7 Surprising Facts About Oktoberfest

On September 20, Munich will roll out the red carpet for Oktoberfest! Every year, millions of visitors from around the globe flock to the Wiesn to lift massive beer mugs, show off their Dirndls and Lederhosen, and indulge in roast chicken, pretzels, and cotton candy. But Oktoberfest is more than just beer and brass bands — behind the world’s biggest folk festival are incredible numbers, fascinating traditions, and plenty of quirky stories. Here’s some fun Wiesn trivia to impress your friends.

1. It all started with a royal wedding

The first Oktoberfest took place in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The festivities included a grand horse race on the fields outside the city, which would later be named Theresienwiese. Today, that celebration has grown into the largest folk festival on the planet.

2. Why Oktoberfest is actually in September

Despite the name, Oktoberfest has been starting in September since 1872. The reason? The weather in Munich is usually milder, perfect for enjoying a cold beer outdoors. As a rule of thumb, Oktoberfest ends on the first Sunday of October — unless the German Unity Day on October 3 falls on a Monday or Tuesday, in which case the festival can stretch to 18 days.

3. Wiesn beer packs a punch

The official Oktoberfest beer has about 6% alcohol — stronger than your standard Helles lager. This can lead to some surprise buzz for the unprepared! Only beer from Munich breweries is served, including Augustiner-Bräu, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten.

4. A full Maß is heavy!

A full Maß mug weighs around 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs). Many waitstaff carry ten mugs at once — that’s a whopping 25 kg (55 lbs) per trip! Forget the gym; Oktoberfest is a full-body workout. And filling a Maß? Skilled bartenders do it in just 1.5 seconds.

5. Festival tents bigger than towns

The Hofbräu-Festzelt is the largest tent on the Wiesn, holding over 10,000 guests — more people than live in some Bavarian towns. The oldest tent, Schottenhamel, hosts the mayor’s ceremonial tapping of the first beer barrel every year.

6. A lost-and-found like no other

Every year, the Wiesn lost-and-found receives roughly 3,500 items — from wallets and keys to phones. But also Lederhosen, hearing aids, license plates, wheelchairs, and even dentures! Wedding rings also show up regularly — and not all of them get reclaimed.

7. Oktoberfest goes global

From China to Brazil, there are more than 2,000 Oktoberfest celebrations worldwide. Kitchener, Canada, draws over 700,000 visitors; Blumenau, Brazil, about 600,000. Even in our partner city Cincinnati, Ohio, "Oktoberfest Zinzinnati" is celebrated on a grand scale.

Thinking about visiting?

Oktoberfest 2025 in Munich promises the same mix of strong beer, lively music, thrilling rides, and Bavarian cheer. And here’s a tip: entry is free! Table reservations can be tricky - some were being sold online for thousands of euros. To fix this, the official Oktoberfest-Booking.com portal allows you to buy unused reservations at their original price.

Here’s to a fun, safe, and unforgettable Wiesn 2025!

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