Oktoberfest on the Common: Clapham's Big Beer Festival

Clapham Common is turning into a small corner of Bavaria for the next couple of weekends. Oktoberfest on the Common is held across nine sessions over six days, on 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24 October. The festival is run by Pierre, Nick, Tom and Sam, who have been organising large-scale events for more than fifteen years. Their first edition in 2023 welcomed just under 10,000 people, and this year they expect around 17,500 revellers, who together should get through roughly 35,000 litres of beer over the two October weekends.

The festival is built around much more than the beer tents. There's live music throughout, brass bands, a fairground with rides, and Bavarian games. You can try hammerschlagen, which means hammering nails into a wooden beam, or have a go at axe throwing, and there are keg-tapping moments and photo booths scattered around the site. A new addition for 2026 is an immersive stage with several runways, which adds another place to watch the action. The mood is lively without being hard to navigate, and the sessions give you a clear sense of how the festival fits together.

Food is very sausage-focused, cooked on swing grills. The line-up includes classic bratwurst served on brioche with sauerkraut and mustard, smoky Krakauer bacon sausages and Käsekrainer, the cheese-filled version with a bit of chilli. Pretzels, schnitzel, pork frikadellen and vegan and vegetarian sausages also feature, and an authentic Pan House serves sauerkraut and vegan bratwurst. Gluten-free options are available from selected caterers, though cross-contamination isn't guaranteed. On the drinks side, you'll find authentic German beers from Munich's Paulaner brewery, UK beers from Jubel and Sambrook's Brewery, plus wines, spirits and soft drinks. The first hour of each session has a happy hour with 25% off all drinks.

Tickets start at £37.50 according to Brixton Buzz, while The Nudge quotes £30 and up, and both outlets reported that tickets were selling fast. The dress code suggests dirndls, Tyrolean hats and lederhosen, although it's not a requirement. Flat shoes are a sensible choice, as you'll be dancing and walking across the common. Today's Saturday afternoon session runs from 11am, with last orders at 3:45pm and the venue closing at 4pm. Evening sessions on Saturdays open at 6pm, with last orders at 10:15pm, live music ending at 10:30pm, and food and rides stopping at 11pm, when the venue shuts. The final weekend takes place on 23 and 24 October, so there's still time to plan a visit.