You don’t need to travel all the way to Munich to get into the Oktoberfest spirit this autumn.
The beer steins are coming out, the games are returning and we’re bringing a little taste of Bavaria to Méribel Village for our annual Oktoberfest celebration at La Terrasse du Village on 26th September
Expect a special dish from lunchtime, plenty of beer, games throughout the day and live music from Pink Miami from 4pm.
And yes, the steins will be back.
Here’s everything you need to know about Oktoberfest, why it actually starts in September, and what we have planned in Méribel this year.
What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is the famous Bavarian festival that originated in Munich more than 200 years ago.
The first celebration took place in 1810, following the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The festivities finished with a horse race held on the fields outside Munich.
The celebration proved so popular that it returned the following year, eventually developing into the enormous festival of beer, food, music and Bavarian culture that we know today.
Modern Oktoberfest might be synonymous with huge beer tents and steins, but at its heart it has always been about something much simpler: getting people together.
Why is Oktoberfest celebrated in September?
Despite its name, much of Oktoberfest actually takes place in September. Originally, the festival was held later in October. But in the 19th century it was moved forward to take advantage of the milder, sunnier weather.
Today, Munich’s Oktoberfest traditionally begins in the second half of September and continues into early October.
For 2026, Munich’s official Oktoberfest runs from 19 September until 4 October.
So if you’ve ever wondered why someone is handing you a giant beer in September and calling it Oktoberfest, now you know.
Is there an Oktoberfest in Méribel?
There is!
Every autumn, La Terrasse du Village celebrates Oktoberfest right here in Méribel Village, swapping Munich’s enormous beer tents for our covered terrace, mountain views and a slightly more Alpine interpretation of the festivities.
Summer may be winding down and winter hasn’t arrived yet, but that doesn’t mean we need to sit around waiting for the snow.
Quite the opposite.
Oktoberfest at La Terrasse du Village
Our Oktoberfest celebrations begin from 12pm, so there’s no need to wait until the evening to get involved.
We’ll be serving a special Oktoberfest-inspired plat du jour alongside our usual menu, giving you a good reason to start with lunch and see where the afternoon takes you.
And because this is Oktoberfest, naturally there will be beer.
Lots of it.
Our beers will be available in proper Oktoberfest-style steins, with Sapaudia joining the celebrations too.
Live music from Pink Miami from 4pm
It wouldn’t be a La Terrasse event without live music. From 4pm, Pink Miami will take over the terrace.
If you already know them from Méribel’s live music scene, you’ll know this probably isn’t going to be a particularly quiet afternoon.
Expect big songs, plenty of energy and the sort of set that has a habit of turning a civilised afternoon beer into something rather more enthusiastic. Live music, steins and an autumn afternoon in Méribel Village.
We can work with that.
Oktoberfest games are back
Beer and music are only part of it.
We’ll also have our usual Oktoberfest games and challenges running throughout the day.
We won’t reveal everything in advance where would be the fun in that? but consider this your warning that strength, balance, questionable levels of competitiveness and the ability to hold a beer stein may become useful skills.
Spectators are, of course, very welcome too.
Do you have to dress up for Oktoberfest?
Absolutely not.
But will we object if you arrive in lederhosen or a dirndl?
Also absolutely not.
Traditional Bavarian clothing has become a huge part of the modern Oktoberfest atmosphere, and we’re always happy when people decide to properly get into the spirit of the occasion.
Equally, jeans work.
This is Méribel Village, not Munich customs control.
An autumn event in Méribel Village
Oktoberfest falls at an interesting time of year in Méribel.
The busy summer weeks have finished, the mountains are becoming quieter and everyone is beginning to look towards winter.
It’s also exactly why we love putting events on during interseason.
Méribel doesn’t stop existing just because the ski lifts aren’t running.
For locals, seasonal workers beginning to return, homeowners, families and anyone visiting the valley during autumn, there are still reasons to get together.
And Oktoberfest is quite a good one.
Where is Oktoberfest in Méribel?
You’ll find our Oktoberfest celebration at:
La Terrasse du Village
21 chemin de la Duis
73550 Méribel Village
La Terrasse is located in the heart of Méribel Village, close to the Golf chairlift and at the bottom of the Lapin piste.
We’re open throughout autumn — and every other season for that matter — as one of Méribel’s year-round restaurants.
Where: La Terrasse du Village, Méribel Village
Come for lunch.
Stay for a stein.
Get unnecessarily competitive over the games.
Then let Pink Miami take care of the rest.
Prost!