It’s that time of year again! Time to break out the lederhosen and raise a stein of beer in celebration. But wait, Oktoberfest isn’t until October, is it? Why does the world’s largest beer festival seem to start earlier and earlier every year? The answer is complicated, but we’ll give you a rundown on the history of Oktoberfest and why it’s held in September.
The History of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is an annual event held since 1810 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It started as a celebration of the wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen on October 12th of 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to join the festivities, which included a horse race. From then on, the celebration grew and was extended to last two weeks in September and October until 1819, when it was moved to just start at the end of September.
Over the years, Oktoberfest has become one of the most famous festivals in the world. Every year, more than 6 million people come from all over the globe to participate in this grand celebration and enjoy various traditional activities.
Why is Oktoberfest celebrated in September instead of October?
It was a celebration that lasted five days and took place in October, as one might expect. But over time, the festivities were extended to include more days—until eventually, it was moved to September so that it could be enjoyed in more pleasant weather. This makes sense since October can bring some chilly temperatures to Munich. Thus, Oktoberfest has been celebrated in September ever since. So while the name suggests otherwise, many of the festivities occur in September!
How it’s celebrated Today?
Today, Oktoberfest is celebrated around the world and most commonly in Germany. It is still a large gathering filled with music, beer, and food. A key component of the festivities is lederhosen – traditional leather shorts, which are now widely popular during Oktoberfest celebrations. Lederhosen come in many different styles and can be bought in Oktoberfest stores or online. They are often paired with a matching Oktoberfest shirt and traditional hat – creating the perfect Oktoberfest costume.
The Oktoberfest tradition is still strong today, and it’s easy to join in on the fun with the right Oktoberfest lederhosen. Many popular Oktoberfest beers are still available, but the food options have expanded over time to include traditional dishes such as sausages, pretzels, and Bavarian cheeses. There is also a wide selection of sweet treats like apple strudel and lemon meringues which can be enjoyed during the festival.
Fun facts about Oktoberfest
- Oktoberfest is so popular that people worldwide travel to Munich to participate in the festivities. In 2006, the festival was celebrated with a second beer-tent location in Taiwan.
- Over 6 million liters of beer are consumed during Oktoberfest, along with over 500,000 roast chickens and over 80 oxen.
- The official song of Oktoberfest is called “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit,” which translates to “a toast to cheerfulness” in English. It is sung every hour at the festival and encourages people to raise their beers in celebration.
- Oktoberfest is also home to the largest beer tent in the world, known as Beer Tent Paulaner. With a capacity of 10,000 people and 100 waitresses, it is one of the most popular places to be during Oktoberfest.
- Wearing traditional German costumes is a must for locals who attend Oktoberfest. This includes wearing lederhosen (Oktoberfest men’s outfit) or dirndls (traditional Bavarian dresses). Even visitors are encouraged to wear traditional clothing to join in the festivities.
- Last but not least, it’s estimated that Oktoberfest brings over 1 billion euros to Munich yearly! This includes money from ticket sales and merchandise and revenue generated from the sale of food and drinks at the event. It pays to celebrate with a stein or two!
The Oktoberfest Beer
The beer served at Oktoberfest is specially brewed for the festival. It is a dark, malty beer with a higher alcohol content than most other beers. The beer is served in steins, which are large glasses or mugs. A typical stein holds 1 liter of beer, which is about double the size of a standard beer bottle.
The Oktoberfest Food
The food served at Oktoberfest is traditional German fare such as sausages, pretzels, and roasted chicken. There are also a variety of sweets and desserts available. Most of the food is designed to be eaten with beer, and many of the dishes are served on a stick for easy eating.
The Oktoberfest Attractions
In addition to the beer tents and food stalls, there are a number of other attractions at Oktoberfest. These include carnival rides, games, and live music. There is also a parade that takes place on the first day of the festival. The parade features floats, bands, and people in traditional German dress.
The Oktoberfest Songs
There are a number of songs associated with Oktoberfest, including “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” and “Die Wirtschaft ist gut”. These songs are typically sung by people in the beer tents, and they help to create a festive atmosphere. Many of the songs are about drinking beer and having a good time.
Parting Thoughts
There are many reasons why the world’s largest beer festival is in September and not October. The most popular reason has to do with the weather. In Bavaria, Germany, where Oktoberfest takes place, the temperatures start cooling down in September after a hot summer. This makes it more comfortable for visitors to walk around and drink beer outdoors.
No matter what the reason is that you love Oktoberfest, we hope you have a wonderful time celebrating! And don’t forget to pick up your Authentic German Dirndl or Lederhosen from us before you go – we have the best selection online!
