Oktoberfest (German pronunciation:[ɔkˈtoːbɐˌfɛst]ⓘ;Bavarian:Oktobafest/d'Wiesn) is the world's largestVolksfest. It combines a beer festival with a fun fair and is held annually inMunich on theTheresienwiese from mid-September to the first Sunday in October.
The event draws around seven million visitors each year. In 2023, attendance reached a record 7.2 million.[1] Visitors consumed approximately 7.4 million litres of beer.[2] The festival features amusement rides, games, food stalls, and traditional Bavarian dishes.
On 12 October 1810 Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married PrincessTherese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Munich officials invited the public to celebrate on fields outside the city walls. The site was namedTheresienwiese (“Therese's Meadow”) the following year and is still calledWiesn.[5]
The first festival featured a horse race modelled on the medievalScharlachrennen once run at the 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, forming the core of the Oktoberfest tradition.[6]
Sendlinger Hill—nowTheresienhöhe—served as 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, and he received a gold medal from Minister of StateMaximilian von Montgelas.
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 annually.
A Greek delegation that visited in 1832 later cited the festival as a model for theZappas Olympics, precursors of the modern Olympic Games.[9]
During the century the opening was moved into late September to take advantage of warmer evenings; only the final days now fall in October.[10]
Since 1850 the annualTrachten- und Schützenzug (costume and marksmen parade) has marched from Maximilianstraße to the Theresienwiese, with about 8,000 participants led by theMünchner Kindl mascot.[11]
In 1910 the centenary celebration recorded the consumption of about 120,000 litres of beer. In 1913 theBräurosl pavilion opened, seating roughly 12,000 guests.[15]
1919–20 – Held only as a smallerKleineres Herbstfest
1923–24 – Cancelled during hyperinflation
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 during World War II; a modest “Autumn Fest” was held 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!”).
On 26 September 1980 a pipe bomb exploded near the main entrance, killing 13 people and injuring more than 225.[18] It was the second-deadliest terrorist attack in Germany.
The tradition of the Oktoberfest entry parade began in 1887, when Hans Steyrer, then a festival host, marched from his establishment onTegernseer Landstraße to theTheresienwiese 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 theMünchner Kindl, followed by the incumbentMayor 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.[26]
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 ofRuhmeshalle. This is the signal for the other restaurateurs to start with the serving of beer.[27] Traditionally, theBavarianMinister-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),[28] and there was also 19 strokes required (Thomas Wimmer, 1950).
The first costume parade was held in 1835 to mark thesilver wedding anniversary of KingLudwig I of Bavaria andPrincess Therese. A second parade followed in 1895, organised by the Bavarian novelistMaximilian Schmidt and involving about 1,400 participants in 150 costume groups.[29] A further parade was held during the centenary celebrations in 1910, directed by Julius and Moritz Wallach, early promoters of theDirndl andLederhosen as everyday fashion.[30][31]
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.[32] 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 theMaximilianeum to the Theresienwiese.[33]
The procession is led by theMünchner 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.[34] The entry of theWiesnwirte (festival innkeepers) and the costume and marksmen procession are organised byFestring München.[35]
The unofficial sport of Oktoberfest is Masskrugstemmen, orSteinholding, in which competitors hold a filled one-liter dimpled glass mug with an outstretched arm for as long as they can.[36]
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
Duration
Notes
2000
16 Sep – 3 Oct
18 days
with ZLF
2001
22 Sep – 7 Oct
16 days
2002
21 Sep – 6 Oct
16 days
2003
20 Sep – 5 Oct
16 days
2004
18 Sep – 3 Oct
16 days
with ZLF
2005
17 Sep – 3 Oct
17 days
2006
16 Sep – 3 Oct
18 days
2007
22 Sep – 7 Oct
16 days
2008
20 Sep – 5 Oct
16 days
175th Oktoberfest, with ZLF
2009
19 Sep – 4 Oct
16 days
2010
18 Sep – 4 Oct
17 days
200th anniversary, with ZLF
2011
17 Sep – 3 Oct
17 days
2012
22 Sep – 7 Oct
16 days
with ZLF
2013
21 Sep – 6 Oct
16 days
2014
20 Sep – 5 Oct
16 days
2015
19 Sep – 4 Oct
16 days
2016
17 Sep – 3 Oct
17 days
2017
16 Sep – 3 Oct
18 days
2018
22 Sep – 7 Oct
16 days
2019
21 Sep – 6 Oct
16 days
2020
19 Sep – 4 Oct
Cancelled
COVID-19 pandemic
2021
18 Sep – 3 Oct
Cancelled
COVID-19 pandemic
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
TheBayerisches Zentral-Landwirtschaftsfest (Bavarian Central Agricultural Fair) is held every four years alongside Oktoberfest.
A waitress serving a Maß of beer in a traditional BavarianDirndl
Oktoberfest is one of the largest festivals in the world, attracting millions of visitors annually. In 1999, about 6.5 million people visited the 42-hectareTheresienwiese fairground.[37] Around 72 % of visitors came from Bavaria, and 15 % from abroad, including neighbouring EU countries, North America, Oceania, and East Asia.[38]
The grounds also host other major events such as theMunich Frühlingsfest (April–May) and theTollwood Festival (December).
Only beer brewed within Munich’s city limits and in accordance with theReinheitsgebot may be sold at Oktoberfest.[39] These beers are marketed under the protected designation "Oktoberfestbier".
The historical Oktoberfest (Oide Wiesn, Bavarian for “old fairground”) was introduced in 2010 for the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest. It was held on the former site of the Central Agricultural Festival (ZLF) at the south end of theTheresienwiese and became a recurring feature from 2011.[48]
The event opened one day before the main festival with the traditional keg tapping by the Lord Mayor.[49] In 2012, the Munich City Council set the 2013 entry fee at €3 with re-entry permitted, while historic rides cost €1 per use. Seating in the musicians’ tent was expanded, and a €200,000 grant supported the Showman Foundation’s museum tent, velodrome, and children’s programme.[50] Six Munich breweries presented historical dark beers, mugs bore the inscription "Münchner Bier" instead of logos, and closing time was set at 20:00. Attendance exceeded 500,000 in the first year, leading to temporary closures. The council also approved anOide Wiesn in 2015 before the return of the Central Agricultural Exhibition in 2016.[needs update]
The fenced grounds cover 2hectares (4.9acres) and feature historic rides such as a carousel and chain swing, beer tents serving dark beer based on early 19th-century recipes, food stalls includingSteckerlfisch grills, an animal tent and racecourse run byHellabrunn Zoo and the Bavarian Farmers’ Association, and a museum tent curated by theMunich Stadtmuseum. Cultural performances have included local groups such as theBiermösl Blosn.[48]
TheRosa Wiesn (Pink Wiesn), also called Gay Oktoberfest, is a series ofLGBT events held during Oktoberfest. The main gathering, Gay Sunday, takes place in theBräurosl tent on the first Sunday.[51][52][53]
Rosa Wiesn attendees in 2016
The tradition began in the 1970s when members of theMünchner Löwen Club (MLC) reserved the Bräurosl balcony and were mistaken for a football club. The event became an annual gathering.[54]
Alongside Gay Sunday, the programme includes meet-and-greets,Löwennacht (Lion’s Night), brunches, and cultural activities. About 8,000 visitors attend each year.[55] Some sources describe it as Germany’s second-largest LGBT gathering afterChristopher Street Day.[citation needed][56]
In 2004 theBehördenhof (“authorities’ court”) was established as a service hub for police, fire, medical, and administrative coordination. A temporary police station operates there during the festival.
Since 2005 officers fromBolzano, Italy, have assisted with crowd management and communication, especially on weekends with high numbers of Italian visitors. TheBehördenhof, on the eastern side of theTheresienwiese, functions as the main command center.
Service hub (Behördenhof) on the Theresienwiese, established 2004Police surveillance during Oktoberfest, 2010
Medical care is provided by the Bavarian branch of theGerman Red Cross, with about 100 volunteer doctors and paramedics on duty each day.[57] Aicher Ambulance operates an additional post in theFischer Vroni tent. The service complex includes an operating theatre and treatment rooms, and ambulances are stationed at key points across the grounds.
Visitor services at theBehördenhof include a child reunification point, a lost property office, and a women’s support center. Further assistance is available at the nearbyTheresienwieseU-Bahn station, staffed byJohanniter-Unfall-Hilfe.[58]
All rides are inspected before the festival by the cableways and temporary structures division ofTÜV SÜD.
On 30 September 1996, 30 people were injured in a collision on theEuro Star roller coaster. The cause was a worn safety brake not detected during inspection. Prosecutors in Munich investigated an engineer from TÜV Munich for negligent bodily harm, but no conviction followed.[59]
2008 –Theresienwiese closed to the public during construction.
2009 – Roadblocks and stricter access controls introduced in response to security concerns.
2010 – Three security rings, flight restrictions, and 52 concrete bollards added.[60]
2011 – 170 retractable bollards installed, theBavariaring emergency corridor widened, and authorities given powers to redirect crowds or close rail stations.[61][62]
2016 – A retractable fence enclosed the final 350 m (1,150 ft) of perimeter. Security staff were stationed at 13 entrances. Bags over 3 L (0.66 imp gal; 0.79 US gal) were banned, and theTheresienwieseU-Bahn front exit was closed.[63]
Oktoberfest is supplied with electricity through 43 km (27 mi) of cable connected to 18 partly underground transformer stations. They provide about 2.9 million kilowatt-hours per year, excluding the energy required for assembly and dismantling.[64] Most tents and rides use certified renewable electricity fromStadtwerke München to reduce local emissions.
The electrical grid is designed with redundancy: every circuit can be supplied by an independent line, and each tent is connected to two substations.
A 4 km (2.5 mi) distribution network supplies gas to the festival grounds. Kitchens consume about 159,000 m³ each season, and outdoor heaters about 42,000 m³.[64]
Oktoberfest attracts millions of visitors, and the city provides a range of transport options to manage the crowds. Most people arrive by public transport, while others come on foot, by car, or by taxi. Special measures are introduced each year to handle congestion, parking, and safety.
TheMünchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (Munich Transport Company) estimates that about four million trips are made to and from the grounds each year. TheU-Bahn andS-Bahn are heavily used, especially at night. The nearest underground stop,Theresienwiese, runs at three-minute intervals during peak times. After the tents close, the station may be closed temporarily to prevent overcrowding. Extra security staff are deployed by both the transport operator andDeutsche Bahn.
Road traffic is often congested during the festival. TheBavarian State Police conduct large-scaleDUI checks and restrict lanes on major roads and highways. Parking close to the grounds is limited, and towing is common.
During the middle weekend, when many Italian visitors arrive withcaravans, the city enforces camping bans in central areas and provides remote parking sites, such as near theAllianz Arena, with public transport connections.
All public trash bins were removed after the1980 bombing to reduce the risk of concealed explosives.[66] Waste collection is instead handled through centralized disposal systems and frequent cleaning by sanitation teams.
By 2004, queueing delays at toilets had grown so severe that police managed access. To reduce congestion, patrons needing only to urinate are directed tourinals consisting of large sheltered grates. In 2005, overall capacity was expanded by 20%, and today about 1,800 toilets and urinals are available on the grounds.[67]
In 2005, organizers considered restricting mobile phone use in restrooms throughFaraday cage installations andjammers. These measures were abandoned because jammers are illegal in Germany and cages proved too costly. Instead, signage requests that patrons refrain from phone use inside restrooms.[68] In later years, background music was introduced near facilities to discourage prolonged telephone use.[69]
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.[70]
Viennese Wiesn (Vienna, Austria) – inaugural event held 23 September–2 October 2011 on the Kaiserwiese, attended by about 150,000 visitors in three tents.[71]
Festivals inspired by Oktoberfest are also held in Australia, Russia, Namibia and Japan.
A German historical drama calledOktoberfest: Beer and Blood was released in 2020.[72] 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.[73] Critics have compared the show's graphic violence and Germannew wave music soundtrack toPeaky Blinders.[74] A second season was announced by head writer Ronny Schalk in 2021.[75]
^Schmidt, Maximilian (1902).Meine Wanderung durch 70 Jahre. Zweiter Teil (in German). Reutlingen: Enßlin & Laiblin. pp. 247–260.
^Ständecke, Monika (2007).Dirndl, Truhen, Edelweiss: die Volkskunst der Brüder Wallach / Dirndls, Trunks, and Edelweiss: The Folk Art of the Wallach Brothers (in German). Munich: Jüdisches Museum.ISBN978-3-938832-20-2.
^Schulte-Peevers, Andrea (6 September 2010)."Oktoberfest turns 200".BBC Travel. BBC. Archived fromthe original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved28 October 2020.
^Lode, Silke (16 October 2012)."Oide Wiesn, junge Kultur".Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Archived fromthe original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved21 January 2015.
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