The Munich Oktoberfest, the largest folk festival in the world, has its origin in the wedding ceremonies of crown prince Ludwig – later King Ludwig I. of Bavaria – with Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in the year of 1810. This year, in 2005, the Oktoberfest will be celebrated for the 172nd time. 24 Oktoberfests had to be cancelled, among others in the years during and after the war and because of cholera epidemics in the years 1854 and 1873.

Special Highlights of the Oktoberfest

The festive setting for the opening of the Oktoberfest is the entry of the festival hosts and breweries. During the ceremonial opening of the fest, the families of the festival hosts in coaches adorned with flowers, the bands of the festival tents, the waitresses on decorated carriages and the magnificent horses and carts of the Munich breweries enter the festival-grounds; this procession is lead off by the “Münchner Kindl” – Munich’s symbol figure – on horseback, followed by the festival coach of the Lord Mayor. It was first held in 1887.

The procession of folklore and marksmen groups is seen on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest. Some 8.000 persons from Germany, Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland and other European countries participate in this festival parade which is some six kilometres long.

Highlights are historical uniforms, marksmen, folklore groups, local bands, bandsmen and thoroughbred horses. This folklore procession was held for the first time in 1835 on the occasion of the silver wedding anniversary of Ludwig I. and Therese von Bayern.

A bigband open-air concert of all Oktoberfest bands with some 400 musicians takes place on the second Sunday of the festival.

For the grand finale of the Oktoberfest on the last Sunday some 60 marksmen salute their farewell accompanied by the band of the marksmen’ tent.

Oktoberfest-LOGO – A Symbol for Partnership and International Understanding

The Munich Oktoberfest, mother of approximately 2000 “Oktoberfests” all over the globe, was granted a trade mark in 1995. Two beer mugs which together form a smile, created by the British award-winning designer Alan Fletcher, guarantee a sign of quality and authenticity for the original Oktoberfest as it is known all over the world.

Under the Oktoberfest Logo, the Munich city government is enforcing international unterstanding, partnership and consultation for existing similar events. The trade mark, registered in 24 countries, will be used for merchandising and franchising projects all around the world.

47 Fairground Attractions have been admitted:
5 roller coaster
2 ferries wheels
13 merry-go-rounds
2 slides
3 chain flyers
1 wild water truck
3 swings
12 other attractions

22 Sideshows have been admitted, including:
4 ghost trains
2 mazes
1 Flea Circus
1 humorous photographer
1 rotor
1 mouse circus
1 show “At Schichtl’s”
1 sensorium
1 devil’s wheel
2 steep wand driver
1 nostalgic photos
1 witches’ swing

21 children’s fairground attractions like:
15 merry-go-rounds
1 Punch-and-Judy-Shows
1 scooter for children
1 children’s railway
3 pony riding

There are also 34 shooting galleries and 35 stands for games.

Typical for the Oktoberfest are the popular traditional attractions which have again been admitted like the show "Off We Go At Schichtl’s”, the “Revue der Illusionen” – a show of historic fair illusions, the old-fashioned merry-go-round “Krinoline” with live music, an old Russian Wheel, Punch-and-Judy-Shows, the “Zugspitze-Railway”, the toboggan, a devil’s wheel and the witches’ swing.

Most of the 45 stalls and 85 mobile stands provided by the City will be set up outside the entrances to the festival halls, along the gardens and at the access points to the festival grounds. Here delicatessen, non-alcoholic beverages, sweets, tobacco, fruit and souvenirs will be offered for sale.

At the main and side entrances to the breweries’ beer tents 93 “bread women” will be selling giant Oktoberfest pretzels, bread rolls, salt sticks etc.

In addition, there are stalls selling tobacco, sweets, ice cream, fruit juice, fruit, souvenirs, espresso and a milk stand.

This year there will again be two family days with reduced prices for the sideshows, rides and goods. They are on the two Tuesdays, 20th and 27th September, from midday to 6.00 pm.

The Breweries’ Festival Halls

All six of Munich’s major breweries are represented with seven festival halls. The largest tent – Hofbräuhaus – seats over 10,000 guests. In the Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu festival hall the tradition of roasting oxen will be continued. Except for the Augustiner Festival hall, beer from containers will be served in all tents. Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten also offer non-alcoholic beer.

Beer Prices at the Oktoberfest

The prices for a litre range this year between 6,80 Euro and 7,25 Euro (2004: 6,30 € - 6,80 €). The price for non-alcoholic beer is not higher than the Oktoberfest beer.

There are also medium-sized and small catering businesses like
1 pork knuckle grilling stand
2 wheat beer carousels
4 advertising stalls for spirits
6 roast chicken stands
1 champagne pavilion
30 sausages snack halls, sausage grilling stands, delicatessen shops
5 cafés
1 Palace of Sausage
4 fish grilling stands

Festival halls of the breweries:
Augustinerbräu
Hackerbräu
Löwenbräu
Paulanerbräu “Winzerer Fähndl”
Pschorrbräu “Bräurosl”
Spatenbräu “Ochsenbraterei”
State Hofbräuhaus

Entertaining needy people

In keeping with tradition, this year, too, old and needy Munich citizens, will be invited to the Oktoberfest proposed by the City Welfare Office, at noon on Monday, 19th September. The innkeepers of all 14 tents will invite senior citizens named by the City for a hearty Oktoberfest meal.

On the same day the Munich Tourist Office and the Welfare Office have invited 250 people to Schottenhamel-Tent. Only those may take part in either of these events who have been named by the Welfare Office and are in possession of a written invitation.

Video film about the open ceremonial and around the Oktoberfest are available at German News in the Oktoberfest section

The offical beer mug and other original souvenir are available at the German News Oktoberfest-Shop