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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

REV Wall of Death

Defying gravity on Oktoberfest’s Wall of Death

Watch a Sri Lankan rider perform gravity-defying stunts on motorbike at Oktoberfest’s Wall of Death
Cars and TransportationOctober 15, 202416:14 min
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REV – The Auto & Mobility Show

Problems and advances in EV charging, and a wild motorcycle ride on the Wall of Death at Oktoberfest
Cars and TransportationOctober 15, 202426:04 min
Shot from a high vantage point of the crowd at the Theresienwiese Oktoberfest tent in Munich. October 6, 2024.

Germany: Oktoberfest wraps in Munich, 7 million liters later

Roughly 6.7 million people flocked to Oktoberfest in Munich in recent weeks, consuming 7 million 1-liter mugs of beer.
CultureOctober 6, 2024
A woman wearing a dirndl speaks into a microphone in front of a large crowd at Oktoberfest

Women conquering Oktoberfest's toughest jobs

At Germany's Oktoberfest, women are managing giant beer tents, driving rickshaws and helping to build the fairground.
CultureOctober 5, 202412:33 min
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx: Lifestyle Europe

Working as a woman at Oktoberfest, treasure hunts in the Swiss Alps, and sweets for dementia.
CultureOctober 4, 202426:04 min
DW Focus on Europe Sendungslogo

Focus on Europe — Spotlight on People

People from around the world flock to Oktoberfest. Women are increasingly involved in management.
SocietyOctober 3, 202426:04 min
A group of people sit at a table and drink beer together, smiling

Security check: How safe is Munich's Oktoberfest?

High alcohol consumption at the world's largest folk festival has its downsides. DW runs a safety check.
CrimeSeptember 28, 202405:02 min
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx — Lifestyle Europe

Safety check at Munich’s Oktoberfest, a hemp house and model Liya Kebede.
LifestyleSeptember 27, 202426:04 min
People hold mugs of beer on the day of the official opening of the 189th Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival in Munich, Germany

Germany: Oktoberfest beer starts flowing amid high security

This year's event saw extra security after a string of security incidents elsewhere in Germany.
SocietySeptember 21, 2024
Germany Oktoberfest Opening

As Oktoberfest kicks off, Munich enhances security

Munich's mayor has assured the public that all measures will be taken to ensure safety at the world-famous beer fest.
CultureSeptember 21, 202402:32 min
People on a swing ride at the Oktoberfest in Munich, photo taken from the ground shows blue sky above carousel.

Oktoberfest: Beer and pretzels in a sustainable package

Beyond big beers and fried sausages, the world's largest folk festival is becoming more inclusive and eco-friendly.
LifestyleSeptember 19, 2024
The Olympia Looping rollercoaster

Germany: Worker killed in Oktoberfest roller coaster test

Munich's fire department said a worker was fatally injured in a test ride of a roller coaster at the Oktoberfest site.
CatastropheSeptember 16, 2024
People toasting each other at Oktoberfest with 1 liter glasses of beer

Get drunk, not high at Oktoberfest, Bavaria says

Authorities in Germany's Bavaria say they want to restrict the use of cannabis in festivals and beer gardens.
PoliticsApril 16, 2024
Neuschwanstein castle as seen from a distance.

10 reasons to love Bavaria

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TravelOctober 6, 202310 images
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Munich: Oktoberfest on a small budget

Oktoberfest is a lot of fun, but fun has its price. We find out how far €100 will go.
SocietyOctober 5, 202304:37 min
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Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

The Oktoberfest on a small budget, Britain’s diverse Chineke! Orchestra and French macarons.
LifestyleSeptember 29, 202326:06 min
Women clapping while wearing traditional costumes at Oktoberfest in Munich.

Germany: How safe is it for women at Munich's Oktoberfest?

The largest folk festival in the world draws millions of people to Munich. There is also a sobering side.
TravelSeptember 28, 2023
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Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Questions and answers about Oktoberfest, the Labrum London fashion label and pizza Margherita.
LifestyleSeptember 26, 202326:05 min
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DW Business

Aviation industry embraces Hydrogen - Startups court investors at Munich Octoberfest
BusinessSeptember 26, 202312:30 min
Thumbnail EUROMAXX 23.09.2023

Questions and answers about Munich's Oktoberfest

You think you know all about it, but what do you really know about Europe's biggest folk festival?
CultureSeptember 25, 202304:42 min
People ride a giant swing during the Oktoberfest parade in Munich

Munich celebrates Oktoberfest with beer and lederhosen

Munich is running wild with visitors happily celebrating Oktoberfest.
CultureSeptember 21, 20238 images
The closed off roller coaster "Hell Lightning" ride at the Oktoberfest grounds

Oktoberfest: Revelers slightly injured in fair ride crash

The director of the "Hell's Lightning" ride said there was a slight collision involving two trains.
SocietySeptember 18, 2023
Oktoberfest visitors storm the festival grounds.

Munich mayor taps first keg, opening 188th Oktoberfest

Munich's mayor has tapped the first keg, officially opening the Bavarian capital's 18-day beer festival.
OffbeatSeptember 17, 202301:31 min
Women with beer glasses pose for a photo at the 188th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Oktoberfest: Munich mayor opens 188th beer festival

The world's biggest beer carnival kicks off with a festive procession and visitors flocking from all over the world.
SocietySeptember 16, 2023
Thumbnail Euromaxx 15.09.2023

The secret to a German pretzel

The twists and turns of the German pretzel. What makes it authentic?
CultureSeptember 16, 202304:55 min
Women wearing different dirndls, many with pink.

Dirndl or no? How 'Barbie' impacts Germany's Oktoberfest

Germany is famous for its beer-guzzling fest. It's highly traditional, but Louisa Schaefer has seen new fashion trends.
CultureSeptember 15, 2023
Women wearing traditional Bavarian costumes pull small children in a wagon

Dos and don'ts at Oktoberfest

It's time again for the biggest beer festival in the world — the Oktoberfest in Munich. Here's an etiquette guide.
TravelSeptember 15, 202311 images
A man dressed in traditional Bavarian clothes raises his beer mug aloft

Germany: Oktoberfest to last 2 days longer in 2023

The Munich beer festival will last even longer in 2023 in an attempt to increase revenue.
BusinessOctober 26, 2022
Crowd of people reaching hands toward a beer mug

Oktoberfest 2022 was no record year

Munich's Oktoberfest drew 5.7 million people, who drank 5.6 million liters of beer, despite the cool and rainy weather.
CultureOctober 4, 2022
Deutschland | Oktoberfest 2022 in München

Party At Your Peril! Oktoberfest 2022

After a two-year hiatus, the Oktoberfest is back. It's a super-spreading event, but no one's put off.
HealthOctober 1, 202226:07 min
Deutschland München | 187. Oktoberfest startet

Oktoberfest Quiz — All things beer, bratwurst and dirndl

Finally, the Oktoberfest is back! Do you know your dirndl from your lederhosen? Have a go at these five questions.
TravelSeptember 29, 2022
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Julian Nagelsmann carries a beer while dressed in traditional Bavarian dress at Oktoberfest

Bayern Munich hungover before even getting to Oktoberfest

Bayern suffered their first defeat of the season away at Augsburg and are now without a win in four Bundesliga games.
SportsSeptember 19, 2022
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

Munich Oktoberfest kicks off after 2-year break

The world-famous beer festival opened in Germany after two years of hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.
SocietySeptember 17, 2022
A man holding up a lot of beer masses

It's International Beer Day!

We shine a light on Germany's legendary beer culture, Beer Purity Law, corner pubs and much more. Prost!
TravelAugust 5, 202211 images
View of the Oktoberfest in Munich

Oktoberfest festival to take place again in Munich

Local authorities have decided to allow the Oktoberfest festival to take place after two years of cancellations.
CultureApril 29, 2022
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What will travel be like in 2022?

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TravelDecember 29, 202112 images
A man pours a beer at the alternative Oktoberfest Wirtshauswiesn 2021

Alternative Oktoberfest opens in Munich

Dozens of local restaurants and pubs in Munich's downtown will keep the Oktoberfest tradition alive this year.
CultureSeptember 18, 2021
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PoliticsJune 10, 2021
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TravelJune 4, 202138 images
Thousands of Oktoberfest-goers in beer tent.

Oktoberfest around the world

Munich's Oktoberfest has been cancelled for the second time due to COVID. The international versions are just copies.
CultureMay 3, 20219 images
An empty beer tent

Oktoberfest canceled again in 2021

Bavarian officials have canceled Germany's annual Oktoberfest due to the ongoing health risks posed by coronavirus.
SocietyMay 3, 2021
Visitors drink beer after the start the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich in 2019

Munich hits back over Dubai Oktoberfest plans

"Oktoberfest is a Munich-original and takes place exclusively in Munich," the city said in a terse statement.
SocietyApril 30, 2021
Munich's Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest in Dubai's desert?

With the pandemic putting the Munich Oktoberfest in peril, a massive alternative festival is being planned in Dubai.
SocietyApril 30, 2021
Two large glasses of beer

Pandemic hits German beer sales

A German brewing association said the drop was "unprecedented" in the postwar period.
BusinessFebruary 1, 2021
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Why 'Little Germany' disappeared from NYC

For German-American Day, here are some of the German influences in the US beyond the Brauhaus and Oktoberfest.
CultureOctober 5, 2020
Bierkrug Oktoberfest 2020 Schutz-Maske

There's no substitute for Oktoberfest

The city hopes smaller, decentralized locations can help make up for the loss of its biggest party
BusinessOctober 2, 202002:55 min
Steinmeier commemorates the Oktoberfest attack

Steinmeier marks 1980 Oktoberfest attack

Four decades after the Oktoberfest bombing in Munich, Germany's president has warned of the continued far-right threat.
PoliticsSeptember 26, 2020
Nutcracker figures at a Berlin Christmas market

Will Germany's famed Christmas markets be canceled?

With Oktoberfest axed and a rise in infections, authorities are sizing up whether Christmas markets are next to go.
SocietySeptember 21, 2020
A half empty glass of beer on the floor in front of police officers

Coronavirus digest: Munich's infection rate climbs

The number of people testing positive in Munich is up despite a lack of crowds due to a scaled-down Oktoberfest.
SocietySeptember 20, 2020