Germany’s Oktoberfest Opens After 2-Year Hiatus

The beer is flowing at Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest for the first time since 2019.

With three knocks of a hammer and the traditional cry of “O’zapft is” — “It’s tapped” — Mayor Dieter Reiter inserted the tap in the first keg at noon on Saturday, officially opening the festivities after a two-year break forced by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Oktoberfest has typically drawn about 6 million visitors every year to packed festival grounds in Bavaria’s capital. The event did not take place in 2020 and 2021 as authorities grappled with the unpredictable development of COVID-19 infections and restrictions.

Those worries were put aside this year. The city announced in late April that Oktoberfest would go ahead, and Reiter said Saturday that “it was a good decision.”

“I’m glad that we can finally celebrate together,” Bavarian governor Markus Soeder said at the opening ceremony. “There are many who say, ‘Can we, can we not? Is it appropriate now?’ I just want to say one thing: We have two or three difficult years behind us, no one knows exactly what this winter will be like, and we need joie de vivre and strength.”

Three hours before Reiter tapped the first keg, revelers rushed to secure seats in the huge beer tents as the gates to the festival opened.

They will need significantly deeper pockets than at the last Oktoberfest, with brewers and visitors facing pressure from inflation.

A 1-liter (2-pint) mug of beer costs between 12.60 and 13.80 euros (dollars) this year, which is an increase of about 15% compared with 2019, according to the festival’s official homepage.

This year’s Oktoberfest, the 187th edition of the event, runs through Oct. 3.

Soeder told the daily Muenchner Merkur newspaper in comments published earlier Saturday that the number of coronavirus infections would probably rise following the Oktoberfest but “at the same time, thankfully, we aren’t measuring an undue strain on hospitals anywhere.”

“That speaks for us being in new phase of corona,” he said, adding that authorities would try to protect vulnerable people but not prevent celebrations.

Munich To Stage 1st Oktoberfest After 2-Year Hiatus

BERLIN (AP) — The annual Oktoberfest festival is on again for this fall, the city of Munich said Friday, following a two-year pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dieter Reiter, the mayor of the Bavarian capital, said the popular beer festival will be held without restrictions from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3 - Germany’s national day.

The Oktoberfest, first held in 1810 in honor of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese, has been canceled dozens of times during its more than 200-year history due to wars and pandemics.

The announcement was welcomed by the Bavarian hotel and restaurant association.

Germany Cancels Oktoberfest For 2nd Year Over Virus Fears

BERLIN (AP) — Bavarian officials on Monday canceled Oktoberfest festivities for a second year in a row due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, saying there are too many risks in hosting the celebrations — which bring in visitors from around the world — during a global pandemic.

Bavarian Governor Markus Soeder said it was with “heavy hearts” that they decided to call off the festival for which the state is known globally, but that with coronavirus numbers still stubbornly high and German hospitals already struggling, it had to be done.

“Oktoberfest will be held again, and will be big again,” he pledged.

Germany is in the middle of a coronavirus lockdown that includes a ban on large gatherings, with an infection rate of 146.9 new weekly infections per 100,000 residents.

Bavaria is slightly below the national average with 145.4 new weekly infections per 100,000, according to the country’s disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute.

Oktoberfest typically attracts about 6 million visitors from around the world and had been scheduled from Sept. 18 to Oct. 3.

The combination of huge tents full of people and the consumption of large quantities of alcohol, as well as the possibility for mutated varieties of the virus to be brought in from abroad, made it particularly hazardous to go ahead with the festival, Soeder said.

After Oktoberfest was canceled last year, about 50 of the southern German city’s beer halls and other establishments hosted smaller parties under strict coronavirus guidelines. Mayor Dieter Reiter said the hope was that it again would be possible to have open-air beer gardens and patios open under certain restrictions.

However difficult the decision to cancel Oktoberfest, it would have been worse if the city waited too long and had to call it off after preparations were already underway, he said.

“For me, personally, it was no easy decision because it is a huge date in the calendar for the mayor,” he said. “Much more importantly, it’s a huge shame for the millions of fans worldwide.”

Under Germany’s national “emergency brake” legislation passed last month, measures limiting personal contacts, closing leisure and sports facilities and shutting or restricting access to many stores kick in for areas which have more than 100 weekly new cases per 100,000 residents for three consecutive days. Restrictions also include a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew.

Oktoberfest 2014 Guide, Everything You Need To Know For Your Visit To Munich Between September 20th And October 5th

The Oktoberfest takes place in Munich between September 20 and October 5. Find out about the festival, booking hotels, tickets, locations and transport here

Visiting Oktoberfest this year? Here is our guide. Photo: Joerg Koch/Getty Images

The Munich Oktoberfest justly lays claim to being the largest of its kind in the world and the figures seem to back this up – last year more than six million people attended, between them consuming 6.7 million litres of beer and eating more than 114 oxen. The festival - which spans just over two weeks - is held annually in a meadow just outside Munich’s city centre. In addition to eating, drinking and dancing, visitors can enjoy colourful parades, a variety of fairground rides – and for those not themselves in traditional Bavarian gear, admire those that are, especially the more finely honed examples.

Its fame and popularity means that the Oktoberfest is a huge crowd-puller and as a rule accommodation and transport have to be booked well in advance. That said, it is still possible to plan a trip quite close to the time. Here’s a guide to how the Oktoberfest started, what exactly it entails and how best to plan a visit.

Oktoberfest guide

Just when does the Oktoberfest take place?

Although the festival concludes in October, most of it takes place in September. This year’s dates are September 20-October 5.

How did it start?

The original Oktoberfest in October 1810 was held in honor of the wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, For five full days, the burghers of Munich were invited to eat, drink and be merry, and enjoy parades involving kettle drums and music, shooting displays and a horse race around a meadow on the edge of town. Such a good time was had by all that it was decided to stage the race (and the accompanying indulgence) again the following year, and then the next and the next. There has been the occasional pause in proceedings (usually at times of war), but this year will mark the 181st time the Oktoberfest is being held

Where is it held?

The main Oktoberfest is held on the original meadow, named, in honour of Ludwig’s bride, the Theresienwiese (shortened to the “Wiesn”), a short tram ride from the centre of Munich.

Munich's best beer gardens

The grand parade

The opening day of the festival is marked by a colorful parade of carriages, floats and people in a variety of costumes winding its way through the streets of Munich. The Costume und Riflemen's Procession takes place on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest; a week later there's the open-air big band concert. Full programme here.

Is it really held in tents?

The structure erected to keep Ludwig and Therese out of the sun in 1810 may well have been a tent, but the vast ones used today are much more solid affairs with colourful façades, long wooden tables and benches, and frequently on more than one level. Some can hold up to 10,000 visitors.

German tourists: 'arrogant, boring and nude'

Best time to go?

General hours are 10.00am to 10.30pm (from 9am on Saturdays and Sundays). It is pretty packed at weekends; many locals prefer to pop in during the week. Full timings here.

Do I have to dress up?

Lederhosen for men and Dirndl (traditional Bavarian dress with full skirt, apron and tight bodice) for women are compulsory. Not really – but it’s nice to see so many Bavarians making the effort. If you want to join in, there are several shops in town specialising in such gear.

^{Lederhosen and Dirndl are not compulsory}

Isn't it full of drunken Australians and Brits?

No. While there is undoubtedly an Antipodean contingent (and indeed plenty of Britons), most tend to be found at the Hofbräu tent. The overwhelming majority of visitors are from Bavaria itself (about 70 per cent), or other parts of Germany (15 per cent).

Eleven reasons to go to Germany

So which tent should I aim for?

To get a more rounded feel of the event, try some of the other tents (there are 14 in total): try the the Hackerbräu (decked out in Bavarian blue and white) and the Winzerer Fähndl (complete with beer garden). The Augustiner Festhalle is more moderately paced and popular with families, particularly on Tuesdays. The largest tent is the 10,000-seater Schottenhamel, where the first beer of the season is poured to rapturous applause and cheering. The smallest is the Glöckle Wirt, has room for just 98 people, and its walls are lined with traditional instruments, cooking utensils and paintings.

Do I need to book a place in a tent?

It is advisable, particularly at the more popular ones - and best to apply to them directly (oktoberfest.de/en/navitem/Beer+Tents/). Failing that turn up in good time and stake a claim at one of the unclaimed wooden benches to be found in most of them.

^{The only beer served comes from Munich breweries}

Beer necessities

The only beer served comes from Munich breweries such as the Augustiner, Paulaner and Spaten. The most popular variation is the lager-like Helles. And there are no half measures: beer is served in one-litre glasses (ein Maß), several of which are typically carried at one time by buxom barmaids. The cost of a litre (ein Maß) will this year for the first time in some of the tents rise above the €10 (£8) mark – but you don’t need that many. If you want to pace yourself, ask for a Radler (beer with lemonade).

And to soak it up?

Typically, half a roasted chicken with a giant-sized pretzel. Additionally, Bratwurst (sausages), knuckles of pork, freshly smoked fish and lots of colourful gingerbread creations. Earlybirds may like to try an authenic Bavarian breakfast – Weisswurst (veal sausages served with a sweet mustard), on offer at the Kalbsbraterei (see What's new for Oktoberfest 2014? below).

What if I don’t like beer?

If you don’t like drinking beer the Oktoberfest is perhaps not the ideal place for you. That said, the Weinzelt (wine tent) is where you can choose from more than 15 different wines (and there are some excellent ones in Germany, especially from Franconia) in addition to different types of Sekt (sparkling wine) and champagne. Bodo’s Cafe tent is where you can find all manner of cakes and pastries (including strudel) to go with your coffee or, if it’s that time of day, cocktail.

Is there anything apart from eating and drinking?

Believe it or not, the Oktoberfest is also aimed at families – with lots of fairground attractions such as merry-go-rounds, the Olympia Loop ride, a Star Flyer, candyfloss stalls and shooting galleries. Most tents offer traditional Bavarian music (accompanying thigh-slapping is voluntary) and some, such as Bodo’s (see above) offer live band entertainment. Of course Munich itself has a welter of attractions – first-rate museums and galleries, a beautiful town hall, a skyline full of spires and domes, great shopping and nightlife, the beautiful Englischer Garten – oh, and, of course, in Bayern Munich, the football club from which came half of Germany’s winning World Cup team.

Fairground attractions are big at Oktoberfest

Sprechen Sie Bayerisch?

Bavarian (or Bayerisch) is a language all unto itself. But here are a couple of terms you might find useful: O’zapft is! (“It is tapped” – the phrase uttered by Munich’s mayor to mark the opening of the first beer barrel and the commencement of the drinking), Oans–zwoa-drei-gsuffa (“One, two, three, bottoms up!”) and I mog di (“I like/love you”). For more, see: oktoberfest.de/en/lexikon/

What's new for Oktoberfest 2014?

Although there will still be 14 tents, there will be two newcomers: the Marstall (successor to the Hippodrom), which will have a horsey theme and seating for up to 3,500 inside and 900 in the garden outside. The other newcomer is the Kalbsbraterei tent. The emphasis here will will be on adding a gourmet food element to the beer-drinking experience, with roasted veal dishes a particular speciality. In the fairground, the “Encounter” ride will transport visitors into the worlds of science-fiction and suspense, while the “Big Bamboo” zone will have a Caribbean feel.

Getting there

Independently

Several airlines including easyJet, British Airways, air Berlin and Lufthansa fly to Munich direct. For best fares try flight comparison websites momondo.com, skyscanner.net, kayak.co.uk andtravelsupermarket.com. Once there, many hotels will be full and those that aren’t will be charging heftily. Alternatively, try the popular accommodation websites booking.com and airbnb.com for plenty of options over the festival period.

The package

Fred Holidays (0808 274 5685; fredholidays.co.uk) has a two-night trip to Munich for the festival from September 29-October 1 from £489 per person. Includes flights from London Gatwick to Munich and two nights at the four-star Leonardo Royal Hotel (room only; two sharing).

Further information

For more information, oktoberfest.eu is the festival's official website (click on 'International' top right for English language version), complete with handy Wiesn map. Another useful site is oktoberfest.de, source of a welter of information on activities surrounding the period, how best to enjoy it and key numbers to call should you need help. The German National Tourist Office (germany-tourism.de) and Munich Tourist Office (muenchen-tourist.de) also provide useful steers.

By Adrian Bridge, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

Oktoberfest In The US: Where And When To Celebrate This Year

Contributed by Lisa Miller

Unless you're a study abroad student or a wealthy jet-setter, chances are you don't have the time or money to hop over to Munich for Oktoberfest.

But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy beer, bratwurst and all the accompanying festivities. There are plenty of places to celebrate the fall festival in the United States -- meaning you can party without the hassle and cost of a trip to Europe.

This year, the Munich Oktoberfest will be held from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6 -- preparations are already underway in Germany. But stateside, Oktoberfest celebrations can be found throughout the early autumn months. While some are longer, many of the festivals are weekend-long, making them perfect quick getaways.

Check out the Oktoberfest options below and let us know which ones you'll be checking out!

For a New England celebration...

An all-American beer celebration gets some German flair at the Harpoon Brewery Octoberfest in Boston. The two-day celebration has been around for 23 years now and includes German food, three stages of musical performances, keg bowling, chicken dances, and, of course, plenty of Harpoon. The celebration will be held Oct. 4-5.

If you can't make the Boston celebration, Harpoon's Vermont brewery will host a smaller version of the festival the following weekend (Oct. 11-12).

For a Midwestern celebration...

To attend America's largest Octoberfest, head to Cincinnati for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. The festival has been celebrating the German heritage of southwest Ohio with music, food and beer since 1976. Last year the celebration welcomed more than 500,000 revelers. This year Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will be held Sept. 20-22.

If you can't make it that weekend -- or just are an Octoberfest junkie -- Ohio won't let you down. Another renowned celebration will be held in Columbus Sept. 27-29. The Columbus Oktoberfest is a German extravaganza that's fit for the whole family. Kids will have their fun at the Kinderplatz and adults can eat, drink and be merry.

For a West Coast celebration...

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest in California's San Bernadino Mountains can't be missed. Literally. It runs for seven weekends, beginning Sept. 14 and wrapping up the weekend of Oct. 26. The event will feature three biergartens, musical entertainment and a packed calendar of events.

Saturdays, the party runs from noon to midnight, so you can spend twelve straight hours guzzling beer. Sundays are family day, with free admission for children under 12 years old, kids' contests and plenty of activities to keep them happy while you sample the array of domestic and German beers.

If you're heading west for Oktoberfest, make sure to also check out Alpine Village Oktoberfest, which runs every weekend between Sept. 13 and Oct. 27. Alpine Village mixes the modern -- "Club Berlin Indie Rock Dance Party" and happy hours -- along with traditional Oktoberfest staples.

For a Southern celebration...

Helen, Georgia, is a faux Bavarian town tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. So it only makes sense that the town hosts a great big Oktoberfest.

This year's 43rd Annual Oktoberfest will kick off the weekend of Sept. 12-15. Then the festivities continue every day from Sept. 19 through Oct. 27. So there's no excuse for missing out on the fun. Helen's Oktoberfest is the longest-running in the United States. A good time is pretty much guaranteed, with German-style bands, cowbells, accordions, polka-dancing, beer-drinking and bratwurst-eating.