Introduction to Oktoberfest Blumenau 2014
Updated on Oct.2, 2014
Blumenau, a city founded as a German colony in 1850, hosts the largest Oktoberfest in Brazil.
Oktoberfest Blumenau 2014 (Oct. 6 to 26) will present popular attractions such as parades in Central Blumenau, shows with German and Brazilian bands, a Biergarten and authentic German food.
The first Oktoberfest was created to help Blumanau recover from a flood. Despite the challenges of Santa Catarina weather, Oktoberfest Blumenau has never had to be canceled because of rain.
Since the festival started, over 16 million people have attended.
Launched in 2013 by the Blumenau Tourism Secretariat and Parque Vila Germânica, the festival's official app for smartphones has been fully updated. The new version was developed by 2 S.A. Mobile and it's available on AppleStore (http://bit.ly/1ago3Tm) and GooglePlay (http://bit.ly/17J8L7J). It works off-line and you only need an internet connection when it's time to download.
The full event schedule, menus, and beer lists are included in the app, which is available in English as well as Portuguese - but also comes with a German glossary for party goers. The app has been downloaded over 8,000 times since the launch.
Blumenau hotels are not many. Some Oktoberfest travelers stay in Balneário Camboriú (to which locals often refer simply as Balneário), one of the top beach destinations in Santa Catarina and less than 40 miles from Blumenau.
Talk to your travel agent about tour packages which include Blumenau and Balneário Camboriú, or plan the trip yourself with the help of Balneário hotels.
They can refer you to vans (locally known as topiques) that do Balneário - Blumenau transfers.
Balneário Camboriú deals can turn out to be pretty affordable, especially for groups of friends.
Oktoberfest Blumenau 2012 had 589,351 visitors. They drank 652,000 liters of beer. If you go to Oktoberfest, stay safe. Read about the dangers of drunk driving and remember that there is a dry law with severe penalties for intoxicated drivers.
Oktoberfest is a great travel idea for a group of friends. If you stay in Balneário Camboriú and rent a car to go to the festival, you can take turns as designated drivers.
The festival has promoted Oktober Segura (Safe Oktoberfest) since 2005. SETERB, the local transit authority, hands out leaflets alerting partiers to the dangers of drinking and driving. The festival has a safe house with breathalyzers for free testing. Free local rides are available with transit agents for those who fail the test.
Vila Germânica
Vila Germânica, an events complex with stores, restaurants, and a pavilion which spreads over more than six acres, is where most of Oktoberfest Blumenau partying takes place.
The architecture at the park resembles houses in a German village. Among the souvenirs you can buy are beer mugs, handicrafts and traditional German clothing.
Chopp da Vila, a beer tavern, is one of the latest additions to Vila Germânica.
Three subdivisions are created in the pavilion for Oktoberfest shows and other events. Another area is built every year to house the Biergarten.
Shows, dancing, German food and beer from Santa Catarina's breweries are top attractions at the Biergarten. Traditional German dishes on the menu include Kassler and Eisbein, or ham hocks. Fleisch-Kuchen (a type of croquette) and other quick snacks, as well as high tea with sweets such as cuca de banana, await the visitors.
The village, including the restrooms, is wheelchair-accessible.
Oktoberfest Blumenau has police officers and firefighters inside and outside the pavilions. Mounted police from Florianópolis are on duty throughout the festival.
Fliers with information about topics such as AIDS and DST prevention are usually handed out at Oktoberfest Blumenau.
Vila Germânica has an emergency room inside the pavilion.
See the price list on the official website.
The organizers recommend pre-purchase of tickets in order to avoid the long lines at the door.
Blumenau - SC
Brazil
Phone: 55-47-3329-0900
Parades, shows, folk dance performances and contests are some of the main events in Oktoberfest Blumenau - and several of them are free. Some of the best are:
The 2014 Oktoberfest Blumenau will feature international and local bands playing traditional German music, German pop music and other styles.
The festival has performances in the Oktoberfest pavilion at the German Village, during the parades on Rua XV de Novembro and at the City Hall Square, Dr. Blumenau Square, Vila Itoupava, German Village and on a stage on Rua XV de Novembro.
Keep up with the full schedule on the festival's official website.
Updated on Oct.2, 2014
Blumenau, a city founded as a German colony in 1850, hosts the largest Oktoberfest in Brazil.
Oktoberfest Blumenau 2014 (Oct. 6 to 26) will present popular attractions such as parades in Central Blumenau, shows with German and Brazilian bands, a Biergarten and authentic German food.
The first Oktoberfest was created to help Blumanau recover from a flood. Despite the challenges of Santa Catarina weather, Oktoberfest Blumenau has never had to be canceled because of rain.
Since the festival started, over 16 million people have attended.
2014 App: Ready for Downloads
Launched in 2013 by the Blumenau Tourism Secretariat and Parque Vila Germânica, the festival's official app for smartphones has been fully updated. The new version was developed by 2 S.A. Mobile and it's available on AppleStore (http://bit.ly/1ago3Tm) and GooglePlay (http://bit.ly/17J8L7J). It works off-line and you only need an internet connection when it's time to download.
The full event schedule, menus, and beer lists are included in the app, which is available in English as well as Portuguese - but also comes with a German glossary for party goers. The app has been downloaded over 8,000 times since the launch.
Where to Stay for Oktoberfest Blumenau
Blumenau hotels are not many. Some Oktoberfest travelers stay in Balneário Camboriú (to which locals often refer simply as Balneário), one of the top beach destinations in Santa Catarina and less than 40 miles from Blumenau.
Talk to your travel agent about tour packages which include Blumenau and Balneário Camboriú, or plan the trip yourself with the help of Balneário hotels.
They can refer you to vans (locally known as topiques) that do Balneário - Blumenau transfers.
Balneário Camboriú deals can turn out to be pretty affordable, especially for groups of friends.
- Best Blumenau Hotels
- Find hotels in Blumenau
- Find hotels in Balneário Camboriú
Oktoberfest Blumenau Safety
Oktoberfest Blumenau 2012 had 589,351 visitors. They drank 652,000 liters of beer. If you go to Oktoberfest, stay safe. Read about the dangers of drunk driving and remember that there is a dry law with severe penalties for intoxicated drivers.
Oktoberfest is a great travel idea for a group of friends. If you stay in Balneário Camboriú and rent a car to go to the festival, you can take turns as designated drivers.
The festival has promoted Oktober Segura (Safe Oktoberfest) since 2005. SETERB, the local transit authority, hands out leaflets alerting partiers to the dangers of drinking and driving. The festival has a safe house with breathalyzers for free testing. Free local rides are available with transit agents for those who fail the test.
- www.oktoberfestblumenau.com.br
- www.facebook.com/oktoberfestblumenau
Vila Germânica
Vila Germânica, an events complex with stores, restaurants, and a pavilion which spreads over more than six acres, is where most of Oktoberfest Blumenau partying takes place.
The architecture at the park resembles houses in a German village. Among the souvenirs you can buy are beer mugs, handicrafts and traditional German clothing.
Chopp da Vila, a beer tavern, is one of the latest additions to Vila Germânica.
Three subdivisions are created in the pavilion for Oktoberfest shows and other events. Another area is built every year to house the Biergarten.
Shows, dancing, German food and beer from Santa Catarina's breweries are top attractions at the Biergarten. Traditional German dishes on the menu include Kassler and Eisbein, or ham hocks. Fleisch-Kuchen (a type of croquette) and other quick snacks, as well as high tea with sweets such as cuca de banana, await the visitors.
Accessibility
The village, including the restrooms, is wheelchair-accessible.
Safety and Emergency Exits
Oktoberfest Blumenau has police officers and firefighters inside and outside the pavilions. Mounted police from Florianópolis are on duty throughout the festival.
Health Services
Fliers with information about topics such as AIDS and DST prevention are usually handed out at Oktoberfest Blumenau.
Vila Germânica has an emergency room inside the pavilion.
Tickets:
See the price list on the official website.
The organizers recommend pre-purchase of tickets in order to avoid the long lines at the door.
Oktoberfest Blumenau 2014 Address & Phone:
Rua Alberto Stein, 199Blumenau - SC
Brazil
Phone: 55-47-3329-0900
Parades, shows, folk dance performances and contests are some of the main events in Oktoberfest Blumenau - and several of them are free. Some of the best are:
- Opening Parade on Rua XV de Novembro. Free.
- Other official parades on Rua XV de Novembro. Free.
- Oktoberplatz - Various activities, such as games, folk dancing and movie screenings. Free.
- Best Age Party for seniors. Free.
- Planetapeia - Every year, Nerino Furlan, a Blumenau inventor, delights the crowds who watch the parade with his funny vehicles. The collection of his work, which he has taken to places as diverse as the Vatican and Oktoberfest in Munich in 1998, is known as Planetapeia (Planetapede). Watch a video featuring the Locopeia ("Wackypede"):
- Bierwagen - The Beer Car goes around central Blumenau in the afternoon giving away beer. This year the Bierwagen is the Alfapeia ("Alphapede"), one of the vehicles in the Planetapeia project.
- Shows at Vila Germânica. Ticket prices R$6 and up, half price for seniors, free for people in traditional German dress.
- Folk Groups - Daily performances between bands.
- Chopp em Metro (Beer Drinking Contest) - Free.
- Oktoberfest Queen and Princess Contest at Vila Germânica. Free.
- Shooting Contests - Promoted by the local Schützenvereine (Rifle Club)
The 2014 Oktoberfest Blumenau will feature international and local bands playing traditional German music, German pop music and other styles.
The festival has performances in the Oktoberfest pavilion at the German Village, during the parades on Rua XV de Novembro and at the City Hall Square, Dr. Blumenau Square, Vila Itoupava, German Village and on a stage on Rua XV de Novembro.
Keep up with the full schedule on the festival's official website.
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