It’s likely that you have heard of Oktoberfest celebrations taking place in and around your city. These are takeoffs on the event that occurs in Munich, Germany every year. While they give the Munich Oktoberfest a run for its money, there’s nothing like the real thing.
This article will let you know what to expect if you are fortunate enough to schedule a trip to Munich during Oktoberfest season.
Oktoberfest History
Oktoberfest started on October 12, 1810. The first five-day festival celebrated the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria (later King Louis I) to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghasen. The event concluded with a horse race held in an open area called Theresienweise (Theresa’s green).
The festival continued to be held each year getting bigger with each celebration. Agricultural fairs were added as well as beer halls, music, dancing and more. It draws more than six million people annually.
About Oktoberfest
The 2022 Oktoberfest will be happening from Sept. 17 to October 3. It will mark the 187th anniversary of the first event. Hours vary depending on the type of tent or event.
Parade
The parade kicks off Oktoberfest. It takes place on Sept. 17 at 10:45 AM. It is led by Muncher Kindle, the city mascot, on horseback. Also in the procession are the mayor’s horse drawn cart and flower adorned carriages of Weisn landlords and their families, festival cars, bands, and brewery carts.
Keg Tapping
The tapping ceremony takes place on Sept. 17 at noon. In accordance with tradition, it is opened at the Schottenhamel festival tent, the same place the first tapping of the keg happened back in 1950. The mayor tries to open the keg in as few taps as possible. Then 12 gunshots are sent to signal the start of the festive.
The Costume Parade
The Costume Parade happens on Sept. 18 at 10 AM. It has been a tradition since 1950. It consists of hunting clubs, historic costume groups, bands, and flag waivers. It is led by the Munchner Kindl, a native Munch child.
Traditional Church Service
The church service first became a part of the festival in 1956. It is meant for festival workers, but visitors are welcome to attend as well. It happens on September 22 at 9:30 AM at the Marstall Festzelt.
Brass Bands
On Sunday, September 25, guests can enjoy brass band performances. This public concert of the Weisn landlords takes place at the foot of the Bavaria statues. The mayor serves as the conductor and about 300 musicians give a unique Weisn performance playing traditional Bavarian songs and marches.
Tents
There are a variety of tents at Oktoberfest. These include 17 large tents. Highlights are as follows:
• Beer from wooden barrels: 200 liters of beer are served from wooden barrels that make the beer taste better.
• Crossbow championships: Crossbow championships are held in the Amburstchutzen tent and have been since 1935. The tent accommodates 30-meter-long shooting ranges. Traditional costumes are encouraged. There are also whip-cracker performances.
• Festival Tent on the Oide Weisn: This tent features brass music, whip-crackers, dance floors, and beer served in stone mugs.
• Fish on a Stick: Fischer Vroni is known for their famous fish on a stick. Specialties are prepared on an open grill in front of guests. Beer is served from a wooden barrel.
• The Hacker: This tent is lined with a light blue fabric that makes you feel as if you are sitting under a clear, blue sky. It features paintings that depict scenes of village life. It offers a feeling of the “heavens of Bavaria”
The 21 smaller tents include:
• The World’s Oldest Chicken Stall: This tent has been going strong since 1885. It offers kid-sized portions and a family friendly atmosphere. Bands play later in the evening.
• Home to the Legendary Kirschwasser Donuts: Bodo’s Café Tent offers delicious donuts and coffee during the day. At night it transforms into a cocktail lounge.
• Weisn Breakfast to Caipirinhas at the Bar: This tent offers a traditional pancake dish (kasierschmarrn) during the day and transforms into a bar at night.
• Fesingers: This cozy tent is known for its cheese Pacman roof. It offers a variety of goodies such as raclette, schupfnudel dumplings, cheese spaetzle, and more.
• Fisch-Bada: This tent offers more than 20 different types of fish sandwiches.
Fairground Rides: The festival offers a variety of fairground rides including a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, a ghost train, a toboggan, a Hau den Lukas, and a Teufelsrad.
Oide Weisn: The Oid Weisn is south of the festival ground and features historic rides and beer. It also offers a folk singer tent, and a historic bowling alley. Its museum offers high bikes for children and teenagers, a “New Ghosts Have Arrived” exhibition, and a festival world reproduction in miniature. There are special children’s programs available Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Two family Days: The two Tuesdays of the event are set aside as family days. Tents and rides that have the signs, Familientag or Kindertag offer reduces pricing for children.
Booths
Booths at the fair include:
• Photobooth: You can get souvenir photos of yourself, and your party dressed in a variety of vintage outfits.
• The Original Munchner Vogelpfeifer: Come to this booth to see Horst and Tobias Berger stand and chirp as bird whistlers. You can also purchase a Vogelpfeiferl to make your own chirping sounds.
• Hau Den Lukas: This is the booth for strongmen games. They involve the person hitting a metal insert with a hammer causing a piece to rise upward inside a floor box.
• Weisn Souvenirs: You can purchase Weisn souvenirs such as beer steins, Glupperl, or weisn clothespins and Lebkuchenherz (gingerbread hearts).
Food and Beer
Six Munich breweries are featured at Oktoberfest, Augustiner, Hacker Pschorr, Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner, and Spaten. There’s also plenty of cheap food being served.
Munich Oktoberfest offers and unforgettable experience. There are so many interesting things to see and do. Will you be making plans to visit in the coming season?
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