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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.


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