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A huge crowd of young people reach out for free beer in one of the beer tents on the opening day of the 187th Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich in 2022
Image: Michael Probst/AP/picture alliance Image: Michael Probst/AP/picture alliance

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is an annual folk festival held in Munich, in the southern German region of Bavaria. It's the largest beer festival in the world, attracting some 6 million visitors from across Germany and beyond.

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All Content on this topic

Deutschland Oktoberfest in München Besucher aus China

Oktoberfest through foreign eyes

The Oktoberfest has begun! We take a look at how foreign visitors are celebrating the world's largest beer festival.
September 21, 2015
Oktoberfest 2014

Oktoberfest goes green

Two weeks of drunken debauchery at the world's biggest people's party - an environmental disaster, right? Think again!
September 21, 2015
People gather in tent for opening ceremony REUTERS/Michael Dalder

Oktobertest begins in Munich

The 182nd Oktoberfest has begun in Munich after the tapping of the traditional first keg.
September 19, 2015
Bildergalerie 10 Dinge, an denen Du merkst: Du bist auf dem Oktoberfest

These ten things let you know that you're at the Oktoberfest

Many dream of once going to the Oktoberfest in Munich. Here's a list of things that let you know you're actually there.
September 18, 2015
Bildergalerie 10 Dinge, an denen Du merkst: Du bist auf dem Oktoberfest

10 ways you know you're at Oktoberfest

Many dream of once going to the Oktoberfest in Munich. Here's a list of things that let you know you're actually there.
September 18, 20159 images
Deutschland Oktoberfest in München 2014

Germany’s biggest festivals

With six million guests, the Oktoberfest is Germany’s biggest festival, but there are many more!
September 16, 2015
Simonmattia Riva, world champion beer sommelier, Copyright: DW/S. Dege

Meet the world's best beer sommelier

Munich may host the Oktoberfest, but Italy is home to the world's best beer sommelier.
September 16, 2015
Oktoberfest Polizisten

Oktoberfest

500 police officers to ensure security at Oktoberfest
September 15, 2015
Typical Bavarian meal, Copyright: Fotolia

How to get ready for Oktoberfest

Get in the Oktoberfest spirit with these little-known facts about Germany's beer culture.
September 15, 2015
different varieties of beer lined up on shelves

Everything you need to know about hops

They're bitter, pungent and spicy: Hops give beer its unique flavor.
LifestyleSeptember 15, 20157 images
Deutschland Oktoberfest Vorstellung des offiziellen Wiesn-Maßkrugs

Oktoberfest reveals official beer mug for 2015

As preparations begin for the mammoth festival of beer, organizers have unveiled the official beer mug.
August 18, 2015
Symbolbild - Neonazi

Stasi 'spied on West German neo-Nazis'

The former East German state security had many informers in West Germany's neo-Nazi scene, a newspaper has reported.
August 6, 2015
Oktoberfest visitors from the US, Copyright picture-alliance/dpa/Felix Hörhager

Oktoberfest gets bigger, taller, faster

Oktoberfest presents a collection of superlative fair rides, from the world's biggest haunted house to tallest swing.
July 30, 2015
Theresienwiese Oktoberfest Aufbau Bayern

Preparing for Oktoberfest in Munich

Work has begun to set up this year's Oktoberfest. Some 800 workers are already making preparations.
July 14, 2015
Oktoberfest München 2014

Oktoberfest beer price hike

This year beer prices are set to increase again at the Oktoberfest in Munich.
June 15, 2015
A crowded beer tent during the Oktoberfest in Munich (picture alliance/M.i.S. Sportpressefoto)

Illegal Oktoberfest tickets

Reservations for tables in the Oktoberfest beer tents are already changing hands online for thousands of euros.
March 31, 2015
Right-wing protestors

Long overdue

German interior ministers have sent a clear message against xenophobia, says Matthias von Hein.
December 13, 2014
München - Gendenktafel Anschlag Oktoberfest 1980

Probe into deadly Oktoberfest attack re-opened

German prosecutors have announced that they are reopening an investigation into a deadly far-right attack on Munich's Oktoberfest more than three decades ago. This came after a new witness surfaced.
December 11, 2014
München Robert Lewandowski beim Oktoberfest 05.10.2014

Bayern Munich stars at Oktoberfest

Bayern at Oktoberfest
October 5, 20146 images
Oktoberfest Lebkuchenherz I mog Di

10 foods to try at Oktoberfest

There's more to Oktoberfest than beer. Here's what you can sink your teeth into.
SocietySeptember 24, 201410 images
Wiesn-Bierkrug für Oktoberfest präsentiert. 21.08.2014

Live report from the Oktoberfest

Our reporter Annabelle Steffes was on location in Munich – these are her experiences from the opening weekend of the Wiesn.
September 23, 2014
Oktoberfest München 2014

Munich's Oktoberfest welcomes one million people on first weekend

Despite bad weather, some one million people have visited the Oktoberfest, the world's largest festival, on its first weekend.
September 22, 2014
Visitors hold up the first mug of beer after the tapping of the first barrel during the opening ceremony for the 181st Oktoberfest in Munich September 20, 2014, Copyright: REUTERS/Michael Dalder

Oktoberfest 2014

Can't get to the Wies'n this year? Here's everything you need to know about Oktoberfest.
September 22, 2014
Mayor Dieter Reiter uses a wooden hammer to pound a tap into the first Oktoberfest beer barrel at Schottenhamel beer tent on the opening day of the 2014 Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese on September 20, 2014 in Munich, Germany.

Oktoberfest officially opens in Munich

This year's Oktoberfest is officially underway. Munich's Mayor Dieter Reiter opened the two-week beer festival with the traditional cry of "O'zapft is!"
September 20, 2014
Oktoberfest in München

How to be in vogue at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest fashion
LifestyleSeptember 19, 201413 images
PT Wiesnfest-App

Oktoberfest apps you didn't know you needed

The 181st Oktoberfest is just around the corner. These 8 top mobile apps will give you a kick-start!
September 17, 20148 images
Hugh Masekela, Copyright: Brett Rubin 2014

Culture calendar

Music, theater, literature, and beer - September offers cultural events for all the senses.
September 1, 2014
Marstall tent in Munich, Copyright: Sven Hoppe/dpa

Oktoberfest plans new beer temple

The Marstall tent is the big newcomer at this year's Oktoberfest in Munich, representing the first new addition in decades. It will replace the Hippodrom whose owner was kicked out after being found guilty of tax fraud.
August 21, 2014
Christian Wulff Prozess Zwischenbilanz 19.12.2013

Halt of Wulff trial rejected

A Hannover court hearing corruption claims against German ex-president Christian Wulff has warned that the case is "so far unproven." For different reasons, the prosecution and defense reject the trial's termination.
December 19, 2013
Monica und Radhika (v.l.) aus Indien waren schon mehrmals auf dem Oktoberfest

The world toasts Oktoberfest

The world toasts Oktoberfest
October 2, 201310 images

Oktoberfest 'executions'

Working as executioner at the Oktoberfest, Hangman Ringo and his guillotine have "killed" thousands.
October 1, 2013

Shift Ranking of September 23: The world's biggest Oktoberfest celebrations

1. Munich, Germany (6,4 million visitors) / 2. Blumenau, Brazil (1,1 million) / 3. Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada (1 million) / 4. Cincinnati, USA (600.000) / 5. Shanghai, China (300.000) / Source: festivalofbeer.com
September 23, 2013
Munich Mayor Christian Ude (Photo: Peter Kneffel/dpa)

Bavarian beerfest begins

Munich Mayor Christian Ude has officially opened the 2013 Oktoberfest. The annual event will run until October 6 and cater to 6 million visitors from around the globe.
September 21, 2013
A group of young musucians from the Turkish National Youth Orchestra playing instruments during a concert at Beethovenfest Bonn. Copyright: Meike Böschemeyer via: DW/ Başak Özay, Türkisch

Culture calendar

From Beethoven to beer, Germany has a lot going on in September.
August 30, 2013
Former German President Christian Wulff (Photo by Nigel Treblin/Getty Images)

Wulff's last chance

Germany's former president will face allegations of receiving and granting benefits in court.
August 28, 2013

Last chance

Ironically, the indictment of Christian Wulff is an opportunity for him to be rehabilitated.
April 12, 2013
A Palestinian woman carries mugs of beer during the 2012 Taybeh Oktoberfest beer festival in the West Bank Christian village of Taybeh, near Ramallah, Copyright: MARCO LONGARI/AFP/GettyImages

Party as protest

Oktoberfest in Taybeh, in the West Bank, is both a party and a peaceful protest.
October 8, 2012
Stands at an Oktoberfest fair (c) DW

Spending spree

The Oktoberfest in Munich is on track for its biggest year yet in sales and visits.
October 2, 2012

Oktoberfest rules

Oktoberfest is in full swing, and might just break some records this year with even more visitors, traditional food, and beer. But there are also more rules than ever, from a ban on bikes to a limit on pop music. Do all the rules take the fun out of Oktoberfest?
LifestyleOctober 2, 201204:54 min

If only it rained beer...

The 179th edition of Oktoberfest may have gotten off to a rainy start, but that won't dampen the spirit of the millions of visitors expected at the 16-day celebration in Munich.
September 22, 2012
A waitress carries beer mugs in the Hofbraeuhaus-tent in Munich

Oktoberfest overseas

Oktoberfest may be German, but it is now also enjoyed on every corner of the globe.
September 22, 2012
Anti-smoking poster at Oktoberfest (Photo: Frank Leonhardt dpa/lby) Quelle: Fars

Smoking ban

For five years, much of Germany has been smoke-free, but some want a more complete ban.
September 1, 2012
German President Christian Wulff

Fresh allegations

German President Christian Wulff faces fresh allegations over his financial dealings.
January 15, 2012
Liters of beer

Party starts

Germany's Oktoberfest gets underway as local politicians tap the first beer keg.
September 17, 2011
A 'velotaxi' in Frankfurt

Rickshaws in Germany

Rickshaws are becoming a popular means of transport among tourists visiting Germany.
September 16, 2011
Berliner Weiße

Mixed beer problem

A proposal calls for an end to mixing sweet, artificial sodas with Germany's legendary beers.
September 16, 2011

Culture in September

From Beethoven to beer - find out what's going on in Germany's cultural scene.
September 5, 2011
Five women holding up big beer glasses into the deep blue sky

Beer prices

Bavarians might be known as fun-lovers, but when it comes to the price of beer, they are serious.
June 8, 2011
Master-brewer Nadim Khoury serves a beer

Hops of hope

The West Bank's first modern brewery displays an entrepreneurial spirit in adverse conditions.
April 2, 2011
Waitress carrying beer at Oktoberfest beer festival

Oktoberfest in England

Londoners swap their Lager for Weissbier.
October 5, 2010