Hilton Colombo Hosts its 33rd Original Oktoberfest ’26 in Partnership with SampathCards and Visa

Promotional image for The Original Oktoberfest ’26. Image credit: Lanka Business News.

Hilton Colombo’s annual Oktoberfest returns from 29 October to 7 November 2026, bringing a 10-day celebration of Bavarian culture to the capital. The hotel will present the 33rd edition of The Original Oktoberfest in partnership with SampathCards and Visa, continuing an event that has formed part of Colombo’s social calendar since its inaugural celebration in 1993.

This year’s programme is set to combine traditional music and attire with a Bavarian-themed buffet, live entertainment, games and activations. For readers following cultural events in Sri Lanka, and for those planning visits during the festive season, the dates offer an opportunity to experience a long-running Colombo tradition with an international theme.

A Colombo event with a long history

When Hilton Colombo first held The Original Oktoberfest in 1993, the event introduced a Bavarian-themed celebration that has since returned across three decades. Its 33rd edition illustrates how an annual hotel event can become a familiar part of a city’s social calendar, while retaining the cultural elements that distinguish it from a routine dining or entertainment programme.

At the centre of the celebration is the original Oompah Bavarian Band from Munich, whose music provides a defining sound for the festival. Traditional servers in authentic German attire, alongside cultural highlights and themed décor, help establish the setting. In 2026, the hotel will continue this approach through a Bavarian-themed buffet, live performances, games and activations.

The programme draws on elements associated with Bavarian festivities while presenting them in Colombo, where local residents, visitors and hotel guests can come together in a shared hospitality setting. The result is an event shaped by both its cultural theme and its longstanding place in the city’s annual calendar.

AI-generated illustration of a Bavarian-themed festival tent and Oompah band. The image is illustrative and is not a photograph of the Hilton Colombo event.

SampathCards and Visa partnership

The 2026 event is being held in partnership with SampathCards and Visa. SampathCards will offer cardholders discounts of up to 15 per cent on event passes: a 15 per cent discount from Sunday to Tuesday and a 10 per cent discount on Wednesday and Thursday. The reports describe Visa’s role as bringing its global payment expertise to the experience.

Darshin Pathinayake, Chief Business Intelligence Officer at Sampath Bank PLC, said:

> “At Sampath Bank, we believe the value of a card extends beyond the transaction. It is also about the experiences, moments and opportunities it brings to our customers. Our partnership with Hilton Colombo and Visa allows us to bring that philosophy to life through Oktoberfest, giving Sampath Cardholders added value as they enjoy one of Colombo’s most anticipated celebrations.”

The partnership links the event’s hospitality offering with payment-card benefits for eligible Sampath Cardholders. It also reflects how commercial partnerships can support established public-facing events, while adding practical value for guests planning to attend.

The people behind the partnership

The collaboration was represented by executives from Hilton Colombo, Sampath Bank PLC and Visa. In a photograph published by EconomyNext, the first row, from left, shows Darshin Pathinayake, Chief Business Intelligence Officer, Sampath Bank PLC; Manesh Fernando, General Manager, Hilton Colombo and Area General Manager, Hilton Sri Lanka; Avanthi Colombage, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Visa; and Himashini Jayatileke, Senior Business Development Manager, Visa.

In the second row, from left, are Kapila Mohotti, Director of Food and Beverage, Hilton Colombo; Nalin Dissanayake, Director – Account Executive, Visa; Chirath Samarasekara, Head of Card Centre, Sampath Bank PLC; and Chamila Ekanayake, Country Finance Director.

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Representatives pictured at the Hilton Colombo, SampathCards and Visa partnership announcement. From left in the first row: Darshin Pathinayake, Manesh Fernando, Avanthi Colombage and Himashini Jayatileke. From left in the second row: Kapila Mohotti, Nalin Dissanayake, Chirath Samarasekara and Chamila Ekanayake. Image credit: EconomyN

> “Oktoberfest at Hilton Colombo is a celebration that has become part of the fabric of Colombo’s social calendar, and we are delighted to welcome it back for its 33rd year. Our continued partnership with SampathCards, together with Visa, enables us to create an experience that combines the authenticity of Oktoberfest with the level of Hilton hospitality and value our guests have come to expect. We look forward to welcoming our guests to another memorable celebration this year.”

Avanthi Colombage, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Visa, also highlighted the event’s place in the city’s cultural programme:

> “Year after year, Oktoberfest has become a much-loved tradition in Colombo, and we are proud to have been part of this journey. At Visa, we believe in turning everyday moments into extraordinary experiences and partnerships like this strengthen that promise. Being part of events that contribute to Sri Lanka’s cultural calendar is something we value deeply, and we look forward to another memorable celebration this year.”

A familiar celebration with an international theme

The annual festival brings together food, live music and themed entertainment in a format that has been repeated and refreshed over many years. Its continuation depends not only on the Bavarian references that give it character, but also on the hospitality, event planning and partnership behind each edition.

For Colombo, events such as this contribute to a varied social and cultural calendar, where international traditions are adapted for local audiences. They also offer visitors another organised experience to consider when planning a stay in the city. Readers can follow eLanka’s community news and events for further updates relevant to Sri Lankans and their communities.

The Original Oktoberfest ’26 runs at Hilton Colombo from 29 October to 7 November 2026. SampathCardholders can access a 15 per cent discount on event passes from Sunday to Tuesday and a 10 per cent discount on Wednesday and Thursday.

Source: https://www.lankabusinessnews.com/hilton-colombo-hosts-its-33rd-original-oktoberfest-26-in-partnership-with-sampathcards-and-visa/
Source: https://economynext.com/hilton-partners-with-sampathcards-and-visa-for-oktoberfest-in-sri-lanka-287984/

This article was written based on the sources https://www.lankabusinessnews.com/hilton-colombo-hosts-its-33rd-original-oktoberfest-26-in-partnership-with-sampathcards-and-visa/ and https://economynext.com/hilton-partners-with-sampathcards-and-visa-for-oktoberfest-in-sri-lanka-287984/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.

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