Oktoberfest is one of the most iconic events in the world, which takes place on the famous Teresa's Meadow in Munich. It is an annual festival that attracts crowds of connoisseurs of hop drinks from all over the world. Oktoberfest is not only a beer festival, but also a unique cultural experience that combines culture and good fun.
The history of Oktoberfest
The history of Oktoberfest dates back to 1810, when the first edition of the festival took place. The first Oktoberfest was organized to celebrate the wedding of Prince Louis of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The event took place in the meadows outside Munich's walls, and over time these areas became known as Theresienwiese, after Princess Theresa. The festival has since become a tradition, going through many changes and modifications.
Initially, Oktoberfest took place in October. However, due to the cold October weather in Munich, the organizers decided to move the festival to September.
Oktoberfest 2023
Oktoberfest also attracts its supporters this year. This is the 188th edition of the beer festival in Germany. This year it takes place from September 16 to October 3. There will be almost 500 sellers at the festival and about 40 smaller and larger tents available to visitors. Entrance to the Oktoberfest area is free, but unfortunately we have to pay for other attractions.
To get into at least one of the famous festival tents, you must reserve a place in the beer tent for a given day and time well in advance. For this purpose, it is necessary to pay the so-called A minimum consumption voucher, which includes two liters of mug beer, a traditional Bavarian meal and the opportunity to spend 5 hours inside the tent. The cost of such a voucher from 11:00 to 16:30 is approximately EUR 45. Tickets for evening seats may be more expensive.
Beer for Oktoberfest
One of the main elements of Oktoberfest is, of course, beer. German brews such as lager and wheat are served in huge quantities. Traditional beer mugs have a capacity of one liter and are called "Maß". Visitors can try different types of alcohol, with beers brewed in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot Beer Purity Act being particularly popular. Last year alone, as many as 7.8 million liters of beer were consumed during the event. Hop drinks at Oktoberfest have different prices depending on the tent, the specific brewery and even the time of the purchased drink. This year, a liter of mug beer ranges from 12.60 to 14.90 euros.
Traditional German dishes
In addition to beer, the festival offers a wide range of traditional German dishes. Popular dishes include: sausage, spit-roasted chicken, pickled cucumbers, potato dumplings and many other delicacies. The food is served in large quantities and is a perfect complement to beer tasting.
The most popular attractions at Oktoberfest
There is also no shortage of music and entertainment at Oktoberfest. Traditional German folk music and various genres of light music are performed live by bands and orchestras. Festival guests can dance, sing and have fun to the sounds of traditional German songs. In addition, there are numerous attractions at the festival, such as carousels, obstacle courses and competitions, which provide entertainment for everyone. For them, the festival is primarily an opportunity to integrate, meet friends and experience German hospitality.
Traditional folk costumes known for Oktoberfest
The atmosphere at Oktoberfest is extremely joyful and friendly. People often dress in traditional German folk costumes, known as "Tracht".
For men, these are often:
- Lederhosen (leather shorts) or bundhosen (trousers),
- Checked shirts or button-down shirts,
- Embroidered vests
- Traditional leather shoes with uppers
Typical for women are:
- Dirndle (dresses) with fitted blouse
- Apron
- Traditional lace or cotton blouses.
It is important to choose high-quality costumes that reflect German tradition. The colors of the clothes also have important meanings, for example a green apron on a dirndl often means that we are single, while red can mean that we are already in a relationship. Nevertheless, not everyone attaches too much importance to these traditional color meanings, so we can easily choose colors according to our preferences.
To sum up, Oktoberfest is not only a beer festival, but also a unique cultural festival that allows participants to immerse themselves in German tradition, cuisine and fun. This is an event worth visiting to experience the unique atmosphere and enjoy the many attractions offered by this holiday.