Oktoberfest around the world | All media content | DW | 03.05.2021

Visit the new DW website

Take a look at the beta version of dw.com. We're not done yet! Your opinion can help us make it better.

Go to the new dw.com

We use cookies to improve our service for you. You can find more information in our data protection declaration.

More info OK
  1. Inhalt
  2. Navigation
  3. Weitere Inhalte
  4. Metanavigation
  5. Suche
  6. Choose from 30 Languages

Culture

Oktoberfest around the world

Bavaria's most famous tradition has been canceled for the second time due to COVID. Other Oktoberfest festivals are held all over the world, but they are just pale copies of the original.

  • Thousands of Oktoberfest-goers in beer tent.

    Munich, Germany

    Social distancing is definitely not a part of the traditional Oktoberfest concept. The world's largest beer festival, which attracted 6.3 million visitors in 2019, gathers thousands of people celebrating in beer tents. It has now been confirmed that the Bavarian event will not take place for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Two photos: A panorama of Dubai, and people celebrating at Oktoberfest in Munich

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    While Munich's Oktoberfest has been canceled once again, Dubai, which is holding its World Expo this year, is reportedly planning its own version of the famous beer festival at the Dubai Marina. According to reports, it would start on October 7, and instead of the usual two weeks of the German version, it would last six months.

  • Wanren Square of Golden Sands Beach at the 27th Qingdao International Beer Festival.

    Qingdao, China

    Every year, thousands of people attend the Qingdao International Beer Festival, or Asian Oktoberfest, in Qingdao city in Shandong province in eastern China. Attendees get to taste over 200 different beers from more than 40 international brewers. This year's festivities will take place from late July through August 2021.

  • Justin Trudeau taps the keg at the Kitchner-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Canada.

    Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada

    The twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo in the province of Ontario have jointly hosted an annual Oktoberfest since 1969. Visitors usually have the opportunity to attend one of more than 40 events. After a "virtual" version last yer, organizers are hoping for a return to normal in 2021. Shown here: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opening the ceremonies in 2016 by tapping the first keg.

  • People perform traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest dance in a street in Melbourne, Australia.

    Melbourne, Australia

    Melbourne held its first ever Oktoberfest street parade on September 16, 2017. Up to 50 participants dressed in traditional Bavarian lederhosen and dirndls celebrated in the streets of the city's South Wharf district. Among the performances: thigh-slapping, yodeling and pork knuckle-eating.

  • People celebrate Oktoberfest in the Festhalle during the 44th Oktoberfest celebrations in Helen, Georgia, USA.

    Helen, US

    Since 1970, residents of Helen in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia have organized an annual Oktoberfest for the local community. Modeled on a traditional Bavarian town, Helen normally attracts up to 2 million visitors a year from around the United States.

  • The Oktoberfest area of the German town of Blumenau in Brazil.

    Blumenau, Brazil

    If you go to this small town in southern Brazil, you may wonder whether you are still in South America. Founded by German immigrants in 1850, Blumenau has retained its distinctive Bavarian character throughout the years. Residents host one of the largest annual Oktoberfest celebrations in the entire continent.

  • Men play musical instruments at the Oktoberfest celebrations in El Cajon in California.

    El Cajon, US

    In sunny El Cajon near San Diego, residents normally come together every October to enjoy bratwurst, potato salad and German beer as part of their own Oktoberfest celebrations. Shown here, the German band Guggenbach-Buam joined the celebrations in pre-pandemic times, performing traditional Bavarian festive music.

  • Two dachshund stop and check each other out during the 9th heat of the Running of the Wieners.

    Cincinnati, US

    Billed as the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati was first held in 1976. The festival traditionally kicks off with the "Running of the Wieners," where some 100 dachshunds wearing a hot dog bun costume race against each other. Another quirky event is the World's Largest Chicken Dance. It's still unclear whether it will be held in its normal format in 2021.


  • Thousands of Oktoberfest-goers in beer tent.

    Munich, Germany

    Social distancing is definitely not a part of the traditional Oktoberfest concept. The world's largest beer festival, which attracted 6.3 million visitors in 2019, gathers thousands of people celebrating in beer tents. It has now been confirmed that the Bavarian event will not take place for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Two photos: A panorama of Dubai, and people celebrating at Oktoberfest in Munich

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    While Munich's Oktoberfest has been canceled once again, Dubai, which is holding its World Expo this year, is reportedly planning its own version of the famous beer festival at the Dubai Marina. According to reports, it would start on October 7, and instead of the usual two weeks of the German version, it would last six months.

  • Wanren Square of Golden Sands Beach at the 27th Qingdao International Beer Festival.

    Qingdao, China

    Every year, thousands of people attend the Qingdao International Beer Festival, or Asian Oktoberfest, in Qingdao city in Shandong province in eastern China. Attendees get to taste over 200 different beers from more than 40 international brewers. This year's festivities will take place from late July through August 2021.

  • Justin Trudeau taps the keg at the Kitchner-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Canada.

    Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada

    The twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo in the province of Ontario have jointly hosted an annual Oktoberfest since 1969. Visitors usually have the opportunity to attend one of more than 40 events. After a "virtual" version last yer, organizers are hoping for a return to normal in 2021. Shown here: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opening the ceremonies in 2016 by tapping the first keg.

  • People perform traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest dance in a street in Melbourne, Australia.

    Melbourne, Australia

    Melbourne held its first ever Oktoberfest street parade on September 16, 2017. Up to 50 participants dressed in traditional Bavarian lederhosen and dirndls celebrated in the streets of the city's South Wharf district. Among the performances: thigh-slapping, yodeling and pork knuckle-eating.

  • People celebrate Oktoberfest in the Festhalle during the 44th Oktoberfest celebrations in Helen, Georgia, USA.

    Helen, US

    Since 1970, residents of Helen in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia have organized an annual Oktoberfest for the local community. Modeled on a traditional Bavarian town, Helen normally attracts up to 2 million visitors a year from around the United States.

  • The Oktoberfest area of the German town of Blumenau in Brazil.

    Blumenau, Brazil

    If you go to this small town in southern Brazil, you may wonder whether you are still in South America. Founded by German immigrants in 1850, Blumenau has retained its distinctive Bavarian character throughout the years. Residents host one of the largest annual Oktoberfest celebrations in the entire continent.

  • Men play musical instruments at the Oktoberfest celebrations in El Cajon in California.

    El Cajon, US

    In sunny El Cajon near San Diego, residents normally come together every October to enjoy bratwurst, potato salad and German beer as part of their own Oktoberfest celebrations. Shown here, the German band Guggenbach-Buam joined the celebrations in pre-pandemic times, performing traditional Bavarian festive music.

  • Two dachshund stop and check each other out during the 9th heat of the Running of the Wieners.

    Cincinnati, US

    Billed as the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati was first held in 1976. The festival traditionally kicks off with the "Running of the Wieners," where some 100 dachshunds wearing a hot dog bun costume race against each other. Another quirky event is the World's Largest Chicken Dance. It's still unclear whether it will be held in its normal format in 2021.


More in the Media Center

***Bild nur im Kontext von Meet the Germans verwenden.*** Meet the Germans | Stereotypes Rechte: DW

German stereotypes: The dirndl, humor and German efficiency 10.08.2022

Meet the Germans, Outtakes Copyright: DW

Meet the Germans: Bloopers! 29.06.2022

Meet the Germans, Berlin

Berlin: 9 reasons why the German capital city isn't very German at all 01.06.2022

Meet the Germans | Eurovision

Germany and the Eurovision Song Contest 11.05.2022

More from German News Service

On the Berlin Wall Trail

On the Berlin Wall Trail 13.08.2022

Blick in einen Zellentrakt der Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen auf dem Gelände der ehemaligen Untersuchungshaftanstalt des Ministeriums für Staatssicherheit in der Genslerstraße. Die Gedenkstätte wurde umgebaut und saniert.

A visit to the Stasi prison 13.08.2022

Bild „Mauerverlauf“: Mauerstäbe und Gedenkwiese, im Vordergrund ein Baum, Oktober 2019

Central place of remembrance: The Berlin Wall Memorial 13.08.2022

Eco Africa-Sendung. The Environment Magazine Verwendung nur im Zusammenhang mit der Sendung. This week on Eco Africa, we look at eco classrooms in rural areas in Egypt and sustainable farming in Germany. recycling, playground, cooling boxes, renewable energy, upcycling, sustainable farming, technology

Germany: Seeing where food comes from firsthand 12.08.2022

Read also

2017***Ausblick über die Schaustellerstraße, Oktoberfest, Wiesn, München, Oberbayern, Bayern, Deutschland, Europa

Germany: Oktoberfest festival to take place again in Munich 29.04.2022

Local authorities have decided to allow the Oktoberfest festival to take place after two years of cancellations.

Oktoberfest in the desert? Dubai eyes German festival

Oktoberfest in the desert? Dubai eyes German festival 30.04.2021

With the pandemic putting plans for this year's Oktoberfest in Munich in peril, an idea leaked for a huge alternative festival in Dubai. The event boasts the world's largest bar and a party that will run through March.

Das Partyvolk vergnügt sich im 'Bierkönig' der In-Discothek in Arenal auf Mallorca, Themenfoto: Urlaub, Mittelmeer, Mallorca, Playa de Palma, - Foto: Augst/Eibner-Pressefoto 16.05.2022

Why some German cities have banned a 'sexist' song 14.07.2022

DJ Robin & Schürze's song "Layla" was declared too sexist to be played at a clutch of festivals in Germany, kicking up a social media storm over a hit single that belongs to an infamous genre — the Ballermann Schlager.

Munich hits back over Dubai Oktoberfest plans

Munich hits back over Dubai Oktoberfest plans 30.04.2021

The city of Munich has released a terse statement distancing itself from reports about an Oktoberfest event in Dubai. Other businesses expressed bewilderment with the plans.