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Festival · What's On

Bournevaria Oktoberfest 2027

Billed as the South Coast's largest indoor Oktoberfest, a Bavarian beer hall, German food and live entertainment fill the BIC on 26 and 27 September 2026.

Dates
2027 dates to be confirmed Last edition: 26 Sept 2026 to 27 Sept 2026
Location
Windsor Hall, Bournemouth International Centre

The 2026 edition has finished. The organiser has not announced the 2027 dates yet; this page is updated as soon as they are confirmed, and it usually runs in late September.

Going by previous years, expect it around 25 Sept 2027 to 26 Sept 2027.

What to expect, from the 2026 edition

Bournevaria Oktoberfest, billed as the South Coast's largest indoor Oktoberfest, takes over the Windsor Hall at the Bournemouth International Centre across the weekend of 26 and 27 September 2026. Over two days the BIC's biggest room becomes a full Bavarian beer hall, complete with long benches, steins of German lager, hearty food and live entertainment carrying the singing from the first toast through to last orders.

What to expect

Munich's formula arrives faithfully imported. Guests sit at long communal tables, drink German beer by the stein and eat the Bavarian classics, bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel, while live entertainment steers the room through sing-alongs, toasts and stein-holding contests. Lederhosen and dirndls fill the hall, strangers turn into table-mates by the second round, and the noise builds steadily as the session goes on. It's loud, warm-hearted and thoroughly sociable, the room itself is the point, not simply the beer.

Sessions run as separate parties across the weekend, each self-contained and lasting a few hours, so you book whichever day and slot fits. Expect an over-18s policy, and bring ID.

The venue

Being the largest room at the BIC, the town's major seafront venue on Exeter Road, the Windsor Hall gives this Oktoberfest something Munich simply can't match: a beach two minutes away. Restaurants and bars throughout the town centre surround the venue for warming up beforehand, and the walk back to a West Cliff hotel is refreshingly short.

Planning your visit

Since sessions are ticketed and popular slots go quickly, book ahead through the official listing, and choose reserved bench tables to keep your group together. The BIC lies a 10 to 15 minute downhill walk from the railway station; drivers can use the venue's multi-storey and nearby car parks, though a taxi or bus makes the wiser way home.

Extend it into a weekend: a bracing walk along Bournemouth beach and the pier the morning after is the traditional remedy, and our food and drink guide covers where to find the fry-ups and Sunday roasts. Should September not work for you, the town's other beer festival, Bournemouth Oktoberfest, follows in the town centre from 16 to 18 October, with the full autumn line-up on the what's on calendar.

Dates & times

  • 26 to 27 September 2026
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Where to stay nearby

Stay near Bournevaria Oktoberfest

Our team runs the Flexiestays apartment hotels on Bournemouth's West Cliff, a short walk from the beach. Coming for one night or a long weekend? See our short stays in Bournemouth.

Common questions

Bournevaria Oktoberfest: good to know

What is Bournevaria Oktoberfest?

Billed as the largest indoor Oktoberfest on the South Coast, Bournevaria turns the Windsor Hall at the Bournemouth International Centre into a Bavarian beer hall for one weekend, complete with long communal benches, steins of German beer, hearty food and live entertainment driving the singing and toasting through every session. Dirndls and lederhosen are warmly encouraged.

Do I need tickets, and how do I book?

Yes, sessions require a ticket rather than allowing walk-up entry, and popular slots can sell out before the day. The official listing is where you book, and it lists session times, prices and table options. Because standing tickets and reserved bench tables are often priced differently, check exactly what your booking covers.

Is Bournevaria Oktoberfest over-18s only?

Sessions typically operate as adults-only beer-hall events, so expect an 18+ policy and bring photo ID along. Since the exact age rules for each session are stated on the official listing, check there before booking, particularly for daytime slots.

What food and drink is served?

German lager served by the stein anchors the bar, while the food stays firmly Bavarian, bratwurst, pretzels and schnitzel-style dishes, to keep the evening going. Organisers decide menus and drink options afresh each year, so treat the official listing as the definitive word on what's on offer.

Do people really dress up?

They certainly do, lederhosen and dirndls fill the room, and much of the fun comes from most people fully committing. Since it's encouraged rather than compulsory, arriving in your own clothes is fine if costume isn't for you; you'll be in the minority, but nobody minds.

Is it a good hen, stag or birthday venue?

The setup feels tailor-made for group occasions: long shared tables, stage-led singing, stein-holding contests and a room full of costumed guests. Get your group booked onto one session early on, and think about reserved tables to guarantee everyone sits together.

Where is the Windsor Hall and how do I get there?

As the largest space at the Bournemouth International Centre on Exeter Road, the Windsor Hall sits right by the seafront in the heart of town. The walk down from the railway station takes 10 to 15 minutes, bus stops are just minutes from the town centre, and drivers can use the BIC's own multi-storey or nearby council car parks, though public transport or a taxi makes the easier journey home on event nights.