Events

Which Oktoberfest is Oktoberbest?

Published

9 years ago

22 September 2016

Durbanite

This month (September 17th , to be exact), the centuries-old Oktoberfest celebrations kick off in Munich, Germany. Two Weeks later, the South African version opens its brauhaus doors much to the same effect at at Sibaya, from the 30th of September – 1st of October and then heads to Cape Town where it will be held at the historic Newlands Brewery from the 4th – 6th of November. What really sets these two festivals of wunderbar Bavarian bier, food and culture apart? Here are nine comparisons…

1. Munich Oktoberfest – takes place in Munich, Germany every year.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – takes place in Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Munich Oktoberfest – is the world’s biggest, annual celebration of Bavarian culture.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – is Africa’s biggest, annual, national celebration of Bavarian culture.

2. Munich Oktoberfest – is 204 years old and was originally started as a wedding after-party when Prince Ludwig married Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – is six years old and was originally only held in Jo’burg and Cape Town. Nowadays it tours the country!

3. Munich Oktoberfest – is known by locals as “Wiesn” (pronounced “Vizen”). So named after Theresienwiese, the name of the piece of land where it is held.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – is known by locals as “ze jol of ze year!” So named because it offers South Africans a taste of the real Oktoberfest but without the need for a visa or a lengthy flight.

4. Munich Oktoberfest – is officially opened by the Mayor of Munich, who taps an honourary keg and offers the first sip to the Minister-President of the State of Bavaria.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – is officially opened by the Mayor of Bierfest – Klaus von Über-Hüber who taps an honourary keg and gulps the first stein himself.

5. Munich Oktoberfest – has its beer provided by six breweries; Hofbräuhaus München, Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu, Paulaner Bräu, Löwenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr Bräu and Augustiner Bräu.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – has its beer provided by two breweries namely Number 3 Fransen Street (in Gauteng) and Newlands Spring Brewery (in Cape Town).

6. Munich Oktoberfest – entertains the crowds with mostly German music and lots of sing-a-long covers.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – gives revelers a five-hour long show of fine traditional oompah music (played live by a six-piece authentic German oompah band), and a set of rocking party hits provided by the country’s best live mash-up party band, The Rockerfellas! DJ Schnitzel keeps ze party going afterwards too.

7. Munich Oktoberfest – serves bier to its patrons in 1-litre steins (or Mas).

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – offers both half litre and 1-litre steins from which to consume their delicious biers. The glass steins are especially imported and can be purchased afterwards to take home.

8. Munich Oktoberfest – Foreigners make up only 19% of the visitors to Oktoberfest, the rest are all bier-loving Germans.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – 5% of the visitors come from outside of the country, the rest are all proud locals with a thirst for great German-styled bier, and a good South African styled jol!

9. Munich Oktoberfest – biers, food and merchandise are bought using local currency.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – biers, food and merchandise are bought using special Bierfest currency – Crowns. Crowns are available in R30 denominations. A mighty 1-litre bier costs 2 Crowns.

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Standard Bier Hall and Über Bier Hall tickets can be booked through iTickets. For hospitality packages, please contact Bierfest directly at 021 824 3132 or email bookings@bierfest.co.za..

All food and drinks purchased at the festival are made using Bierfest “Crowns.” Crowns are available in denominations of R30 and are sold in packs of five (non-refundable).

Pre-order your Bierfest food platter online now (see www.bierfest.co.za) and your Fraulein will deliver it directly to your table.

The event is not open to anyone under the age of 18.
For more details go to www.bierfest.co.za.

Follow the event on Twitter @SABierfest (#SABierfest) and on Facebook TOPS at SPAR Bierfest and on Instagram @SABierfest.

Author: Durbanite

Related Topics:Bierfest durban Event Spar TOPS

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Gordon’s & CK Experiences presents: Mango Groove at Chris Saunders Park

Published

3 days ago

15 April 2025

Shelley

Get ready for the ultimate family outing! South Africa’s legendary musical icons, Mango Groove will, light up the stage at Chris Saunders Park, on Friday 2 May, kicking off at 4pm.

This isn’t just a concert; it’s a fantastic opportunity to create lasting family memories filled with incredible music, delicious food, and exciting activities for everyone.

Join Mango Groove as they bring you the iconic hits that have been the soundtrack to South African life since the 80s. From the moment the first note drops, you’ll be swept away by their smash hits “Special Star,” “Dance Some More,” and all the timeless classics that have defined generations. This is your chance to experience the magic of Mango Groove in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

What’s in store for the kids?
We’ve got so much lined up:

Blaster Wars Arena – Ready, aim, and battle it out in a safe and exciting space.
Jumping Castles – Let them bounce the day away.
Lego Area – Creativity unleashed with endless building fun.
Target Shooting – Perfect for little sharpshooters.
Treasure Hunts & Fun Games – Adventure awaits.
Dedicated Toddler Zone – Safe and fun play for the tiniest festival-goers.

Tickets to this unmissable family event are a steal, priced between R100 and R250. With convenient, fully stocked bars for the adults and a delicious array of food stalls offering something for everyone, your taste buds will be as happy as your ears!

Date: Friday 2 May
Time: 4-10pm
Venue: Chris Saunders Park

Book your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable day of music and fun!
Tickets are available for purchase online at WebTickets.

Follow In The Park here for more upcoming music events. You do not want to miss out on the rest of the events they have planned for you!

Author: Shelley

Art

The East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

8 April 2025

Shelley

It’s fresh, bright and chockfull of surprises! It’s the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, and we’re talking fresh spaces. bright living! A giant breath of fresh air will sweep through the Durban Exhibition Centre when the Show rolls out from Friday 28 June to Sunday 6 July.

fresh spaces. bright living is all about how to tweak or transform your home into one which brings you joy, and allows you to be you! Whether it’s little touches of stylish decor or large sweeps of bold colour and pattern, you’ll leave the Show bursting with new skills from the experts, bright ideas from different brands… and loads of goodies and parcels. Jump on board, the 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show promises to fill your head with creativity to create your own fresh spaces. bright living.

Calling all cooks and homemakers!

This year’s Test Kitchen is the kitchen of the future! Hirsch is at the helm and The Kitchen Studio is creating a space that’ll knock your socks off. Top celebrity chefs (surprises up our sleeve), fabulous personalities (guess who?), crazy cooks (laughter is the best medicine)… the line-up is as long as it is sensational! If cooking’s your happy place, the Hirsch kitchen is the only place to be.

The 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is going to be child’s play!

This is Durban’s true family show, and we’ve got you well covered for the first week of the school holidays! From littlelies to larger, this year’s kids zone has mushroomed into its own dedicated hall, and has way, way more of what they love! And parents, this one’s for you. Drop and shop – there’s now a super-safe, well supervised drop-off zone, so you can do your thing, while they do theirs. A dedicated Kids Zone in the Coast of Dreams, with a whacky wonderland of activities. Packed with fun, yet competitive, activities and challenges, teens can put their skills to the test! From the incredible Monster Manor to fairytale characters to face-painting, wrestling and bowling, the kids just won’t want to go home.

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is always full of winners…

And why shouldn’t it be you? With competitions big and small, you could carry home anything from the coolest kitchen appliance to the hottest sound system, a tantalising voucher to something or somewhere sensational or bags full of your favourite products.

This season, the Show is shining a full spotlight on fresh spaces, bright living, both outdoors and in! Plants, landscaping and new tricks and tools for garden lovers; boys’ toys and bits and bobs for outdoor lovers; and goodies and gadgets for those who live to braai! Renovating, restoring or dreaming of adventure, the Show will take you where you want to go.

We can’t wait to see you there!
www.housegardenshow.co.za

Author: Shelley

Entertainment

Bluey is coming to Durban for the FIRST TIME!

Published

2 weeks ago

4 April 2025

Shelley

Wackadoo!
Bluey is heading to Gateway in real life!

Get ready for an UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE at Gateway Thetre of Shopping from 29 April to 4 May and join them for a FREE Meet & Greet with Bluey.

Snap a photo, share a high-five, and make magical memories.
Bring the whole family for some Heeler Bluey fun. Stay connected to their social media page here for more information.