Me again. It looks like I will be in Munich at the beginning of Springfest next year. If I wanted to just go to the fairgrounds and not go into a tent could I just show up? Are there any other fun things there except for beer tents? Someone told me there was a Maypole but I'm not sure they were joking.
Americans never hear much about this festival so I was unaware until I looked at Munich activities in April.
Maypole (Maibaum) is a big thing in villages. 1st of May is the day to put up the pole and celebrate. You find them in Munich as well but actually has nothing to do with the Springfest.
Frühlingsfest is nice (located at the Theresienwiese) but super small compared to Oktoberfest. Yes you can go there even without visiting tents but you might be done very quickly. Usually the day before it starts there is a huge flea market at Theresienwiese.
Maybe you can check out for Flohmarkt auf der Theresienwiese. And maybe just check for Maibaum aufstellen in or arround Munich. I'm 54 now and the last time I've visited a Maibaum aufstellen is 30 years ago. But might be fun still :-)
If you feel like making the trip, Fruehlingsfest in Stuttgart is bigger than in Munich. It has 3 tents, but also a large outdoor area with live music and good food options, called the "Almhuettendorf".
That said, since Fruehlingsfest is pretty unknown, I'm guessing the difference between it and Stuttgart's is not as pronounced as between Oktoberfest and Volksfest in Stuttgart, where the latter is far more enjoyable, easier to manage, and less touristy.
The maypole tradition actually starts the night before in most villages, when local men gather and enjoy beer while guarding their maypole against theft from neighbouring villages. So the way to defend a village's honour is to set up tables over the maypole and sit there all night drinking beer. If another village is successful in stealing the maypole before it is erected on May 1, the ransom is also usually beer. It is a highly local thing, though, so just joining in might be suspicious in very small villages. But I am sure a Bavarian tourism website would have locations of where you can join in. If you can find a place that puts it up by manpower, it's probably worth seeing.
Not sure who decided this was the way to go, but it is genius--way better than wars and such--in terms of "defending the town's honour."
As for your question about festivals, yes, you can just go. They are meant to be enjoyed by everyone! They would have rides, carnival games, and beer tents--very similar to Oktoberfest, actually. With fewer tourists and slightly smaller crowds.
If you prefer, travel north to the Harz for Walpurgisnacht and join the witch festivals. May 1 is a holiday and falls on a Monday this year, so no matter where you go, expect crowds and great atmosphere.
