Oktoberfest | Definition, History, Traditions, & Facts (2024)

FAQs

What are the traditions of Oktoberfest? ›

Besides the food and beer, the festival is full of traditional Bavarian music, open-air performances, a grand entry and parades, vendor tents, carnival rides, a shooting competition, and traditional German outfits. The two-week fair wraps up in dramatic fashion with a boisterous brass band and a gun salute.

The inaugural Oktoberfest was first celebrated in Munich in 1810 in honor of Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began October 12, 1810, and lasted nearly a week until October 17, ending with an exciting horse race.

The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

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.

The original Oktoberfest was, in fact, held in October—on October 17, 1810, to be exact, in honor of the nuptials a few days earlier of Bavarian crown prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

On white background symbols of Oktoberfest: mug beer, pretzel, tyrolean hat and maple leaf.

Since 1950, the festival has always been opened with the same traditional procedure: At noon, a 12-gun salute is followed by the tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest beer by the Mayor of Munich with the proclamation "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!" in the Austro-Bavarian dialect).

Try not to end up on the hill of shame. The hill can be easily spotted behind the tents. This is the official place were people pass out from drinking too much.

What if you don't like beer at Oktoberfest? ›

Octoberfest does not have to be held in a traditional bierkeller. Plenty of co*cktail bars around most cities will hold an evening of their own. One way to enjoy Oktoberfest without drinking beer is to purchase a gift experience. This way, you can still enjoy the festive atmosphere without having to drink the beer.

Donning traditional Bavarian garb is a great way to feel part of the Oktoberfest festivities. Men wear lederhosen (a pair of shorts or three-quarter-length pants sporting either buttoned or zippered fastening), a drop-front flap, and leather suspenders with a front cross strap. Many pairs come embroidered.

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.

Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations that are modeled after the original Munich event.