Oktoberfest is a world-renowned beer and entertainment festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is one of the largest and most important cultural events in Germany, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. Here is a brief background on Oktoberfest:
Oktoberfest Coloring Pages
Information
History: The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of King Ludwig I of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Soon after the wedding, a large public event was organized, and it was decided to repeat it every year. Over time, the festival evolved to become a major cultural and entertainment event.
Duration: Oktoberfest usually begins in the second half of September and lasts about 16-18 days, ending on the first Sunday in October. Despite the name, most of the festival takes place in September.
Atmosphere and activities: Oktoberfest is famous for its large beer tents, where visitors can sample various types of traditional Bavarian beer and enjoy German cuisine. In addition, the festival offers numerous attractions, musical performances, fairs, carousels and traditional stalls. Events such as the festival's opening parade, the selection of Miss Oktoberfest and beer competitions also attract visitors' attention.
Costume and traditions: During Oktoberfest, people wear traditional Bavarian costumes, such as long skirts (dirndl) for women and classic pants with loops (lederhosen) for men. This adds to the authentic atmosphere and is part of Bavarian culture.
Popularity: Oktoberfest is not only a local event, but also attracts tourists from all over the world. Millions of people flock to Munich to participate in this cultural and entertainment celebration.
Trivia
- A tradition since 1810: Oktoberfest has a long history dating back to 1810, when the first edition of the festival was held as a wedding celebration to mark the wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Theresa.
- Size and guests: Every year Oktoberfest attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. Hundreds of thousands of barrels of beer are consumed during the festival.
- German beer: Beer served during Oktoberfest must be brewed in Munich and meet certain quality standards. These are primarily of the March and wheat beer varieties.
- Giant tents: The big beer tents at Oktoberfest are actually huge structures that hold thousands of people at a time. Inside the tents there is an amazing atmosphere of fun and celebration.
- Traditional food: In addition to beer, traditional Bavarian foods such as sausages, roast chicken, pork and potato dumplings are served at Oktoberfest.
- An exceptional drink: At Oktoberfest, beer is served in traditional one-liter glasses, known as "Mass."
- Gold color: Some of the traditional costumes worn during Oktoberfest are sewn from genuine white leather and are decorated with embroidery and metal ornaments.
- Family-friendly: Despite the stereotype of a beer party, Oktoberfest has many activities for families, such as carousels, musical performances and fairs.
- One side of the street: Most of the festival takes place on the Theresienwiese, a huge square in Munich. It is worth noting, however, that in 2020 the festival was canceled for the first time in its history due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Global influence: The success of Oktoberfest has influenced the organization of similar beer events around the world, especially popular in the United States and other European countries.