Looking for any insight/input on the Proprietor’s Parade and the Rifleman’s Parade the first days of Oktoberfest. Any comments on best viewing area along the route? Worth the time invested?
Posted by
4 posts
I found it was easier to find space to view towards the start of the parade. It gets quite packed near the train station. It is worth seeing, but it does make virtually completely impossible to get into one of the tents without a reservation.
Posted by
OP
Englewood, CO, USA
4 posts
Understood! Wanted to focus more on the Rifleman’s than Proprietors! I was thinking of visiting a larger tent during the week to possibly take advantage of the “lesser” crowds by arriving early and asking the staff as to table availability or finding a non-reserved table.
Thanks!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
I was not in town for the Saturday Proprietor's Parade the year that I visited, but really loved the Sunday parade, a.k.a. traditional costume and hunter's parade. Not just costumes, but bands, decorated carts, horses, and all those parade favorites.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, USA
321 posts
Hi Charlie- I would agree with jn and Laura- pick a spot towards the start of the Sunday (Rifleman's) parade, be sure the sun is at your back so you can take decent pics, and be sure it is close to a U or Sbahn station so you can jump on it and get to the 'Fest grounds before the crowds. I think the entire parade lasts about 2 hours. The location we picked was across from the Odeonsplatz. We left the parade after about an hour because it got repetitive, it was raining lightly, and we didn't want to be in the crowds catching the UBahn . If you need a map of the parade route, I think I got it by hunting on Google.
Have a great trip and lift a Maß for me as I must skip this year !!!