oktoberfest to life, whether you’re hosting it in the office or at an outdoor venue. Inspired by traditional German beer garden culture, this event features classic decor like blue-and-white checkered tablecloths, picnic tables, and rustic barrels to create an authentic Bavarian atmosphere.

Here are a few ideas to make the party a big hit with your team: 

• Move and groove with a Polka dancing session.
• Host a runway-style fashion parade in traditional garb.
• Set up a themed photo booth with fun props and accessories.
• Serve up traditional snacks and drinks.

Pro tip: Set up a DIY Bavarian accessories station for team members to create custom flower crowns, stein badges, felt hats, and more. 

9. Oktoberfest Snack Truck 🌭

An Oktoberfest snack truck is a fun and flavorful way to bring traditional Bavarian street food if you’re looking for food based Oktoberfest activities. Set up a snack bar decked out in classic blue and white decor to create an authentic Bavarian vibe. Fill it with classic favorites like soft pretzels, bratwurst, sausages, schnitzels, sauerkraut, and hearty potato salad. To complement the flavors, offer a refreshing mix of beverages such as non-alcoholic beer, sparkling apple cider, and a few mocktails. 

You can even ask your team to bring their favorite Oktoberfest dishes and arrange a potluck party. To make the most of this experience, schedule the snack truck visit during lunch hour or evening so employees can relax and enjoy their meals in a laid-back setting.

Pro tip: choose a nearby outdoor space or picnic spot where your team can enjoy the Oktoberfest feast beyond the cubicle.

10. Keg Rolling Race 🛢️

The Keg Rolling Race is a classic Oktoberfest game that can be a fun-filled addition to your list of Oktoberfest activities. Inspired by traditional Bavarian festivals, this activity challenges teams to roll a keg along a marked course and race to the finish line. If you have a large team, consider playing in groups of 3 to 5 and converting the game into a relay format. 

For this, instead of one, you’ll need to set up multiple kegs, one for each player. As the game begins, participants from each group can take turns rolling the kegs to the other side. You can easily host this activity in a nearby park or any outdoor space for an engaging experience. 

Pro tip: Place cones and mini hurdles to turn the course into a Bavarian-style obstacle race.

11. Beer Tank 🎤

Beer Tank is a creative, Oktoberfest-themed team-building activity inspired by the hit show Shark Tank. In this fun twist, team members pitch their fictional beer brands, complete with unique flavor profiles, catchy names, and clever marketing angles, to a panel of mock “investors” in hopes of landing a deal.

Split your team into small groups and give them time to brainstorm their beer concept, including ingredients, branding, and a sales pitch. Then, have them present to a judging panel (aka your office “sharks”). As a bonus, arrange for team members to enjoy a beer tasting session at the end of it.

Pro tip: Introduce a jingle round where participants can sing the tagline of their brand for a more hilarious experience. 

12. Brewery Tour 🍻

A brewery tour is a unique and educational team-building experience where your group gets a behind-the-scenes look at how beer is made. It’s a great way to blend fun with learning, especially during Oktoberfest activities. During this visit, you and your team get an insider’s look at the brewing process, from ingredient selection to step-by-step fermentation and packaging. 

You can also learn about the history and craftsmanship that goes into each brew. To make the experience even more enjoyable, opt for breweries that offer a tasting experience to sample a variety of beers together. 

Pro tip: Engage in a Q&A session where you can ask questions and even pick up tips on beer pairing. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest happens from mid-September to the first Sunday of October. 

Should I plan Oktoberfest games and activities for my team?

Absolutely! Planning fun Oktoberfest activity ideas can be a great way to embrace the festive spirit with your team and enjoy a fun refresher from work. 

How can I host a virtual Oktoberfest celebration for my team?

To host a virtual Oktoberfest celebration, select an online video conferencing platform like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Create a list of virtual activities for Oktoberfest, like beer tasting, pretzel making, and trivia, to engage everyone. Send out meeting invites with all the necessary details so everyone can join the session. 

Is Oktoberfest just about beer tasting? 

No! While beer is an important part of the festival, Oktoberfest is also about celebrating Bavarian culture, food, music, traditional attire, and community spirit. 

What are some of the best activities at Oktoberfest?

Some of the best activities at Oktoberfest include trivia, beer tasting, costume contests, and pretzel-making classes. 

What are some good Oktoberfest office party ideas for my in-person team?

Beer Stein decorating, Beer-themed games, and dance sessions are some good office Oktoberfest ideas for in-person teams. 

Can you suggest Oktoberfest activities latest for remote teams?

Oktoberfest activities latest for remote teams include online trivia, beer and cheese pairings, and Oktoberfest-themed bingo.

What foods are served at Oktoberfest parties?

Popular Oktoberfest foods include bratwurst, schnitzels, soft pretzels, sauerkraut, potato salad, roast chicken, and apple strudel.