The History of Munich Oktoberfest – Complete Historical Foray

The 189th Bavarian Oktoberfest will start on September 21, 2024, in Munich, Germany. This long journey of the world’s famous Bavarian Oktoberfest has been a roller coaster, moving from merely a marriage celebration of the Bavarian Prince to the largest annually held festival globally. Oktoberfest has become the most celebrated beer fest, drawing millions of tourists annually. Wiesn (as the locals call it) not only contributes to the economy of Munich but also mirrors the Bavarian culture and traditions, including the Bavarian music, trachten (traditional dress code), Bavarian Cuisine, and Bavarian brewed beer.

While starting as a horse race, Wiesn presently has everything from mounds of pretzels and giant Maß (beer mugs) to amusing carousels and the traditional attire all around the Theresienwiese. Nevertheless, if you were born a century ago, you wouldn’t see most of the things you experience today in Oktoberfest. How has the Oktoberfest changed over the Years? Let’s explore the journey of Bavarians from a mere public celebration to a 16-18-day folk festival. For starters, let’s begin with what Oktoberfest is about.

The Oktoberfest Munich

It is the largest beer festival (as foreigners call it) held in Munich, annually from September 15 till the first week of October. It attracts around 6.3 million people from across the globe dressed up in authentic lederhosen and dirndl (Bavarian traditional dresses) to celebrate Wiesn in a true Bavarian spirit. The event kicks off annually at the fields of Theresienwiese (Theresa’s meadows) with a grand entry parade. Oktoberfest not only offers a cozy ambiance and boisterous brass music to the goers but also generates some 8000 employment opportunities for locals in Munich. The two-week fair is a win-win for both visitors and the locals. 

From Marriage celebration to largest folk festival: Oktoberfest history and facts

Oktoberfest wasn’t a festival. Instead, it was the one-week marriage celebration of Prince Ludwig l of Bavaria with Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. On October 12, 1810, the city gates welcomed Münchners to celebrate alongside the Royal couple in the meadows in the southwest of the central city. The fields were named “Theresienwiese” to honor the princess. Sixteen couples of Bavarian children dressed up in Wittelsbach costumes paid homage to the new couple with traditional poems and flowers. The classic Bavarian brass bands announced the beginning of a 5-days celebration, formally the first Bavarian Oktoberfest.

What events did the first Oktoberfest celebrate?

Can you imagine Oktoberfest without beer tents, amusement rides, and modern music flair? Well, if you can’t, let’s read about it!

On October 5, 1810, a member of the Bavarian National Guard named Andreas Michael Dall’Armi came up with a novel concept of using a major horse race to commemorate the marriage. The Cavalry major presented his idea to King Max I Joseph of Bavaria, who approved it. Fifty thousand Bavarians witnessed the 30 ‘Rennbuben’ (race boys) for 18 exciting minutes. The corporal in the National Guard, Franz Baumgartner, won this historic race.

Though it was the first significant event in Theresienwiese on October 17, 1810, it was not the only one. Bavarians witnessed a shooting competition during the fest. The mighty shooters shot at a wooden eagle until the last bit. The winner got the medals at the end. Seems boring to you? Well, the Bavarians enjoyed it. Dall’Armi was awarded  Munich city’s first citizens’ gold medal in 1824 for introducing the first Oktoberfest. However, many believe that the idea came originally from Franz Baumgartner. Whoever is the actual Wiesn inventor, Oktoberfest Munich, was born that day!

October 1811: The Beginning of German Oktoberfest

The 1810’s fest was a major blast that promoted the Bavarian national spirit. The Bavarian royalty felt the festival could contribute to the economy. So, they decided to hold the festival again in October 1811. This time, an agricultural fair was added to the Wiesn to promote Bavarian Agriculture. The Bavarian agricultural association, ‘‘Landwirtschaftlicher Verein in Bayern’, introduced the farm fair. Hence, the 1811 Oktoberfest included:

• Horse-races
• Bavarian agricultural exhibitions 
• Cattle market

The annual fest was repeated the following year. Nevertheless, 1813 brought sad news to Münchners when Munich got into the Napoleonic wars. Nonetheless, it was just a dip of three years; Wiesn arose again!

Oktoberfest: A top priority in 1819

Wiesn had grown with the addition of colorful carnival booths in 1816. The fun grew with the addition of the first merry-go (carousel) and the two swings in 1818. Before 1819, private business owners financed and organized Oktoberfest. However, Munich city officials took over the management of Oktoberfest, making the fest a top priority in 1819. They decided to hold Wiesn Volksfest annually to generate more significant revenue and to promote Bavarian culture. Since then, the German Oktoberfest has grown annually, organizing attractive events such as Madame Reichardt’s balloon flight in 1820 and the “running deer” in 1822.

1835: The Silver Jubilee of Bavarian Oktoberfest

The year 1835 marked the 25-year journey of both Oktoberfest and the historic marriage of Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese. The Wiesn was held on October 4, 1835, with splendor festivities. Around 9000 people participated in the homage parade (the first formal parade) to the royal couple. The parade was escorted by a traditional Bavarian brass band that flared up the atmosphere with folk music. On October 12, 1842, Crown Prince Maximilian Von (son of King Louis I) got married to the Prussian princess Marie Friederike. 1842 Oktoberfest was a grand celebration as 35 bridal couples from council districts of Bavaria marched in festive attire to the Konigszelt (royal tent) on Theresia Meadow.

In present-day Oktoberfest, around 8,000 people (mostly Bavarians), dressed in traditional trachten, Lederhosen, and Dirndl, walk from Maximilian streets to Theresienwiese every year. 

Oktoberfest on a roller coaster (1850-1900): Great Guardian Statue | Cholera | Roasted Chicken stalls

The great Guardian statue has been part of the Oktoberfest since 1850. Kind Ludwig I commissioned the Colossal Bronze statue in Munich between 1843 and 1850. Leo Von Klenze drew the first sketch of the statue in classic Bavarian style. Later, Ludwig Michael Schwanthaler romanticized and Germanized the draft. Johann Baptist Stiglmaier and Ferdinand Von Miller constructed the secular patron of Bavaria. The statue was placed in the Hall of Fame. Münchners welcomed the statue with a grand annual parade headed by galvanizing horse riders and followed by bustling Bavarian folk music. The statue still stands as the guardian of Oktoberfest despite the challenging years that followed.

1854-1873: Oktoberfest, Cholera and Prussian Wars

The cholera pandemic broke out in 1854, leading to Oktoberfest’s cancellation. The Bavarian city council banned public gatherings and advised people to stay at home. In the summer of 1854, there were around 15,000 cases of cholera, leading to 7,730 deaths. It’s no wonder that Oktoberfest wasn’t on the cards. The Cholera pandemic was followed by the event’s cancellation in 1866 during the Austro-Prussian wars and the Franco-Prussian wars in 1870. It was not the end of hard years; yet another Cholera breakout in 1873 caused the cancellation of Oktoberfest. Though wars and cholera tensed the Bavarians with many things, the festival spirit was not one of them.

1880-81: Traditional Oktoberfest, Electricity, and the first Roasted chicken stall

Newly invented electricity powered up around 400 booths and tents in Oktoberfest 1880. The lights across tents and carousels flare up the Wiesn experience. The following year, 1881, Bavarian Bratwurst appeared in food stalls. Since then, the Hendl (Bavarian roasted Chicken) has taken center stage in traditional Munich dishes. The crispy skin and juicy innards send smiles across the millions today. The same decade saw the introduction of Oktoberfest staff and Breweries in 1887. Half a decade later, the addition of beer in 1992 marked the birth of the most celebrated event of Oktoberfest today. 

20th century and Oktoberfest: Golden Jubilee 1910 | World Wars | O’ zapft is born

100th Anniversary: Munich Oktoberfest 1910 

The year 1910 marked the 100 years of Bavarian Oktoberfest. Munich’s air was filled with ecstatic energy. Bavarians set a record of drinking 12,000 hectoliters of German Beer only from the Pschorr-Bräurosl tent. People joined the vibrant Bavarian spirit and celebrated the 100th Wiesn with the same energy.

World Wars and Autumn Fest

The history of German Oktoberfest is a roller coaster. It has seen cancellations around 25-27 times. World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) were disappointing years for Bavarians. Oktoberfest was celebrated from 1919 to 1920 in a short “Autumn Festival’. However, autumn fests could never replace the d’Wiesn. 

1923 Hyperinflation and Bavarian Oktoberfest

Germany experienced an economic dip in the years 1923 and 1924. The crippling economy did not allow Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest. Though Oktoberfest was not there, Bavarian stayed connected to Wiesn.

Swastika Flag and Oktoberfest 1933

In 1933, during the rise of the Nazi regime, the traditional Bavarian flag was replaced with the swastika flag over the festival. The exact duration and details of this change are unclear, but it marked a significant political influence on the festival during this dark historical period.

1946-1948: Return of the Autumn Festival

After World War II, from 1946 to 1948, Oktoberfest was once again replaced by the Autumn Festival. This was a period of rebuilding and recovery, and the smaller-scale festival reflected the ongoing challenges of post-war Germany.

1950: “O’ zapft is!” was Born

Bavarian Oktoberfest 1950 was a historic fest. It introduced a 12-gun salute and the official first tap by the mayor. For the first time, Thomas Wimmer performed this ceremony. while uttering the word “O’ zapft is! “. (It’s tapped!). This tradition has been passed on until today.

1960: End of the Horse Races and Introduction of Official Trachten

Horse races started Oktoberfest in 1810, but the 150-year-old tradition ended in 1960. It has been limited to grand Jubilee celebrations only. The officials introduced Bavarian Trachten, Lederhosen for men, and Dirndl for women the same year. Since then, the world has witnessed the traditional Bavarian attire as the dress code of German Oktoberfest.

1980: A Dark year for Oktoberfest

The date September 26, 1980, brought tragic news for Münchners. The terrorist Gundolf Köhler (21), a member of Wehrsportgruppe (WSG) Hoffmann, brought explosives to the main entrance of Oktoberfest, and the next minute, 200 Injured Bavarians were calling for help. The fatal act cost 13 lives, which marked the darkest page in German Oktoberfest history. This Oktoberfest attack is considered one of the worst attacks in German history.

Generation-Z and Oktoberfest:  Quiet Oktoberfest | Oide Wiesn 2010 | Covid-19

Quiet Oktoberfest 2005

In 2005, Oktoberfest management introduced the “Quiet Oktoberfest” concept to develop a more relaxed atmosphere for families with kids. The tents played quiet, traditional Bavarian brass band music during this event until 6 p.m. daily. The policy was established to reduce the aggressive nature of the festival so that it would become less distasteful to family visitors and old people. This new curfew underlines the traditional beer tent atmosphere while preventing wild parties.

200th Oktoberfest Anniversary: Birth of Oide Wiesn

The history of Oktoberfest keeps being renewed in the most beautiful way possible. In 2010, to celebrate the 200th anniversary, besides the common Oktoberfest, a historical festival took place in the southern part of Theresienwiese to remind festivalgoers of the festival’s history. Another feature of the event was a family-friendly activity program, along with various cultural activities and horse races, which were the basis of the festival. This ‘Oide Wiesn’ turned out to be a big success. It has been happening annually since 2010. The locals of Munich embraced their ‘Oide Wiesn’ with all their hearts. 

Covid said “No Oktoberfest.”

The COVID pandemic put the world on its knees. For the first time in the last 70 years, Oktoberfest Munich was canceled in 2020 and 2021. The German government decided to keep the public gatherings at a halt until September 16, 2022, when Oktoberfest returned to Thereisenwiese. The grand statue of Bavaria waited for two years to witness 6 million visitors in 2022. Although Covid brought misery to Bavaria, Oktoberfest re-ignited the Bavarian spark the way it did for two centuries.

How do we celebrate Oktoberfest today? German Beer | Lederhosen & Dirndl | Bavarian Cuisine

The classic Oktoberfests were quite different from the modern-day experience. The horse races remained the central point of attraction, but the agricultural fair aspect slowly disappeared. In the late 19th century, the big breweries started replacing little food booths with brewery tents, stressing the importance of beer in the festival.

The spotlight shines on the German beer.

Speaking of Beer, Oktoberfest is about a special brew: Oktoberfest-bier (Oktoberfest Beer). This honey-colored beer has more alcohol than most German golds, ranging from 5.8% to 6.3%. Munich’s top six breweries, the Hofbräuhaus, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Augustiner, Löwenbräu, and Spaten, are the only ones who have permission to brew and sell this special Oktoberfest beer inside the festival area.

The Lederhosen, the Dirndl, and the Spirit of Munich

Oktoberfest is the expression of a vibrant Bavarian culture. Traditional dresses, such as Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women, may become the most common clothes during the event. Rather than playing traditional classical music, oompah bands relish in the legendary brassy sounds that fill the air and create a joyful atmosphere.

Beer Tents: Celebrations will be in the hearts of many.

Undoubtedly, Oktoberfest’s beer tents are the best place to enjoy every bit of it. Every tent, managed by various Munich breweries, provides a distinctive ambiance and can entertain thousands of people. Legends say that the Schottenhamel tent, where the opening ceremony officiates with the honorary tapping of the first keg, was built in 1887 and is the largest café in Munich.

For the ones who want the classy experience, Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke makes everything perfect by providing gourmet dishes with beer, for instance, in contrast with wine drinkers can savor their drinks in the wine tent (Weinzelt). Beer gardens are also famous, and their open-air setting within the tents is the perfect place to gather for a rendezvous.

Bavarian Traditional Food: The Heart of Oktoberfest

Everyone can confirm that an Oktoberfest experience is not just about beer. It is also about traditional Bavarian dishes. Roasted Chicken (Hendl) takes center stage as the essential Oktoberfest dish. Soft pretzels (Brezeln) are a prevalent food item suited to mopping excessive beer. When it comes to German cuisine, people surely cannot get enough of sausages, pork knuckles, and gingerbread hearts.

Modern Times: Embracing Sustainability

Nowadays, Oktoberfest organizers have endeavored to act with environmental prudence. Initiatives have included using recyclable materials for decorations, promoting the use of public transportation, and suggesting reusable beer steins for the event.

Oktoberfest: A Global Phenomenon

The Oktoberfest has crossed the border and gained popularity all over the world. The Munich original, having proved its might, similar festivals bearing the name and its spirit are organized in cities all over the planet, from Cincinnati to Tokyo. On the other hand, these variations show the spirit of enjoyment, community, and the main product, beer.

Wrapping up

Oktoberfest has gone through a transformation from its coming-about in 1810, when it was held to celebrate a royal wedding, to currently being the world’s largest folk festival. This festival not only embraces the beauty of Bavarian traditions but also adapts changes to satisfy modern requirements, so it always remains popular and relevant. The fest’s adoptions, together with the “Quiet Oktoberfest” invention and upholding of the smoking ban, suggest its sensibility to the public’s feelings and the regulatory environment. Oktoberfest introduced itself to the world as a great example of the culture and traditions of Munich, attracting millions of visitors from as far as different corners of the globe every fall.