Oktoberfest is held yearly in Munich, Germany. The first Oktoberfest was in 1810.  Sometimes when people think Germany they think of Oktoberfest. Huge steins of beer, singing, platters of sausages, men dressed in Lederhosen and ladies dressed in Dirndls. Oh and don't forget about the 100,000 or so other people to party with! Oktoberfest is held in the last two weeks of September into the first week of October because of Munich's great fall weather, Oktoberfest has been a tradition for almost 200 years. It is important to most Germans and mostly all Germans participate in this tradition also.

The first Oktoberfest actually began as a wedding celebration for Crown Prince Luitpold I and Princess Theressa of Bavaria on October 17, 1810. A large meadow in Munich was taken over as the royal reception site and featured a horse race, music, dancing, singing.


This is a picture of people at Oktoberfest.

Festivals are a year-round way of life in Germany. The people don't even take time out for winter months. There are outdoor markets at Christmas time, and they only have to set up a ladder once after Christmas, using it both to take down the greenery and hang the colored streamers for the Carnival season.

Germany     All About Germany    Sports   Music   Bibliography

Top of Page