Oktoberfest 2024 brings a slice of the Bavarian Alps to Thorpe Park

Yesterday, Thorpe Park launched their Oktoberfest event for 2024, and today we had a chance to check out the entertainment on offer.

As in previous years, the event is focused outside Ghost Train. This year, the stage is located to the left of Ghost Train’s entrance, as opposed to opposite it, next to the arcade. This doesn’t really change anything, though.

The park have opted for two shows on the stage this year: a 30 minute Oompah band set, and a 15 minute show performed by the park’s entertainment team. These shows are performed multiple times during the day. On top of that, there are roaming actors at certain times throughout the afternoon too. This is slightly scaled back from previous years, but this does reflect the fact that Oktoberfest is a “smaller” event for the park, especially with the much larger Fright Nights following pretty much straight on.

The park have opted to carry on the ski motif from last year’s event, and lean in heavier on this, bringing a slice of the Bavarian Alps to the park. Of course, Bavaria is the area where the original Oktoberfest event is hosted! This does mean that the park have made the Oktoberfest area quite snowy, including some snow-covered Christmas trees, which might seem a bit confusing at first.

The stage show is filled with dance routines, audience interaction and lots of EuroPop, which could well mean it becomes a guilty-pleasure for some. There’s also some effects we haven’t seen during previous Oktoberfest shows, such as smoke blasts and snow!

Of course, Oktoberfest wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without the food and drink. Food and drink stalls are located in The Dockyard area, including a pretzel stall and curly fries. The Bratwurst Tower stand returns, and is located in Amity this year. Also keep an eye out for the bratwurst pizza in Inferno’s Pizza and Pasta! There are also new alcohol options at the Camden Junction Bar

Whilst Oktoberfest is slightly scaled back this year compared to previous years, it adds some extra entertainment into the centre of the park, and helps turn the usually quiet September period into something which feels a bit livelier!