Pretoria’s Oktoberfest returns bigger, bolder and full of German tradition

Deutsche Internationale Schule Pretoria (DSP) once again brought the sights, sounds and traditions of Germany to the city with its 2026 Oktoberfest celebration.

The popular annual event grew in size and offerings this year while maintaining the fun, family-friendly atmosphere and German traditions that have made it a staple of Pretoria’s events calendar.

Oktoberfest gave the school an opportunity to showcase its community while celebrating German history and heritage. This year felt bigger, from the beer and oversized mugs to the large beer garden and plenty of entertainment opportunities.

A commemorative mug proved particularly popular, while live musical performances kept the atmosphere lively throughout the day. Many visitors also embraced the occasion by dressing in traditional German outfits.

Food remained an important part of the experience, with time-honoured favourites including eisbein, potato salad, schnitzel, sausages and other German dishes on hand.

One of the year’s biggest attractions was the carnival, which featured several sizeable rides. The Dance Breaker was particularly popular, while another ride offered a more unusual and slightly frightening experience. Riders were spun at high speed, causing them to be held against the wall as the floor lowered beneath them.

The event also attracted notable visitors, such as the Jacaranda FM team.

Despite its growing size and increasingly commercial offerings, Oktoberfest remained rooted in its original purpose: celebrating German culture, heritage, food, music and community in Pretoria.

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