Every year in Munich, at the end of September, the most grandiose beer festival takes place, which attracts more than 6 million tourists. Learn more about the schedule, tents and program of the Oktoberfest in 2024
Oktoberfest is a grandiose festival that attracts millions of visitors to Munich every year. This event, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest holiday in the world, is famous for its unique atmosphere.
Oktoberfest is 16 days filled with vivid emotions, the aromas of freshly brewed beer, spicy dishes and the sounds of traditional Bavarian music. Munich residents are looking forward to this event 349 days a year, so that they can plunge into the festive atmosphere together with millions of tourists from all over the world. This festival has long been a symbol of Bavarian culture and traditions. According to statistics, the most frequent visitors to Oktoberfest are citizens of Germany, Italy, Austria and the USA.
This year, the dates of the festival are from 21.09 to 06.10.2024.
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What is Oktoberfest?
Every year at the end of September, one of the largest celebrations in the world, Oktoberfest, takes place in Munich on Theresa’s meadow. This is a beer festival that attracts about 6 million visitors from all over the world. Its history began on October 12, 1810, when the first celebrations took place in honor of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Theresa of Saxony-Hilburghaus, which included horse races and treats for ordinary people. The audience liked it so much that the event became an annual tradition.
Over time, Munich has grown, and what used to be a suburb has now become the center of the metropolis. In 1904, due to the cold snap in October, the celebration was postponed to September, which allowed the tradition to continue in more comfortable conditions. Since 1960, Oktoberfest has acquired an international status, attracting the attention of not only Germans, but also guests from all over the world.
The holiday begins with a solemn procession of brewers, when crowds of people in national costumes pass through the city to the sounds of a brass band. The first glass of beer is opened by the mayor of Munich, and the right of the first sip belongs to the President of Bavaria. This symbolic act is accompanied by fireworks and volleys of weapons, which announce the official start of the festival.
Oktoberfest lasts 16 days and includes various events, in particular a parade of national costumes, a day dedicated to children, and divine services in memory of the deceased brewers. The main focus remains on beer, which is made exclusively in Germany, and especially for the festival it begins to be brewed in early March in order to have sufficient supplies by the end of September. Beer is served in large liter mugs, and its consumption takes place slowly, accompanied by traditional Bavarian snacks such as pork knuckles, pretzels, sausages, grilled chickens and grilled oxen.
In addition to beer and food, Oktoberfest also offers entertainment, including roller coasters, carousels and a huge Ferris wheel with scenic views of Munich and the Alps. This holiday is not only a tribute to traditions, but also a unique opportunity to feel the unique atmosphere of Bavaria.
Interesting facts about Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a beer festival that has been held in Germany for more than two centuries, but its exact dates change every year. Traditionally, the celebration begins with a bright and colorful “Procession of brewers”. This event is so popular that tickets for it are sold out in advance.
The main drink of the festival is beer specially brewed for Oktoberfest. It has a rich malt flavor, and the alcohol content varies from 5.8% to 6.3%. The beer is accompanied by fragrant fried chicken, spicy pretzels, grilled fish and spicy Munich sausages.
The festival is also attended by children, because special treats, soft drinks and entertainment such as carousels, miniature railways and a Ferris wheel are provided for them. However, it is worth remembering that entrance to beer tents is only possible with pre-purchased tickets, so it is better to take care of this in advance.
Who is participating in the festival?
In 1985, the Bavarian Oktoberfest festival was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest festival in the world, attracting about 7 million visitors. Every year, the number of guests continues to grow, confirming the status of the festival as one of the largest events on the planet. According to foreign sources, the majority of the guests (about 70%) are local Bavarians, the remaining 30% are tourists from other parts of Germany and around the world. However, the Germans themselves often deny this, believing that most visitors come from abroad.
Not only Bavarian can be heard at the festival, but also many other languages, including English, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Ukrainian, Russian and Greek. This multinational character only underlines the importance of Oktoberfest as a global event that unites beer lovers from different parts of the world.
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The program of the Oktoberfest 2024 festival
The beer festival has its own traditional schedule, which is followed every year. The most enchanting, musical and vivid are the opening and closing of the festival.
The program provides entertainment for all categories, for people of all ages:
September 21st
11:00 – a bright, interesting parade of beer tent owners, a wonderful procession in the traditional Bavarian style. The number of participants is more than a thousand people.
At noon – O’zapft is!, the ceremonial procedure for the start of Oktoberfest 2024. According to a long-standing tradition, it takes place in the Schottenhamel tent – the mayor of the city uncorks the first beer barrel.
September 22
10:00 – spectacular procession, parade in traditional German attire, national costumes. The number of participants is more than 9 thousand.
September 23rd
9:00 – children’s tour of the festival, which involves 1200 children who have received an invitation from the Munich office.
From noon – lunch for people of elegant age. Drinks and snacks are waiting for them in large beer tents.
September 24th
From noon – “Family Day” at the beer festival. Everyone who comes with children gets discounts on entertainment and food.
September 26th
10:00 a.m. – according to tradition, a special church service will be held in one of the tents.
September 29th
11:00 – a large concert program with a national flavor will take place near the monument of Bavaria.
October 1
Starting at noon, the “Family Day” at the beer festival is back. Everyone who comes with children gets discounts on entertainment and food.
October 3rd
At noon, according to tradition, a meeting of the owners of the attractions will be held in the Marshtal tent.
October 6th
At noon, the closing of the holiday. Exciting performances by shooters will take place at the monument to Bavaria, and in the evening there will be a big final Oktoberfest fireworks.
Family days at the festival
If you think that Oktoberfest is intended exclusively for adults, then you are mistaken. Special family days are held every Tuesday at the festival, during which prices for attractions are reduced, and a children’s menu is available in many tents. Children under 6 years old are allowed to be at the festival on other days, but only until 20:00.
For the convenience of families with children, Oktoberfest provides everything you need. Children can have fun in specially designated areas, and parents have access to parking lots for strollers and microwave ovens for heating baby food. Among the entertainment for children there is a flea circus, bowling, practical jokes, archery and crossbow shooting, which makes the festival interesting for both children and adults.
Beer tents and their menus
Germany is famous for its brewing, and this is not surprising, because about 5,000 beers are brewed in the country. However, only the best Munich breweries have the right to present their drinks at the Oktoberfest festival. For this event, they brew a special beer called Oktoberfestbier or Wiesnbier. This beer is characterized by a low level of carbonation and a high alcohol content, which is 5.8-6.3%.
Back in 1516, Duke William IV approved the law on the purity of beer, which regulated the production process and limited the use of ingredients only to hops, barley and water. This law, known as Reinheitsgebot, was in effect only in Bavaria for a long time, but since 1906 it has been extended to the whole of Germany. It is thanks to these strict rules that Bavarian beer is considered one of the best in the world.
At the festival, beer is served in large liter mugs, which cost about 10 euros. Although the price seems high, it is part of the unique Oktoberfest experience. On Terezin Meadow, where the festival takes place, 29 large covered tents are being erected, of which 14 are iconic beer pavilions, or Festhalle. The smallest of the large tents, the Weinzelt, accommodates 2,500 people, while the largest, the Winzerer Fahndl, can accommodate up to 10,900 guests and is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest beer tent in the world.
Each pavilion has its own unique atmosphere, emphasizing the features of the beer brand and Bavarian cuisine. Some tents are decorated with frescoes, others with stuffed animals, and others with branches of natural hops. There are pavilions that serve only fish or pork, and in some they roast whole bulls on a spit.
Getting into the pavilion is not so easy – tickets are reserved back in February, so those who want to attend the holiday without prior reservation have to stand in queues for up to 4-6 hours. The tents are used by people of different social groups, including VIPs, football fans, pensioners and families with children, so choosing a pavilion for the first visit is of great importance.
Each pavilion also has its own birgarten (beer garden), where beer can be drunk outdoors. Here, the drink is cheaper – about 8 euros, and you are allowed to bring food with you.
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Prices for visiting Oktoberfest
Foreigners have several options for attending Oktoberfest, depending on their preferences and budget. One of the most popular ways is to purchase a tour through travel companies that organize trips to the festival. A travel package usually includes a flight or bus trip, hotel reservations, visa processing, and possibly tickets to beer tents. The main expenses include tickets to Germany (the cost depends on the country of departure), a visa for 35 euros, tour operator services of about 25 euros (without consular fee), hotel accommodation from 150 euros per night, and an entrance ticket to a beer tent – about 140 euros, which includes 2 liters of beer and a snack.
A comfortable bus ride provides the tourist with autonomy and the opportunity to enjoy the journey without additional organizational efforts. Another option is to travel by car or camper, although this can create certain difficulties, for example, difficulties with parking in Munich, where parking around Theresa’s Pocket is prohibited.
Beer prices at the festival range from 12 to 15 euros per liter, and you will have to pay from 8 euros for two sausages. Half a chicken carcass will cost 14 euros. If you plan to reserve a table for 10 people, it will cost about 480 euros, taking into account the selected beer and snacks. But it is important to reserve a place in advance, because the demand for places is very high.
The best hotels and hostels to stay in Munich during Oktoberfest
Visiting Oktoberfest is an unforgettable experience, but to fully enjoy the holiday, it is important to find a comfortable place to stay. Munich offers a wide range of hotels and hostels that are suitable for every budget and preference:
1. Bayerischer Hof Hotel:This luxurious five-star hotel is located in the center of Munich, just a few steps from the main attractions of the city. Bayerischer Hof offers excellent service, spacious rooms and luxurious restaurants;
2. Sofitel Munich Bayerpost Hotel:It is located near the central station, which makes it easy to get to the festival. This five-star hotel combines historical architecture with modern amenities, offering luxurious rooms, a spa and several restaurants;
3. Hotel Aloft München:A modern three-star hotel located in the city center, close to the main tourist sites and Oktoberfest. The hotel offers stylish and comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi and a convenient location for those who want to feel the atmosphere of the city;
4. MEININGER Hotel München City Center: For those looking for a more affordable option, the MEININGER Hotel München City Center is a great choice. Located near Teresa’s Meadow, this hostel combines accessibility and comfort. The hotel has communal seating areas, a bar and a kitchen for guests;
5. Wombat’s City Hostel Munich: one of the most popular hostels among young people and tourists traveling on a limited budget. The hostel offers clean and cozy rooms, a bar and a convenient location, which makes it easy to get to Oktoberfest;
6. Gspusi Bar Hostel: A small but atmospheric hostel offering comfortable accommodation in the center of Munich. Due to its location, guests can quickly get to the festival and enjoy all the benefits of city life. The hostel has a bar where you can relax after a busy day at Oktoberfest;
7. Hotel Uhland: located in a quiet area near Teresa’s Meadow, which makes it an excellent choice for visitors Oktoberfest. This family-run hotel offers cozy rooms in a traditional style and a warm atmosphere that gives a feeling of homeliness;
8. LetoMotel München City Nord: It offers affordable prices and a convenient location close to transport links, which makes it easy to get to the city center and Oktoberfest. This is an ideal option for budget travelers who do not want to sacrifice comfort.
During Oktoberfest, the demand for housing in Munich is very high, so it is recommended to book hotels or hostels in advance. Some hotels offer special packages for festival guests, including tickets to beer tents or other additional services. To avoid trouble, it is also worth checking the cancellation conditions.
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