Staff Writer
The 66th Windhoek Oktoberfest welcomed more than 5 500 festival-goers to Sport Klub Windhoek in Olympia on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026.
The festival returned to the authentic Bavarian traditions that have defined it for more than sixty years, from the brass band and the Festbier to the Dirndl, the Lederhosen and the games.
Overall feedback from festival-goers was very positive, particularly around the genuine Oktoberfest experience, the improved layout and the refreshed look and feel.
Visitors from near and far, including South Africa, Italy, France, Germany, China, USA, Kenia, Angola, India and Austria, joined Namibians from across the country, sharing tables, songs and Maß in the true spirit of the festival.
Norbert Wurm, master of ceremony and member of the organising committee of the Windhoek Oktoberfest, said: “We are humbled by the fact that the festival continues to put Windhoek and Namibia on the map as a travel destination and a uniquely Namibian home for Bavarian tradition and the best and only authentic Oktoberfest celebration in Africa.”
Tresia Shilongo, drawn from online ticket buyers, won the grand prize of a trip for two to the Paulaner Strong Beer Festival or the Munich Oktoberfest in 2027.
An excited Shilongo said she would get to home affairs on Monday to get her passport, because Munich is calling. The games drew more than 50 competitors and log sawing continued throughout the day before a roaring crowd.
Defending champion Steffanie Bester was crowned Bierkönigin for the second year in a row after lifting 17 Maß. She takes home a prize of two nights away for two from OL Leisure, worth around N$20 000.
In the Backsteinstemmen (brick lifting), which carried the biggest prize for male contestants, Andre de Klerk lifted 17 bricks to take the win.
In the Baumstammsägen (log sawing), the winning time was 12.94 seconds. In the Maßkrugstemmen (beer mug holding), three groups of 10 participants took part and those who held their mug the longest were crowned winners.
Pupkewitz Megabuild sponsored all three competitions with Megabuildcash vouchers, totalling N$10 000.
Die Kirchdorfer, the Bavarian band that plays at Munich’s own Oktoberfest, performed at Windhoek Oktoberfest for the 14th consecutive year.
Norbert added: “This year our focus was on rebuilding the overall experience and the positive sentiment around the festival. The warm feedback is encouraging and gives us a much stronger foundation to build on as we look ahead to next year. This proud celebration has brought people together for generations and will continue to welcome everyone to the table.”
Windhoek Oktoberfest is made possible by its main partners, Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) and OL with Radio Wave as official media partner. The 67th Windhoek Oktoberfest is planned for 29 and 30 October 2027.
