The Munich Oktoberfest, or "Wiesn" as it's called locally, is the world's largest beer fest, and probably the best beer party on earth.
The 16-day party attracts over 6 million people every year who consume 7 million liters of beer, 200,000 pairs of pork sausage, and 480,000 roasted chickens. If you take out children andadults who don’t drink beer, then we can safely conclude that those who do drink beer are having a lot of it. The minimum serving size is the 1 Liter Masskrug, which is about a quarter gallon. It's quite normal for asturdy Bavarian to have 5 or 6 of those over the course of a good day.
While the event reinforces stereotypical images of beer-loving,oompah-dancing Germans dressed up like fairy tale characters, visitors to the annual event come from all over the world. You'd be surprised at how many Aussies, American and Kiwis you find inside the Hofbrau tent. In fact, it's as if they own it.Oktoberfest is also a huge flirty hook-up fest,where many new relationships - short and long ones -celebratetheir beginning. In fact, it's quite common for Munich locals to meet their future husband or wife there, because everybody's there.
The occasion for the first Oktoberfest in 1810 was the wedding ofa Bavarian prince. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates. For five full daysthey were eating, drinking, and enjoying parades, watching shootingcompetitions and horse races. The fields were named Theresienwiese ("Theresa's fields"), in honor of the Crown Princess who got married to the Prince that day. The locals sometimes call it the “Wiesn", which is Bavarian slang for "meadow".
The majority of the Oktoberfest actually takes place in September, due to weather.In the second half of September, Munichenjoys pleasant Indian summer days, whereas the weather gets nastywhen October arrives. In early October, the entire city of Munich falls into post-Wiesn depression,when the happy-anything-goes atmosphere of the Wiesn makes way for the cold, lonely days of fall. Hopefully the single folks foundtheir match at the Oktoberfest to have good company for the coming winter.
The festival has, in its history, been cancelleda few times due to war, economic depression and cholera. Alas, we are witnessing one of those unfortunate times: For the second year in a row the event has been called off due to coronavirus. This year marks the 26th time the festival has been cancelled in more than 200 years.
The opening day of the festival is marked by a colorful parade of carriages, floats and costumes winding its way through the streets of Munich.Oktoberfest is a big celebration of popular folk music. People interlock their arms, sing along and have a jolly good time. Every 5 minutes or so the music stops for the "Ein Prosit" tune, which is the biggest collective toast the world has ever seen. Imagine 10,000 folks raising their beer mug at the same time. It's a truly awesome moment, and a profitable one for the Wiesn-Wirt. That explains why it's happening every 5 minutes.
The festival has 14 tents, each able to fitaround 10,000 people, with a different ambiance and operated by a different Wiesn-Wirt. Setting up the Wiesn is a logistical wonder, because it's a city in itself, built in just a few weeks, to serve millions of visitors.There's nothing else like it in the world.
Runninga beer tent at the Wiesnis the bestvocation you can have in Munich.A Wiesn-Wirtisa demi-god, and everyone on the planet wants to behis friend during Oktoberfest to get a coveted spot inside the tent. Tables are booked outyears in advance. Being a Wiesn-Wirtis also a license to print money. Demand has been steady for decades and can be easily forecasted. Visitors' willingness to pay is endless, because they all get drunk withan attitude of now-or-never, because in two weeks it's all over. The Wiesn-Wirt gets to charge pretty much whateverhe wants. Supply and demand.
ManyU.S. cities hold Oktoberfests modeledafter the original one in Munich. While it is impossible to replicate the awesome energy of the Wiesn, it's for sure better than nothing.
We can help you get some authentic Wiesn flavors onto your table. While we don't sell the beer, we do offer authentic Oktoberfest goodies such as Stollen, Lebkuchen and Pretzel roll, all baked in Germany. Click here to place your order, we ship nationwide.
FAQs
To officially start the festival, the mayor of Munich taps the first keg and says the famous German words, "O'zapft is! (It is tapped) To a peaceful Wiesn" After a successful tapping ceremony, 12 gunshots are fired off and the lively Oktoberfest can begin!
Why is Oktoberfest the best? ›
The reason why Oktoberfest is so popular is the combination of hearty Bavarian cuisine and the many types of beer available from local breweries. In addition, you can enjoy traditional activities such as live music, dancing, games, and parades while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
What makes Oktoberfest special? ›
Festival-goers can enjoy roller coasters, carnival games, rides, booths, a Ferris wheel, live music, and other activities. For many Germans, Oktoberfest is a celebration that offers a welcomed break from their daily routines and the opportunity to enjoy a beer and sausage in a community setting.
Do people hook up at Oktoberfest in Munich? ›
In fact, it's as if they own it. Oktoberfest is also a huge flirty hook-up fest, where many new relationships - short and long ones - celebrate their beginning. In fact, it's quite common for Munich locals to meet their future husband or wife there, because everybody's there.
What do Germans say before drinking? ›
Prost! Translation: Cheers! Toss on an “Ein Toast!” at the end to encourage a celebratory “bottoms up!” before drinking your Märzen with friends.
What do Germans yell at Oktoberfest? ›
O'zapft is, in particular, is the most iconic of Oktoberfest sayings. This is the cry you will here once the Mayor of Munich has tapped the ceremonial keg, thus kicking off the entire two-week-long event.
What is the most important thing on Oktoberfest? ›
Beer Tents
One of the most important things about Oktoberfest are the tents (which are more like permanent looking warehouses than tents). There are fourteen of them scattered around the fair grounds, mostly along the main avenue. Every tent has a different personality.
Why is Oktoberfest such a big deal? ›
Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The festival originates with a party held in celebration of a royal marriage. On October 12, 1810, Kronprinz Ludwig (later King Ludwig I of Bavaria) married the Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in Munich.
What are the positives of Oktoberfest? ›
Oktoberfest, a world-famous annual traditional German festival, is not just about beer and fun but is a major source of the city's economic growth. It's actually a €1.25 billion economic powerhouse for Munich while contributing up to 2% to its GDP.
What is the bad side of Oktoberfest? ›
The potential dangers of festivals
Dehydration and hangovers: The diuretic effect of alcohol can lead to dehydration, causing symptoms like fatigue, dizziness and dry mouth, while hangovers, characterised by headaches, nausea and confusion, are a common aftermath of binge drinking.
Those who want to do without alcohol at the Oktoberfest have a wide choice of beverages. After all, not all Oktoberfest visitors focus on enjoying a good beer. Some simply don't like the popular barley juice, others perhaps still have to drive, are too young for it or generally don't drink alcohol.
Is Oktoberfest in Munich cash only? ›
You may be able to pay at some stalls or rides using cards, but you can never count on it. The only thing you can rely on is cash. There are ATMs at the fair grounds as well as in all big tents. However, most of them aren't operated by banks and come with ridiculous charges.
What do they say at the start of Oktoberfest? ›
O'zapft is!: (Ō-tsapft is) literally means “It's tapped!”. This is the opening cheer when the first keg is tapped, kicking off Oktoberfest. See what leads up to this important declaration at Munich's Oktoberfest here.
What does eins Zwei G suffa mean? ›
“Oans, zwoa, g'suffa!” is the Bavarian dialect for “eins, zwei, getrunken!”, meaning “one, two, drunk!”. You'd hear this toast plenty of times at the Oktoberfest in Munich, seeing that visitors last year have toasted with an impressive 7.5 million litres of beer.
What is Munich city slogan? ›
Since 2006, the city's motto has been "München mag dich" ("Munich loves you").
What do you say when you raise a glass at Munich's Oktoberfest? ›
To make a simple toast (ein Prosit), lift your mug or stein and call out, ''Prost! '' (''Cheers! ''). Die Maß (or Mass), a Bavarian word for ''measure,'' refers to the single-serving liter of beer in the standard Oktoberfest mug or stein.
