The Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival. It takes place every year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
The festival runs for 16 to 18 days, from mid-September to the first Sunday in October (if the first Sunday in October is the 1st or 2nd, the festival ends on October 3rd). The origin of the Oktoberfest dates back to October 17, 1810 with the celebrations after the wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Nevertheless, before the Oktoberfest was established in 1810, beer festivals were already commonplace, not only in Bavaria but also in the rest of the Germanic world. Their purpose was to destock the brewed beer before the start of the new brewing season. The Oktoberfest is now held in September to take advantage of better weather conditions: the days are warmer and longer.
The festival begins with a parade of thousands of people in traditional costumes. Afterwards, everyone gathers in large tents and drinks beer while listening to German music. More than six million people a year participate in the Oktoberfest, consuming about six million liters of beer annually.
A funfair and eating places are installed there to guarantee the family character of the festival. The historical and modern rides make the Oktoberfest the biggest funfair in the world!
Nowadays, other countries such as Canada, Brazil or France also organize their Oktoberfest… Often imitated, never equalled 😉
Do you think that this festival will start again after the health crisis ?
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This year I think it was canceled but let’s keep our fingers crossed for next year 🤞
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Have you already been there ?
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Unfortunately no, not yet but maybe one day 😉
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I want to drink beers in Oktoberfest ! Do you know when will the next oktoberfest in france take place ?
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The Oktoberfest is present in several French cities (like Paris and Marseille), unfortunately I didn’t find the next dates, sorry. Nevertheless I advice you the original Oktoberfest, in Munich from September 17th to October 3rd 2022! 🍻
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Hello Anaïs,
Have you ever participated in a cultural event?
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Hello ! Not yet, at least not at an Oktoberfest 😉
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Hi Anais! I’ve actually been to Oktoberfest and to say the least, it’s wonderful. It’s fascinating how each local Munich brewery has its own « Bierzelt » or beer tent. One of my favorite beers that is a big part of Munich beer culture is what is called « Hefeweizen » or wheat beer. The great thing is that at the Oktoberfest. you can get this on tap. ….an amazingly smooth beer…. If you buy wheat beer in the bottle, let’s say in the store or away from Oktoberfest, you have to have a beer mug that is long enough to allow the wheat at the bottom of the bottle to drain out. I like your website!
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Hello Kelso! Thank you very much for your comment! I hope my description of the Oktoberfest matches what you experienced! 🍻
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Hi Anaïs ! you got my attention with the words « world’s largest beer festival » and I’m really surprised ! Nice work and pretty blog. Soft, refine, and seems almost professional !!
I’ll go to Munich see this festi… see the city I mean haha
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Hi Gillian! Thank you very much for your comment! You will give me your feelings on Oktoberfest, or rather on Munich… 😉
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One liter per person is not that much finally. This festival must be really great!
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Thanks for your comment! Yes, I agree with you!
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Hello!
Do you have a favorite tradition? Where does it come from?
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Hello! I like the quinceañera from México even if it’s an expensive celebration
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Hi Anais, I’ve never been to Germany for the Oktoberfest but it must be amazing. Many of the traditions you mention in your blog I didn’t know about. Very interesting
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Hello, thank you very much for your comment!
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