History of Oktoberfest - Munich, Bavaria, Germany Oktoberfest takes place very centrally in Munich: on the so-called Theresienwiese, a mostly empty space of about 100 acres, not far from the Old Town and in the middle of Munich's Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt district. A Complete Guide to Attending Oktoberfest (Updated 2023) I spent 5 days at Oktoberfest. For Oktoberfest 2024 youll also need to budget for: Oktoberfest Food Each tent offers their own menu options with their own prices but you can expect to spend between 10 30 on a meal with a standard chicken being around 15 (though, lets face it, those things are priceless). Theyre worn over a handsome button-up, plaid or otherwise, and worn with some thick knee socks and simple loafers. Oktoberfest: German festival takes new form amid COVID-19 pandemic IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not drive to Oktoberfest. It's best to travel to the festival from your accommodation in the clothes you want to wear since no large bags are allowed inside the grounds. Maybe someday *sigh*. Tons of stuff, actually. Check out this complete guide for all the stuff you need to know before you go, >>> How to Dress for Oktoberfest: A Complete Guide <<<. Oktoberfest Munich, Germany is the worlds largest celebration of Bavarian culture the area of Bavaria being the southeast corner of Germany famous for beers, brats, and its use of bustiers. The list is endless, obviously, because we wont shut up about it. During your time at Oktoberfest, dont miss out on any (or all, you go getter, you) of these special events: These take place on the well, the first and last days of Oktoberfest but unless youve already started drinking today, you probably knew that. In fact, arriving early means you don't get trapped in queues right outside of the subway station. Oh, so you want to just show up on a Saturday night and party your dumplings off? Oktoberfest is Germany's most popular festival and the biggest beer festival in the world. The Munich, Germany, festival actually begins in September and typically runs between 16 and 18 days, ending on the first Sunday of October, around the time of German Unity Day (October 3). However, there are a few standout years with events - good or bad - that deserve extra mention: Bei Anmeldung erklrt ihr euch mit der Datenschutzbestimmung von muenchen.de einverstanden. The Oktoberfest or "Wiesn", as the locals affectionately call their folk festival, is an integral part of Munich tradition. Once you have a seat, you might be tempted to stay put and guard it. DAYS 09 HOURS 47 MINUTES until 188th Munich Oktoberfest Oktoberfest: News and promotions The beer price at Oktoberfest 2023 How much a liter of beer will cost at the Oktoberfest read more Oktoberfest motif competition 2023 The winner has been chosen! Generous folks they were, they invited the citizens of Munich to attend the celebration on the fields outside the city gateswhat we know today as theTheresienwieseand the rest ishistoryOktoberfest. The festival concluded five days later with a horse race held in an open area that came to be called Theresienwiese (Thereses green). This is a short guide that will walk you through where in Munich Oktoberfest is held, and the best/easiest ways to get there. The Oktoberfest youll experience today is much different from the Oktoberfests of yore. From Munichs main airport, you can easily catch a direct train into the city centre on the S1 and S8 S-Bahn trains. Many Germans will wear their traditional clothing throughout the city, even if they're not going to Oktoberfest that day. So, check out all the following options/tips for arriving at Munichs Oktoberfest location. From Memmingen, an express shuttle to Munich centre starts at 15 each way. Today, beer, tents and chicken are known worldwide, but do you know the . Today, that means only beer from Munichs Big 6Hacker Pschorr, Spaten, Hofbru, Augustiner, Paulaner, and Lwenbruand it just doesnt get any better. Crowds Pour in for Oktoberfest After Two Years of Pandemic Closures Swings, you guys. The weeks-long tradition dates back hundreds of years. Do I need a reservation for the beer tents? During the week, and especially during the day during the week, is going to be the easiest time to find a seat, eat some meat, and drink a beer. Prost! Because Oktoberfest is based on days, not dates, when exactly Oktoberfest takes place is different every year. Erin Porter is a freelance writer who has been covering Germany since she moved to Berlin in 2007. What you should budget for Oktoberfest 2024 is largely based on how much you can consume butgood news!getting into the festival and the beer tents is totally, completely, 100% free. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. We may or may not know this from experience. Rest assured that you'll be able to join in on at least one song. If we knew that wed be out playing the lottery somewhere, now wouldnt we? Many will love it, many will hate it. and ends on the first Sunday of October. (Sorry, thats a huge mouthful). Here, historical rides and three small, quieter beer tents await you for one euro admission. The city's oldest breweries date back to the Middle Ages -Weihenstephan Monastery just outside of Munich founded its brewery in 1040, making it the oldest in the world; andAugustiner-Bruin the city centre was established in 1328. When booking trains, look for final stops in Munichs Hauptbahnhof. Classic. Other entertainment includes games, amusement rides, music, and dancing. Oktoberfests in Orange County | Enjoy OC From fresh approaches in fashion to exciting experiments in the kitchen: an overview. We didnt even mention all the day trips to places like Neuschwanstein and Salzburg, Austria. Compared to the size of the beer booths of yore, todays Oktoberfest beer tents are simply laughablenow holding anywhere between 5,000 11,000 thirsty festival goers! Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The beer at Oktoberfest comes from several storied Munich breweries like Augustiner, Paulaner, and Spaten. Sadly, a litre of water or whatever other non-alcoholic beverage you want (you feeling okay?) General seating fills up as the day goes on, so it would be wise to reserve a table for at least part of your stay. Each of the Munich brewers erects one of the temporary structures, with seating capacities of some 6,000. Discover what all the fuss is about! From the Memmingen airport, there is a shuttle to Munichs main train station (Hauptbahnhof) several times a day, adjusted to coincide with flight arrivals. ), bowling alleys, carnival booths, parades, and swings. A visit of the famous law library is also included! And most of all, youll drink fabulous beer and eat some of the best food youve ever had. So if youve got your eye on that Chairoplane, go on a family day. Oktoberfest in Munichruns for 3 weekends in (surprise!) This is the new Wiesn poster 2023 read more Oktoberfest receives German Design Award Oktoberfest, annual festival in Munich, Germany, held over a two-week period and ending on the first Sunday in October. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Munichs vast public transportation network consists of underground trains, suburban rail lines, overground trams, and buses. Regardless of which type of public transportation you use while in town for Oktoberfest, rest assured that its going to be fast, on time, cheap, well-lit, air conditioned, easy to locate, and just chock full of trachten. What to Eat at Oktoberfest (or Anytime in Munich) The food prices outside the tents are much lower than inside the tents. So beautiful was the parade of the landlords Many things are turned in from individual tents at the end of the day. When booking bus travel, look for final stops at Munichs main bus station, the ZOB, which does not stand for Zany Oktoberfest Buses, but we wish it did. 2023 Portal Mnchen Betriebs-GmbH & Co. KG - Made with by muenchen.de. Take the costumes seriously, and make sure you explore Theresienwiese beyond its six large tents. It's only right, then, that the Bavarian capital should play host to the world's largest and most famousVolksfest, or German beer festival and travelling funfair:Oktoberfest. In Munich, the Oktoberfest location is at Theresienwiese, or Festwiese as the locals call it. Updates? Datenschutz, Interessante Links zu Mnchen. Each of the six breweries makes their own and each beer tent serves only one kind. You can buy group passes if youre not riding alone, day passes for all those times you get lost, and multi-day passes since you cant go to Oktoberfest just once. ). Designed between 1843 and 1850 by Munich artist Ludwig Schwanthaler, who gives his name to a street very nearby, the statue was cast in bronze and commissioned by King Ludwig I a technical masterpiece. Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. Join us in the beer tents. Year on year, the festival grew and grew. Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward! OurMunich Oktoberfest guide has a handy interactive map with details. Alcohol and children don't normally mix, but Oktoberfest is actually a family-friendly event. The sad part being that there are people at Oktoberfest drinking non-alcoholic beverages. Dirndls consist of a long-ish dress over a white blouse and an apron, tied appropriately. Libations can be found in the 14 main beer tents, each offering its own distinctive party atmosphere. Paying with cash keeps your server happy and probably gets you your drinks faster. Nectar of the Gods, some call it. A modern subway has been built in the city. As the years passed and the celebrations continued (and grew), the decision was made to move the festival up to begin in September to allow for more favourable weather conditions. #funfacts, Lets get the obvious out of the way for the newbies: Oktoberfest takes place in Munich, Germany. The loss of Oktoberfest, which had been scheduled to run from Sept. 19 through Oct. 4, is a huge hit for the Bavarian city, which saw 6.3 million guests flood in last year for the festival's 186th . Okay, we'll help: Oktoberfest 2024 will commence at noon on Saturday September 21st and end on Sunday October 6th, 2024. General Information Oktoberfest in Munich It's the biggest and most famous beer festival in the world, and Munich has celebrated it since 1810. Bayern Munich's 2023/24 third kitlooks like it's from 2013/14 The best Wiesn histories are tales of friendship and love, inebriation and generosity. Don't waste precious party time standing in the queue. Other events happen here too: For example, Springfest or, in winter, the Tollwood Festival. Nomadic Matt's Travel Site Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer Search for: About Blog Latest Posts Where to Stay in Tokyo: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit When they take place, what you can expect, and the best place for you to see everything. You can also have a very leisurely time at the Oktoberfest. Guided tours, guest cards and more Join us on the famous balcony of the New Town Hall, where FC Bayern has celebrated a triumph many times - and enjoy the beautiful view over Marienplatz. *FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Whats so special about this world-famous meadow and where exactly do you find it in Munich? Also, never pay for entry or a table reservation both are completely free to all patrons. We photographed nine visitors to the Oktoberfest and asked a panel of experts to judge their traditional outfits. The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Bayern Munich's 2023 Oktoberfest kit leaked green is the new black (However we recommend both and every day in between. Rachael Davies. and only 20 percent of the items are collected again ), All the Best Tents at Oktoberfest in Munich (Ranked! The Oktoberfest or "Wiesn", as the locals affectionately call their folk festival, is an integral part of Munich tradition. okay, kidding) and if that isnt the sign of a good time, we dont know what is. so click on that link and worry no more. Let's go! Where to Buy Lederhosen & Dirndls for Oktoberfest: in Munich & Online Know you can also buy group tickets, day passes, multi-day passes, etc. As has always been the rule, the only beer served at Oktoberfest Munich in Germany must be brewed within the city limits. Today, Germany's largest folk festival and one of the most famous beer festivals in the world normally welcomes over six million visitors. Oktoberfest.de - The official Oktoberfest 2023 Website Forget. Calm down. And heres where the EURO start flying, rap video style. Instead of horse races youll see horse carriages pulling beer through the town. To eat. They enforce a strict no smoking policy inside the beer tents at Oktoberfest but each tent typically has its own designated smoking area (on the outside of the tent). They can be shorts or knee-length and are attached to suspenders that connect across the chest. 2023 Portal Mnchen Betriebs GmbH & Co. KG - Ein Service der Landeshauptstadt Mnchen und der Stadtwerke Mnchen GmbH, The Oktoberfest in Munich through the ages: historical facts. What are the dancing rules? If you're trying to coordinate logistics for a group of more than four people, you're inevitably going to lose someone in the mayhem, and you'll likely never find enough seats for everyone. The traditional German clothing, known as tracht, of dirndls and lederhosen aren't just Oktoberfest costumes. The first Oktoberfest - literally meaning "October festival" - was held in 1810 in celebration of the marriage ofKing Ludwig I of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Three fairground operators about their favourite Oktoberfest experiences. Move around and see everything that the festival has to offer, even if you're having a good time where you are. The capacity of these small tents ranges from 60-900. But youre wrong! Lasting between 16 and 18 days every September and October, Oktoberfest is held on festival grounds called Theresienwiese, named after the princess who got married there over 200 years ago. Typically, calmer patrons go there for a more relaxed experience. There are a few ways to go about this, and if done right, you should have no problem at all getting your butt on a bench. Easy, right? If this upcoming Fest will be your first, youve come to the perfect place to get all the necessary information for starting out. The larger beer tents have restrooms all their own with loads of stalls and rarely a long wait. Millions of visitors travel thousands of miles to Munich each year to experience their share of the 2-week long festival. Hostel beds generally start at $50. And you cant forget about the most popular Oktoberfest food of all a Bavarian soft pretzel the size of your face. Munich is served by two major airportsthe main one (Flughafen Mnchen), and the cheaper, more out of the way but still accessible one (Allgu-Airport Memmingen). While low points saw it being cancelled due to war, disease and inflation on 24 occasions and used by the Nazis as propaganda during the war years;today it is one of Munich's biggest tourist attractions, while still being a tradition close to locals' hearts too. Autobahnen (expressways) from Stuttgart, Nrnberg, and Salzburg converge on the city. There are actually two designated family days at Oktoberfest during which all rides and performances are discounted. Theres no time like the present to start planning forMunichs Oktoberfest. What Is the Difference between Oktoberfests, Mrzens, and Festbiers? To list all the routes and prices would take up about a year of your life and totality of your internet cache so well let you figure that out on your own. From the parade of Oktoberfest landlords through to tapping at the Schottenhamel tent and gun salutes:Here you can find out everything about the events and dates at Oktoberfest 2023 from September 16 to October 3. This five-day wedding celebration was mostly about a horse race but, cmon, youknowthere was beer there. Construction begins as early as July, around ten weeks before the start. Oktoberfest Dates 2023 & 2024. When is Oktoberfest in Munich Germany? (A true ma-kicking, if you will.). Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower. And fans of the . This is most easily done in the morning when the tents open and on weekdays versus Fridays and weekends. But dont take our word for it: each year around 6 million people discover this for themselves. So really, how much your trachten costs largely depends on how much you want it to cost. The closer you get to the Theresienwiese, the more youre going to pay. Munich has some of the best public transportation in the world so do your best to leave renting a car out of the Oktoberfest equation. Many don't realize that beer is considered both a beverage and a food (known as "liquid bread") in Bavaria, so you can start drinking it whenever you like. Copyright 2019 All Right Reserved, Thirsty Swagman Pty Ltd, 2024 Oktoberfest beer tent construction here, Oktoberfest dates and key days to attend the festival here. In the beer tents you can order soft drinks, water, and juice. Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany dates back to October 12, 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig married that babe Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. (This is key! A full list of the Oktoberfest 2023 beer prices will be available here in June 2023. For more tips on Munichs public transport system, be sure to read this guide. Guide to Oktoberfest Beer Tents Every year from September to October, the Theresienwiese is the venue for more than two weeks of toasting and celebrating. Obviously, the thrill-ier and more popular, the more expensive. Oktoberfest | simply Munich A number of U.S. cities, particularly those with large German American populations, hold Oktoberfests modeled on the original in Munich. Discover why they called him the "Mad King"! Browse 60,871 authentic oktoberfest stock photos, high-res images, and pictures, or explore additional oktoberfest background or oktoberfest food stock images to find the right photo at the right size and resolution for your project. The history of Oktoberfest really boils down to a single wedding, one that has been celebrated for over 200 years now. Munichs iconic Oktoberfest takes place at Theresienwiese, a massive open space that spans 420,000 square metres in MunichsLudwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt neighbourhood. Can I smoke in the beer tents? Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: The official Oktoberfest poster 2023 is available in our shop. This all depends on your level of planning, determination, and your propensity for drinking beer before noon. Maybe youre into. (This is part of the reason we advocate for visiting Oktoberfest with a tour group!). If you do want to stay at a hotel during Oktoberfest, here is my vetted list of well-rated hotels within walking distance to Theresienwiese: Basic Information You Must Know About Oktoberfest Oktoberfest dates and hours: You can either join us in the beer tents for a few Steins or if you're up for a bit more adventure then come party with us on our flagship Beer or Bust tour. We look forward to seeing you again in Munich. As the sun goes down though, the electronic music comes on, the volume goes up and all those steins begin to take effect, bringing a youthful party atmosphere to the event. Munich chef Sven Christ shows how to make Oktoberfest specialities - such as a roast chicken with potato salad. From the city centre, this usually costs about 40 euros one way, although its up to you to negotiate a fair price with your guy. Know about the history of the annual festival of Oktoberfest held in Munich, Germany, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oktoberfest, muenchen.de - All info about the Oktoberfest in Munich, Discover the history of the Oktoberfest celebration in Munich, Germany. ), How to Plan the Perfect Oktoberfest Trip (Step by Step! Rich, rustic, and hearty, eating is half the fun during the festival. Oktoberfest 2023: All events and dates Oktoberfest.de - The Official Its never too early to start planning for a trip to Oktoberfest especially when September 2024 is so damn close! Oh, did we forget to mention theres an Oktoberfest crossbow shooting competition? See below for the location of Theresienwiese. Normally, people don't even need them since there are plenty of places to show up on the day. Gotcha! Corrections? For Oktoberfest 2024 (and every other Oktoberfest celebration, to be exact) traditional Bavarian garb is what you should be wearing. As with the majority of major European cities, Munich is accessible via a wide array of trains and buses from almost anywhere on the continent. This website is property of Civitatis Tours SL. There are plenty of carnival games, rides, and roller-coasters to try out, and they're good fun. It's fun to know the words to a few of these songs, but it's not completely necessary. We hope to See you In Munich for Oktoberfest 2023. It's not just the good beer that's to blame, but also the very special atmosphere at the world's largest folk festival. If you don't want to invest in proper tracht, kit out your look with a feathered hat or another authentic accessory that you can buy around the festival grounds.