Bournevaria Oktoberfest 2026: dates, tents and how to go

Bournemouth's biggest Bavarian-themed party is back for its sixth year, and it's the largest indoor Oktoberfest on the South Coast. Bournevaria Oktoberfest 2026 takes over the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 September, so it's worth getting the dates in your diary now rather than later.

The event is held in the BIC's Purbeck Hall, the circular hall added to the centre in 1990, and there are three sessions spread across the two days: 12:30 to 4:30pm and 7:00 to 11:00pm. It's strictly over-18s, and you'll need a valid ID to get in, so don't turn up without one. General admission is £8.75 a person and student tickets are £6.75 with ID, and there's a 50% discount on both running right up until the Saturday, which is worth remembering if you're booking a group.

If you'd rather be looked after, there are VIP packages for up to ten people at £380, which get you reserved seating, dedicated staff, food and drink vouchers and a jump past the queues. The beer is the main draw, though: authentic German beer served in steins, with traditional Bavarian lagers alongside ciders, spirits and soft drinks. To eat, there's bratwurst, pretzels and schnitzel, so it's a proper Bavarian spread rather than a few snacks.

The music is a big part of it, too. The Bavarian Strollers, the UK's leading Oompah band and playing since 1978, lead the way, with guest DJs, singing, dancing and plenty of audience participation to keep things moving. And it's not all sitting and drinking: there's axe throwing, a rodeo bull and a high striker for anyone who wants something to do between steins.

A bit of background on the venue helps set the scene. The BIC is owned by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and run in partnership with BH Live, the registered charity and social enterprise. The centre was built between 1982 and 1984, opened on 6 September 1984, and was renovated in 2004 and expanded in 1990, and it can hold up to 10,000 delegates, so there's plenty of room for a party this size.

Getting there is easy. The BIC sits on Exeter Road, only a couple of minutes' walk from Bournemouth's Blue Flag beach and about ten to fifteen minutes from the train station, with multi-storey car parking open 24 hours if you're driving in. If you're staying over, there are serviced apartments nearby in West Cliff, like Tower House, Cliff Heights, Cliff Manor and Seabreeze.

Tickets can be bought online at bic.co.uk, by phone on 0300 500 0595, or in person at the BIC ticket offices, so you can pick whichever way suits you best. For anything specific to the event itself, bournevariaoktoberfest.co.uk is the place to go. It's a popular autumn fixture, so it's worth sorting your tickets sooner rather than later.