The smell of roasted almonds, the sound of brass bands echoing through grand tents, the sight of thousands of steins raised in unison; Oktoberfest in Munich is launching on Saturday, September 20. It is a living tradition with deep roots, contagious energy, and rituals that still resonate two centuries later.
This tradition started in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese. To mark the occasion, Munich’s citizens were invited to join in public celebrations, horse races, food and music on fields that were later named Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”). The event was so cherished that it was repeated the following year and again for the next 200 years on. It’s now the world’s largest folk festival, drawing nearly six million visitors annually.
Tradition that Speaks Through Rituals
One of the most iconic moments of Oktoberfest is the keg-tapping ceremony in the Schottenhamel tent. Since 1950, the Mayor of Munich has performed the ritual hammering of the first wooden tap into the barrel, proclaiming “O’zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”). Once that happens, twelve gunshots from the steps of the Ruhmeshalle announce to every tent that beer may now be served.
Only Munich lagers from the six official breweries are permitted in the big tents: Spaten, Augustiner, Hacker, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, and Paulaner. Parades mark the beginning of the festival. The opening Saturday features a show-stopping procession of brewery drays, tent landlords, folk groups, and horse-drawn wagons leading to the Schottenhamel tent. On the first Sunday, thousands march in traditional costume in the Costume & Riflemen’s Parade, a showcase of Bavarian identity and regional pride.
Voices from the Wiesn
Günter Werner, a Munich local who hasn’t missed Oktoberfest in 60 years, says:
“What makes Munich’s Oktoberfest so special for me? The interaction. Being together. Community. As we say in Munich: Hoit ma zam! (Let’s stick together!)”
For first-time visitors, the scale is often overwhelming. “My husband and I went to Oktoberfest for the first time … after just a few steps into the roughly 100-acre festival, we realized just how special it really is,” shared Emily Pogue, an American tourist, in an interview with Business Insider.
Travel writer Rick Steves summed up the atmosphere perfectly:
“With my fellow revelers, we swayed our beer steins and toasted to Gemütlichkeit (the cozy and convivial atmosphere). At the ‘whop’ sound signaling the tapping of a classic old wooden keg, everyone knew they were in for a good fresh mug — and another round of Oktoberfest cheer.”
The Beer Tents Everyone Talks About
Each beer tent has its own character. The Hofbräu-Festzelt draws a lively international crowd and is the only tent with a standing section, making it a magnet for global visitors. The Augustiner Festhalle, tied to Munich’s oldest brewery dating back to 1328, is considered by locals to serve the best-tasting beer because it still comes from wooden barrels.
The Hacker-Festzelt, nicknamed “Bavarian Heaven,” is famous for its painted sky ceiling. And the Fischer-Vroni is a foodie favorite, known for whole fish grilled on a stick which is a specialty that has been part of Oktoberfest since the 19th century.
Beyond Beer: Food, Rides, and Nostalgia
Oktoberfest is about more than beer. Visitors wander through stands and stalls selling gingerbread hearts with icing messages, Bavarian hats, and handmade crafts. Families enjoy Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and nostalgic rides in the Oide Wiesn, a section designed to preserve Oktoberfest’s historic charm with folk dancing, dark beer, and traditional music.
Bratwurst, roasted chicken (Hendl), and pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe) keep hungry revelers fueled, while oompah bands provide the soundtrack of Bavaria.
Watch It Live from Munich
Can’t make it to Germany this year? You can still feel the excitement by watching the 3-hour Oktoberfest opening ceremony LIVE STREAM provided by BR24 with English commentary. From the ceremonial keg tapping to the colorful parades, the cameras bring Munich’s biggest festival right to your screen, giving you a front-row seat no matter where you are.
Oktoberfest in Orlando: Krush Brau Park
Central Floridians don’t have to cross the Atlantic to join the fun. Krush Brau Park in Kissimmee has become Orlando’s home for Oktoberfest, offering locals a chance to immerse themselves in Bavarian culture.
Their Oktoberfest celebrations run through weekends in the fall with live German bands, nightly keg tapping ceremonies at 5 p.m., stein-holding contests, and authentic food like schnitzel, sausages, and giant pretzels. Special theme nights include Trachten Thursdays (traditional costumes), Fest Haus Fridays, and family-friendly events on Sundays. Visitors can also enjoy imported German beers alongside local craft options, making it a true blend of Munich and Orlando culture.
Beyond attending, locals can get involved by volunteering, dressing in Bavarian attire, or even becoming a vendor to showcase food, crafts, or music. For many, it’s an opportunity to both celebrate and participate in one of the world’s most beloved cultural traditions without leaving Central Florida.
Why It Matters
Oktoberfest has always been about community. From its origin as a royal wedding celebration to today’s global gathering, it’s about bringing people together through music, food, and shared joy.
Whether you’re raising a stein in Munich under painted skies or at Krush Brau Park in Orlando with friends and family, the spirit is the same: togetherness, celebration, and tradition.
Because Oktoberfest isn’t just about beer, it’s about connection.