Germany's Oktoberfest Celebration

Oktoberfest (Octoberfest)

After over 200 years of celebrating good food and good beer, Germany’s Oktoberfest has been firmly established as the world’s largest annual festival.

Oktoberfest, or Octoberfest, draws millions of people from all over the world, who come to enjoy the singing, dancing, eating, and, of course, the beer.

Oktoberfest’s association with beer stems from its Bavarian roots. Bavaria produces some of Germany’s best beers. Nearly 5 million liters of that beer are consumed each year at the festival in Munich.

Oktoberfest is also enjoyed in one form or another in many cities and towns worldwide. Several festivals are held in which attendees enjoy traditional German food and music, and raise their beer steins in celebration of this annual event.

At Munich’s Oktoberfest, the beer steins used are typically made from heavy glass and usually have a decorative brewery logo on the side. These beer steins are often sought out as souvenirs. Beautiful, hand-painted beer steins depicting scenes such as a traditional beer wagon being unloaded at an Oktoberfest celebration, are also memorable souvenirs of this rich and colorful festival.

Since 1872, Oktoberfest has begun on a Saturday in September. It usually lasts for about 16 days. Traditionally, the festival ends on the first Sunday of October, unless it is the first or second day of the month, in which case Oktoberfest continues until October 3.

Click Here for Oktoberfest Beer Steins and Gifts