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Festivals, in all their vibrant diversity, are the threads that weave the tapestry of human culture across the globe. These joyous occasions bring people together to celebrate traditions, create lasting memories, and immerse themselves in the essence of their heritage. Among the many festivals celebrated worldwide, Oktoberfest symbolises exuberance, camaraderie, and the love of good beer.
Oktoberfest, originating from an 1810 royal wedding in Munich, has evolved into a globally renowned beer festival. Its rich history features a transition from horse races to beer tents in the late 19th century, transforming into the grand celebration we know today. World Wars and pandemics temporarily halted the festivities, but Oktoberfest persisted, adapting to modern times while preserving its Bavarian charm. It's now a symbol of unity and cultural heritage, welcoming millions of visitors annually to enjoy traditional food, music, and, of course, copious amounts of beer.
One cannot miss the famous beers of Oktoberfest, produced solely by Munich brewers, there are dozens of varieties to try from. Most people prefer lagers, such as Helles beer, which goes down well. You can also try Radler (lemonade beer) or visit the Weinzelt, a wine tent where you may sample over 15 different varieties of wine, including sparkling and champagne. A litre of beer at Oktoberfest this year will cost roughly €12.60 to €14.90 (INR 1,113 to INR 1,316). Some of the most iconic dishes to try at Oktoberfest include roast chicken, roast pork knuckle and wursts.
Octoberfest offers a wide array of attractions, including legendary rides such as the Olympia looping roller coaster and the Ferris wheel. Traditional attractions such as the Toboggan slide and the Varieté Schichtl's beheading act continue to entertain visitors every year. A new addition for 2023, Mr. Gravity, is a thrilling ride with rotating gondolas.
The hosts of Oktoberfest are hoping to make the festival climate-neutral within the next five years. In order to make this happen, they are recycling beer mugs, flushing water by transferring it to toilets, reducing waste, and using green electricity. You can also find more organic and vegan food options lately, which also helps in reducing the carbon footprint of the festival. Despite the efforts, there is an unusual amount of methane gas emission in the festival and there is a long way to go to make it a sustainable yet enjoyable festival.
Every year, the fest takes place in central Munich in Theresienwiese. Although traditional Bavarian attire like Dirndl and Lederhosen is popular, there are no strict dress code requirements for Oktoberfest. You can access the festival, parades, beer gardens, carnival rides and food stalls without a ticket. Carry cash with you, most places don't take cards and queues for ATMs will take forever since there are only a few of them around.
The best time to go to Oktoberfest is either the first weekend or the closing weekend. The first weekend allows you to experience the opening ceremony and enjoy the festival with less crowds. If you are planning on attending all the events of the festival, here is a list of events that will be held between September 16 and October 3.
September 16: With festively decorated wagons and brewery carriages, the landlords move to the festival area before the famous “O'zapft is!” or the Tapping ceremony at noon.
September 17: Traditional costume and hunters’ parade at 10 am
September 21: The ecumenical church service is held in the Marstall tent aimed at festival workers for their safety.
September 24: Oktoberfest hosts traditionally hold their big square or stand concert at the foot of the Bavaria.
October 3: The Oktoberfest ends with loud gunshots according to an old custom.
First, you need to book a flight from India to Germany. The cheapest flights to Germany are usually in October. Once you arrive in Germany, you need to get from the airport to Oktoberfest. The nearest airport to Oktoberfest is Munich Airport (MUC), which is about 30 km away from the festival site. You have several options for transportation from the airport to Oktoberfest, such as bus, train, taxi, car, or rideshare. You can stay at Wombat City Hostel which is one of the closest hostels. Other hostels that are also great include Jaeger's Munich and Euro Youth Hotel.
Oktoberfest has inspired the creation of over 2,000 imitator festivals around the world. Some of the more notable Oktoberfest celebrations take place in Blumenau (Brazil), Cincinnati (USA), and Qingdao (China).
