Oktoberfest goes global as travelers seek cheaper local versions

Oktoberfest celebrations are under way across the globe as the traditional Munich festival and a growing array of local versions kick off in late September and run into early October, with travelers and drinkers increasingly seeking cheaper or more creative alternatives. Munich’s famed event traditionally spans about two weeks in late September and early October; this year it runs from Sept. 20 to Oct. 5, and officials expect the city’s tents, parades and six local breweries to draw large crowds. At the same time, surging interest in other European cities and a wave of localized Oktoberfest events from the United Kingdom to Southern California are reshaping how people mark the season.

High prices in Munich are a key factor driving the search for alternatives, according to travel analysts. A recent ranking by Travel Republic found significant rises in online interest for other European host cities, with Cologne searches up about 400 percent in a month, Zurich up 328 percent, and Manchester up 217 percent. Barcelona also featured prominently, with roughly 12,000 searches for its Oktoberfest and average daytime entry often free and pints typically far cheaper than in Munich, the...