Do you know why over six million of the world’s population visit Munich during Oktoberfest?
Do you even know why Oktoberfest exists?
Read on to discover exactly why Oktoberfest is celebrated, the history behind this popular festival and why it’s still a world-famous festival a whopping 200 years after it first originated!
Why was Oktoberfest cancelled?
Oktoberfest has been around since the 1800s. It has been around for too long and has witnessed much of the world’s changes. It has been cancelled several times due to wars and pandemics (the most recent cancellation was just last year) but it always managed to come back stronger. Oktoberfest is back this year and everyone is getting ready for it. To give you an idea as to what Oktoberfest is truly all about, this post would share information regarding the following:
- Oktoberfest 2022
- Oktoberfest 2023
- Oktoberfest’s History
When is Oktoberfest 2022?
Oktoberfest is back and everyone is excited! This year’s Oktoberfest is set to be one for the books because it is its big comeback after being cancelled for two straight years due to the global pandemic. Oktoberfest did not take place in 2020 and 2021 so 2022 has so much to make up for. For this year’s Oktoberfest, it’s essential to take note of the following details:
- Oktoberfest 2022 will start on Saturday 17th September
- It is set to end on Monday 3rd October
- Oktoberfest, and all the drinking, officially begins at noon, 17th September, once the Mayor taps the first keg
- The first keg will be tapped at the Schottenhamel tent
- The traditional Oktoberfest mass and memorial will be on Thursday 22nd September
- The annual outdoor concert will be on Sunday 25th September at 11 a.m.
When is Oktoberfest 2023?
Oktoberfest 2022 is yet to begin but a schedule for Oktoberfest 2023 is already available. It is set to start on 16th September 2023 and ends on 3rd October 2023. This should give you plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements for flights and accommodation. Booking in advance will help you find the best deals and ensure you find a great spot close to all the action.
Oktoberfest’s History
Many may think of Oktoberfest as a festival primarily focused on drinking but it’s important to understand where and why it all first started. Why is there a legendary festival that is dedicated to beer, food and signing every year? Is it all about the beer? Let’s take a look.
It all started with a royal marriage. Oktoberfest became the legendary festival it is now because Germans from over two hundred years ago wanted to celebrate the royal wedding of King Louis I to Princess Therese. The wedding was held on October 12, 1810, and a five-day party took place to celebrate it right after. The after-party involved a horse race and a lot of dancing and merry-making.
To celebrate the couple’s first year of marriage, an agricultural fair was held the very next year. Such an agricultural fair with all the merry-making and horse racing became an annual event.
But it was only in 1813 when chosen vendors of food and drink became central to the festival. So much so that such vendors began coming up with booths that transformed into massive temporary beer halls throughout the year. Temporary beer halls then transformed so much that each could now accommodate up to 6,000 guests at a time. These massive beer hall tents are so iconic in German culture that Albert Einstein even became one of its organisers when he was just 17 years old. The tents continued to gown each year to support the popularity of the festival and the massive number of people that would attend. The last event hosted a massive 6 million people!
Oktoberfest may have started as a marriage celebration but it now focuses on celebrating German culture, with a special highlight on German food and drink. Oktoberfest is all about highlighting the best of the best that Germany – Munich especially – has to offer while enjoying stein-holding contests, traditional dishes, traditional lederhosen, traditional music, and so much more! Enjoying Oktoberfest is so much more than drinking beers. Oktoberfest will also allow you to experience the following premium experience:
- parades of breweries and landlords
- traditional keg tapping and opening ceremony
- church service
- concert
- gun salutes
- hunters’ parade
- rides
So, to answer our questions:
Do you know why over six million of the world’s population visit Munich during Oktoberfest?
Because it’s so much fun and an excellent way to experience the best of the best in German culture and tradition – especially in foods and drinks.
Do you know why Oktoberfest exists?
It was love between two people that made Oktoberfest possible. The very first Oktoberfest took place to celebrate a royal wedding.
The festival is back in full swing this year! Don’t miss a chance to party like there’s no tomorrow in a way that only the Germans could. The pandemic already took so much from us! It’s time to party and celebrate life! It’s time to enjoy and loudly welcome back Oktoberfest!
If you’re planning to celebrate it next year, it’s the perfect time to start planning! Booking for this year’s festival may be challenging now but you can always try!