Get ready to find out fascinating facts about the world’s most famous beer festival, Oktoberfest: from unique traditions to quirky details, you’ll definitely be surprised.
Oktoberfest is the ultimate celebration of beer, bratwurst, and Bavarian culture. But, did you know there’s more to this festival than just clinking steins and donning lederhosen? In this article, we’ll dive deep into some less known, yet utterly fascinating, fun facts about Oktoberfest.
Grab your pretzel and… put on your dirndl – we’re about to embark on a thrilling journey of discovery!
Oktoberfest: a Brief History
Let’s start by taking a trip down memory lane. Oktoberfest can trace its roots back to October 12, 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig (who later became King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. To celebrate the occasion, the citizens of Munich were invited to a massive party in a meadow outside the city gates. They had such a rollicking good time that the festivities became an annual tradition!
Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, let’s jump right into the good stuff 🍻🍻🍻
The Fun Facts about Oktoberfest that will make you the life of any beer garden party! 👇
Most interesting facts about Oktoberfest 🤗
Thousands flock to Oktoberfest in Munich every year. This incredible Bavarian celebration is world-famous, but how much do you actually know about the festival? For 2 weeks, people party, drink, and eat schunkel on the Theresienwiese in the Bavarian capital.
#1 Around 6 million visitors 🎆
In September and October, around 6 million people visit Oktoberfest in Munich. Beer tents, carousels, and many other attractions invite you all to spend time on the festival grounds.
#2 Did anyone say 7.5 million liters of beer? 🍺
That’s right, each year around 7.5 million liters of beer are drunk. The beer you’ll find during the festival is brewed within the city limits of Munich, and is always sold in 1-liter beer mugs. Prost!
#3 More than just… beer 🎡🎵🍗
Though it’s hard to imagine Oktoberfest without overflowing steins, the event actually boasts a wide variety of attractions. You’ll find:
- Traditional Bavarian music & dancing
- A parade with regional costumes & horse-drawn beer wagons
- Over 80 carnival rides, including roller coasters and Ferris wheels
- Delicious food stalls offering everything from roasted chicken to gingerbread hearts
#4 Beer mugs are popular souvenirs 🍻
Many visitors want to remember the great time they had at Oktoberfest. And what’s better than an actual beer mug as a souvenir from the beer festival, right? Well, in 2014, a total of 112,000 mugs were stolen!
#5 Oktoberfest service staff is superhuman 🦸♂️🦸
The service staff in the tents work to their absolute best. They walk back and forth along the long aisles between the beer benches to serve food and drinks. And… they carry up to 18 beer mugs all at once; that’s 41.4 kg! Wow.
#6 Lederhosen & Dirndls: more than fashion statements 👗👖
The traditional attire worn during Oktoberfest carries historical and cultural significance (apart from the fact that they’re really cool):
- Lederhosen were originally worn by Bavarian peasants as work clothes
- Dirndls have various apron bow placements, signifying marital status
- Wearing these outfits is a way to honor and celebrate Bavarian heritage
#7 The beer is special 🙌
Oktoberfest beer, or Märzen, is unique: it’s brewed specifically for the festival!
- It’s only brewed by Munich’s 6 major breweries
- It’s made according to the Reinheitsgebot (Bavarian Purity Law) of 1516
- It’s stronger than your average beer with an alcohol content of around 6%
#8 The best area to stay in for Oktoberfest 🛏️
To get the most out of your trip, stay in a central Munich hotel right next door to Oktoberfest. The Altstadt is ideal since it’s near the Wiesn, the festival site.
Choose the MEININGER hotel that’s calling your name and book fast:
> Our Hotel in Munich city center | 13 minutes walk from Theresienwiese
Our MEININGER Hotel next to Octoberfest: the Wiesn it’s only a few minutes’ away by foot from the hotel. Only 600 meters from our lobby to the Oktoberfest, to be precise. Be part of the Oktoberfest and stay with us in September or October!
> Our Hotel in Munich Olympiapark | 13 minutes by car from Theresienwiese
Our MEININGER Hotel next to Olympiapark: Only 13 minutes by car to Oktoberfest, or 40 minutes walk. Be fast!
