Oktoberfest Munich 2024: Everything You Need to Know About the World’s Largest Beer Festival

Get your lederhosen ready—Oktoberfest 2024 is almost here! The world’s biggest beer festival is back at Munich’s iconic Theresienwiese fairground, from September 21st to October 6th. This 189th edition promises to be bigger and better than ever, packed with Bavarian traditions, mouthwatering food, and, of course, endless steins of beer!

Key Dates and Events

• Opening Weekend: The festivities begin with a grand parade and a ceremonial keg tapping. On September 21st, Munich’s mayor will kick off the celebration by tapping the first beer barrel and declaring “O’zapft is!” which means “It is tapped!”

• Wiesn Church Service: On Thursday, September 26th, at 9:30 am, join the ecumenical service at the Marstall festival tent, where prayers are offered for a peaceful festival. Entry is free.

• Wiesn Landlords’ Concert: On Sunday, September 29th, at 11 am, head to Theresienwiese for a free concert featuring all the major brass bands of Oktoberfest, held traditionally at the foot of the Bavaria statue.

• Closing Gun Salute: The festival wraps up on Sunday, October 6th, at 12 noon with a traditional gun salute. About 60 shooters in traditional dress will gather below the Bavaria statue to honor the festival with a salute accompanied by a brass band. The salute uses black powder, creating dramatic bursts of white smoke rather than actual bullets.

A Glimpse into Oktoberfest History

Oktoberfest’s origins date back to 1810, originally held to celebrate a royal wedding. For five days, Munich’s prominent figures enjoyed grand feasts, parades, and a horse race. The event was such a hit that it became an annual tradition, and the festival has been celebrated over 180 times since!

Festival Parades

Oktoberfest kicks off with a vibrant parade through Munich’s streets. Starting at 11 am, the parade features floats and carriages showcasing people in traditional costumes. The parade leads to the beer tents, where the mayor will ceremonially tap the first keg at noon, marking the official start of the festival.

Other Attractions

Besides beer and parades, Oktoberfest offers a wealth of attractions for all ages. From traditional Bavarian entertainment to intricate floats and lively music, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

So, mark your calendars and prepare to immerse yourself in the festive spirit of Oktoberfest Munich 2024!

Go to Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world! As well as the beer tents it also has a huge theme park that really does take over Munich (and other places in Germany) for 16 days of the year.

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