History of Oktoberfest: Why Does it Start in September?

Hacker-Pschorr Brewery “Oktoberfest Girl.” Image: Wikipedia

HISTORY OF OKTOBERFEST

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Why is the famous German beer festival held in September if it’s called Oktoberfest? Officially, the beer festival begins on the third Saturday in September and lasts for sixteen to eighteen days, running through early October.

This year, Oktoberfest runs from September 20 to October 5.

What is the backstory of Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest History

The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate the royal wedding in Munich — the capital of the old Kingdom of Bavaria — between Ludwig, the Bavarian Crown Prince, and Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, Princess of Saxe-Altenburg. The celebration began on October 12 and lasted until October 17. In subsequent years, the festivities were repeated, lengthened, and moved to September, when the weather was more favorable.

The festivities were initially held for the citizens on the fields in front of the gates of the city. The fields were renamed Theresienwiese for the princess, but are often abbreviated to simply die Wiesn. Over the years, the celebration grew to become a celebration of Bavarian agriculture, culture, and cuisine.

Current Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest Bier Tent. Image: Wikipedia

It has been ongoing for over two centuries and has only been interrupted approximately two dozen times previously by cholera epidemics, the COVID-19 pandemic, and wars. Typically, over six million people visit Munich each year and come to one of the 16 beer tents, which can accommodate approximately 119,000 people at a time. There are even apps for the event.

Recently, 7.7 million liters of beer were served. The beer price for Oktoberfest 2024 ranges from 13.60 euros to 15.30 euros. If you were to lay down all the beer drinkers in Munich end-to-end, they’d sleep better afterward.

Throughout the world, wherever there are German immigrants, Oktoberfest is celebrated. Large celebrations routinely occur in Canada, Brazil, Cincinnati, and even Denver, where half a million people gather in the Mile High City.

This is not the only beer festival in Germany, nor is it the only one in Munich. The Munichers have a local one called Starkbierfest.

Neuschwanstein Castle. Image: Wikimedia

The married Bavarian couple? Their grandson, Leopold II, was perhaps the most popular King of Bavaria. He was known as the Swan King, the Fairy Tale King, or even the Mad King Ludwig.

He fairly showered castles upon the kingdom in the late 19th century. The largest of these is the most photographed castle in the world, and it is the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. It’s Castle Neuschwanstein near Füssen, Germany.

Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
billpetro.com