San Javier Oktoberfest combines Bavarian food, live music and charity fundraising. Photo Credit: San Javier Town Hall / Facebook
San Javier celebrated a taste of Bavaria as its annual Oktoberfest finally returned from October 9 to 11, bringing German beer, traditional food and live music to the municipality’s fairground. The vibrant three-day celebration, organised by local group El Cantazo, not only brought the community together for a fun-filled weekend, but it also raised money for three charities, standing in solidarity with neighbours on the Costa Calida.
San Javier Oktoberfest returns for its seventh edition
Now in its seventh edition, the event recreated the atmosphere of Munich’s famed beer festival, complete with Bavarian-inspired decorations, traditional outfits and a packed programme of entertainment. The festival attracted thousands of people from San Javier and beyond, and is one of the most established events on the autumn calendar.
Live music fills the festival tent
The festival opened on Friday, October 9, with the traditional ceremonial tapping of the beer barrel. Live music continued throughout the weekend, with Mr. Hyde performing on Friday. Saturday’s programme featured Aparatus Band, Paloma Sin Basilio and La Calle, while Antonio Micol, Bloody Mess and Karp Diem took to the stage on Sunday. The festival tent at the municipal fairground remained open until 2:00am each night, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy the performances and socialise with friends.
German beer and traditional Bavarian food
Food and drink remained at the heart of the celebrations, with visitors able to choose from authentic German sausages, savoury roast chicken, ribs, pork knuckle, chicken wings and hamburgers, all served with potato sides.
Three varieties of beer were available, including a blonde beer brewed especially for Oktoberfest, traditional wheat beer and Paulaner’s Salvator.
Three charities benefit from the celebrations
The event also maintained its charitable heart. El Cantazo, which created the festival seven years ago, organised the cooking and staffed the bars, with proceeds from this year’s edition earmarked for Aidemar, a charity that supports disabled people in the region; Crece con Dabadá, which supports people with autism and their families; and La Huella de Carolina, which supports those struggling with cancer.
All in all, San Javier’s incredible seventh edition of the Oktoberfest brought fantastic food, spectacular live entertainment, and community solidarity, all during a vibrant Bavarian weekend.