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By Yashita Vashishth Updated on Sep 22, 2023, 12:51 PM UTC
The world’s largest celebration of beer, Bavarian culture, and brotherhood, Oktoberfest 2023 is rearing to trump all parties and show us how it’s really done. This German festival is headlined by local beer, Lederhosen (traditional leather breeches), Dirndl (customary Bavarian women’s dress), regional bites, and music! Every year, millions of people gather on the Oktoberfest grounds; merry-making rings true as they head to beer tents bedecked with benches, hop on exhilarating carnival rides, and cultivate friendships over Festbier (festival beer).
The OG Oktoberfest in Munich inspires several local celebrations across the globe, so much so that it’s become a household term for party-goers. So it’s likely that you’ve heard of a rendition of the Oktoberfest at your city’s biggest mall, but if you’re determined to taste the iconic carbohydrate-laden, upbeat commemoration at where it all began, we recommend you shift the gears to Munich.
If this is your first time attending the annual revelry, read on for all things Oktoberfest 2023 – dates, history, what to wear, things to eat, and everything in between.
The largest and most magnificent folk festival in the world, Oktoberfest is a true celebration of the senses. Held annually in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, this cultural extravaganza pays homage to the Bavarian way of life. Have you ever noticed something unique about the festival’s spelling? In the German language, ‘October’ is spelled with a ‘K’. Therefore, in reverence to the festival’s origins, the original spelling, ‘Oktoberfest’, is preserved.
The colossal celebration features a flurry of indigenous beer options, the beats of ceremonial German music played by live bands, the Riflemen’s Procession, cultural performances, and carnival swings.
The origins of this German festival can be traced back to the 1800s. It all started with the royal wedding of King Ludwig I and Crown Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1818. The citizens of Munich were invited to witness the royal festivities, which included horse races, drinks, and dance. The joyous celebrations sparked such enthusiasm that it evolved into an annual tradition for the residents, eventually becoming known as Oktoberfest. The wedding was held at Theresienwiese (Therese’s Meadow), which still serves as the festival’s venue today.
When at Oktoberfest, make sure to sample the traditional fare that spans a slew of regional delicacies. Sausage salad (Wurstsalat), headcheese (Presssack), sweet dumplings, apple strudel (Apfelstrudel), fish rolls (Fischsemmel), and Bavarian meatloaf (Leberkas) should definitely be on your radar.
Don’t miss the opportunity to savor the diverse beer selection sourced from renowned Munich breweries like Paulaner and Augustiner (Munich’s oldest brewery). If beer isn’t your preference, don’t worry; Oktoberfest offers a multitude of alternative beverages, including wine, champagne, Radler (beer mixed with lemonade), gin, vodka, Jägermeister, non-alcoholic beer, coffee, and soft drinks, among others.
It’s worth noting that the beer barrels at Oktoberfest don’t contain just any ordinary beers; they hold specific brews produced in accordance with the Rheinheitsgebot, the German law that dictates the ingredients of beer. According to this mandate, these beers must be brewed within Munich’s city limits and must fall into the categories of Marzen or Festbier. The traditional dark amber Marzen (March beer) is known for its delicate notes of German hops, while Festbier is lighter in color and less sweet by comparison.
Penning down your checklist for Oktoberfest 2023? Make sure to include special events like the Costume and Hunters’ parade, iconic Bavarian concerts, witnessing the landlords of the beer tents make an entrance on horse-drawn carriages and the traditional gun salute that marks the culmination of the fest for the year. We also recommend attending the free Wiesn Landlords’ concert by the Lady Bavaria statue. Elevate the fun by hopping onto one of the many carnival rides like the Ferris wheel, Toboggan, Hau den Lukas and Teufelsrad (Devil’s Wheel). Additionally, the unofficial closing ceremony in the Hacker Pschorr tent is a sight to behold.
In 2023, Munich will host the 188th Oktoberfest, which will run from September 16 to October 3. The festival will kickstart with the Parade of the landlords and breweries on day one, followed by the opening and tapping of the beer fest. On September 17, thousands of folklorists will parade through the city centre. Four days later, on September 21, the Ecumenical mass will take place in the Marstall festival tent. The fourth Sunday of the month, September 24, 2023, will feature the musical highlight of Oktoberfest, culminating in the grand finale on October 3.
Regrettably, Oktoberfest tickets cannot be purchased online; they must be obtained directly from the respective beer tents. Purchasing tickets from third-party vendors is illegal. However, there is a silver lining: if you plan to attend the festival in the morning or on a weekday, you won’t need a ticket at all. But if you wish to witness the opening and closing day ceremonies and revel into the early hours of the morning, having a ticket is essential.
While there’s no hard and fast dress code, it’s recommended to don the traditional garb (or elements thereof) to savour the Oktoberfest experience to the fullest. Wondering how to add Bavarian elements to your attire? We recommend traditional dirndl dresses for women, lederhosen shorts for men or a classic Bavarian jacket. Additionally, ensure that your bag is as small as possible. Larger bags are not only inconvenient to carry but are also not permitted inside the beer tents.
Main and Feature Image Credit: Brett Sayles/Pexels
When does Oktoberfest take place?
Oktoberfest is usually held between mid/late September to the first Sunday of October. The official duration of Oktoberfest 2023 is September 16 to October 3.
Where is Oktoberfest held?
It is held in Bavaria’s capital city, Munich, in Germany.
Is Oktoberfest all about beer, or are there other attractions?
There’s more to Oktoberfest than just beer. Other attractions include carnival rides, traditional German fare, and the Costume and Riflemen parade. One can also indulge in music, dance, and shared experiences that make Oktoberfest a global phenomenon.
What types of beer are served at Oktoberfest?
At Oktoberfest, you can savor traditional German beer that is brewed within Munich’s geographical boundaries and adheres to German laws governing its ingredients. Specifically, you’ll find Marzen and Festbier varieties on offer.
Is there a dress code for Oktoberfest?
While there isn’t a formal dress code for Oktoberfest, we recommend wearing traditional attire or incorporating some elements of it into your outfit. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the experience, mingle with the locals, and capture unique photos to cherish forever.
Is Oktoberfest family-friendly? Can I bring my children?
Yes, you can bring your kids as they’re allowed on the festival grounds where they can enjoy the carnival rides. Additionally, they are allowed inside the beer tents. However, it’s important to note that children under 6 years of age must exit the tents by 8 pm.
Are there any special events or parades during Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest takes great pride in hosting a variety of renowned parades and ceremonies, including the opening ceremony, the Costume and Hunters’ parade, Bavarian concerts, and the traditional gun salute, among others.
Are there non-alcoholic or alternative drink options available at Oktoberfest?
Yes, Oktoberfest offers a wide selection of non-alcoholic choices, including coffee, soft drinks, lemon soda, and non-alcoholic beer. It also offers alternative alcoholic beverages like wine, champagne, gin, vodka, Jäger, and more to choose from.
How do I get to Oktoberfest?
Once you’re in Munich, Germany, you can easily reach the Oktoberfest venue using public transportation options such as the U-bahn, S-bahn, bus, and tram. Additionally, the venue is conveniently located within a 10-15 minute walking distance from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof).
Is Oktoberfest safe for tourists?
Yes, it is safe for tourists. However, as with any major festival, attendees should be mindful of their surroundings and keep their belongings safe at the Oktoberfest celebrations.
Can I bring my food and drinks to Oktoberfest?
While it’s allowed to bring beverages to the festival ground, you cannot carry them to the tents or beer gardens. Additionally, carrying the beverages in glass bottles is not permitted.
After last year’s first post-Covid fest, Oktoberfest once again returns September 16 – October 3, 2023 for 18 days of joyous beer swilling.
Every year, more than seven million thirsty visitors descend on the German city of Munich for a two-and-a-half week celebration featuring parades, fair rides, traditional food and music, and of course, lots of beer.
Oktoberfest can be an exciting event for outsiders to experience Bavarian culture, but it can be hectic and difficult to navigate for the uninitiated, particularly after a few liters of Löwenbräu. Especially this year as more crowds than ever will pack the festival grounds. Don’t fret – we’ve got you covered with this guide to the festival of all festivals.
Oktoberfest began back in 1810 as a series of horse races honoring the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. It was such a big hit that it became an annual event with more activities popping up every year. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that sausages and beer were served. Nowadays, the keg-tapping and countless meaty morsels on offer are the most recognizable aspect of the event, along with the traditional Bavarian garb.
The first thing to mention is the sheer volume of the alcohol – almost 7 million liters of beer are served every year, along with 95,000 liters of wine. Waitresses adorned with the traditional Dirndl and waiters donning Lederhosen ferry giant frothing mugs, called Masskruege, of beer to thirsty attendees. Even this simple act is a spectacle as they are often carrying an unbelievable number at once – the current world record is for 26 full Masskrug!
The second most exciting attraction is the food – Bavarians will typically begin a day at the Oktoberfest with some Weisswurst, a white sausage consisting of veal and bacon meat. Lunch might be half a rotisserie chicken (Hendl), a roasted pork knuckle drowned in gravy (Schweinhaxen), or even more sausages. Throughout the day, visitors who feel the pang of drunken hunger can snack on pretzels, roasted almonds or a traditional shredded pancake dish called Kaiserschmarrn.
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A marching band walks through the street during the Brewers’ Parade at the start of the festival © Jesus Fernandez / Shutterstock
If you can still move after all that beer and food, the festival also has various amusement rides, traditional Bavarian folk music shows, puppet shows and several parades to watch. Regulars have also started a tradition of rolling down a large hill while inebriated. Partake at your own risk.
To make sure you don’t make an Arsch of yourself at your first Oktoberfest, follow locals and regular attendee’s simple do’s and don’ts.
Make time to experience other parts of Bavaria’s culture on your Oktoberfest trip © S.Borisov / Shutterstock
Munich’s Hauptbahnhof, the central station, is a short walk from the Oktoberfest celebrations, or the nearest U-bahn stations are Theresienwiese or Schwanthalerhöhe. If you’re driving, it’s a good idea to leave your car at a Park & Ride or in a car park and use public transport to get to the festival.
The wonders of Oktoberfest have spread across Germany and across the globe. The second largest Oktoberfest celebration in the world is actually in Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada. You can also find similar copycat events in Berlin, Hannover, Blumenau, London, Pretoria, and countless cities in the United States.
If you want to try more of Germany’s famous beer, check out our guide to brewery hopping around the country. You could also take s
ome time to see more of Munich, Bavaria, and the stunning Black Forest.
This article was first published February 2019 and updated July 2023
Fri 07/28/23 • 18:34 pm
From September 16 to October 3, the largest folk festival in the world takes place on the Theresienwiese. At the 188th Oktoberfest this year, you can celebrate for a whole 18 days. The start will be the traditional tapping of the barrel by Mayor Dieter Reiter on September 16 at 12 noon in the Schottenhamel Festival Hall.
The festival site covers an area of 34.5 hectares. 898 companies have applied for Oktoberfest 2023. 474 businesses were approved this year, including 140 from the catering trade, 138 fairground businesses, 196 market traders and several service businesses. There will be 39 businesses at the Oidn Wiesn, 14 of which are gastronomic, 23 showmen’s shops and two market traders.
In the 17 festival halls with a total of around 120,000 seats, the special Oktoberfest beers from the six traditional Munich breweries Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten and Staatliches Hofbräuhaus are served with an original gravity of around 13 percent.
There is also a wide range of dishes from classic to vegan. A total of 39 gastronomic medium-sized and large companies invite you to celebrate. The price for a Mass Festbier varies between 12.60 and 14.90 euros. The average prices for non-alcoholic beverages are 10.04 euros per liter for table water, 11.65 euros for soft drinks and 11.17 euros for lemonade.
Oktoberfest boss Clemens Baumgärtner with his game avatar and Oktoberfest city councilor Anja Berger at the press conference. From 2024, the Oktoberfest will also be accessible digitally as a computer game. Photo: Tanja Wolff
The Oktoberfest changes every year. Even if there are no new marquees or innkeepers this year, a lot has happened. For the first time, hosts will have online portals where unused reservations can be exchanged or sold at the original price. An important step to push back the gray market, where thousands of euros were often asked for a table. 20 medium-sized and large gastronomic businesses have already opted for the Oktoberfest-Booking.com portal as a solution.
At the Oktoberfest 2023, the menu requirement when reserving a table in the festival halls is also off the table. The decision to allocate a reservation can no longer depend on the selection of a menu. The minimum consumption in the main aisles of the tents is usually two liters of beer and half a roast chicken. In the boxes and galleries, a consumption voucher of 15 euros is added. There are special rules for the Käfer-Wiesn-Schänke and the Weinzelt.
More service for the guests: for the first time there will be information stands at three important points on the festival site, near the main entrance, on Schaustellerstrasse and on Matthias-PschorrSeite 2 Strasse. The official Oktoberfest souvenirs, such as the Oktoberfest mug, the Oktoberfest poster and badges can also be purchased there. If you want to equip yourself before your visit, you can purchase the products online in the official Oktoberfest shop at www.oktoberfest-shop.eu.
A novelty regulation ensures that the Munich Oktoberfest remains attractive for innovations in the field of rides and entertainment shops. In this way, the festival can assert its attraction between tradition and modernity. In 2023, Wiesn fans can look forward to a new ride and two new running shops:
At the “Mr. Gravity” ten gondolas for two people rotate on a disc. The disc is mounted on an arm that can also rotate in both directions. It can be extended up to a height of 20 meters. At full height, the disc is then almost vertical. During the journey, speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour are reached (Schausteller Street No. 42).
On the two floors of the “Crazy Outback” running store, there is a koala washing station and a kangaroo boxing school, for example. A labyrinth, wobbly stairs, corridors with a vibrating floor, light shows and much more make the running shop an experience for the whole family. Children from the age of seven may travel unaccompanied by an adult. For younger children whose companions do not dare to go to the Crazy Outback, the shop offers a kids guide who will walk them through the shop (Str. 4 No. 18).
The “Crazy Island” running course takes guests to the Caribbean. With its five floors, it is Germany’s largest adventure running store. There are over 50 obstacles to overcome. The show and amusement store impresses with a large water basin of 290 square meters over a front length of 29 meters. There is also a 10 meter high waterfall under an LED multi-screen wall, four-dimensional effects and a suspension bridge between floors. Children from the age of two can participate, children under the age of two can be taken along free of charge by an accompanying adult (Str. 3 East No. 7).
The “Münchner Weinstub’n” is new in the gastronomy sector. The standing tavern is made of real wood, the alpine hut style is intended to create a “grey” feel-good atmosphere. Various wines that have been awarded the “Bio-Bavaria” seal are on offer (Str.3 Ost No. 9).
There are five anniversaries at the Oktoberfest 2023: 99 years of Krinoline, 50 years of Käfer Schänke, 40 years of joke photography by Christopher Doherty (Oide Wiesn), 20 years of the Sichere Wiesn campaign and the 15,000 beheadings at the Schichtl play. Construction site tours on the Theresienwiese again This year, Munich Tourism is once again offering construction site tours with official guides at the weekends, opening the gates to the large construction site exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays. at 9.30 a.m. and at 12 p.m. The first tour started on July 29, the last tour on August 27.
The Oktoberfest also fits into the global trend and will focus on organic food in 2023. While in 2015 only two large festival tents had organic dishes on the menu, this year organic dishes will be found in almost all large tents. The vegetarian and vegan range has also been expanded compared to the previous year. With a selection of 80 dishes, almost every tent offers vegan and vegetarian alternatives. The Käfer-Wiesn-Schänke (twelve vegetarian and four vegan dishes) are the front-runners, followed by Kufflers Weinzelt and the Schottenhamel festival hall, each with eight vegan or vegetarian dishes. As early as 1997, the Oktoberfest was awarded the federal project prize for “environmental guidelines for major events”, the so-called “ÖkoOscar”.
Even today, the largest folk festival in the world sets standards in the implementation of environmentally friendly and ecologically relevant measures at major events: waste reduction, water recycling, use of M-green electricity and food from certified organic cultivation and species-appropriate animal husbandry. In 2023, 15 of the large marquees will be using green electricity. Water recycling is already available in eight tents. Three tents are completely climate-neutral, including Kufflers Weinzelt, which this year is declaring war on food waste in cooperation with “United Against Waste e.V.” In practice, this means the daily measurement and analysis of food waste during the Oktoberfest. After an evaluation, measures can then be implemented for the next year.
As early as 1997, the Oktoberfest was awarded the federal project prize for “environmental guidelines for major events”, the so-called “ÖkoOscar”. Even today, the largest folk festival in the world sets standards in the implementation of environmentally friendly and ecologically relevant measures at major events: waste reduction, water recycling, use of M-green electricity and food from certified organic cultivation and species-appropriate animal husbandry.
In 2023, 15 of the large marquees will be using green electricity. Water recycling is already av
ailable in eight tents. Three tents are completely climate-neutral, including Kufflers Weinzelt, which this year is declaring war on food waste in cooperation with “United Against Waste e.V.” In practice, this means the daily measurement and analysis of food waste during the Oktoberfest. After an evaluation, measures can then be implemented for the next year.
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