Source: Stadtmuseum Munich

The Munich Oktoberfest is famous the world over, and this year the festival marks its mammoth 201st anniversary, a cause for celebration indeed. The Bavarian folk festival proved to be so popular with people, that cities all over the world (including Brisbane, of course) now run their own version of the festival each year, to celebrate German culture, language and sense of camaraderie and festive fun. But do you know how did this iconic “people’s festival” originated?

Royal Bavarian* Wedding Celebrations

On October 12, 1810, Bavaria’s Prince Ludwig (who became King Ludwig I) invited all the people of his capital, Munich, to help celebrate his wedding to his new wife, Princess Therese. The celebration that we now know as Oktoberfest initially started with horse races washed down with beer by a 40,000 strong crowd of well-wishers. Everyone had such a great time in that first year that it was decided to repeat the event the following year. Within the next few years other elements such as an agricultural show, food and drink stalls, and rides, were added, and the event has continued to grow and evolve ever since. 

In 2008 alone, Munich Oktoberfest boasted over 6 million visitors – that’s 1.5 times the population of Queensland.

To this day the Munich Oktoberfest continues to be held in the same location as Ludwig’s original celebration, known as the “Theresienwiese” or Therese’s meadows, named after Princess Therese.

In 1950 the festival added the relatively new tradition of the Lord Mayor tapping the first keg of beer and announcing: “O’zapft is!” or “It’s tapped!” This practice is now entrenched in Oktoberfest tradition and marks the official start to the festivities each year.

A true people's festival

Oktoberfest’s focus throughout its long history has always been on the people, embracing the whole spectrum of the population and including the young and the old, families, business people, and visitors from near and far.

Companies, sporting clubs, government departments and other organisations often book VIP tables in the beer tents to enjoy the event in their own special environment. Workers roll up their sleeves or dress in traditional clothing, and relax with good food and drink. They can be seen enjoying the music and singing along to traditional Oktoberfest songs or “schunkeln” (linking arms with those on both sides and swaying) to the music.

While parents, grandparents, friends and relatives enjoy the opportunity to catch up in this fabulous, easy-going atmosphere, children are kept happy with rides and other activities.

* Bavaria is a state of Germany. In the early 1800s “Germany” as we know it did not exist, but was a combination of small kingdoms and dukedoms, including the powerful kingdom of Bavaria.
 Bavarians are very proud of their heritage, often considering themselves to be “Bavarian” first and “German” second.