The German-Cambodian partnership is set to reach its annual highpoint with the much-anticipated Oktoberfest Cambodia 2025, an international event that which has cemented its place as a signature celebration in the Kingdom.
Organised by German Business Cambodia (GBC), a founding chapter of EuroCham Cambodia, the event will be staged on the ground floor of the Connexion Community Mall on Koh Pich, on Friday and Saturday, October 24-25.
The festival, which GBC has hosted since the early 2000s, is described as an entertaining connector for manifold Cambodian-German partnerships, offering music, traditional food and beer, all in a relaxed atmosphere.
It will run from 6pm to 11pm each evening, with the official opening—including the traditional tapping ceremony — to be performed by German ambassador to Cambodia Stefan Messerer, on Friday at 7pm.
A celebration of enduring friendship
GBC president Tassilo Brinzer expressed the organisation’s delight at hosting the event for a second consecutive year since its return, after a Covid-driven hiatus.
Brinzer explained that the GBC is focused on celebrating this joyous occasion and continuing to strengthen the friendship between the two nations. He also specifically mentioned his pleasure at having Cambodian beer brand Hanuman as a key partner for this year’s festival, acknowledging their shared history of German brewing expertise.
“This year is the second instalment of the ‘new’ series of Oktoberfests in Cambodia, and we are really excited to celebrate it again in 2025,” Brinzer said.
“German Business Cambodia looks forward to celebrating this joyous occasion and to fostering the continued friendship between Cambodia and Germany.
“We are very happy that Hanuman Beer, a renowned Cambodian beer brand with a long history of German brewing expertise having shaped its unique taste, is joining our festival this year,” he added.
Long Visal, chief commercial officer at Hanuman Beverages, conveyed her company’s appreciation and honour for the GBC’s efforts in bringing the tradition back to Cambodia.
She remarked that, beyond being an international party, the event serves a crucial purpose in bringing cultures together, an aim the brewer is eager to champion.
Visal noted that after a “very difficult year”, participating in what is seen as the “biggest international party of the year” was a welcome opportunity to foster forward-looking inspiration.
Visal also detailed the company’s pride in being a successful brand “born, bred and grown locally” in Cambodia, built through navigating various market conditions, and its ambitious plans for international expansion, with current markets in Australia and South Korea, and a US launch imminent.
“Oktoberfest has been a long tradition, I would say. Anybody who’s know anything about international beer festivals would know of Oktoberfest,” Visal explained.
“We love to be part of this because it is about bringing cultures together. We would like to be the ones to bring the Cambodian and German cultures together. Hopefully, the joy of the festival will inspire us and encourage us to keep going forwards,” she added.
The largest international party
Thomas Schings, a founding member of EuroCham Cambodia, who is German but deeply embedded in Cambodia and works for the Royal Group, reflected on the successful return of the festival last year following a four-year interruption due to the pandemic.
He emphasised that, despite the current challenging global landscape, many people were looking forward to celebrating, reinforcing the view that Oktoberfest is the largest international party in Cambodia. Schings affirmed his personal dedication to celebrating German culture in the Kingdom and sharing it with Cambodian friends.
“The GBC is hosting this year’s Oktoberfest once again. This is the second time after a four-year period where we didn’t do it, starting with Covid. It was difficult, but last year, it was a really wonderful success,” he said.
“I think, as you all know, it’s a bit of a difficult year, a lot of things happening, but from what I hear, from our environment here, from the people we talk to, many, many are looking forward to celebrating something this year and Oktoberfest is the biggest international party in Cambodia,” he added.
Erkan Bilal, managing director of AZ Group and GBC treasurer, highlighted the chamber’s role in promoting the Cambodian economy and bringing cultures together, asserting that Oktoberfest is one of the best brands the organisation has for achieving this.
Bilal noted that although GBC is a smaller chamber than EuroCham, it remains a proud and active founding member. He expressed his excitement about celebrating German and Cambodian cultures together, aiming to surpass last year’s attendance of over 800 guests.
“As you heard from my colleagues and friends from the festival, GBC was a founder of EuroCham. In the end, our job is to promote Cambodia, to promote the Cambodian economy, to make positive impacts and to bring cultures together,” Bilal said.
What to expect, where to get tickets
This year’s Oktoberfest will cater to up to 1,000 guests, offering an authentic Bavarian experience headlined by Ozapft, a popular 6-piece dance band from Germany and Austria.
The standard entrance fee is $52 per person, with group discounts available.
The ticket guarantees free-flow food selections — including a huge BBQ, sausages, kebabs and a variety of traditional German, Mediterranean and Mexican options from partners Hops, Hummus House and Compas Restaurants — along with free-flow drinks (beers and soft drinks). Each guest also receives an exclusive 2025 Oktoberfest beer stein to keep, plus entrance to the official after-party at Chew & Bash Club.
The event is strongly supported by the German and local business community, including key partners such as DHL, Rhenus, Würth, and BMW Motorrad Club Cambodia.
Tickets are available for purchase online and at various local outlets, including La Croisette on Sisowath Quay, both Hops restaurants, Hummus House and The Vine on Street 244.
