WELCOME TO THE OKTOBERFEST
the worlds most famous beer festival
Cheers! And this happens very quickly when you can walk to Oktoberfest in just five minutes. Here you and your companions can expect unique hours full of comfort, fun and hospitality.
The world’s largest folk festival has been held annually on Theresienwiese since 1810. Some Munich breweries brew a special beer especially for this event. This must have an original wort of at least 13.5%. The alcohol content must be at least 5.8 to 6.4 volume.
Due to the 200th anniversary, the “Oide Wiesn”, a historic Oktoberfest, was organized for the first time in 2010 at the southern end of Theresienwiese. This will also open with a beer tapping one day before the regular Oktoberfest. The approximately five hectare fenced area has historical rides, marquees and other historical attractions such as a stick fish roast, a chain carousel or a cotton candy stand.
Since then, the Oide Wiesn has opened its doors every year. Only, the traditional Oktoberfest is kept smaller. This reduced the entry price. The marquee was enlarged and the traditional fairground rides were retained.
Every year in September, when the hosts of the Oktoberfest parade in, the event starts. It is a festive procession in which the hosts come to the festival area with decorated carriages and horse-drawn carts. The parade is led by the Münchner Kindl. This is traditionally followed by the mayor in the Schottenhamel festival carriage. It brings him directly to the marquee of the same name. There he pokes the beer barrel at exactly 12 noon and opens the Oktoberfest with “O’zapft is! To a peaceful Wiesn “. Thereupon twelve gunshots are fired on the stairs of the Bavaria. This is the start signal for all other Oktoberfest hosts to start serving. The Bavarian Prime Minister traditionally receives the first measure. Only then it is the visitors’ turn. The procession is accompanied by the music band of the festival tents. Only Munich breweries are allowed to host at the Oktoberfest. This means that six different beer brands are represented: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Spaten and Paulaner.
If you need some rest after visiting the “Wiesn”: don’t worry! Even after an extensive visit to the Oktoberfest, the City Aparthotel offers you the right ambience to relax.
Every Wiesn visitor should know that (10 golden Oktoberfest rules)
At the Oktoberfest we want to celebrate together. There are a few rules to keep in mind. What you should know about backpacks, prams, bicycles, animals, how to get there, entrances, closing times and much more – here are the tips from the festival management.
1. Backpacks and large bags are strictly forbidden at the Wiesn. Leave at home what you don’t need to celebrate. The fastest people at the Wiesn are those who don’t have bags or a backpack with them.
2. Bags and rucksacks brought along may have a maximum volume of three liters and no larger than 20 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm.
3. This shouldn’t be in even the smallest pocket: gas spray cans with harmful contents, caustic or coloring substances or objects that can be used as cutting, thrusting or stabbing weapons. Glass bottles are also not allowed to be brought in.
4. Buggies are not permitted all day on Saturdays. On the other days of the Oktoberfest, this ban on prams applies from 6 p.m. However, security personnel can check strollers.
5. Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and the like are not permitted on the festival site.
6. Animals are not allowed on the Wiesn at any time (with the exception of assistance dogs).
7. Plan your arrival: Use alternatives to the U-Bahn 4/5 and the Theresienwiese U-Bahn station. If you arrive at the main train station, you may have to walk to the Wiesn. If you come from the west with the subway, get off at Schwanthalerhöhe if possible. Also use the subway 3/6 stops Goetheplatz and Poccistraße.
8. Use all entrances to the Wiesn around the festival area. As in previous years, all entrances are open and not blocked.
9. The Oktoberfest is most comfortable when there is no crowd. The Oktoberfest barometer shows you when the time for a stroll through the Oktoberfest is good.
10. Even the most beautiful folk festival evening comes to an end. Visitors are not permitted on the festival grounds between 1.30 a.m. and 9 a.m.