The 189th Oktoberfest, the world's largest Volksfest, commenced today in Munich, Germany. Thousands of enthusiasts gathered early to participate in this renowned celebration of Bavarian culture and beer.
Dieter Reiter, Munich's mayor, officially inaugurated the festival at noon by tapping the first keg. The event, spanning 16 days until October 6, 2024, takes place across 18 expansive tents at the Theresienwiese fairground. This 420,000 square meter area transforms into a hub of festivities, featuring over 80 rides and attractions.
This year's Oktoberfest introduces enhanced security measures, including metal detectors, in response to a recent incident in Solingen. Despite these precautions, organizers assure there are no specific threats to the event.
Approximately 6 million visitors are anticipated throughout the festival, with daily attendance reaching up to 600,000. Beer enthusiasts can expect to pay between 13.60 and 15.30 euros for a liter of the official Oktoberfest beer, which is notably stronger than regular German brews. This represents a 3.87% increase from the previous year's prices.
The festival's economic impact is significant, contributing over 1 billion euros to Munich's economy and employing about 13,000 people. During the event, visitors consume over 7.7 million liters of beer and more than 500,000 roast chickens.
Oktoberfest has a rich history dating back to October 17, 1810, when it began as a celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria's marriage to Theresa of Saxony. The venue, initially a meadow on Munich's outskirts, was named "Theresienwiese" in honor of the bride. While the location's name persists, the festival now starts in September to take advantage of warmer Bavarian weather.
Throughout its history, Oktoberfest has been cancelled 24 times due to wars and pandemics, including recent cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. The festival returned in 2022, marking a joyous revival of this beloved tradition.
Visitors often don traditional Bavarian attire, with Dirndls and Lederhosen being popular choices. The largest tent, Hofbräu-Festzelt, can accommodate 10,000 people, showcasing the scale of this grand celebration.
As Oktoberfest 2024 unfolds, it continues to inspire similar festivals worldwide, cementing its status as a global cultural phenomenon that blends tradition with modern-day festivities.