Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest History

Oktoberfest is a 16-day folk festival celebrated in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is also the world’s largest Volksfest, which are German events that combine beer festivals with traveling funfairs.

Oktoberfest first emerged on October 12, 1910 when King Ludwig I married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Citizens of Munich celebrated the marriage in fields leading to the city gates. These fields were named ‘Theresienwiese’ in honor of the Princess. The wedding celebrations ended on October 17th with horse races and until 1960, horse races were held annually. Eventually, carnivals, amusement rides, food booths, beer tents and parades were all added to the celebrations. Today, Oktoberfest is still held annually at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds in Munich although there are no longer any horse races. Oktoberfest celebrations have also spread globally, becoming synonymous with beer and German culture. This festival usually starts on the third weekend of September and ends on the first weekend of October.

Top 10 Facts for Oktoberfest (Start) in 2026

• The 2026 edition of Oktoberfest USA in La Crosse, Wisconsin, features a unique commemorative button designed by local artist Natalia Rocafuerte that highlights the event's rich historical legacy.
• In Cincinnati, Ohio, the massive Oktoberfest Zinzinnati celebration draws over half a million visitors annually, frequently earning the title of the largest Oktoberfest event in the United States.
• Certain U.S. festivals, such as the one in Helen, Georgia, utilize their Appalachian mountain setting to create an immersive, months-long Bavarian village experience that extends well beyond the typical two-week window.
• Many American Oktoberfest celebrations incorporate a uniquely local tradition known as the 'Running of the Wieners,' where dachshunds—often dressed in hot dog costumes—race toward their owners.
• Unlike the original Munich festival, which is a singular event, the United States hosts hundreds of independent Oktoberfests that occur anywhere from late September through early November.
• While Oktoberfest is world-famous for its beer, many American celebrations emphasize a family-friendly atmosphere that includes activities like carnival rides, bouncy castles, and local craft food vendors alongside traditional German fare.
• The tradition of hosting an Oktoberfest in the United States is relatively modern compared to its European roots, with the first major American festival launching in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1961.
• Historical German immigration patterns are a major driver of these celebrations, particularly in the 'German Triangle' of the Midwest, which includes major hubs like Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and St. Louis.
• Traditional attire such as lederhosen for men and dirndls for women remains a staple of U.S. festivals, serving as a popular way for attendees to connect with the heritage of the celebration.
• * Musical entertainment at American events frequently features polka bands and accordion players who provide the distinctive 'oom-pah' sound associated with Bavarian folk culture.

In the News and Trending for Oktoberfest

Top things to do for Oktoberfest

• Attend the real Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
• Try the only beer that adheres to Bavarian Purity Requirements (Reinheitsgebot), and which is sold at the Oktoberfest, including:
  1) Augustiner
  2) Hacker Pschorr
  3) Hofbräu
  4) Löwenbräu
  5) Paulaner
  6) Spaten
• Try traditional Oktoberfest food:
  1) Bavarian Brez’n, a soft pretzel that is served with sausage and mustards
  2) Sausages including Bratwurst, Weisswurst, or Currywurst
  3) Slow roasted ox
  4) Rotisserie chicken
  5) Schweinshaxe which is a pickled ham served with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes
• Celebrate Oktoberfest at beer gardens in the United States. Here are some recommendations:
  1) Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  2) Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, Michigan
  3) Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California
  4) Fremont Brewing Company in Seattle, Washington
  5) Draught House Pub & Brewery in Austin, Texas
  6) Frankford Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  7) Radegast Hall & Biergarten in Brooklyn, New York
  8) Cisco Brewers in Nantucket, Massachusetts
  9) Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in San Diego, California
  10) Der Biergarten in Atlanta, Georgia
  11) Rhein Haus in Seattle, Washington
  12) Wurstküche in Los Angeles, California
• Host an Oktoberfest party. Try different German beers and Oktoberfest dishes including sausages and soft pretzels and even dress up in traditional Oktoberfest clothing called Tracht , including a dirndl for women and a lederhosen for men.