Shoppers and partygoers are dividing their loyalties , but drag icon Olivia Jones says you don’t have to choose. Speaking at her big Hamburg summer party, the 56‑year‑old compared the Reeperbahn and Munich’s Oktoberfest, praising both for their unique atmosphere and the role they play in German festival culture.

Essential Takeaways

  • Dual praise: Olivia Jones calls both the Reeperbahn and the Oktoberfest “absolute Feier‑Königsklasse,” celebrating different flavours of partying.
  • Local colour: The Reeperbahn is described as a tight‑knit, day‑to‑day “village” that transforms into a global nightlife hub by night.
  • Wiesn memories: Jones has attended Oktoberfest in Käfer’s tent and appreciates its singular Munich charm; she says the stereotypes about Munich being “stur” are misplaced.
  • Visibility matters: Jones celebrates the growth of CSD events nationwide and praises Munich’s Christopher Street Day as well staged and heartening.
  • Practical vibe: Her view is simple , variety in celebration reflects broader social tolerance and the freedom to live as you are.

A love letter to two very different party universes

Olivia Jones didn’t come to that summer party to settle which is better; she came to celebrate. The Reeperbahn, she told guests, feels like a small village by day and a dazzling global playground at night, with a colourful, buzzy energy that’s almost tactile. Meanwhile, Oktoberfest brings a different kind of spectacle , communal, hearty and very Munich , and Jones says both are worth travelling for.

Her comment lands as less a verdict and more a shout for variety: Germany’s culture of public celebration is richly regional, and that’s the point. If you want raucous queer nightlife and cabaret, you head for the Kiez; if you want lederhosen, beer tents and Bavarian singalongs, you head to the Wiesn.

Why the Reeperbahn feels so personal

Jones has shaped the Reeperbahn scene for decades, so her affection rings true. She’s run bars, shows and guided Kiez tours, and she knows the streets as a local would , the daily greetings, the familiar faces, the way venues fold into one another after dark. That intimacy makes the Reeperbahn feel both cosy and electric.

For visitors, that means the experience can be unexpectedly warm: you’ll meet regulars, spot a performer on the corner and step from a quiet café into a neon parade. If you’re picking a night out, aim for one of Jones’s shows or a guided tour to get the full, backstage flavour.

The Wiesn: singular, sumptuous and surprisingly welcoming

Olivia’s memories of Oktoberfest include the classic Käfer tent , a space she calls “something special” and uniquely Munich. Her point is that the Wiesn is less about competition and more about cultural specificity; you won’t get Käfer‑style tent moments anywhere else.

Don’t let clichés put you off: Jones pushed back on the “stodgy Munich” stereotype, saying that once you’re at a Munich celebration you’ll find warmth and hospitality. Practical tip: book tent places early, go with a group, and wear comfortable shoes , the Wiesn is marathon socialising, not a sprint.

Pride, politics and the power of public parties

Jones used the party to underline a bigger point: festivals and parades matter politically as well as socially. She welcomed the growing turnout at Christopher Street Day events across Germany and praised Munich’s CSD as a high‑quality, joyful show of inclusion. According to Jones, these public moments signal a society that’s shifting away from exclusionary views.

That argument lands simply but powerfully: when people come out to celebrate diversity, they make visibility routine. Jones’s own TV biopic, she said, made her nervous for the same reason , honesty on screen changes how people see us.

How to choose your next festival fix

If you’re planning a trip and torn between Kiez and Wiesn, think about vibe not hierarchy. Want eclectic nightlife, drag shows and a sense of being part of a living neighbourhood? Book a weekend in Hamburg. Craving ritual, costume and communal singing over liters of beer? Make Munich your destination.

And if you care about inclusion, both scenes deliver in different ways. Check event schedules, reserve in‑demand spots early, and if you can, try both: the contrast is the point, and Olivia Jones insists that variety is something to celebrate.

It's a small reminder: different festivals, same joy , and both worth experiencing.

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