Celebrate with us at Oktoberfest 2024!
Whether you’re a beer lover or just want to have a good time on the weekend, Oktoberfest has everything you need. From traditional German food and beer kegs to live music and dancing, celebrate in the most festive way possible. Come celebrate with us at Oktoberfest!
The Oktoberfest in Munich
The Bavarian capital of Munich is famous for its history, its culture, all the beer halls and, of course, the annual Oktoberfest. The world’s largest folk festival attracts beer lovers from all over the world to this traditional Bavarian celebration.
According to the annual custom, the Oktoberfest begins with the tapping of the barrel by the mayor of Munich to the cheers of the expectant crowd. This year (the first day of Oktoberfest falls on Saturday, September 21st. Once the keg is tapped, the spectacle is open to all guests. On October 6th, it concludes with another traditional ceremony.
Every year, millions of fun-loving people from Germany and around the world gather to be part of this grandiose celebration of Bavarian culture and hospitality together. Where else but in Munich?
The origins of the Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest originated from the festivities held in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The people of Munich liked it so much that the party was repeated in the next as well as in the following years and grew steadily. Thus it gradually became the world-famous folk festival that is so typical of Munich today and is often mentioned in the same breath as the city.
While the Oktoberfest has now become a gigantic, world-famous folk festival, the people of Munich still affectionately call it the Wiesn or Wiesn, after the venue of the first celebrations on the Theresienwiese.
Over the years, it has been moved earlier and earlier into September to allow people to enjoy the warm late summer evenings. This way, when the weather is better, visitors are able to wander around outside and marvel at all the attractions. However, Oktoberfest always ends at the beginning of October, a symbolic reference to the period in which it was first held.
Modern Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is famed for being a festival with lively singing, dancing and drinking (in costume) in its beer halls or tents, but there is much more to enjoy than simply beer and great company. Along with traditional foods and music there are also fairground attractions and rides to enjoy.
Why not take the chance to sample mouth-watering traditional Bavarian food including roast pork, chickens, enormous pretzels, gingerbread hearts and much more? This is also a great opportunity to hear live ‘oom pah’ music performed by traditional Bavarian brass bands, enjoy the fairground attractions and sideshows. This is a celebration suitable for the whole family (children are welcome in tents until 8pm).
Traditional Shows
The Costume and Riflemen’s Parade which is held on Sunday the 22nd September 2024 should not be missed! This colourful spectacle winds through the streets of Munich in front of crowds, who gather to cheer those dressed proudly in traditional Bavarian lederhosen or dirndl along the route to the festival site.
The Beer Tents
Entrance to the festival is free but the 14 tents fill up early in the day, so going early is advised although you can reserve seating in tents in advance. Such is the popularity of Munich’s Oktoberfest that booking accommodation in advance is essential – the whole city is filled with beer lovers for this annual event and prices can be very high.
Beer tents opening hours for 2024:
The opening day Noon-22.30
During weekday tents are open 10.00 – 22.30
At weekends and during holidays 9.00 – 22.30
Daily closing 00.30 Käfers Wiesnschänke tent and Kufflers Weinzel tent open until 1.00 am
