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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

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is an annual folk festival held in Munich in the southern German state of Bavaria. It's the largest beer festival in the world, attracting some 6-7 million visitors from across the world.

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All Content on this topic

People standing at gate to the Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest closes after two 'roller-coaster' weeks

People at the 2025 Oktoberfest drank less, created less trash but lost more stuff than last year.
SocietyOctober 5, 2025
A view of uniformed police officers (R) and visitors (L) at the Oktoberfest fairgrounds

Munich Oktoberfest reopens after bomb threat

The beer festival grounds had been closed for several hours as police conducted a security sweep.
CrimeOctober 1, 202502:19 min
Visitors enter the grounds of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich on October 1, 2025, after the event was forced to close for most of the day amid a bomb scare.

Oktoberfest back on after Munich bomb scare

The suspect was found injured and later died, but police ultimately found no link or threat to the Oktoberfest festival.
CrimeOctober 1, 2025
Crowds at Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest overcrowding sparks safety concerns

Munich's Oktoberfest attracts millions: Its entrances were briefly closed over the weekend due to overcrowding.
CultureSeptember 30, 2025
DW Euromaxx show logo

A first-timer at Oktoberfest — Euromaxx

An Oktoberfest debut, cellist Kian Soltani, and Finland's blueberry fever.
LifestyleSeptember 28, 202526:04 min
A blonde woman with a ponytail and a dirndl dress stands cheerfully with her arms outstretched at the Munich Oktoberfest under a blue sky.

Oktoberfest: What to know about 'the best party in Germany'

DW's Sarah Hucal in Munich: An American’s take on Oktoberfest.
LifestyleSeptember 27, 202504:31 min
The fruit column, the symbol of the Cannstatter Wasen festival, is framed by an oversized beer mug

Stuttgart rival to Munich's Oktoberfest opens with keg tap

Cannstatter Wasen, seen as the world's second-largest beer festival has opened with the traditional keg tap.
SocietySeptember 26, 2025
Two middle-aged men, Markus Söder and Dieter Reiter, hold a beer mug as a crowd looks on in a tent

Oktoberfest 2025 opens with traditional keg-tapping

Munich's mayor has tapped a first barrel of beer to kick off one of Germany's top tourist attractions.
CultureSeptember 20, 2025
Deutschland München 2025 | Politische Prominenz beim 190. Oktoberfest im Schottenhamel

Oktoberfest opens for 190th time

"O'zapft is" — this rallying cry of "It is tapped" by Munich's mayor has kicked off 16 days of beer-fueled revelry.
CultureSeptember 20, 20259 images
A view of Oktoberfest crowds, a giant Ferris wheel seen in the distance

Oktoberfest 2025 starts with record beer prices

At this year's Oktoberfest, beer is more expensive than ever. That won't stop millions from joining the party.
CultureSeptember 19, 2025
A young women with long wavy blonde-brown hair carries around 8 large beer mugs and is surrounded by people

Is Germany's drinking passion waning?

Germans have long loved beer and schnapps. But they are now drinking less than ever — and not just during Dry January.
LifestyleJanuary 31, 2025
Top shot of the "Wall of Death," a historic steep-wall stunt show at Munich’s Oktoberfest

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 female waitress at Oktoberfest holding 14 beer steins and looking at the camera

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
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

The southern state is Germany's most popular travel destination, and home to these must-see sights.
TravelOctober 6, 202310 images
Thumbnail Euromaxx / 30.09.2023

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
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

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
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Questions and answers about Oktoberfest, the Labrum London fashion label and pizza Margherita.
LifestyleSeptember 26, 202326:05 min
View over Munich’s Oktoberfest with a beer tent and a Ferris wheel in the background

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
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
A pretzel sprinkled with salt leaning against a pretzel basket

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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PoliticsSeptember 23, 202254:59 min
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
Symbolic picture for travel showing clouds and mountain rocks and the number 2022

What will travel be like in 2022?

Despite the likely travel restrictions in 2022, we've put together a few tips for experiencing Germany.
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
Deutschland Berlin Ministerpräsidentenkonferenz Angela Merkel (CDU) und Michael Müller (SPD)

Germany's Merkel warns against hasty reopening

Despite lower case numbers in Germany, Chancellor Merkel says it is still too risky to fully reopen.
PoliticsJune 10, 2021
The cruise ship MSC Orchestra makes its way down the Giudecca Canal of Venice, Italy

Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

The COVID-19 epidemic poses a threat to the everyday life of people worldwide. Travelers are particularly affected.
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