I knew, of course, bc I am German, and plenty of my friends and acquaintances have visited while I was living there.
I wouldn’t expect any non-native to know the exact dates or the history of it all, and I certainly wouldn’t be a dick about it.
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I knew it also but only because, as an American working for a German company (SAP), I spent a lot of time of Germany, especially Munich.
Recs of Der Pschorr and Spatenhaus are seconded but I wouldn’t totally avoid more “touristy” type things. While they are never the core of my travel I’ not afraid of what might be considered tourist spots. For instance, the Hofbrauhaus beer hall is a very popular tourist stop but is also frequented by locals who have “regular” tables and storage for their personal mugs. It wouldn’t be my only drinking spot but how can you miss with beer, pretzels and and spirited music?
Also, the Augustiner-Keller beer garden is worth a visit as another posted noted. But if you can only do one beer garden I would go to the English Garden, particularly near the Chinese Tower. Beer, pretzels, ribs and the weird (to me) deposit system for the beer mugs.
As to the festival itself I would recommend trying to hook up with a company or group that is buying a table. Much easier to navigate than waiting in line or trying to find open seats. I’m very glad I did it, once. Kind of like, as a Bostonian, doing the July 4th concert on the Esplanade. Did it once, checked it off my list.
For a casual meal I love to get a doner kebab at a place like West Ends Best Doner Kebap on Trappentreustrasse. And for a traditional Sunday dinner try Schweinshaxe with Knodel.
I would also check out the Schwabing neighborhood where you can find some funky watering holes. And if you decide to try a more formal meal you will be close to Tantris (two Michelin stars).
As to weisswurst, it’s not my favorite but if I wanted to have it I wouldn’t worry about the time of day. While mostly eaten during the late morning if you want to try it don’t worry about getting side-eye from the locals. I’ve been all over the world, had pizza for breakfast, ice cream for dinner, waffles at midnight, etc. I ignore what others think.
There is a great wine culture, also. Your hotel concierge will be able to give great direction on where to find good stuff. If you’ve spent time in Germany before you know that most stores are closed on Sundays so plan accordingly.
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I didn’t make the rules nor do I follow them 
Signed,
Drinks Cappuccino Whenever I Damn Well Please
Drink espresso.
I do when I am in the mood for espresso… just like I drink cappuccino when I’m in the mood for one.
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Totally not about food, Assuming you are referring to lederhosen (maybe not) the tooled leather lederhosen Ive seen in Austria are lovely and elegant, a man I met was wearing his fathers, restored, a family heirloom. In general I found the tracte warn by bavarians and austrians for dress occasions (as opposed to the stuff that some waiters and revelers wear) to be very nice looking indeed. Here, a wedding party in Salzburg
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Yes - I was referring to lederhosen and dirndl which are looking for me everything else than elegant and lovely. It often depends where you grow up and as somebody from the Northern part of Germany lederhosen and dirndl are often seen as a symbol for backwoods mentality of Bavaria and their very conservative political/redneck ideology
Do you have a recipe you like for leberknodelsuppe (sp?). I really enjoyed it in Austria and Germany when I was there many moons ago. I stayed at the Hotel Splendid in Munich and liked what we were given in the included breakfast; are pâté and cheese normal for a German breakfast?
For that soup try this recipe (it’s for the leberknoedel itself which is the more difficult part)
And yes pate, cold cuts and cheese are typical German breakfast items which fresh rolls
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its funny, from an american perspective all germans - northern and southen - seem relatively civilized with more in common across regions than differences! Same with Italians with their north south prejudices. In Naples folks stand calmly in line for the funicular - very different from the way New Yorkers, for example, act.
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Thank you!
They are beautifully sewn and the embroidery can be stunning.
They also are linked to their cultural heritage…so beautiful regardless of their appearance.
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This was an interesting art exhibition, discussing the dirndl.
I can see how folk costumes can become politicized.
I have a guttural response to some other folk dress (non-German) that has become politicized recently in Canada.
I can see how a dirndl could be taken as a political symbol for some.
Cowboy hats and cowboy boots are also politicized here in North America to some degree. The people who wear them daily or for special occasions don’t see them as a political symbol. I’m sure some people who see cowboy hats or boots on others, make decisions about how the cowboy hat /boot wearer thinks or votes.
That is where the intent of the person wearing the clothing becomes important, in my mind.
If the wearer is wearing a garment mostly to provoke or make a political statement, that’s a different type of intent than wearing something that’s an heirloom or a gift from an overseas grandmother.
That said, people choose their clothing to make statements about who they are and what they believe all the time.
I know a few people here in Canada who still wear their dirndls for weddings or festivals. With the Germans who are now mostly their 60s-80s, the dirndl was their party dress, for special occasions.
(I still wear a mask to avoid picking up viruses. People in Canada tend to make assumptions about how I vote and what I think based on my mask. The mask has also become political. It’s been a ride to have people make comments about how I think or vote, based on the mask. )
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I don’t care for Leberknödelsuppe, so I’m happy to see Hupendude already replied with a recipe.
Breakfast buffets in Germany are lavish and generally include various egg preps, many different cold cuts & cheeses, excellent Brötchen/Semmeln, fruit, yogurt, etc. etc.
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But nobody here or anywhere else is a mind reader, so one can only make assumptions about anyone’s motivation to wear… well, anything.
I find both Dirndl and Lederhosen pretty in a folklore kind of way, but def not my personal style.
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Exactly my point. Just like artistic intent vs audience perception and reception.
Knowing what someone intends is important.
Knowing how something comes across to people in other communities or regions is also important.
Post postmodernism, trauma and polarization can make things more complicated.
Sure. It just seems that some people are hell-bent on reading things into things that aren’t there 
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I expect the Four Seasons will offer Weisswurst in a chafing dish, as well as smoked salmon, at their breakfast buffet, as well.
I’ve never had the pleasure of staying there. No doubt the buffet is amazeballz.
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Thank you to those who did make me feel like an idiot for not knowing when Oktoberfest begins. This was so last minute; I realized the flight from Catania connected in Munich, so why not stay there a few days…might be my last time to visit Germany but of course, who knows?
I would look like a fool in any kind of tracht and was kidding about partner, who would just as soon wear lederhosen as chow down on fugu. But I am very excited to see the traditional tracht! I’ve always wanted a loden coat; they were too expensive for me the one and only time I visited Vienna, in the mid-70s! (Always did want to return for the museums, and the food, of course!)
You are all so kind to offer the restaurant recommendations. I will look into all those mentioned here, and asks concierge for others if necessary. I made weisswurst at home long ago, bought from Schaller and Weber, NYC German delicatessen–it was excellent! But I’ve not had leberkaese for the very reason that I thought it was liver and cheese! Now that I know what it is, although not opposed to either liver or cheese) and that I should order it on a Kaiser roll…that will be fantastic!! This truly opens up a whole new good world for me!!! Very exciting!!1. Must clean out home freezer to make ready for all the baked goods, rolls, bread, especially… Who knows, maybe even take a chance on meats…
One small question: Many people refer to “my” hotel as the Four Seasons; I know that is the English translation. But it is not a member of the Canadian chain, Four Seasons…but should still refer to it as Four Seasons in English? Maybe the was the hotel that the chain took its name from (??) although doubt they would confirm this…
I am getting quite excited about this jaunt in Munich…now 5 days seems like too little time!!!
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