Oktoberfest is a world-famous celebration of living tradition and real beer! It takes place in Munich every year because everyone knows that the best beer comes from Germany! Although, if you look at history... it wasn't the beer that came first. It was the horses. Horses? "Something doesn't add up here," thought the Bavarians and opted for a half-liter wooden stein instead of horse racing. A brief background: in 1810, a horse race was held in honor of the royal event on the occasion of the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig (1786-1868) to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (1792-1854). Since that time, the Oktoberfest has been held every year at the same location, today's Theresienwiese, near the city center, and lasts for about two weeks.
This is how they turned the holiday into the global event of the year, which has been delighting not only Germans but the whole world for 214 years. What is the secret of its success? Not just in the beer - we'll reveal the secret in a moment. In what? It's all about culture and tradition. In addition to beer, you can also try hearty German dishes such as bratwurst, dumplings, schnitzel and much more at the Oktoberfest. You can also enjoy the incomparable atmosphere of friendship and joy that prevails at every turn. During the festival, you will also have the opportunity to buy authentic German souvenirs and gifts for yourself and your loved ones.
And there's plenty of music too! Live performances by the best German musicians create a unique vacation atmosphere. From upbeat tunes to brass bands and energetic dancing, the music at Oktoberfest will give you an unforgettable experience.
You can also chat with people from different countries at the festival, as it brings people from all over the world together. You will see funny costumes and hear the languages of the different nations, but one thing always remains the same: the friendly atmosphere and the joy of celebrating together. For many visitors, Oktoberfest is not just an event, but an unforgettable life experience that leaves countless impressions and memories for life. That's why it doesn't just take place in Munich, but has imitators all over the world.
This is exactly what you can tell your new acquaintances or friends when you wake up in the middle of the night and hesitate to visit in the fall. Or if not you, then interested marketers will.
Do you want to bring the Oktoberfest feeling to your event hall or city? Then start preparing now! For example, make sure you have a cool poster that everyone will remember! A good poster is your key to success (with lots of euros in your pocket and empty kegs at the end of the festival).
An Oktoberfest poster is almost an Oktoberfest
Now let's take a closer look at the golden tips for a poster that stands out and attracts visitors to you and your event.
Table of contents
Define your purpose and target audience
Before you start planning, ask yourself what you want to achieve and who you want to influence. Be clear about your goal: Do you want to increase visitor numbers, attract sponsors or present certain attractions? Only then can you move on. Then comes the target group. Once you know your target audience, the tone and style of your poster will change. You want to address your target audience directly.
It's important to remember that you can't please everyone at once. After all, it makes a difference whether you are addressing a student or an older person.
Choose a rough design
The design is perhaps the most important thing in this business. It should reflect the spirit of Oktoberfest and at the same time match the preferences of your audience. Pay particular attention to traditional German motifs: Gothic, pictures of beer glasses, pretzels or festive decorations will help you with this. The Bavarian white and blue also belongs on the poster for the Oktoberfest. Make sure that the decorative elements are visually appealing and match the overall theme of the festival. Before you start designing, ask your friends what they like, look at the trends of the year, do a few tests and develop the version that is best received by your target group.
The information is clear and concise
Clarity is important when it comes to conveying basic information on your poster. Make sure the title is bold and easy to read, even from a distance, to attract attention. In general, the font on your poster should be easy to read and of an appropriate size so that it is easy to understand. Also avoid oversaturation. Two to three fonts can still be combined well. But no more! And of course, don't forget to include relevant information such as the date, time, venue and contact details for queries or ticket purchases in addition to a nice picture. And think about the design: white text on a beer yellow background doesn't stand out.
Use high-quality images
It's time for a nice picture. It sets the right mood and attracts attention. Choose only high-quality photos or illustrations that capture the essence of Oktoberfest. It's even better if it's a feature of your project. There are plenty of options here, from cheerful crowds drinking beer to traditional Bavarian costumes and lively musical performances. However, not everything is as cheerful as it looks, as it's worth remembering the provisions of copyright law, which state that you can only use a particular photo or illustration if you have the right or license to do so. Pinterest is therefore clearly not suitable here. But you can get inspired and create your own image or order an original image. Or you can use one of our high-quality Oktoberfest templates.
Balance is everything
A good balance between images and text is important. Avoid overwhelming the viewer with too much text, as this can detract from the visual appeal. Instead, aim for a concise and meaningful message that conveys the necessary information while leaving enough room for striking images.
Consider the festive colors
Colors play an important role in creating a festive atmosphere at Oktoberfest. Choose bright colors such as red, orange and deep green that are reminiscent of traditional German folklore and beer gardens. A must-have is the white and blue of the Bavarian flag. It symbolizes everything Bavarian. Experiment with color combinations that convey the warmth and excitement of the festival while providing clarity and contrast between text and background elements. Remember the third point.
Highlight the most important attractions and features
Whether it's live music, beer tasting, traditional Bavarian cuisine or family activities - highlight these elements on your poster. Use eye-catching graphics or photos to draw attention to these attractions and create a visual hierarchy in your poster.
Check before printing the poster
Before finalizing your poster, you should carefully check the content to make sure it is correct and professional. Check dates, times, addresses and contact information carefully for errors and inconsistencies. Also check links and QR codes for functionality. Ask friends or colleagues to review the poster and give you feedback and suggestions. Make the necessary changes to improve the design and message until you are happy with the final product.
So here are two more important tips:
- Once you've designed your Oktoberfest poster, it's time to print and distribute it. Choose a printing company that offers high-quality printing and paper options to increase the visual appeal of your poster. Think about different distribution channels, e.g. in bars, restaurants and community centers, but also via online platforms and social media to reach a wider audience. Ideally, your poster should also be created in a portrait format version for smartphones so that you can use it optimally as a status in WhatsApp, in reels and stories on social media. Fortunately, our poster templates often offer you the smartphone format in addition to the print format.
- Once the Oktoberfest posters have been distributed, monitor their effectiveness and visitor numbers to evaluate the impact of your advertising measures. Analyze feedback from visitors and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and formulate future marketing strategies. Continually refine your approach based on the insights gained at each event to ensure success and engagement.
Those were our tips. They're effective, but they also take time. And time is money, as Benjamin Franklin said.
On our online portal you will find a wide range of poster templates for every occasion and every event. These poster templates are easy to use and allow you to create great designs quickly and easily. To save valuable time, you can download poster and billboard templates here!