How was the Oktoberfest created?

How it all began…

The first Oktoberfest originated at a wedding of King Ludwig I. and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in 1810. The bride and groom celebrated their wedding around Munich on a square called “Theresienwiese” where the Munich Wiesn (Oktoberfest) is celebrated today. With the decision of the Bavarian agricultural association to have the beer festival showcase agricultural achievements, it became a tradition since 1811.

Credits: Nortz/Stadtarchiv München/ZBE_B1132

What was Oktoberfest like in the past?

In the beginning there were no roller coasters or tents but after a few years they started to put the first carrousel and swings at the Oktoberfest in Munich. Instead, there were horse races and no beer was sold. That changed in 1880, when the city council approved the sale of beer. The following year, the first chicken rotisserie was opened. Today, approximately one million half “Hendl” (chickens) a year are sold in the Wiesn. Since 1895 there has been a folk costume, which can be seen on the first Sunday of the Wiesn in a parade of “Trachten” (traditional costumes).

The Oktoberfest today

How the Oktoberfest has changed…

Animals used to be seen at the Oktoberfest in Munich and no beer was sold in the early years. Today you see a lot of roller coasters, beer and food stands, and tents at the Oktoberfest in Germany. The tradition spread to other cities in Germany, where today you find many international visitors at the Oktoberfest. The beer festival attracts many people who enjoy the party outside or inside the tents. Many book tables in the tents where there are various performances by German artists – a German disco! Reservation of a table in the tent includes 2 one-liter beers and ½ roast chicken per person. Around the tents you can try different typical German dishes such as “Schupfnudeln“, a very special type of pasta eaten with cabbage and bacon. Of course, there are also other foods on offer that are not all typically German. In addition to the good beer drinking, the lighting is also very beautiful at night, so pack your bags and join us for the world’s biggest beer festivities on our next Oktobertour. Oktoberfest 2023 will begin on September 16 and end on October 3.