Bridie O’Halloran savored the first beer of her life at Oktoberfest this year. The 19-year-old Australian declared it “the best I’ve had” after consuming approximately a quarter of her liter (33 fluid ounce) mug on Saturday. Adorned in a pink dirndl dress purchased just hours earlier, O’Halloran found herself amid tens of thousands of more seasoned beer enthusiasts on the opening day of the 189th Oktoberfest in Munich.
The celebration began in full swing on Saturday, marking the official start of the world’s largest folk festival. Munich’s mayor, Dieter Reiter, kickstarted the festivities at noon by inserting the tap into the first beer keg. Immediately, servers hustled to deliver beers, each carrying up to 10 glass mugs, through the densely packed tents. Guests, perspiring in the warm, crowded environment, clinked their mugs and took deep swigs as traditional Bavarian folk music filled the air. Plaques subtly reminded everyone not to dance on the tables.
Spanning until October 6, the festival features 18 large tents covering the Theresienwiese fairground. An estimated 6 million visitors are expected over the 16 days, with daily attendance reaching up to 600,000. Attendees can anticipate spending between 13.60 and 15.30 euros ($15.12 to $17.01) for a large mug of beer, with prices up about 3.87% from 2023.
This year, enhanced security measures were introduced following a fatal knife attack in Solingen, a city 470 kilometers (292 miles) northwest of Munich, on August 23, for which the Islamic State group claimed responsibility without presenting evidence. Three people were killed and eight others injured in the attack. For the first time in Oktoberfest’s history, metal detectors were added to the security procedures, though organizers stressed there were no specific threats.
On early Saturday morning, revelers dashed through the fairgrounds as soon as the gates opened at 9 a.m., despite security officers’ attempts to maintain order. Laughter echoed through the chilly morning air, with one voice exclaiming, “why are we running!” Participants scrambled to secure their places inside the tents and claim their tables.
Following a traditional parade and Mayor Reiter’s ceremonial keg-tapping, attendees indulged in beer and a variety of foods, including roasted chicken, bratwurst, and pretzels. Amusement park rides boasted entertainment for younger visitors who had come with their families.
Mikael Caselitz, 24, a Munich native and longtime Oktoberfest attendee, encouraged everyone to experience the festival at least once, despite the occasional downsides. “It can get really crowded and disgusting when people puke on the side of the road,” he joked, “but overall it’s a really fun experience.”
Ollie Standen, a 21-year-old from England, woke up at 6 a.m. to join the queue well ahead of the noon keg-tapping. In Munich for a university exchange program, he was urged by a local friend to partake in the festivities and eagerly anticipated sampling a variety of German beers, many of which are unavailable in the United Kingdom. “It’s a great German tradition and I’m excited to be here,” he remarked.
Having been canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oktoberfest made its return in 2022. The first Oktoberfest was celebrated on October 17, 1810, to commemorate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Theresa of Saxony. The festival’s venue, initially a meadow on Munich’s outskirts, was named “Theresienwiese” in honor of the bride. While the name remains, the start date has shifted to September, when Bavarian weather is typically warmer.
