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Oktoberfest

Coordinates: 48°7′53″N 11°32′57″E / 48.13139°N 11.54917°E / 48.13139; 11.54917
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This article is about the original festival in Munich. For Oktoberfest celebrations around the world, see Oktoberfest celebrations.
For other uses, see Oktoberfest (disambiguation).

Oktoberfest
Theresienwiese during the 2013 festival
Observed byMunich
TypeCultural
CelebrationsParades, music, Bavarian food and beer
2024 date21 September
2025 date20 September
FrequencyAnnual
Related toOktoberfest celebrations

Oktoberfest (German pronunciation: [ok'to:befɛst]; d'Wiesn) is the world's largest Volksfest (German for “folk festival”). It combines a beer festival with a funfair and takes place each year on the Theresienwiese in Munich from mid-September to the first Sunday in October. If German Unity Day (3 October) follows that Sunday, the festival continues until the holiday.

The event attracts about seven million visitors; a record 7.2 million attended in 2023.[1] In the same year, visitors drank roughly 7.4 million litres of specially brewed Oktoberfest beer.[2] The grounds feature amusement rides, games, food stalls and traditional Bavarian dishes.

Munich staged the first festival on 12 October 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.[3] Oktoberfest has been cancelled only a few times, most recently in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

History

[edit]

Origins (1810–1811)

[edit]

On 12 October 1810 Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Munich officials invited the public to celebrate on fields outside the city walls; the site was named Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”) the following year and is still called Wiesn.[5]

Horse race at the Oktoberfest, 1823

The highlight of the first festival was a horse race modelled on the medieval Scharlachrennen once run at Karlstor. Major Andreas Michael Dall’Armi of the National Guard proposed the idea, although coachman Franz Baumgartner later claimed credit. The race was repeated in 1811, becoming the core of the annual Oktoberfest tradition.[6]

Sendlinger Hill—now Theresienhöhe—formed a natural grandstand for about 40 000 spectators. Sixteen pairs of children in regional costume opened the programme, thirty horses ran a 3,400 metres (11,200 ft) course, and a student choir closed the event. Baumgartner’s horse won, earning him a gold medal from Minister of State Maximilian von Montgelas.[6]

19th century

[edit]
  • 1811 – An agricultural show was added to promote Bavarian farming.[7]
  • 1813 – The fair was cancelled during the War of the Sixth Coalition.
  • 1814 – Skittles, swings and climbing poles were introduced on its return.

Carnival booths appeared in 1818, offering prizes of silverware, porcelain and jewellery.[8] Munich’s city council assumed control in 1819 and decreed that Oktoberfest be held every year.

A Greek delegation that visited in 1832 later cited the festival as a model for the Zappas Olympics, precursors to the modern Olympic Games.[9]

During the century the opening shifted into late September to take advantage of warmer evenings; only the final days now fall in October.[10]

Parades and monuments

[edit]
Girl in a Dirndl

Since 1850 the annual Trachten- und Schützenzug (costume and marksmen parade) has marched from Maximilianstraße to Theresienwiese, with about 8 000 participants following the Münchner Kindl mascot.[11]

The Bavaria statue overlooking the grounds

The bronze Bavaria statue, designed by Leo von Klenze and sculpted by Ludwig Michael Schwanthaler, was erected in 1850 in front of the Ruhmeshalle (completed 1853).[12]

Modernisation (1880–1900)

[edit]

Oktoberfest was cancelled for cholera epidemics (1854, 1873), the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870).[13]

Year Milestone
1880 Electric lighting illuminated more than 400 booths and tents.
1881 The first bratwurst stalls opened.
1887 A brewery-dray parade became an official opening feature.
1892 Beer began to be served in glass mugs.
c. 1900 Small booths were replaced by the large beer halls still used today.[14]

20th century

[edit]

In 1910 the centenary celebration recorded about 120 000 litres of beer consumed. In 1913 the Bräurosl pavilion opened, seating roughly 12 000 guests.[15]

Interruptions

  • 1914–18 – Cancelled during World War I
  • 1919–20 – Held only as a smaller Kleineres Herbstfest
  • 1923–24 – Cancelled during hyperinflation[15]

From 1933 to 1945 the Nazi regime used the festival for propaganda.[16] In 1933 Jewish people were barred from working at the Wiesn.[17] The festival was suspended 1939–45 for World War II; a modest “Autumn Fest” ran 1946–48.

Since 1950 the Mayor of Munich has opened Oktoberfest with a 12-gun salute and the cry “O'zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”).

Gamsbärte at the restaurateurs’ entry, 2008

1980 bombing

[edit]
Main article: Oktoberfest bombing

On 26 September 1980 a pipe bomb exploded near the main entrance, killing 13 and injuring more than 225.[18] It remains Germany’s second-deadliest terrorist attack.

21st century

[edit]

In 2005 organisers introduced a “quiet Oktoberfest”: tents play only traditional brass music until 18:00, with afternoon volume capped at 85 dB.[19]

A Bavarian smoking ban, fully enforced from 2011, made the festival smoke-free.[20]

Celebrating 200 years of Oktoberfest, 2010

The 200th anniversary in 2010 featured a historische Wiesn with a museum tent, special beer and a costumed horse race.[21]

Attendance in 2013 reached 6.4 million, with 6.7 million L of beer served.[22]

Music entertainment, 2015

The 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.[23][24]

Oide Wiesn

[edit]

In 2010, for Oktoberfest’s 200th anniversary, the Historical Oktoberfest (Oide Wiesn, Bavarian for “old fairground”) was created on the former Central Agricultural Festival site at the south end of the Theresienwiese. It opened one day before the official festival with the traditional keg tapping by the Lord Mayor.[25] Its success led to its continuation as a permanent feature from 2011.[26]

Attractions

[edit]

The fenced grounds cover 5 acres (2.0 ha) and include:

  • Historic rides – carousel, chain swing, cotton-candy stand
  • Beer tents – serving a special dark beer brewed to an early 19th-century recipe
  • Food stalls – Steckerlfisch grill and traditional fare
  • Animal tent and racecourse – managed by Hellabrunn Zoo and the Bavarian Farmers’ Association
  • Museum tent – curated by the Munich Stadtmuseum

Cultural programmes featured local performers such as the Biermösl Blosn.[26]

Organization and attendance

[edit]

The six principal Munich breweries each presented their own historical dark beer:

Mugs bore the inscription "Münchner Bier" instead of brewery logos. Unlike the main Oktoberfest, the Historical Wiesn closed at 20:00. Attendance exceeded 500,000 in its inaugural year, forcing temporary closures.

On 16 October 2012, the Munich City Council set the 2013 entry fee at €3 with re-entry allowed; historic rides charged €1 per use. Indoor seating in the musicians’ tent rose from 1,000 to 1,500 and outdoor seating from 800 to 1,000. A €200,000 grant supported the Showman Foundation’s museum tent, velodrome and children’s programme.[27] The festival area and entrances were expanded in 2013.

A City Council decision also provided for an Oide Wiesn in 2015 before the Central Agricultural Exhibition returned in 2016.[needs update]

Main entrance to the Historical Oktoberfest
Folk dancers at the Historical Oktoberfest

Rosa Wiesn

[edit]
Rosa Wiesn attendees in 2016

The Rosa Wiesn (Pink Wiesn), also called Gay Oktoberfest, is a week-long series of LGBT events during Munich’s Oktoberfest. The main event is Gay Sunday in the Bräurosl tent on the first Sunday. Other activities include meet-and-greets, Löwennacht (Lion’s Night), brunches, and cultural programmes.[28][29][30]

The tradition began in the 1970s when members of the Münchner Löwen Club (MLC) booked the Bräurosl balcony and were mistaken for a football club. Staff and guests welcomed them, so the gathering became annual.[31]

Today, Rosa Wiesn is a key event in the German LGBT calendar. Gay Sunday draws about 8,000 visitors.[32] Some say it is Germany’s second-largest LGBT gathering after Christopher Street Day.[citation needed][33]

Annual traditions

[edit]

Opening parade

[edit]

The tradition of the Oktoberfest entry parade began in 1887, when Hans Steyrer, then a festival host, marched from his establishment on Tegernseer Landstraße to the Theresienwiese with his staff, a brass band, and a cart of beer.[citation needed]

In its current form, the parade has been held since 1935, when all participating breweries took part for the first time. Since 1950, the procession has been led by the Münchner Kindl, followed by the incumbent Mayor of Munich riding in the Schottenhammel family carriage. The parade also features decorated horse-drawn wagons and floats from the breweries, as well as carriages representing other restaurateurs and showpeople. Music bands from the beer tents accompany the procession.[34]

Coachmen in costume
The Hacker-Pschorr Brewery horse team

Official opening ceremony

[edit]
Main article: O'zapft is!

Following the parade, the official opening of Oktoberfest takes place at exactly 12:00 p.m. in the Schottenhammel tent. The Mayor of Munich taps the first keg of beer and announces the Bavarian phrase "O'zapft is!" (Es ist angezapft – "It is tapped!"). This marks the official start of the festival.

Twelve gunshots are then fired on the stairway of Ruhmeshalle. This is the signal for the other restaurateurs to start with the serving of beer.[35] Traditionally, the Bavarian Minister-President is served the first litre of beer. Then in the other tents, the first barrels are tapped and beer is served to the visitors.

Every year, visitors eagerly await to see how many strokes the mayor needs to use before the first beer flows. Bets are even made. The best performance is still two strokes (Christian Ude, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; Dieter Reiter, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019),[36] and there was also 19 strokes required (Thomas Wimmer, 1950).

Costume and riflemen parade

[edit]

The first costume parade was held in 1835 to mark the silver wedding anniversary of King Ludwig I of Bavaria and Princess Therese. A second parade followed in 1895, organised by the Bavarian novelist Maximilian Schmidt and involving about 1,400 participants in 150 costume groups.[37] A further parade was held during the centenary celebrations in 1910, directed by Julius and Moritz Wallach, early promoters of the Dirndl and Lederhosen as everyday fashion.[38][39]

Participants in the 2013 costume and riflemen parade

The modern parade has taken place each year since 1950—except in 2020–2021—and resumed in 2022.[40] It is now a regular feature of Oktoberfest and is among the largest processions of its kind.[citation needed] On the first Sunday of the festival roughly 8,000 participants walk the 7 km (4.3 mi) route from the Maximilianeum to the Theresienwiese.[41]

The procession is led by the Münchner Kindl, followed by members of the Munich city council, representatives of the Bavarian state government, musical and marching bands, traditional-costume and rifle clubs, flag-wavers, and about 40 decorated horse-drawn carriages. Most groups come from Bavaria, though delegations also arrive from other German states, Austria, Switzerland, Northern Italy, and other European regions.[42] The entry of the Wiesnwirte (festival innkeepers) and the costume and marksmen procession are organised by Festring München.[43]

Beers

[edit]
A waitress holding a Maß of Hacker-Pschorr beer at Oktoberfest, wearing a traditional Bavarian Dirndl.

Only beer brewed within Munich’s city limits in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot (German Beer Purity Law) may be served at the Munich Oktoberfest.[44]

Beers meeting these criteria are designated Oktoberfest Beer.[45][46] Two styles fall under this designation:

  • A traditional Märzen lager
  • A paler seasonal Festbier, now more commonly served at the festival itself.[47][48]

The following six breweries form the Club of Munich Brewers and hold the trademark for Oktoberfest Beer:[49]

Visitors

[edit]
The Oktoberfest fairground (Theresienwiese) in Munich

Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest (folk festival).[50]

In 1999, approximately 6.5 million people visited the 42-hectare Theresienwiese fairground.[51] About 72 % of visitors came from Bavaria, and 15 % from abroad, including neighbouring EU countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several East Asian countries.[52][53]

The grounds also host other large-scale events, including the Munich Frühlingsfest (April–May) and the Tollwood Festival (December), which draws about 650,000 visitors annually.

Dates

[edit]

Since 1994, Oktoberfest has typically lasted 16 days, ending on the first Sunday in October. If that Sunday falls before 3 October (German Unity Day), the festival is extended through 3 October.

Year Dates Notes
2000 16 Sep – 3 Oct 18 days, with ZLF
2001 22 Sep – 7 Oct
2002 21 Sep – 6 Oct
2003 20 Sep – 5 Oct
2004 18 Sep – 3 Oct with ZLF
2005 17 Sep – 3 Oct 17 days
2006 16 Sep – 3 Oct 18 days
2007 22 Sep – 7 Oct
2008 20 Sep – 5 Oct 175th Oktoberfest, with ZLF
2009 19 Sep – 4 Oct
2010 18 Sep – 4 Oct 200th anniversary, with ZLF
2011 17 Sep – 3 Oct 17 days
2012 22 Sep – 7 Oct with ZLF
2013 21 Sep – 6 Oct
2014 20 Sep – 5 Oct
2015 19 Sep – 4 Oct
2016 17 Sep – 3 Oct 17 days
2017 16 Sep – 3 Oct 18 days
2018 22 Sep – 7 Oct
2019 21 Sep – 6 Oct
2020 19 Sep – 4 Oct Cancelled (COVID-19)
2021 18 Sep – 3 Oct Cancelled (COVID-19)
2022 17 Sep – 3 Oct 17 days
2023 16 Sep – 3 Oct 18 days
2024 21 Sep – 6 Oct 16 days
2025 20 Sep – 5 Oct 16 days

ZLF refers to the Bayerisches Zentral-Landwirtschaftsfest (Bavarian Central Agricultural Fair), which is held every four years alongside Oktoberfest.

Safety and Security

[edit]

Law Enforcement and Emergency Coordination

[edit]

In 2004, a centralized service hub was established at the Behördenhof ("authorities' court"), bringing together police, fire services, medical teams, and the district administration. A dedicated police station is set up each year and can be reached via the emergency number 5003220.

The authorities' court

Since 2005, law enforcement officers from Bolzano, Italy, have also been present to assist with crowd management and communication, particularly during the weekends when many Italian tourists attend.

Public safety operations are coordinated from the Behördenhof, located on the eastern edge of the Theresienwiese. This command center enables integrated emergency management by municipal agencies.

Police video surveillance

Medical Services

[edit]

Medical services are led by the Bavarian branch of the German Red Cross, which has long supported Oktoberfest operations. Around 100 volunteer doctors and paramedics are on duty each day to assist visitors and staff.[54]

Aicher Ambulance provides additional care through a medical post in the Fischer Vroni tent. The festival’s central service complex includes a miniature hospital with an operating theatre and a fully equipped ambulance. Emergency vehicles are stationed at key control points across the grounds, with reserve staff on standby.

Visitor Services

[edit]

The Behördenhof also houses a variety of visitor services, including a child reunification station, lost property office, and women’s security point. Further assistance is available at the nearby Theresienwiese U-Bahn station, where additional personnel from Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe are stationed.[55]

Public Awareness Campaigns

[edit]

To improve visitor safety and reduce incidents such as theft, violence, and sexual assault, various measures have been introduced. In 2003, the campaign Sichere Wiesn für Mädchen und Frauen ("Safe Oktoberfest for Girls and Women") was launched to support and protect female visitors.

Safety Policies and Restrictions

[edit]

In 2010, animals were banned from the festival grounds for public safety reasons. In 2012, glass bottles were prohibited following a rise in injuries caused by broken glass.

Accidents and Ride Inspections

[edit]

Accidents at Oktoberfest are rare. All rides undergo thorough safety inspections in advance, carried out by the cableways and temporary structures division of TÜV SÜD.

On 30 September 1996, 30 people were injured in a collision on the Euro Star roller coaster. The cause was a worn safety brake that had not been identified during inspection. Although prosecutors in Munich sought to charge an engineer from TÜV Munich with negligent bodily harm, the case did not result in a conviction.[56]

Security measures since 1981

[edit]
  • 1981 – Main entrance redesigned after the 1980 bombing.
  • 2001 – Permanent checkpoints added at the main gate after the September 11 attacks.
  • 2008 – Theresienwiese closes to the public during the annual construction phase.
  • 2009 – Roadblocks and stricter access controls respond to threats from Islamist groups.
  • 2010 – Three security rings, tighter screening, flight restrictions, and 52 2 m (6 ft 7 in) concrete bollards secure all gates.[57]
  • 2011 – Authorities install 170 retractable bollards, widen the Bavariaring emergency corridor, and gain powers to redirect crowds or shut rail stations.[58][59]
  • 2016 – A retractable fence seals the final 350 m (1,150 ft) of perimeter. Up to 450 guards man 13 entrances. Bags over 3 L (0.66 imp gal; 0.79 US gal) are banned. The Theresienwiese U-Bahn front exit is closed.[60]

Energy supply

[edit]
Oktoberfest 2003 at night, seen from the Ferris wheel

Oktoberfest draws electricity through 43 km (27 mi) of cable linked to 18 partly underground transformer stations. Together they provide about 2.9 million kilowatt-hours each year, a figure that excludes the energy used to erect and dismantle the fairground.[61]

Natural gas reaches the beer tents through a 4 km (2.5 mi) distribution network. Kitchens burn roughly 159,000 m3 (5,600,000 cu ft) of gas each season, while outdoor heaters add about 42,000 m3 (1,500,000 cu ft).[61] Most marquees and rides rely on certified green electricity from Stadtwerke München to curb local emissions.

The electrical grid is fully redundant: every circuit can be fed from an independent line, and each marquee receives power from two separate substations. Even so, disruptions are possible; on 25 September 2007 heavy rain floods an underground cable duct, interrupts supply for several hours, and slows morning food service, although the sparse crowd remains calm.[62]

To keep mobile phones working despite the dense crowd, network operators install several temporary masts on the surrounding lawns before each festival opens.

Transportation

[edit]
Theresienwiese, the closest U-Bahn station to the Oktoberfest

Transportation to the Oktoberfest is mainly provided by public transit, with special arrangements in place due to the large number of visitors each year.

The Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (Munich Transport Company) reports that nearly four million visitors travel to and from the festival grounds during each Oktoberfest. The U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains are especially crowded at night. The nearest underground station, Theresienwiese, operates at rush-hour frequency, with trains arriving every three minutes. After the beer tents close, the station is sometimes closed temporarily due to overcrowding. To ensure safety and smooth operations, both the Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft and Deutsche Bahn increase security staff during the event.

Visitors are also encouraged to use nearby stations:

Many also walk from the nearby main railway station.

Traffic congestion is a major issue during the festival. Many attendees attempt to drive home after consuming alcohol, so the Bavarian State Police conduct large-scale DUI checks. Major roads, including the city ring and surrounding highways, are sometimes reduced to a single lane, leading to delays.

During the middle weekend—locally known as "the Italians' weekend"—many Italian visitors arrive with caravans.[63] The city enforces camping bans in various zones and sets up remote parking areas, such as near the Allianz Arena, which are accessible by public transport. Despite these measures, parking near the festival remains limited, requiring extensive controls and towing.

In 2010, as part of a revised security concept, taxi stands were moved outside the secure perimeter, farther from the fairgrounds.

Sanitation

[edit]

To maintain safety and hygiene during Oktoberfest, organisers maintain strict waste-management and restroom policies.

Waste disposal

[edit]

All public trash bins were removed after the 1980 bombing to prevent concealed explosives.[64]

Restroom facilities

[edit]

By 2004, queueing delays at toilets had grown so severe that police managed access. Patrons needing only to urinate are directed to urinals (large sheltered grates), which reduces wait times. In 2005, capacity was increased by 20%, and today about 1,800 toilets and urinals serve visitors.[65]

Mobile phone policy

[edit]

Organisers explored installing a Faraday cage and mobile-phone jammers in 2005 but abandoned both—jammers are illegal in Germany, and cages proved too costly. Instead, signage requests that patrons refrain from phone use inside restrooms.[66] More recently, occasional live music amplification near the facilities has discouraged telephone use, transforming restrooms from quiet retreats into lively spaces.[67]

Tents

[edit]
Main article: Oktoberfest tents

There are currently fourteen large tents and twenty small tents at Oktoberfest. The tents are wooden[68] non-permanent structures erected solely for the festival. The beer (or wine) served in each is listed below.[69]

Large tents

[edit]
Tent name Brewery Seats
(inside / outside) 		Description
Marstall Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu 3,200 / 1,000 Features evening performances by Münchner Zwietracht playing Oktoberfest classics.[70]
Armbrustschützenzelt Paulaner 5,839 / 1,600 Known as the Crossbowman’s Tent; hosts crossbow competitions since 1895.
Hofbräu-Festzelt Hofbräu München 6,896 / 3,622 The tent affiliated with the Hofbräuhaus; very popular with international visitors.[71]
Hacker-Festzelt Hacker-Pschorr 6,900 / 2,400 Known as Himmel der Bayern (“Heaven of the Bavarians”); features rock music evenings.
Schottenhamel Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu 6,000 / 4,000 Site of the official keg tapping by the Mayor; popular gathering for students.[72][73]
Winzerer Fähndl Paulaner 8,450 / 2,450 Recognizable by its tall tower topped with a beer mug; named after a Bavarian military unit.
Schützen-Festhalle Löwenbräu 4,442 / 0 Situated beneath the Bavaria statue; current building dates from 2004.
Käfer Wiesn-Schänke Paulaner 1,000 / 1,900 The smallest large tent; noted for gourmet food and celebrity guests; opens later.
Weinzelt / Paulaner Weißbier Nymphenburger Sekt / Paulaner Weißbier 1,300 / 600 Combines a wine bar (over 15 wine varieties) with Paulaner wheat beer.
Löwenbräu-Festhalle Löwenbräu 5,700 / 2,800 Features a large lion figure over the entrance and beer towers.
Bräurosl Hacker-Pschorr 6,000 / 2,200 Named for the brewer’s daughter; hosts the Rosa Wiesn LGBT event.
Augustiner-Festhalle Augustiner Bräu 6,000 / 2,500 Favoured by locals; serves Augustiner beer from wooden kegs.
Ochsenbraterei Spaten 5,900 / 1,500 Specialises in roasted ox dishes.
Fischer-Vroni Augustiner 2,695 / 700 Known for fish dishes, notably grilled Steckerlfisch.

Medium and small tents

[edit]
Tent name Brewery Seats
(inside / outside) 		Description
Able’s Kalbs-Kuchl Spaten 300 / 0 Bavarian-style “calf kitchen” hut with a lively atmosphere.
Ammer Hühner & Entenbraterei Augustiner 450 / 450 World’s first chicken roastery (since 1885); serves chicken and duck.
Bodo’s Cafezelt Exotic Cocktails 450 / 0 Offers cocktails, Prosecco, champagne, coffee, pastries and ice cream.
Café Kaiserschmarrn Rischart (cocktail bar) 400 / 0 Commemorates the first Oktoberfest and royal wedding of Ludwig I and Therese.
Café Mohrenkopf XXL Cocktails 420 / 0 Fresh cakes and pies baked daily since 1950.
Feisingers Ka’s und Weinstubn Wine & Wheat Beer 92 / 90 Specialises in cheese and complementary dishes.
Glöckle Wirt Spaten 140 / 0 Decorated with oil paintings and antique instruments.
Heimer Hendl- und Entenbraterei Paulaner 400 / 0 Family-friendly tent popular with locals.
Heinz Wurst- und Hühnerbraterei Paulaner 360 / 0 Serving sausage and chicken since 1906.
Hochreiters Haxnbraterei Löwenbräu 250 / 0 Prepares pork knuckles in the festival’s only knuckle roaster.
Münchner Knödelei Paulaner 300 / 90 Dedicated to Bavarian dumplings and preserving dumpling culture.
Poschners Hühner- und Entenbraterei Hacker-Pschorr 350 / 0 Family-run chicken and duck roast for four generations.
Schiebl’s Kaffeehaferl Irish Coffee 100 / 0 Family coffeehouse; “Haferl” means mug or pot in Bavarian.
Wiesn Guglhupf Café-Dreh-Bar Mix Bar 60 / 0 Carousel bar shaped like a Guglhupf (bundt cake).
Wildmoser Hühnerbraterei Hacker-Pschorr 320 / 0 Owned by Wildmoser family since 1981; favoured by locals.
Wildstuben Augustiner 271 / 0 The newest tent, with detailed woodwork and hunting‐lodge decor.
Wirtshaus im Schichtl Schichtl 120 / 0 Famous for unique Oktoberfest shows; considered essential.
Zum Stiftl Paulaner 360 / 0 Known for duck and roasted chicken, daily entertainment.
Zur Bratwurst Augustiner 160 / 0 Opened in 2007; revives the Bratwurstglöckl tradition.

Other Oktoberfest celebrations

[edit]
Main article: Oktoberfest celebrations

Several large folk festivals worldwide follow the model of Munich’s Oktoberfest:

  • Qingdao Oktoberfest (Qingdao, China) – approximately 3 million visitors annually
  • Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest (Kitchener, Canada) – around 700,000 visitors annually
  • Blumenau Oktoberfest (Blumenau, Brazil) – about 600,000 visitors annually
  • Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (Cincinnati, United States) – held since 1976 in honour of the city’s German heritage; over 500,000 visitors, the largest in the United States.[74]
  • Viennese Wiesn (Vienna, Austria) – inaugural event held 23 September–2 October 2011 on the Kaiserwiese, attended by about 150,000 visitors in three tents.[75]

Festivals inspired by Oktoberfest are also held in Australia, Russia, Namibia and Japan.

German variants

[edit]

In Germany itself, many cities host their own Oktoberfest-style events:

  • Oktoberfest Hannover – approximately 500,000 visitors, the second-largest Oktoberfest in Germany
  • Cranger Kirmes (Herne) – about 4.4 million visitors
  • Rheinkirmes (Düsseldorf) – about 4 million visitors
  • Freimarkt (Bremen) – more than 4 million visitors
  • Schützenfest Hannover (Hanover) – more than 1 million visitors
  • Kiel Week (Kiel) – about 3 million visitors
[edit]

A German historical drama called Oktoberfest: Beer and Blood was released in 2020.[76] Set in 1900, it focuses on the showman brewer Curt Prank as he transforms the festival into a global tourist attraction by replacing the local brewery stands with one large pavilion.[77] Critics have compared the show's graphic violence and German new wave music soundtrack to Peaky Blinders.[78] A second season was announced by head writer Ronny Schalk in 2021.[79]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "Germany: Oktoberfest wraps in Munich, 7 million liters later". DW. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  3. ^ "The origin of Oktoberfest". History.com. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Munich cancels Oktoberfest again due to pandemic". Associated Press News. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Oktoberfestbier". German Beer Institute. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Das erste Oktoberfest". Wiesnkini.de (in German). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  7. ^ [citation needed]
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  10. ^ [citation needed]
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  14. ^ [citation needed]
  15. ^ a b "History of the Oktoberfest". Oktoberfest.net. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  16. ^ Semmens, Kristin (2005). Seeing Hitler's Germany. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-349-51958-3.
  17. ^ Terrell, Robert (2018). The People’s Drink (Thesis). University of California, San Diego.
  18. ^ "Die Bayerische Polizei – 26. September 1980". Bayerische Polizei. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Rules for Oktoberfest jeered". Houblon.net. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  20. ^ "Germany marks five years of smoking ban". DW. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  21. ^ Schulte-Peevers, Andrea (16 September 2010). "Oktoberfest turns 200". BBC Travel. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  22. ^ "A History of Oktoberfest". Oktoberfest Beer Festivals. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  23. ^ "German Oktoberfest cancelled due to coronavirus". Reuters. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Covid: Germany's Oktoberfest cancelled for the second time". BBC News. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  25. ^ Schulte-Peevers, Andrea (6 September 2010). "Oktoberfest turns 200". BBC Travel. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Das macht die Oide Wiesn so besonders". Oktoberfest.de. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
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48°7′53″N 11°32′57″E / 48.13139°N 11.54917°E / 48.13139; 11.54917

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