Top 9 Most Unique and Fascinating Beer Festivals Around the World

When you think of Brazil, you might picture samba dancers and vibrant parades. However, you might not expect to find one of the world’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations here. Blumenau, a former German colony in the Santa Catarina state, rivals Munich in offering authentic German beer culture, which inspired the event in the first place!

First held in 1984, the Blumenau Oktoberfest Beer Festival lasts for 18 days and is a rich blend of folk and traditional culture. It offers locals and visitors alike a chance to experience a wide array of well-preserved German customs – from delicious sausages and local beer to gingerbread cookies. The festival draws between 600,000 and 1 million visitors each year.

Qingdao is often referred to as the 'Munich of China' and is home to Asia's largest beer festival. Once a German colony in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town still boasts many traditional German breweries. Every year, famous breweries from around the world flock to the beautiful beaches of Qingdao to create a vibrant festival atmosphere. This explains why the annual beer festival takes place every August in Qingdao.

Similar to the Oktoberfest celebration in Munich, New York also hosts its own massive beer festival. This event aims to recreate the vibrant atmosphere of the famous Munich beer festival in Germany. It takes place on the first two weekends of December, with numerous hotels and bars across the city serving German beer and traditional food.
Upon entering the city, you’ll see giant beer fountains along Lexington Avenue and in gardens where you can stop to drink when you're thirsty. Delicious treats like grilled sausages can be enjoyed at outdoor barbecue parties instead of at typical fast food spots like Burger King.

Get ready for the largest and most exciting beer festival in the UK, hosted by the Campaign for Real Ale, an organization that advocates for consumers' rights and is a founding member of the European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU). Around 350 breweries from the UK and beyond are expected to participate, serving over 50,000 attendees. This year, there will be a 'Hat Day', so don’t forget to bring your most stylish hat!
This festival is a true highlight of London, often referred to as the 'City of Fog.' Imagine getting tipsy while sampling a wide variety of world-renowned beers, meeting new friends, and enjoying unforgettable experiences at the Great British Beer Festival in London.
What could be better than relaxing to soothing ballads, playing traditional games, and tasting the finest beers from around the globe? The event lasts four days, typically in early August, when most of the UK population leaves behind the stress of the year to gather in London for this beloved national tradition.

In Seoul, Sinchon is known as the ultimate student hangout, home to universities like Yonsei, Ewha, Sogang, Hongik, and Chugye Art University. Come autumn, Sinchon gears up for its annual event, the Sinchon International Beer Festival, which takes place at the end of September. So, what can you expect from this beer fest?

• A wide variety of beer brands from around the world to try.
• High-quality food stalls offering delicious bites at unbeatable prices.
• Vibrant stages featuring top DJs from South Korea.
• Unique and Instagram-worthy spots for the perfect photos.

And, let’s not forget the catchy slogan: 'Don’t put off drinking beer till tomorrow' (오늘 먹을 맥주를 내일로 미루지 말자). Tempting, right?

At this festival, beer lovers will have the chance to taste world-famous Belgian beers like Chimay and Hoegaarden, along with at least 350 local brews from over 50 breweries across the region.
Organized over three days by the Belgian Beer Association, the event proudly showcases Belgium's rich beer culture, which has made a significant impact on beer drinkers worldwide.

To fully enjoy this iconic festival, you might want to take several days off because it lasts for 16 days, from late September to the first week of October each year. The Oktoberfest, also known as the Munich Oktoberfest, is the world’s largest beer festival, attracting over 6 million visitors annually. It is considered the most attended event in the world, second only to Rio’s Carnival.
Dating back to the early 19th century, the festival is held on the famous Theresenwiese grounds, home to over 30 beer tents from Munich’s top breweries, offering beer to guests from morning till night. The best part is, entry into the tents is free, though it’s advisable to make a reservation or arrive early on weekends if you want a table. The event also features a traditional parade starting at Max II Landmark, a must-see spectacle that everyone can join in on.

Have you already attended the Oktoberfest in Munich last year? If so, this time, head to Stuttgart for the second largest beer festival in Germany, the Cannstatter Volkfest, held every year in September or October. At this festival, you’ll be surrounded by vibrant ox-cart parades and horse-drawn carriages filling the streets. The festival lasts for two weeks, starting from the end of September to early October.

Here, you can ride a giant Ferris wheel that takes you up to 60 meters, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of Stuttgart, the valley city. You’ll also find stores selling roasted candied almonds or thrilling amusement park rides, which are a must at this festival.

And don’t forget to visit the Lebkuchen stores, where you can find heart-shaped gingerbread cookies decorated with cute messages. These make the perfect souvenirs or gifts for your loved ones in Germany!

Apart from the festivals in Munich and Stuttgart, we can’t forget to mention the Oktoberfest in Hannover (Germany), which is one of the most significant festivals in Northern Germany. Known as the Schűtzenfest Hannover, this annual event is held in the city of Hannover.

First held in 1529, the fair lasts for 10 days and typically takes place in July. Though it’s not as widely recognized as other beer festivals, Schűtzenfest Hannover has its unique charm. It’s home to Europe’s (and possibly the world’s) longest parade, which requires the participation of 10,000 people, including 5,000 riflemen in traditional attire, over 100 bands, 250 horses, and 60 vehicles from around the world, all creating a grand 12km-long procession.

The festival also boasts its own icon: a massive 60-meter Ferris wheel with a capacity of 420 people in 42 cabins. As for the beer, there’s no shortage of famous brands like Spaten, Franziskaner, Bräu, Paulaner, Hofbräu München, and Hacker-Pschorr, served in five large beer tents. The festival attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors each year.