Oktoberfest returns to Empuriabrava for four free days

Empuriabrava is hosting a new edition of its Oktoberfest this week, with four days of German food, music and entertainment in Plaça de les Palmeres. The event runs from Thursday 24 September to Sunday 27 September, and entry is free.

The festival is modelled on the traditional Bavarian celebration held every autumn in Munich. Organisers describe it as a mix of German cuisine, a festive atmosphere, live music and activities for all ages.

Opening times

The programme began on Thursday 24 September, with activities from 8pm until midnight. On Friday 25 September, the square is open from 6pm to midnight.

Opening hours are longer at the weekend. On both Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, the festival runs from midday until midnight. This allows visitors to attend at lunchtime, in the afternoon or in the evening.

No ticket is needed at any point. The organisers say free access is meant to keep the event open to everyone, in what they call one of the most distinctive settings in Empuriabrava.

Where it takes place

Plaça de les Palmeres, or Palm Square, is a central public space in Empuriabrava. The resort is part of the municipality of Castelló d'Empúries, in the Alt Empordà county in the north of the Costa Brava. The square is one of the town's best-known meeting points, and it regularly hosts outdoor events.

For the four days of the festival, the square is set up for food, drink and music. The programme is aimed at families, groups of friends and individual visitors alike.

An established date on the calendar

The organisers now describe Oktoberfest as an established event in Empuriabrava. They say it helps to boost social and economic activity in the resort and gives people a place to meet around culture, food and leisure.

The festival also adds to the local events programme. According to the organisers, it makes the destination more attractive to visitors in autumn, when the main summer season has ended.

The organisation has invited residents and visitors to take part. They present the event as a chance to share time together and enjoy an atmosphere inspired by Bavarian traditions.

Practical information

• Dates: Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September
• Location: Plaça de les Palmeres, Empuriabrava
• Thursday: 8pm to midnight
• Friday: 6pm to midnight
• Saturday and Sunday: midday to midnight
• Entry: free

The full programme of activities is available in the events agenda on the Castelló d'Empúries town council website.

Why It Matters

Empuriabrava is often seen as a summer destination. Its canals, marina and beaches draw large crowds from June to August, and the pace slows noticeably after that. An event like Oktoberfest, held in late September, suggests a continued effort to keep the resort active beyond the peak months.

The decision to keep entry free is significant. It lowers the barrier for residents and second-home owners who are still in town, as well as for visitors staying into the autumn. It also means the economic benefit is likely to depend on what people spend on food and drink in and around the square, rather than on ticket sales.

The Bavarian theme may also appeal to the resort's large international community, including many German-speaking residents and visitors.

It is worth watching whether the organisers expand the format in future years, for example with more days or a wider programme. Another question is whether similar autumn events appear elsewhere in the Alt Empordà as towns try to extend the season. Attendance this weekend, especially during the longer Saturday and Sunday sessions, should give an indication of how much demand there is for this kind of event outside the summer.