Munich, the capital city of Bavaria, Germany, is a world-renowned tourist destination known for its yearly festival—Munich Oktoberfest Germany. It is one of the massive celebrations for which people travel miles from across different parts of the world. This year, the 189th Oktoberfest is about to occur between September 21 and October 6, 2024, at Theresienwiese, the usual large field wherein the first-ever Oktoberfest occurred.

In this blog, we’ll educate you on the most important aspects of this festival—

• Where is it hosted?
• What is Oktoberfest and why is it celebrated?
• What exactly happens at the festival?
• Can people participate as families?
• And a lot more that you need to know before you plan the trip.

A brief note on the 1st Oktoberfest in 1810

Every year, Munich people celebrate Oktoberfest to remember and revere the Bavarian culture that dates back to the 1810s. The first Oktoberfest is the grand wedding celebration of Ludwig, the Crown Prince of Bavaria, to Princess Therese. All the Munich citizens were invited to join and celebrate the occasion with as much fun, music, dance, and beer as possible.

After the grand success, the Oktoberfest was planned every other year in the same place in Munich, near the city gates where the wedding originally occurred.

What happens at Oktoberfest in Munich?

Though most people know this two-week annual traditional event as a beer festival, in reality, it is much more than that. It includes amusements, attractions, showcases, parades, celebrations, etc. Notably, Theresienwiese is a vast land area (named after Princess Therese) and it can host millions of people.

Notably, the Opening and closing ceremonies are Special. Exclusively, two days are allocated as family days and one day as Gay Sunday. Moreover, one or two days are designated for religious mass to administer baptism. In addition, there are outdoor concerts, gun parties, etc., to explore.

When is Oktoberfest?

For this festivity, dates are not taken into consideration. Only days count—from Saturday to next Sunday. Usually, it begins in late September and ends in the week of October. The celebration lasts for around sixteen to eighteen days. As aforementioned, for Oktoberfest 2024, the dates marked are between September 21 (Saturday) and October 6 (Sunday).

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The most important part about these dates is the bookings or reservations. As people are more curious and excited to attend it every other year, stay or accommodation bookings happen well in advance—almost a year before. Thus, for the 2025 Oktoberfest, you may have to book hotels this year. For your kind information, the next year’s festival is marked between September 20 (Saturday) and October 5 (Sunday).

What’s special about Oktoberfest food and beer?

Firstly, let’s talk about the beer and then the food. In this Oktober Fest, there is a condition that the beer must be brewed only within the city limits of Munich. About six breweries brew their unique, traditional-style beer varieties adhering to the Reinheitsgebot Purity Law.

By default, each brewery serves only their beer in their tents. They do not include the varieties of other breweries or tents at any cost. Also, beer is sold in litres or mugs, which may seem heavy but are adequate for the seats at a table.

When it comes to food, all the dishes served in the tents stick to the Bavarian cuisine, which is mouth-watering and delicious without a doubt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oktoberfest in Munich free?

There is no entry fee for this festival. However, for you to enjoy the beer, you need to reserve your seats. By buying tickets and getting food tokens, you can perfectly relish the festival at its fullest. Also, there is no common ticketing for entertainment activities. You can choose to buy tickets only for specific ones of your interest or need. Besides, there are only accommodation and travel expenses.

Is Oktoberfest and German Reunification Day the same?

No, they are not the same. German Reunification, or Unity Day, is a national German holiday that celebrates the anniversary of German reunification that occurred in 1990. Every year, it is celebrated on the 3rd October. However, if the last part of the ‘Oktober Fest’ falls before this national holiday, i.e., the 3rd of October, the fest will get extended until then.

Is it worth going to Oktoberfest in Munich?

If you’re excited about or already a fan of the uniquely tasting beer offered at the time of Munich Fest, of course, it is worth traveling miles and attending the event. Nevertheless, every individual must make use of the chance to experience this massive travel carnival, witness the colorful beer tents, enjoy the extreme merriments, and discover the Bavarian heritage at least once in their lifetime.