Oktoberfest at Sheraton, JBR

Oktoberfest at the Sheraton in Dubai has an Austrian oompah band this year. Courtesy Sheraton

October in Dubai can mean only one thing. Well, two if you count Fashion Forward. Oh, and there’s the reopening of loads of outdoor venues, the return of Sandance, and things like the F1 and film festival next door in Abu Dhabi.

OK, October in Dubai can mean several things, and one of them is Oktoberfest. I’ve never entirely understood the sheer number of Oktoberfest events across the city each year. The appeal is obvious enough: cooler nights, hearty food, fine German beverages, good-time tunes and a party atmosphere are always going to prove popular, but why Oktoberfest in particular, I’m not sure. Perhaps the emirate’s German population is bigger than I realised, or perhaps after a long, hot summer it’s a case of any excuse to get back outside and celebrate the simple fact that you can.

There seem to be more Oktoberfest events than ever taking place this year, and we checked out one of the longest-running, the evergreen Oktoberfest at Sheraton, JBR. As ever, the long, beer-hall-style tables were laid out in the hotel’s picturesque gardens, and an Austrian oompah band played German, Austrian and even Czech classics, moving on to brassed-up covers of pop favourites as the night drew on.

The refreshments kept coming, and the food offered something for everyone, with buffet standards such as roast chicken and beef alongside German classics such as sauerkraut, schnitzel and, of course, delicious sausages for those who want to enter into the Teutonic spirit.

I think I’ve been to the Sheraton’s Oktoberfest for each of the five Octobers I’ve lived in the city, and so far it hasn’t disappointed. It’s great for families, too. Sausages, an oompah band and plenty of space to run around are likely to tick the boxes with most kids, and the realisation that after a long summer shut up indoors, parents can once again get out in the evening to meet with friends in a child-friendly, outdoor environment went down well in our household.

Oktoberfest runs until October 18 at Sheraton, JBR, from 7pm to midnight daily. Entrance is 195 with buffet only, or 395 all-inclusive.