Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest, held annually in Munich, Germany from mid-September to the first Sunday in October. The festival blends a lively beer celebration with a fun fair, drawing millions to Theresienwiese for parades, Bavarian food, music, and traditional costumes.

• Held annually on Munich’s Theresienwiese fairground
• Opens with the mayor tapping the first beer keg
• Features a parade with 8,000 participants in traditional costume
• Only Munich-brewed beer is served as 'Oktoberfestbier'
• Draws around seven million visitors each year

What it is

Oktoberfest is a vibrant annual festival that transforms Munich’s Theresienwiese into a bustling celebration of Bavarian culture. Visitors gather for a unique mix of beer tents, amusement rides, parades, and traditional music. The event is deeply rooted in local identity, with Munich’s breweries serving special Oktoberfestbier and guests donning Dirndl and Lederhosen. For many, it is a time to celebrate Bavarian heritage, enjoy regional dishes, and share in the festive spirit with friends and strangers alike.

Where it comes from

Oktoberfest began in 1810 as a public celebration of the royal wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The festivities took place on fields outside Munich, which became known as Theresienwiese. The first event featured a horse race, and in the following years, attractions like agricultural shows and carnival booths were added. Over time, the festival grew into a major annual tradition, moving its start into September to take advantage of warmer weather.

How it is celebrated

The festival opens with a grand parade featuring brewery wagons, costumed groups, and the iconic Münchner Kindl mascot. The Mayor of Munich taps the first beer keg at noon, declaring 'O'zapft is!' to signal the start of festivities. Throughout the grounds, visitors enjoy a wide range of Bavarian foods—pretzels, sausages, roast chicken—and sample beers brewed exclusively within Munich. Traditional brass bands play in the tents, while amusement rides and games fill the fairground. The costume and riflemen parade, held on the first Sunday, showcases thousands in regional dress. Steinholding contests and lively music add to the communal atmosphere.

Joining in

To experience Oktoberfest, head to Munich’s Theresienwiese, where the main celebrations take place. Expect large crowds, especially on weekends, and a lively mix of locals and international visitors. Entry to the festival grounds is free, but seats in beer tents can fill up quickly. Visitors are welcome to dress in traditional Bavarian attire, though it’s not required. The atmosphere is friendly and exuberant, with plenty of opportunities to try local foods, join in songs, and watch the colourful parades.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Oktoberfest, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Oktoberfest on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources listed above, and checked automatically before publishing. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.