Held over two weeks prior to the end of September and ending on the first Sunday of October, Oktoberfest is the annual 189th celebration. The festival was first celebrated in 1810 celebrating the marriage festivities of Crown Prince in Bavaria. 

In this article, you will find the dates, venues, events and more facts about the largest funfair in the world. 

A Little Sneak Peak from History 

Germany’s Oktoberfest event is much more than a folk festival. Wearing the same clothes, and enjoying the same kind of beer and traditional food, helps you to blend in with the local culture. 

Let’s explore a little bit chunks of the history behind celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. 

1810: this festival is all about celebrating the marriage festivities of the Crown Prince Ludwig who also became King Ludwig I after marrying Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghosen on the grounds of Munich on 12th October 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to enjoy the wedding festivities held on Munich’s field, in front of The City Gate. The marriage festival concluded five days later by racing a horse in an open area of the field, now also known as Theresienwiese (meaning “There’s Green”).  The horse racing in the presence of the whole royal family marked the end of the events that were celebrated as a festival in the whole of Germany. 

  • 1811: the following year, horse racing was combined with an agricultural fair. 
  • 1818: booths of beer stalls and food were set up; it was also the same year when the first carousel and two swings were introduced. 
  • 1896: later with the extent popularity of the event, beer halls and tents were introduced by the authorities. 
  • 1950: by the late 20th century, these beer tents were developed into large plywood beer halls. To provide more space for locals and visitors, these halls had interior balconies and bandstands. Each of Munich’s brewers took a stand on one of the temporary stands and provided seats for almost 6,000. In the same year, Germany’s Oktoberfest festivities were started by the tapping of the first keg on the barrel in the Schottenhamel Tent by the Mayor of the city. 
  • 2010: in the 21st century, it was the first time the historic event Oktoberfest was celebrated at the south end of the Theresienwiese with festival beer tents, food stalls, carnival rides, historic rides and many other attractions too.

Highlights at the Oktoberfest 2023

With almost 6 million visitors a year, Oktoberfest is the largest public festival that is celebrated worldwide. With traditional Lederhosen and dirndl, Oktoberfest festivities highlight the celebration of Bavarian traditions with Germany’s street food, old Munich beer halls & tents, the annual parade, countless rides, music nights and many other attractions. In addition, the whole world including Germany’s locals come together to celebrate the almost 17 large and 21 small events of Oktoberfest. 

In 2023, all the landlords and largest brewer companies make a grand entry to attend the opening of the beer tab ceremony. Last year, the annual traditional Oktoberfest costume parade was held on the first Sunday of October. 

According to reports by Forbes, almost 7.2 million people gathered together on the grounds of Munich to celebrate 2023’s Oktoberfest. Are you planning to experience Germany’s Oktoberfest this year? If yes then make a reservation for a seat or table (if planning to visit the festival with friends) at the festival beer tents in advance. 

Oktoberfest Munich 2024 

August is already here, what are you waiting for? Have you purchased a traditional German outfit to attend the festivities of Oktoberfest 2024 in Munich? 

Info for Visitors _ Dates, Venues and Events 

In this section of the article, we have compiled the important information that you should know before attending the Oktoberfest 2024. 

 If October’s first Sunday is on 1 or 2 dates then the Oktoberfest festival is held annually on 16th September. In this case, Oktoberfest is extended and 3rd October is also included in the holidays (it’s a national public holiday in Germany). This year Oktoberfest will be celebrated on the 21st of September and the festivities will continue till October 6th. 

Venues, dates and events & Opening Hours: 

In the big festival tents, the beer is served till 10:30 pm and in the small tents until 11:00 pm—beer tents and food stalls close at 11:30 pm everywhere. 

If you are in the mood to enjoy Munich beer in a cosy club or a restaurant then Kufflers Weinzelt and Käfer Wies'n-Schänke serves beer until 00:30 am and closes at 01:00 am. 

You can enjoy Germany’s historic “Oide Wisen” Oktoberfest event daily from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm. 

Special timings on the opening day of the festival is 10:00 am and beer is served from noon. 

The official kickstart of the Oktoberfest festival on 21st October will happen after the historic parade of great landlords and brewers of Munich. 

Mayor Dieter Reiter will perform the opening and tapping the barrel ritual to start the festivities. 

Thousands of locals and visitors participate in the costume and hunter’s parade through City Center on 22nd September 2024. 

Attend the musical events and landlords' music concerts on the second Sunday of the Oktoberfest. 

On the inauguration day, the carnival rides and food stalls open from 12:00 am until 12:00 pm. From Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm, on Fridays and Mondays, enjoy Oktoberfest events from 10:00 am until midnight. On 2nd October, festivities start from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. On Weekends participate in Oktoberfest celebrations from 09:00 am until 11:30 pm. 

Enjoy final gun salutes at Bavaria on the last day (6th October 2024) of the Oktoberfest. 

Important Note: Purchase your Oktoberfest Outfits (including Lederhosen, Bundhosen, Dirndl and other accessories) beforehand because you cannot find these things at the stalls during the festival. 

Final Words

Whether you are looking forward to enjoying your roasted chicken with a traditional beer glass or just participating in the Oktoberfest event for music nights and rides, everything depends on the timing. Take notes of the timings of the festival because these places get crowded in no time.