And, in San Jose, part of that tradition since 2018 has been raising a toast at one of downtown's insanely decorated pop-up holiday bars. The celebrations are underway and the libations flowing at three of them already: Miracle on First Street (the transformed Paper Plane cocktail lounge), Miracle at Miniboss (inside the arcade bar on Santa Clara and Second streets) and the tiki-styled Sippin' Santa at 55 South at Post St.
I've never been to Munich - or anywhere else in Germany - but I absolutely love Oktoberfest season. Whether it's the big downtown Campbell celebration, listening to The Internationals band along with a beer at Teske's Germania in downtown San Jose or having a backyard gathering with friends, the combination of beer, pretzels, sausages and oompah music brings a smile to my face every time.