Oktoberfest

Background

If there’s one thing that Oktoberfest brings to mind, it’s probably beer. But there’s more to this annual Munich festival than libations, including a rich history going back more than 100 years.

Held in late September and early October, Oktoberfest (called "Wiesn" in German) is the largest folk festival in the world: In 2023, 7.2 million visitors drank close to 2 million gallons of beer, making it the most-attended Oktoberfest ever.

History

The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. That year, five days of performances, food, and music culminated with a horse race Oct. 17. The festival was so successful that locals decided to hold it again the following year—and nearly every year thereafter.

The next century brought additions like roasted chicken vendors (still an integral part of Oktoberfest), carnival rides, and the now-ubiquitous glass steins for beer, all of which made the festival more popular than ever.

In 1950, Munich mayor Thomas Wimmer began the tradition of opening the event by tapping the first beer barrel and proclaiming, “O’zapft is!” meaning “It’s tapped!”

Oktoberfest has been canceled several times in response to world events, including the Napoleonic Wars, cholera outbreaks, World War II, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival’s popularity has spread beyond Germany, in large part through immigration. Local Oktoberfests often have their own traditions, like the Running of the Wieners—a dachshund race—in Cincinnati, or Vovó and Vovô Chopão (Grandma and Grandpa Big Beer), the festival’s official mascots from Blumenau, Brazil.

Festival Elements

Oktoberfest has changed over the years to incorporate new traditions as well as abandoning a few—other than anniversary years, the last horse race was held before World War II.

So, what would you find if you visited Oktoberfest today?

• Parade of the landlords: Before the first keg tap, a parade of beer brewers and other tent owners marches through town on decorated wagons, ending at the festival grounds.
• The tents: Each tent has a different specialty or theme, like the Volkssängerzelt Schützenlisl tent, which transports visitors back to the 19th century, or the Armbrustschützen tent, where the German Crossbow Championships have been held since 1935.
• Carnival games and rides: Carousels, roller coasters, bumper cars, and strongman contests are just a few of the attractions at Oktoberfest.
• The Glückshafen: This raffle has been part of the festival since 1816. For 1 euro, pull a ticket to potentially win a prize, with all profits donated to local support programs.
• Traditional German costumes: Lederhosen (short leather pants) and dirndls (dresses with lace-up bodices) are found everywhere at Oktoberfest, including the traditional parade held on the first Sunday of the festival.

The Beer

Beer is integral to Oktoberfest, but tents can’t serve just anything—only beers from one of six designated breweries in the city of Munich, containing only water, yeast, barley, and hops, can be officially called “Oktoberfestbier.”

There are two main styles of beer found at Oktoberfest: rich, toasty Märzen lager and light, crisp Festbier. Over the years, easy-drinking Festbier has become the more popular style. And with an average of 10,000 gallons of beer sold every day, it’s no wonder that the German Red Cross staffs a medical tent for the “Bierleichen” (“beer corpses”) who overindulge.