Oktoberfest
This autumnal festival’s ongoing popularity has launched celebrations around the world.
This autumnal festival’s ongoing popularity has launched celebrations around the world.
Renee Harleston
Reviewer URLDate: September 16 to October 3
Names: Oktoberfest, Wiesn
Pronunciation: Och-toe-ber-fest
This autumnal festival’s ongoing popularity has launched celebrations around the world.
Origin
Oktoberfest began as a horse race in Munich in 1810 celebrating the marriage of King Ludwig I of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The meadow where the first Oktoberfest was held was named "Theresienwiese" in honor of Princess Therese and serves as the grounds for the contemporary Munich Oktoberfest. In Munich, Oktoberfest is sometimes referred to as "Wiesn."
Beginning in 1811, the Bavarian Agricultural Association continued to run Oktoberfest without stopping until its first cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When it is observed
Oktoberfest is celebrated in the last weeks of September and lasts anywhere from 16 to 18 days. The final day of Oktoberfest falls on the first Sunday of October or October 3, whichever is first.
Traditions
Oktoberfest is well-known for its beer and food tents. In Munich, brewers hold a parade and the mayor taps a keg to signal the start of Oktoberfest. Beer is the largest tradition of Oktoberfest and celebrations are often thrown by breweries in and outside of Germany. Oktoberfest also features a number of carnival rides.
Around the world, Oktoberfest is a celebration of German culture. People frequently sport dirndls, lederhosen and other traditional German dress.