History & Origins
Oktoberfest began as a wedding celebration in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, and all of Munich was invited to the party!
Oktoberfest - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Oktoberfest For Kids
The first Oktoberfest had horse races as its main event, and while the races no longer happen, the festival has been held in the same location (called Theresienwiese, named after Princess Therese) for over 200 years!
Oktoberfest has only been canceled 26 times in its entire history, usually during wars or serious emergencies, showing how important this tradition is to German culture!
The original Oktoberfest lasted five days, but today’s Oktoberfest runs for 16–18 days, making it the world’s largest folk festival!
In the early years of Oktoberfest, there was an agricultural show to help Bavarian farmers learn about better farming techniques, and this show still happens every four years during Oktoberfest!
The first carousel (merry-go-round) and two swings were set up at Oktoberfest in 1818, marking the beginning of Oktoberfest becoming a fun fair for families!
The first beer tents and beer halls weren’t built at Oktoberfest until 1898, before that people would drink beer from small beer stands!
Oktoberfest has its own special police force called the “Wiesnwache” who wear traditional Bavarian uniforms and help keep everyone safe while they have fun!
The tradition of tapping the first beer keg by the Mayor of Munich with the words “O’zapft is!” (It’s tapped!) began at Oktoberfest in 1950!
Traditions & Customs
Most people at Oktoberfest wear special traditional clothing: men wear Lederhosen (leather shorts with suspenders) and women wear Dirndl (pretty dresses with aprons)!
There’s a special Oktoberfest parade called the “Trachten und Schützenzug” where over 8,000 people march in traditional costumes!
Oktoberfest has two special “Family Days” — usually on Tuesdays — when rides, snacks, and meals are priced lower and extra fun for kids!
Oktoberfest usually starts with a big parade on the first Saturday, where horse-drawn beer wagons from each brewery travel through Munich!
Every Oktoberfest tent has its own live brass band that plays cheerful Bavarian music, making the festival sound as fun as it looks!
When people want to toast at Oktoberfest, they say “Prost!” and look each other in the eyes while clinking glasses!
There’s a beautiful tradition at Oktoberfest called “Münchner Kindl” (Munich Child) where a person dressed as the symbol of Munich leads important parades!
Every tent at Oktoberfest has its own personality and traditions, like the Marstall tent which is famous for its colorful carousel!
Many families love taking a group photo in front of the famous Bavaria statue at Oktoberfest, which has watched over the festival since 1850!
Food & Treats
The giant pretzels at Oktoberfest are called “Brezel” and are often as big as a dinner plate!
Traditional Oktoberfest cookies called “Lebkuchenherzen” are heart-shaped and decorated with frosting messages!
Roast chicken called “Hendl” is so popular at Oktoberfest that over half a million chickens are eaten during the festival each year!
There’s a special type of sausage at Oktoberfest called “Weißwurst” that traditionally can only be eaten before noon!
Kids at Oktoberfest love eating “Kaiserschmarrn,” which are fluffy shredded pancakes served with apple sauce!
Potato salad is a tasty Oktoberfest favorite, with many Bavarian families serving recipes passed down for generations!
Magenbrot is a sweet, spiced treat at Oktoberfest that smells like Christmas with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg!
The Lebkuchenherzen (gingerbread hearts) sold at Oktoberfest can last for months because they’re meant to be decorations more than food!
Apfelstrudel is a flaky pastry filled with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples, and it’s a sweet favorite at Oktoberfest!
Decorations & Symbols
The official colors of Oktoberfest are blue and white, the same as the Bavarian flag!
Each Oktoberfest tent usually has a fun picture or landmark — like a roaring lion, a giant beer mug, or a spinning ox — that shows you what makes that tent special!
The entrance to Oktoberfest features a huge arch decorated with the festival’s motto for that year, welcoming visitors to the celebration!
At Oktoberfest, people love collecting colorful wooden clothespins called Glupperl. They’re fun keepsakes and often have names or messages written on them!
The Ferris wheel at Oktoberfest sparkles with thousands of colorful lights, making it one of the most photographed spots at the festival!
Every year, Oktoberfest unveils a brand-new beer stein design, featuring colorful artwork that captures the spirit of the festival!
The ceilings of Oktoberfest beer tents are decorated with colorful banners and sparkling lights, creating a festive atmosphere that delights visitors!
At Oktoberfest, many girls wear beautiful flower crowns called Blumenkränze, adding a touch of nature to their festive outfits!
The ‘Oktoberfest heart’ is a colorful gingerbread cookie shaped like a heart, decorated with sweet messages and sold all around the festival!
Each Oktoberfest beer tent has its own colorful sign at the entrance, showing off its unique name and theme!
Music & Entertainment
Every morning at Oktoberfest, the air fills with cheerful brass band music, setting the stage for a day of fun and festivities!
At Oktoberfest, the band plays a happy song called ‘Ein Prosit’ every 20 to 30 minutes. Everyone stands up, raises their glasses, and sings along to celebrate good times!
At Oktoberfest, kids can enjoy over 80 different rides, from gentle carousels to exciting roller coasters, making it a fun-filled day for the whole family!
At Oktoberfest, special bands play fun ‘Oompah’ music using instruments like the tuba, accordion, trumpet, and clarinet, making everyone want to dance!
At the Oide Wiesn during Oktoberfest, kids can enjoy free puppet shows by the Munich Marionette Theater, featuring fun characters and stories!
At Oktoberfest, everyone loves joining in the ‘Chicken Dance’ — a fun, silly dance where you flap your wings, wiggle your tail, and clap your hands to a bouncy tune!
At Oktoberfest, kids can join in the fun at yodeling contests, where they can show off their vocal skills and enjoy the festive atmosphere!
Global Celebrations
Oktoberfest is celebrated in over 100 cities around the world, but Munich’s Oktoberfest is still the biggest, with over 7 million visitors enjoying the fun every year!
Blumenau, Brazil, hosts the largest Oktoberfest outside Germany, where many German families settled and brought their fun traditions!
Cincinnati, Ohio holds the largest Oktoberfest celebration in America, called “Oktoberfest Zinzinnati”!
In Canada, the city of Kitchener-Waterloo has a huge Oktoberfest parade that’s broadcast on national television!
Australia celebrates Oktoberfest in October (their spring) with special events at the Brisbane German Club!
