Oktoberfest Origins: German Or Bavarian Festival?

Oktoberfest is a beer festival held annually in Munich, Germany, and is the world's largest Volksfest, attracting more than seven million international and national visitors. It is a celebration of Bavarian culture, with traditional Bavarian food, music, and dress. However, it is not a German tradition, but a Bavarian one, and is mostly celebrated by Bavarians and tourists. The festival originated in 1810 when the citizens of Munich were invited to attend festivities celebrating the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, later King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

Oktoberfest is a beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria

Over time, the booths developed into large beer halls made of plywood, with interior balconies and bandstands. Each of the Munich brewers erects one of these temporary structures, with seating capacities of around 6,000. The mayor of Munich taps the first keg to open the festival, and total beer consumption during Oktoberfest is upwards of 75,800 hectolitres (about 2 million gallons). The breweries are also represented in parades that feature beer wagons, floats, and people in folk costumes.

Other entertainment at Oktoberfest includes games, amusement rides, music, and dancing. Inside the tents, visitors can enjoy traditional Oktoberfest fare: lots of hearty food, traditional music, large decorated tents, friendly people, large steins of beer, and a communal happy atmosphere that breeds friendship and joy. Outside the tents, there is a carnival atmosphere with games, rides, and even haunted houses.

The festival usually runs from late September to the first weekend in October, ending on the first Sunday in October or, if that falls before 3 October (German Unity Day), it is extended until then. In 2024, the festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It originated in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, later King Louis I, to Princess Therese

Oktoberfest is a Bavarian tradition, and it originated in 1810 with a five-day celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, later King Louis I, to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on 12 October, the name day of the king's father, and included a horse race, free food and drink for the people of Munich, and a parade. The fields where the celebrations took place were renamed Theresienwiese ("Theresa's Meadow") in honour of the Crown Princess, and the horse race was repeated in subsequent years, giving rise to the annual Oktoberfest tradition.

The first Oktoberfest was a grand affair, with the whole city of Munich illuminated for the occasion. The royal wedding was celebrated with a mass in the Court Chapel of the Munich Residenz, followed by a great public celebration. The people of Munich were invited to join in the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates, and the upper 6000 were invited to dance and eat in four restaurants. For everyone else, there was outdoor entertainment, including music, and free food and drink.

The horse race, which took place on 17 October, was the culmination of the festivities. It was held on the still-nameless Theresienwiese, and was attended by 40,000 spectators. The race was preceded by a procession of 16 children dressed in traditional costumes, and a choir performance by students. The first horse to cross the finish line belonged to Franz Baumgartner, a coachman and sergeant in the National Guard, and one of the purported festival initiators.

The decision to repeat the horse races, spectacle, and celebrations in 1811 launched what is now the annual Oktoberfest tradition. Over the years, various attractions and events have been added, including carnival booths, agricultural shows, and parades. Today, Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world, attracting more than seven million international and national visitors.

It is the world's largest Volksfest, attracting more than 6 million visitors each year

Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest, attracting more than 6 million visitors each year. The festival is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, and runs from mid- or late September to the first Sunday in October. The festival originated in 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese, and the citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities. The festival has been held every year since, apart from 26 years when it was cancelled due to war, disease, and other reasons.

The festival is a celebration of Bavarian culture and attracts visitors from all over the world. It features a beer festival and a travelling carnival, with large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer being consumed – in 2014, 7.7 million litres were served. Visitors also enjoy numerous attractions, such as amusement rides, side stalls, and games, as well as a wide variety of traditional foods.

The festival grounds, known as the Theresienwiese, cover 42 hectares and include 14 large tents and 20 small tents. The tents are owned by one of the Big 6 breweries or by private owners, and each has its own personality and brand of fun. The tents are free to enter, but beer and food can be expensive, with beers typically costing around 12-13 EUR and most meals costing 12-20 EUR.

The opening ceremony of Oktoberfest takes place inside the Schottenhamel tent, where the Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first keg and shouts, "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!"). The closing ceremony takes place in the Hacker-Pschorr tent, with singing and sparklers. Other special events during the festival include parades, a traditional costume parade, an outdoor concert of brass bands, and a gun salute marking the end of Oktoberfest.

Accommodation during Oktoberfest can be hard to find and expensive, with hotels booking up a year in advance in some places. Visitors are advised to book early and look for hotels close to the festival grounds or with good public transport connections.

The festival features a beer festival and a travelling carnival with rides, games, and food

The festival features a travelling carnival, with over 80 amusement park rides and games, alongside the beer festival. The rides include the traditional Ferris Wheel, Swinging Carousel, Distel Bumper Cars, and multiple roller coasters, including the Olympia Looping roller coaster, a favourite. There's also the Feldl's Teufelsrad, a cult ride that's not technologically advanced but is a group event where participants sit on a spinning platform and attempt to hold on to the ride or each other while a lasso or flying ball tries to knock them off. The Motodrom is another favourite, where motorcyclists ride sideways on steep sloping walls.

There's also the Jumanji funhouse, a three-storey maze where you work your way through a jungle test, defying fear and challenging your balance.

The carnival booths feature traditional and lesser-known spectacles, including the traditional bird-whistling booth, where you can purchase your own bird whistle and learn how to use it. There's also the "Be Marilyn" photo booth, where you can pose for a photoshoot with powerful winds kicking up your dress to capture the iconic look of Marilyn Monroe's wafting dress.

There's also the Gluckshafen Raffle, which was created in the early years of Oktoberfest to ensure poorer people could participate in the festivities. The raffle has transformed over the years, with prizes now including stuffed animals and entertaining toys.

Traditional Bavarian clothes are worn, including lederhosen for men and dirndls for women

Traditional Bavarian clothing is worn at Oktoberfest, including lederhosen for men and dirndls for women. Lederhosen are made from genuine leather sourced from deerskin, goatskin, or cowhide, offering durability and ease of movement. They come in various lengths, with short lederhosen suitable for hiking or outdoor activities, and knee-length Bundhosen providing warmth during the cold Oktoberfest breeze.

The dirndl is a feminine dress that originated in German-speaking Alpine areas. It consists of a close-fitting bodice with a low neckline, a blouse, a wide high-waisted skirt, and an apron. The bodice is typically made from heavy cotton, while the skirt is full with folds gathered at the waist. The blouse is cropped above the midriff, with short puff sleeves. The apron is narrow, covering only the front of the skirt.

Both lederhosen and dirndls are available in a variety of colours and styles, with traditional hues such as brown, green, and black, as well as more modern combinations. They feature intricate embroidery and authentic Alpine motifs, reflecting Bavarian culture.

In addition to lederhosen and dirndls, men often wear Bavarian hats, and women may accessorise their dirndls with jewellery, including necklaces, earrings, and chokers.

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