Munich Festivals: Oktoberfest

The Oktoberfest was first held in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I.) of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.
The marriage took place on October 12th, 1810, and on October 17th, a large horse race was organised.

The event was repeated and in 1819, it was decided by the city council that the festival would take place every year, no matter under what circumstances.

From then on, it has been carried out every year at the Theresienwiese (named after "Therese" of Saxony-Hildburghausen) in Munich for two weeks in late September and early October. The preparation works start about two months before the festivities are opened. Six Munich breweries and about 50 showmen set up their beer halls and their attractions.