Sober October: a month without alcohol

Sober October involves giving up alcohol for the whole of October – 31 days, from 1 to 31 October. The idea originated in the UK: the cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support launched the ‘Go Sober for October’ fundraising campaign in 2013. In Germany, this month ties in with a trend: young people are drinking alcohol on a regular basis less frequently than ever before, according to research by the Federal Institute for Public Health.

Where does Sober October come from?

Macmillan Cancer Support brought ‘Go Sober for October’ to the UK in 2013, in collaboration with the Australian fundraising campaign Dry July. The idea is that participants give up alcohol for a month and get friends and family to sponsor them; shortly after it began, the campaign had attracted more than 8,500 sign-ups. Similar alcohol-free months already existed at the time – such as Alcohol Concern’s ‘Dry January’ and Cancer Research UK’s ‘Dryathlon’.

Sober October, Dry January, Dry July: the alcohol-free months

What they all have in common is the principle of abstaining from alcohol for a set period, often combined with charitable donations.

What the latest figures from Germany reveal

The 2025 Drug Affinity Study by the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG), published on 3 September 2026, surveyed 7,001 young people aged between 12 and 25:

• Only 6.8 per cent of 12- to 17-year-olds and 25.0 per cent of 18- to 25-year-olds now drink alcohol on a weekly basis – a record low.
• Over the past 30 days, 69.3 per cent of young adults have been drinking; in 2004, the figure was 84.4 per cent.
• The first drink comes later: on average at 15.1 years of age, rather than 14.1 years as in 2004.
• Binge drinking remains widespread: 45.8 per cent of young men have drunk too much in one go in the last 30 days.

Since publishing its position paper in 2024, the German Nutrition Society has advised people to abstain from alcohol, as there is no such thing as a risk-free amount; those who do drink should, above all, avoid consuming large quantities and binge drinking.

How to manage 31 days without alcohol

The BIÖG’s prevention campaign, ‘Alcohol? Know your limit’, offers practical advice on taking a break from alcohol:

• Prepare some phrases: come up with one or two phrases that feel right – such as ‘I’m staying alcohol-free today’.
• Your own glass: have a non-alcoholic drink in your hand right from the start.
• Take a quick deep breath: before any situations involving alcohol, incorporate a short warm-up routine, such as breathing consciously or loosening your shoulders.
• The 90-second rule: Cravings feel intense, but they subside relatively quickly.
• Talking rather than drinking: get in touch with someone you trust when things get tough.
• Planning fun without alcohol: music, games, exercise and group activities.

According to the campaign, cutting out alcohol means you consume fewer calories, sleep better, save money and reduce the risk of numerous health conditions.

Non-alcoholic drinks for October

From our mocktail menu – seven drinks, mixed from the same can as everything else behind the bar:

Good to know: In Germany, beer may contain up to 0.5 per cent alcohol by volume and still be labelled ‘non-alcoholic’; many breweries voluntarily state the exact figure. If you want to keep the alcohol content at zero, you should therefore check the label on non-alcoholic ingredients such as bitter aperitifs. You’ll find detailed recipes under ‘Mocktails’.

OkSoberfest: an alcohol-free festival in Berlin

Right in the middle of Sober October, Berlin is hosting the OkSoberfest: on 10 and 11 October 2026 at the Kulturbrauerei, featuring more than 100 non-alcoholic beers and drinks from over 25 exhibitors. It is open on Saturday from 12 noon to 7 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm; tickets cost €12, including one free drink.

It ends on Halloween

31 October 26 is a Saturday – the last day of Sober October is Halloween. If you’re celebrating that evening and want to stay sober, you’ll find recipes under ‘Alcohol-free Halloween drinks’.

After October

For those who want to carry on: the next fixed event is Dry January, and Sober Curious works without a calendar – it’s about making a conscious decision about when and whether to drink. We’ve brought together everything you need to know about life without alcohol under the ‘Alcohol-free’ section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Civil Society News: Macmillan launches ‘Go Sober for October’ fundraising challenge, 18 September 2013. civilsociety.co.uk
2. Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG): Fewer young people are drinking alcohol – but binge drinking remains at a high level, 3 September 26. bioeg.de
3. German Nutrition Society: ‘Best to keep it at zero per mille’ – new DGE position paper on alcohol, 2024. dge.de
4. Alcohol? Know your limit. (BIÖG): Tips for taking a break from alcohol, accessed 16 September 2026. kenn-dein-limit.de
5. Alcohol? Know your limit. (BIÖG): Giving up alcohol: healthier without alcohol, accessed 16 September 2026. kenn-dein-limit.de
6. Food Transparency (Federal Association of Consumer Organisations): Why can beer containing alcohol be labelled as ‘non-alcoholic’? As at 26 March 26. lebensmittelklarheit.de
7. OkSoberfest: Germany’s alcohol-free festival, accessed 16 September 2026. oksoberfest.de