Is Oktoberfest just about endless beer and wild partying, or is there more to this legendary festival? And most importantly—should you go?
In short, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest people’s festival, held every September for two weeks in Munich at the Theresienwiese.
Let’s be honest—Oktoberfest is an unforgettable experience, but it’s also something you should approach the right way (more on that later 😉).
In this guide, we’ll dive into:
✅ What Oktoberfest is really about (hint: it’s more than just beer)
✅ Its origins, traditions, and why it is celebrated
✅ What to expect as a first-time visitor (so you don’t make rookie mistakes!)
By the end, you’ll know exactly why millions flock to Munich every year—and whether this epic festival deserves a spot on your bucket list. 🍻 Prost!
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Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest people’s festival- massive beer tents, lively brass bands, and family-friendly activities.
📅 This year’s Oktoberfest takes place from September 20th to October 5th.
Common Misconceptions About Oktoberfest
If you’ve never been to Oktoberfest, you’ve probably heard some myths about what it’s really like. Over the years, we’ve come across plenty of misconceptions—so let’s clear up some of the biggest ones!
❌ Myth #1: Oktoberfest is just about drinking
✅ Reality: Sure, beer is a huge part of the festival, but Oktoberfest is so much more! It’s a cultural event with parades, live brass bands, carnival rides, traditional Bavarian food, and family-friendly activities. People don’t just come to drink—they come to enjoy the atmosphere, go on rides, meet other people and friends and have a great time together.
❌ Myth #2: Oktoberfest happens in October
✅ Reality: Despite the name, most of Oktoberfest takes place in September! It usually runs from mid-September to the first weekend in October. The reason? The weather is much better in September, making it more enjoyable for outdoor celebrations.
❌ Myth #3: Oktoberfest is celebrated all over Germany
✅ Reality: While beer festivals happen throughout Germany, the real Oktoberfest is only in Munich. Other cities may have their own versions at different times of the year, like the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart, but nothing compares to the original Wiesn in Munich.
❌ Myth #4: You have to wear traditional Bavarian clothing (Dirndl & Lederhosen)
✅ Reality: No, you don’t have to, but you can if you want to! While wearing Dirndl and Lederhosen wasn’t always the norm (even among locals), today, a lot of people at Oktoberfest dress up—including tourists.
If you don’t own one, you can rent or buy a quality set in Munich. Just avoid cheap polyester costumes—they scream “tourist.”
💡 Insider Tip: If you want to blend in, learn the proper way to tie your Dirndl apron—it actually signals your relationship status! A bow on the right means you’re taken, on the left means you’re single, and in the back means you’re a widow or waitress.
❌ Myth #5: Oktoberfest is always super crowded
✅ Reality: It is, but not all the time! Weekends and opening day are packed, with beer tents filling up fast. But if you visit Monday to Friday in the morning or afternoon, you’ll find a much more relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of space to grab a seat and enjoy the festival without the chaos.
💡 Insider Tip: Want an even better experience? You can reserve a table in one of the beer tents.🍻
❌ Myth #6: Oktoberfest is Just for Tourists
✅ Reality: While Oktoberfest attracts visitors from all over the world, it’s still very much a local tradition. Many Locals attend every year, often wearing traditional Dirndls and Lederhosen, and some families have been coming for generations. The festival isn’t just about beer—it’s a folk festival for locals and everyone from around the world.
💡 Insider Tip: If you want to experience Oktoberfest like a local, visit on a weekday, grab a table in a tent early, and order a half roast chicken (Hendl) with your beer —it’s a classic Bavarian Wiesn meal! 🍻
A Brief History of Oktoberfest in Munich: Why it is celebrated
Oktoberfest started in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. To mark the occasion, a five-day celebration was held, which ended with a horse race on a large meadow outside the city.
That meadow was later named Theresienwiese in honor of the bride, and it remains the official festival grounds of Oktoberfest. Locals often shorten the name to “die Wiesn”, which has become a common nickname for both the event and its location.
Fun fact: Ludwig didn’t remain a crown prince for long—he later became King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Even more interesting? He was the grandfather of King Ludwig II, the visionary behind Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany’s most famous landmarks!
But back then, Oktoberfest looked nothing like the festival you see today—there were no beer tents, no carnival rides, and certainly no Maß (liter) beers being raised in celebration.
Instead, it was a folk festival, where children in traditional Bavarian outfits presented flowers, poetry, and harvest goods to the royal couple. The people of Munich loved the event so much that by 1819, the city took over and declared it an annual tradition—and that’s when things really started to change!
What began as a royal wedding festival in Germany has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. Each year, over 7 million visitors flock to Munich’s Theresienwiese to experience the festival, with more than 7 million liters of beer poured across its legendary beer tents. While not every Maß (liter-sized beer) is finished, the sheer scale of Oktoberfest is astonishing.
So, when you visit Oktoberfest today, you’re still—in a way—part of a royal wedding celebration! How fun is that? 🍻
💡 Insider Tip: Ever wondered why Oktoberfest is called Oktoberfest even though it mostly happens in September? Originally, the festival was held in October, but in the late 19th century, the dates were moved to September to take advantage of warmer weather and longer daylight hours—because let’s be honest, that makes for a much better party!
Next Steps: Planning Your Oktoberfest Trip?
Now that you know Oktoberfest is a world-famous festival with over 200 years of history, originally held to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese in 1810, you can appreciate how much it has evolved.
What began as a royal celebration has grown into the largest folk festival in the world, drawing millions of visitors each year to Munich’s Theresienwiese—or simply, “die Wiesn”, as we locals call it.
Now that you know all about the history and scale of Oktoberfest, you might be excited to experience it for yourself and wondering how to make the most of your visit!
Don’t worry, we’ve got all the key info for you:
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