Das Oktoberfest (the October festival) is probably one of the most well-known aspects of German culture and might just be the reason some people decide to learn German. But what exactly is the history of this celebration full of Lederhosen (leather pants) and Bier (beer)? We have put together this guide for you to learn everything about the traditions, the history, and tips to plan your visit to Munich so you are well-prepared to visit Oktoberfest in Germany.
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What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is a yearly celebration of Bavarian culture that takes place in Munich, Germany. The festival first took place in 1810 under King Ludwig and is known for having tons of food, beer, and traditional clothing. It is the biggest folk festival in the world with many unique events taking place during the two-and-a-half weeks of festivities.
The traditional opening ceremony starts with a bang as the mayor of Munich taps the first barrel of beer. But you might also love watching the parades of people in traditional clothing marching through the streets of München (Munich). You’ll hear brass bands playing and see decorated draft horses pulling large barrels of beer towards the Theresienwiese, the traditional venue of Oktoberfest.
But even outside of Munich, Oktoberfest is celebrated. There are local offshoots of the festival in a lot of German towns around the time it takes place in Munich. Even abroad you can find versions of the festival, such as Oktoberfest celebrations in some US cities like these: Bass Harbor, Maine; Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; Helen, Georgia; and Snowbird, Utah.
When is Oktoberfest celebrated?
You might be surprised to learn that some of the activities during Oktoberfest in Germany don’t actually take place in October. The vast majority of the two-and-a-half weeks of Oktoberfest are during the end of September, and it ends on the first weekend of October. So, why the earlier dates? Over the years, Oktoberfest got pushed earlier and earlier since the weather in September tended to be better and warmer, which meant more people wanted to join in.
The 2024 dates for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, are September 21st to October 6th.
How Oktoberfest started: history and origins
As with a few good holiday traditions, Oktoberfest began with a royal celebration. In 1810, crown prince Ludwig von Bayern married Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. To celebrate the union, locals put on a huge folk festival on the meadows outside Munich on the 17th of October that same year.
The highlight of the wedding celebrations was a horse race, and the festivities were enjoyed so much by the people that they decided to celebrate every fall. In honor of the bride, they named the meadow of the first fall festival Theresienwiese.
Over time, the duration of the festival grew longer and started earlier to enjoy the warmer September weather. Many of the aspects we associate with Oktoberfest nowadays began in the 19th century. Some of those long-standing traditions are that only breweries based in Munich are allowed to sell their beer and temporary buildings and tents need to be built for attendees like you to sit in.
What to expect when visiting Munich for Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest in Germany attracts millions of visitors each year with a new record of 7.2 million visitors in 2023! With numbers like that, it’s good to be prepared for crowds and plan accordingly. Munich’s Oktoberfest attracts lots of tourists from Europe and the US, but many locals also join in the festival and will show up in their traditional clothing.
Oktoberfest is a celebration of Bavarian culture, so you’ll enjoy a lot of hearty food and beer served in the tents withBavarian brass bands playing live music for the guests.
You don’t have to pay an entry fee or book reservations either, though you may want to. If you want to get a seat in a specific tent, you’ll have to reserve a spot in one beforehand. The only entry fee you have to pay is if you want to visit the Oide Wiesn (old meadows). This section of the festival will cost you an extra 4€ to check out more traditional and antique experiences. For instance, you’ll find a 100-year-old carousel, a motorcycle steepwall show, a museum tent in which you can drink and dine between historical objects, and much more.
But there is something on the Wiesn (colloquial term for Theresienwiese) for the thrillseekers as well. A large part of the festival grounds offers carnival rides of all kinds! For many visitors, the roller coasters, freefall towers, VR experiences, and other fun activities are some of the funnest highlights for families going to Oktoberfest in Munich.
Traditional clothing
You can’t talk about Germany’s Oktoberfest without talking about Dirndl (pronounced deern-d’l) and Lederhosen (pronounced LAY-der-hoh-zen). Both of these pieces of clothing were traditionally worn by peasants in southern Germany and other German-speaking alpine regions.
Today, you’ll see Germans wearing Dirndl and Lederhosen on special occasions such as weddings or Oktoberfest. But if you head to smaller villages in southern Germany, you’ll spot a few farmers wearing them as their traditional work outfits even today!
Lederhosen
The German garment known the world over as Lederhosen (leather pants) are traditionally made from deer leather. They are designed to be sturdy, since they were originally used by people working on farms and in the forest. Lederhosen are often decorated with motifs representing alpine nature, like flowers, leaves, and even animals at times. Traditional Lederhosen come with matching leather suspenders and a pocket made for holding a knife.
Dirndl
The Dirndl is the traditional southern German and Austrian dress. Originally worn by peasant women during everyday work, the dress is saved for special occasions today. Historically, you could tell where a woman was from based on the colors and patterns of her Dirndl as they varied between regions. In modern times, the color and pattern of the dress is purely up to personal choice and preference, so you might see one you like and buy it!
There’s another secret communication of the Dirndl, and it has to do with the placement of the bow around your hip. Is it on the left? That means you’re single. If it’s on the right, then you’re signaling that you’re married or in a serious relationship. If you wear the bow in the middle, then you’re saying you don’t want to disclose your relationship status.
Finally, if you put it in the middle of the back of your dress, you’ll indicate that you’re a widow. Today, for practical reasons, waitresses at Oktoberfest tend to wear the bow in the middle back to avoid getting it caught as they bustle through the crowds. Now you know how to tie your bow if you buy your own Dirndl on your visit to Munich for Oktoberfest!
Oktoberfest foods to try
Oktoberfest restaurants offer a wide variety of traditional German food and meals. Meatlovers will find everything they could ever wish for on the menu, but over the years, an increasing number of vegetarian and even vegan options have been added to cater to dietary needs. Below are some common food items you’ll find on the menus when visiting. If any of them whet your appetite make sure to learn how to order German food before visiting.
- Hendl is one of the classic meals to enjoy at Oktoberfest. The name is Bavarian for Hähnchen (chicken, only used when referring to meat not the animal). What you get is a sumptuous roast chicken baked in a soup made of root vegetables or on a rotisserie spit. You often get half a Hendl per portion.
- Gegrillter Oxen (grilled ox) is another staple of Oktoberfest. Ox is not something you’ll find in just any German restaurant, but on the Wiesn, you’ll find an entire restaurant dedicated to it.
- Leberkäse (liver cheese) has nothing to do with either liver or cheese. It is, in fact, a type of sausage and a staple of alpine cuisine. Leberkäse is long and rectangular and served as grilled slices with a variety of side dishes.
- Wiener Schnitzel (Viennese schnitzel) or Schnitzel Wiener Art (Viennese-style schnitzel) is a well-known meal from Austria. When in Germany, you’ll need to know the difference between the first and the second terms above, though. Wiener Schnitzel can only refer to something made out of calf meat while Schnitzel Wiener Art is made from pork that is treated the same way as the calf meat is. This distinction isn’t always followed outside of Germany and Austria though.
- Brezn is Bavarian for Brezel (pretzel). The fluffy and salty bread is a popular snack for in-between meals and does a great job at soaking up the beer you’re probably drinking.
- Wiesnherzn (meadow heart) is the name for the gingerbread hearts you can buy at Oktoberfest. These hearts often have sweet messages on them (written in Bavarian) to give to a loved one. They hang on a string and are worn around your neck.
Oktoberfest beer
Oktoberfestbier is a strong, sweet, and clear beer. There are only six breweries who are approved to sell beer during Oktoberfest—all of them are based in Munich.
The beer you’ll find during the Oktoberfest has between 5.8 and 6.3% alcohol. This high alcohol content, coupled with the fact you order your liquid gold by the Maß (1 liter) means that you probably won’t get to enjoy all six different kinds of Oktoberfestbier in one visit.
To correctly order a beer on the Oktoberfest you say Ich hätte gerne eine Maß. (“I would like a maß.”). It’s a German word that’s a feminine noun (die Maß) when used in this context, though you’d typically say das Maß when you’re referring to a single measurement of anything else.
Carnival rides at Oktoberfest
Some of the funnest activities for kids and adults are the classic and modern carnival rides to try out. Carnival rides may not be the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of “Oktoberfest,” but you can enjoy many exciting rides with a rich tradition that are tied to the festival.
- Teufelsrad (devil’s wheel) is just as popular to watch as it is to participate in. The attraction is a spinning disk that a group of people sit in the middle of and try to hold on for dear life. If they’re too good at holding on, the ride attendants will start throwing balls and ropes at the participants to try and get them to let go of the wheel. If you survive long enough you might just win a prize!
- Das Riesenrad (Ferris wheel) is a great opportunity to take in the entirety of the festival grounds from above and get a short break from the crowds on the ground. It makes for a fantastic spot to check out, especially at night when the carnival rides and city lights are glowing.
- Hupferl (roughly translated “little jumper”) is yet another spinning attraction that’s a classic Oktoberfest ride. You stand on the outer edge of a caged spinning disk. The force of the spinning presses people against the cushioned wall as the disk tilts and jumps. Definitely something to try before your first beer!
- Olympia Looping is the biggest mobile roller coaster in the world and another major ride at Oktoberfest. It’s easily recognisable by its trademark five loops in the olympic colors. You ride in small roller coaster cars and loop upside down through each ring.
@dw_berlinfresh Replying to @providencecat Watch until the end to see how long I lasted on the Teufelsrad at Oktoberfest!
♬ Cheerful accordion polka(887043) – 2strings(DW Reporter: Hallie Rawlinson) #oktoberfest #germany #wiesn #wiesn2023 #teufelsrad
Activities at Oktoberfest
For those looking for unique experiences, Oktoberfest activities will be unforgettable. Musical and artistic performances are as much a part of the festivities as beer and rides. Every big tent you can visit to wine and dine has a live band playing Blasmusik (brass music) to entertain you. But there are many other interesting things to do and places to visit as well!
- Das Original Motodrom (The Original Motodrom) has to be one of the most spectacular performances you can visit on the Wiesn. Performers on motorbikes and small cars drive in death-defying circles around a steep wall. The venue is from 1928 and as such has a unique, historical charm.
- Der Glückshafen (The Lucky Harbour) is a raffle stand with a rich tradition. It was first introduced in 1816 as a charity event and remains the same today. Every raffle ticket you buy is sold by the German Red Cross and the money helps contribute to local charities. So even if lady luck isn’t on your side and you didn’t get that big teddy bear, you can still feel good about your donation!
- Festzelt Tradition (Festival Tent Tradition) is where you’ll find the traditional Bavarian dances and other historical performances that keep the culture of Southern Germany alive.
- Münchner Marionettentheater (Munich Marionette Theater) has been a staple of culture in Munich—and by extension Oktoberfest—since 1858. Puppet theater has a rich history on German folk festivals and every year the Marionettentheater brings this tradition to the Wiesn every year.
First-time visitor’s guide to Oktoberfest
When planning your trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, there are a few things to keep in mind to make your trip successful and filled with the best memories.
Travel lightly
Not only is a big backpack bothersome to lug around all day in a big crowd, it’s also not allowed at the Oktoberfest. There are secure stations where you can leave and retrieve your bags, but it’s better to plan ahead and only have what you really need on your person. Small purses and miniature backpacks are allowed though.
You can reserve a table in a tent if you want
If your main goal and planned activity is to sit in one of the big tents and enjoy beer and food, you might want to reserve a table beforehand. It’s not necessary since you have a good chance to get a table the day you go, and you have more freedom to head to the tent whenever you want. Every tent has an area that is available for walk-in visitors.
However, it’s harder to get a table on weekends and holidays (such as the German national holiday on October 4th). On these days, a certain amount of the walk-in tables can be reserved by Munich residents only. Plan ahead if you’re attending Oktoberfest on a busier day!
Plan at least two days
If you have the chance, try to spread out your Oktoberfest visit over multiple days. That way, you don’t have to push through to try and see everything in one day. There is no admission fee, so you could do some exploring in Munich in the morning, then visit the festivities in Wiesn for a half day. This also gives you a chance to get a break from the crowd and the alcohol. It’ll be a much better visit if you respect your limits in every aspect, from the carnival rides to the liters of bier.
Try to visit during the opening weekend if it’s your first time
If you plan for your Oktoberfest visit to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we recommend going on the first Saturday and Sunday of the festivities. Some of the biggest events happen on these days, and they’re worth seeing.
On the first Saturday, you can watch a big parade march through Munich before the Oktoberfest has even officially started. Nearly a thousand people join the parade every year, including the brewers, the carnies, and the families of all the participants. The highlight of the parade is the gloriously decorated carriages pulled by equally dressed-up draft horses. This parade symbolizes the arrival of everyone who works at the Oktoberfest to make it a full success.
After the parade arrives at the Theresienwiese, the mayor of Munich opens the festival with the traditional Anstich (tapping) ceremony. The mayor tries to hammer the tap into a barrel of beer with as few hits as possible. Then, the first Maß of the year is poured and the phrase O’zapft is! (It’s tapped!) is exclaimed by everyone.
On the first Sunday of Oktoberfest, the Trachtenumzug (national costume procession) happens. Thousands of Germans in traditional clothes march through the streets of Munich, accompanied by brass and marching bands. Not only Dirndl and Lederhosen can be seen here, but other traditional German clothing also make an appearance—including knights in shining armor!
Useful terms to know when visiting Oktoberfest
Seeing as the Oktoberfest has its origins in Bavaria, many of the terms you’ll come across are tied to Bavarian German. This dialect of German has a few special quirks, so you may want to use this list of terms you’d use at Oktoberfest along with other helpful German phrases.
- Wiesn (VEE-z’n) is the Bavarian term for Wiesen (meadows). Locals use it to refer to the place where the festival is held (derived from the name Theresienwiese) and is also used as a synonym for Oktoberfest. People in München (Munich) are more likely to say Ich gehe heute Abend auf die Wiesn (“I’m going to the Wiesn this evening.”) than Ich gehe heute Abend auf das Oktoberfest. (“I’m going to the Oktoberfest this evening.”).
- Wiesnzelt (VEE-z’n-tselt) translates to “meadow tent” and is the term used for the big tents on the Wiesn where food and drinks are served. They can also be referred to as Festzelt (festival tent) or Bierzelt (beer tent).
- Trachten (TRACHK-ten) describes regional and traditional clothing all over the world. In the context of Oktoberfest, it refers to Lederhosen and Dirndl and other traditionally Bavarian pieces of clothing that you might see on the Wiesn or in the Trachtenumzug (national costume procession) on the first weekend.
- O’zapft is (oh-TSAPFT iss) is Bavarian German for Es ist angezapft (It’s tapped). This phrase is used to officially open the festivities during the Anstich (tapping) ceremony.
- Maß (mahs) was an old unit of measurement for beer. A Bavarian Maß is little more than a liter. In the late 19th century, officials retired the unit of measure and replaced it with the universal liter. But during Oktoberfest, the term is still used to refer to the giant one-liter steins of beer.
- Bierkrug (or simply Krug) are the big German tankards known as “stein” in English. And while Stein is a German word and means “stone”, those big beer mugs are called a Krug. The big Maßkrug you get when ordering beer can weigh over a kilogram even when empty! Similar to Glühwein mugs at a German christmas market there is a new Oktoberfest Krug–design to collect every year and make fantastic souvenirs.
Get ready for a trip to Oktoberfest in Germany with Rosetta Stone
Knowing the language of a country you’re traveling to brings every trip to the next level and an Oktoberfest visit is no exception. Being able to communicate with the locals and understanding the words around you is a beautiful feeling. With how Rosetta Stone works to make language learning easy, you’ll be sharpening your listening comprehension and speaking skills to navigate the festival and food tents more confidently.
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