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nixplay digital frames oktoberfest traditions

5 Oktoberfest Traditions You Shouldn’t Miss

On October 2, 2019

Oktoberfest is one of the longest-running festivals in the world and as such, holds lots of meaningful traditions. Here are some of them!

The parade of the Oktoberfest tent owners

You shouldn’t miss the parade of the hosts to their respective tents, which happens at 11 a.m. on the first day of the festival. It lasts about 1 hour and attracts more than a thousand onlookers. We suggest you go there early so you can find a prime spot to take pictures from!

The opening of the first barrel by the Mayor of Munich

The Oktoberfest celebration officially begins when the Mayor of Munich uncorks the first barrel of beer using a wooden mallet. When the first mug is poured, he says “O’zapft is!” (that’s “pour it!” in German) to mark the beginning of the festivities.

The procession on the first Sunday of Oktoberfest

The Trachten-und Schützenzug is a big parade that passes through Munich, heading to the Theresienwiese, where the Oktoberfest festival is traditionally held. It starts at 10 a.m. and over 9,500 people from all over the world take part in it, accompanied by marching bands and brass orchestras. This parade has historical significance–it was held for the first time in 1835 to honor the 25th wedding anniversary of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria, and it has become an anticipated event, broadcasted on live TV, since 1950.

Watch (or participate in) Feldl’s Teufelsrad

The Teufelsrad’s concept is very simple: A large spinning disc, where people of a certain demographic can climb on and hold tight as the spinning becomes faster. It’s quite challenging, but a lot of fun!

Watch a free public concert

The second Sunday of the festival, meanwhile, sees a big concert of around 300 musicians at the foot of the Bavaria statue. It usually starts at 11 a.m. and is traditionally conducted by the mayor and the various celebrities present at Oktoberfest. Get there early to score a great view!

Oktoberfest is one of the most anticipated festivals in the world, so if you’re attending, make sure to take lots of pictures! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, so don’t forget to charge your cameras and phones beforehand. Afterward, display your favorite Oktoberfest pictures on your own Nixplay Frame! Get up to 25% off on selected frames with our Oktoberfest promo, only until October 9!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

The First-Timer’s Guide To Oktoberfest

By Nixplay Team

On September 26, 2019

In Holidays

Oktoberfest should be on every traveler’s bucket list! This grand celebration draws millions of people from all over the world, and the crowds are only getting bigger and bigger each year–and we haven’t counted the other Oktoberfest celebrations in other destinations around the world! If you’re attending this year, here’s some basic intel so you’re as prepared as can be when you join the festivities.

Book a table before going there.

Admission to the Munich Oktoberfest is free, as well as table reservations at most tents. However, since it’s all free, you can expect that tables at the beer tents will quickly be booked. The beer tents are usually closed for overbooking on Fridays and Saturdays, but a reservation will allow you to enter without any hassle.

Note the beer serving hours.

Sorry to disappoint, but beer isn’t exactly a free-flowing affair during Oktoberfest. In fact, beer is only served until 10:30 p.m (though some tents serve alcohol until 12:30 a.m.). The beer isn’t exactly dirt-cheap either–the cost ranges from 10.8 euros to 11.8 euros, so you’d want to get your money’s worth.

Check the schedule of attractions.

Oktoberfest isn’t just an occasion to get drunk–it’s also a time to have lots of fun! If you need a break from munching on Bavarian delicacies and drinking beer, you can check out the several attractions on the festival grounds. From sky-high swings to ghost trains to intense roller coasters, you won’t run out of thrilling options to try from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Consider dressing like a local.

You can wear whatever you want to the festival, but we highly suggest you get in the Oktoberfest spirit by outfitting yourself in German garb! After all, it’s not always every day when you can dress up in Lederhosen shorts or a Dirndl dress. Take advantage of the occasion!

Brush up on your German.

It wouldn’t hurt to learn a few German words before joining the festivities! Some important phrases: ‘Ein Ma, bitte!’ (One beer, please!), ‘Prost!’ (Cheers!), and ‘Ich habe so einen Katter’ (I have a killer hangover).

Don’t forget to stay safe, have fun, and take lots of pictures! Display them on a Nixplay Frame so you can replay your Oktoberfest memories over and over again! Take advantage of our Oktoberfest Sale and get up to 25 percent off some of our bestselling frames, only until October 9!

5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Oktoberfest

By Mars Salazar

On September 23, 2019

In Customer Testimonials

Attending Oktoberfest in Munich should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s two weeks of beer, food, and loads of fun. If you’re planning to attend this event, here are some fun trivia you should know beforehand.

It wasn’t originally a beer festival.

You read that right: Oktoberfest wasn’t always all about beer. In fact, not a single drop was served during the very first Oktoberfest! Held in 1810, the event originally commemorated the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and his wife, Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. In fact, the open space where Oktoberfest celebrations are held is called Theresienwiese, or Theresa’s fields.

You have to wait for the go signal to drink.

You can’t just enter a tent and request for a beer stein immediately. First, there’s an official gun salute, followed by the mayor announcing ‘O’zapft is!’, then the first mug of beer is offered to the Bavarian minister-president. When this ceremony is done, only then can the drinking commence.

The beer served here is special.

Each year, 7.5 million liters of beer are specially brewed within Munich for Oktoberfest by just six breweries: Augustiner-Bräu, Löwenbräu, Spatenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu, and Paulaner-Bräu, and Staatliches Hofbräu-München. Oktoberfestbier, as the special brew is called, is usually darker and stronger than most beers, with up to six percent alcohol due to a higher hop content.

You should dress for the occasion.

If you really want to get into the Oktoberfest spirit, you should deck yourself out in traditional Bavarian garb. For girls, it’s a dirndl, and for guys, it’s lederhosen. But if that’s not your style, you can deck yourself out in Adidas’ Oktoberfest sneakers, which have a waterproof leather upper and a Bavarian flag-emblazoned insole.

There’s also a wine tent.

Not in the mood for beer? There’s a tent that serves 15 different types of wine, as well as champagne and sparkling wines. Oh, and there’s around 140 food stands and eateries too–perfect for filling up before drinking!

Get into the Oktoberfest spirit with Nixplay! We’re marking the occasion by giving you up to 25 percent off selected Nixplay Frames, only until October 9. Prost!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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St. Patrick’s Day Traditions Around the World

By Mars Salazar

On March 17, 2019

In Holidays

Are you as excited for St. Patrick’s Day as we are? While the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the U.S.A. should not be missed by fans of the holiday, it’s also worth noting that it’s also celebrated by other countries in a grand manner. In fact, it’s one of the most celebrated holidays in the world, with festivities spanning all the corners of the globe.

If you’d like to experience the holiday at a new destination, pack your bags and paint the town green at these places.

Montreal, Canada

Montreal has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day since 1824, and they’re not pausing the festivities anytime soon! Don’t miss the 196th Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17, which will feature floats, bagpipes, marching bands, and a whole lot of good green fun.

Sydney, Australia

If you’re in the Land Down Under, don’t miss the chance to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Sydney! Catch the parade at First Fleet Park, then head to The Rocks for some family-friendly Irish-themed festivities. Don’t forget to take a picture of the Sydney Opera House, which will be lit green for the occasion!

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, has a penchant for throwing over-the-top street parties, with locals and tourists dressing up in elaborate costumes to partake in the celebrations. It’s no different for St. Patrick’s Day, with an Irish-themed parade taking place in the Omotesando district and an “I Love Ireland Festival” replete with Irish food and drink taking place at Yoyogi Park.

Munich, Germany

Munich is a great place to be at if you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. The weekend of the holiday will see several parades making their way through the city, and there will be Irish fairs and food parks that you can check out. The Allianz Arena will also be lit up in green. Don’t forget to dress up in your best green outfits for extra luck!

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Did you know that Argentina is the country with the fifth largest Irish population? As such, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in a grand manner in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, with several city blocks closed off for a massive street party. If you’re in South America, Argentina is definitely the place to be for St. Paddy’s Day!

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Nixplay! Get up to 25% off selected frames, only until March 24!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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The Best Places To See Fall Foliage

By Mars Salazar

On October 8, 2018

In Lifestyle

When you think of fall or autumn, the Northeastern corner of the United States might come to mind, with people from all over the world flocking to New England to witness the changing colors of the leaves in the picturesque countryside. However, plenty of places around the world experience equally beautiful and photo-ready autumns, all of which make for dazzling images you can showcase on your Nixplay Frame.

Here are four of our top picks for the best spots around the world to photograph fall foliage!

1. Kyoto, Japan

Is there anything more beautiful than the striking red color of the Japanese trees in autumn? Kyoto’s famous temples become surrounded by deep red momiji (maple leaves) in autumn, making for a lovely sight. The fall foliage here is best seen in late November when the leaves are at their brightest and most beautiful.

2. Vermont, USA

The fall foliage in Vermont is the stuff of legends, with the mixture of yellows, oranges, and reds providing the perfect inspiration for your pictures. The foliage lasts all the way up until winter, and the ensuing snowfall makes the scenic region even more irresistible.

3. Bavaria, Germany

Famed for its castles and beer, Bavaria has been the home to real-life fairytales for centuries. Visit around September or October if you want to marvel at the region’s impressive fall foliage before it gets too cold, and don’t forget to indulge in some hearty German food while you’re there!

4. Husafell, Iceland

Husafell is a unique destination in the fall. Here you can visit Hraunfossar, the waterfalls of the Hvita river, which are surrounded by beautiful yellowish shrubbery that contrasts with the barren landscape of Iceland. If you go from September onwards, you may even be lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis, AKA the northern lights. If you’re looking for new photos to display in your Nixplay Frame, it doesn’t get much better than autumn foliage juxtaposed with this celestial display!

Wherever you end up deciding to see this season’s fall foliage, be sure to bring a camera with you to snap the breathtaking shots you’re sure to witness! Send your photos to your Nixplay Frame from wherever in the world you may be, and relive the best moments of your trip the moment you return home.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.