The German Girl's Summer Festival Checklist

Summer is here, and that means it’s officially German festival season—aka time to break out a fabulous dirndl, grab a stein, and hit the fest grounds! Whether you're headed to your local Oktoberfest celebration, a regional German heritage festival, or traveling to Milwaukee for one of our favorites, there’s a little prep work that goes a long way.

To help you look fabulous and feel great all day, we put together a fun, no-fluff checklist of summer festival essentials. From what shoes to wear with your dirndl to the must-have accessories for your Oktoberfest outfit, this guide has you covered.

💦 Hydration > Dehydration (Obviously)

As much as we wish German beer counted as hydration… it doesn’t. (We checked. Repeatedly.) To avoid feeling like a bratwurst left out in the sun, bring a refillable water bottle and actually drink from it throughout the day. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay energized, enjoy more dancing, and avoid the dreaded “why do I feel like garbage?” moment the next morning.

Staying hydrated at Oktoberfest or any summer fest is an underrated power move—trust us.

☀️ SPF Before the Dirndl, Always

Repeat after us: Sunscreen goes on before the dirndl. Nothing kills your festival vibe faster than a brutal sunburn shaped exactly like your dirndl blouse neckline. Not cute.

Slather up before you get dressed to make sure you don’t miss any spots (looking at you, shoulders and cleavage). Whether you’re twirling in the sunshine or sipping radlers in the beer garden, this is one of the simplest German festival tips that’ll save your skin—and your selfies.

👟 Hot Girl Feet Need Arch Support

Sure, those heels look amazing with your dirndl… right up until hour two when you're hobbling between the beer tent and the bratwurst stand. If you're spending the day at a German festival, do your feet a favor and opt for cute, comfy shoes. Think supportive flats, boots, or sneakers that can handle grass, gravel, and all that spontaneous polka-ing. Bonus tip: If the fest is outdoors, expect uneven ground. Leave the stilettos at home unless you’re intentionally trying to aerate the lawn.

🌧️ Rain Boots Can Be a Vibe

Before you finalize your German festival outfit, check. the. weather. A surprise downpour doesn’t have to ruin your vibe—but only if you’re prepared. If rain’s in the forecast, swap the suede shoes for some cute rain boots (yes, they do look good with a dirndl) and toss a compact umbrella in your bag.

If you’re not into the idea of rain gear ruining your lewk, consider it a challenge: how many ways can you style a raincoat with a dirndl? (Spoiler: more than you think.)

🎒Not Your Oma’s Fanny Pack

Big crowds + beer + bratwurst = not the time for a giant tote or an open-top handbag. The best purse for Oktoberfest or any German festival is one that zips closed, stays close to your body, and won’t get in your way when the Fliegerlied comes on.

Crossbody bags, belt bags, or even a cute mini backpack are perfect picks—especially if you’re wrangling kiddos or just like to dance with both hands in the air. Bonus points if your bag matches your apron (yes, that’s a thing... and we have them 😉).

🎉 Ready, Set, Schunkel!

Whether it’s your first fest or your fiftieth, a little prep goes a long way in making your Oktoberfest outfit experience more fun, more comfy, and way less stressful. So drink that water, wear the SPF, and dance like everyone's watching (because they definitely are).

Tag us in your fest fit pics—especially if you nailed the comfy shoes + cute dirndl combo! We love seeing Rare Dirndls out in the wild.

Planning your own Oktoberfest bash? I’ve got you covered. I put together a list of my favorite party supplies—authentic steins, reusable decor, cookbooks, and everything you need to throw a cozy, classy, and actually Bavarian backyard celebration. No tacky plastic nonsense here. 👉 Click here to shop my Oktoberfest Party Picks on Amazon.

Looking for more Dirndl Style tips & tricks? Click the link to get access to our official style guide! >> https://bit.ly/dirndlstyle
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Ever wonder which dirndl style you are? Click here to take out quiz and find out now!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links it just means if you buy something I recommend... (like a real stein instead of a Solo cup) I might earn a tiny commission. It's like tipping your local dirndl dealer.