Oktoberfest is loved by many for so many reasons! If you’re about to experience your first Oktoberfest and you’re getting ready for it, then we have just the perfect article for you. You won’t have to worry about being clueless and knowing little about it. With our guide, you won’t need to do extensive cultural research before partying! Reading this will fully do! Read on because we’ve got you covered! 

Fact #1: Oktoberfest is the most popular beer festival in the world. It’s also the world’s largest folk festival.

Fact #2: Oktoberfest is held yearly in Munich, Germany. The festival usually lasts for over two weeks. Depending on the chosen date, it could be 16-day long or 18-day long. The festival begins once Munich’s mayor officially taps the first keg. Due to its massive number of yearly visitors, you should book your hotel and plan a year in advance if you want a hassle-free Oktoberfest experience.

Fact #3: Oktoberfest welcomes over six million visitors every year. People from all over the world go out of their way to visit Munich to experience Bavarian food, drinks, and culture. Due to the pandemic, Oktoberfest was canceled for two straight years (2020 and 2021). It is setting up for the biggest comeback though this coming 2022. If you have yet to book your plans, you should check out great Oktoberfest package offers from Thirsty Swagman. 

Fact #4: Oktoberfest is locally referred to as Wiesn. This is in reference to the ground where it is held. Such fairgrounds are referred to as Theresa’s meadows (Theresienwiese). Such a name was given in honor of Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

Fact #5: Oktoberfest was first held in 1810. It has been celebrated on a yearly basis for over 200 years now. It’s only been canceled 26 times (including 2020 and 2021) due to war, bombs, and pandemics. It’s a good thing that Oktoberfest 2022 is a go. Everyone is excited about it!

Fact #6: Oktoberfest did not begin as a folk festival. It was actually held to honor the wedding of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. So yes, you can say that it all began from love. The marriage was intensely celebrated and the wedding festivities were enjoyed by many. There is simply no way that Germans would pass up a chance to celebrate the joining of Bavaria and Saxony through royal marriage. So best believe that the celebrations were legendary.

Fact #7: The wedding celebration was so legendary that it took days for it to finish. The celebration included non-stop drinking (Oktoberfest beer, hello), feasting (delights from Bavaria and Saxony), and horse races. 

Fact #8: Everyone had an immensely good time. So good that everyone decided to do it every year. It slowly evolved from regular annual feasting, drinking, and horse racing to the iconic annual cultural celebration that it is now. Now though, you no longer get to experience horse racing. You get to have parties, bands, rides, and a non-stop serving of delicious foods and premium Oktoberfest beer.

Fact #9: It’s impossible to talk of Oktoberfest without discussing beers. Beers are central to Oktoberfest celebrations. Oktoberfest is known for serving large amounts of beer on a yearly basis. On average, it serves 6.9 million litres of beer every year. Its biggest record was set in 2015 when it served 7.7 million litres of beer. So if you’re visiting this year, you better be ready for a whole lot of beer! And just so you know, Oktoberfest beer is served in one-liter mugs! 

Fact #10: Oktoberfest beer is exclusively prepared by six Munich breweries. No other breweries from all parts of Germany or the world are permitted to serve beer during Oktoberfest. This is one thing that makes Oktoberfest extra special. When you go there, you can be sure that you’d only get to enjoy premium Munich beer. 

Fact #11: The six Munich breweries that provide today’s Oktoberfest beer are the original breweries that served beer when it was first offered in the festival. They protect and maintain a long and sacred tradition of Oktoberfest brewery. They only use premium ingredients and strictly adhere to government-mandated beer standards. All also have significantly high alcohol content. 

Fact #12: Apart from premium Oktoberfest beer, visitors also get to enjoy games, rides, and attractions at the fair. Visitors are okay with tagging their kids along because they know that there is also much for their kids to enjoy and explore. There may no longer be horse racing but Oktoberfest now offers roller coasters, Ferris wheels, log flume rides, and hundreds of stalls and booths for delicious food and drinks. 

Fact #13: Oktoberfest is the perfect time to enjoy traditional Bavarian food. You would have a grand time hopping from one tent to another and checking out different stalls and booths with varied offerings. Never miss a chance to taste Oktoberfest pretzels, sausages, and grilled fish!

Fact #14: Oktoberfest will also allow you to experience authentic Bavarian garb. You can even enjoy the festivities while wearing one! Remember though that disrespectful Halloween costumes are not welcomed in the event. Do not wear one as you would risk being banned from the festival forever. Bavarians place their traditional culture in high regard. 

Fact #15: Oktoberfest souvenirs are a-plenty! You can buy krugs (beer mugs that serve one-liter beer), chocolates, almonds, tea, and cookies. You should dedicate a full day just shopping for Oktoberfest souvenirs as there are so many shops to check out and explore! 

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