20 Logic-Defying Oktoberfest Facts

In the hills of Bavaria, something exciting has been brewing: Oktoberfest 2024. Germany’s largest ‘volksfest’ is in its 214th year – but don’t worry if you’re not heading to Munich to partake in the festivities. We’ve got the next best thing: insightful Oktoberfest facts that’ll have you pining for a pilsner in no time. 

20 Best Oktoberfest Facts

Oktoberfest actually starts in September 

You’re not alone if you assumed Oktoberfest took place in October, but it actually begins on 17th September 2024, running into the first week of October. For what it’s worth, when the event first started in 1810 it took place across one week in October, but throughout the years the date was moved earlier to make the most of the milder weather. 

You can only drink beer from Munich 

Oktoberfest only sells beer brewed within the city of Munich, so you can immerse yourself completely in Bavarian beer culture. 

Locals don’t call it Oktoberfest

Want to fit in like a local? Forget Oktoberfest – locals call it ‘Wiesn’, which is great to know before you go (so you know what everyone is talking about). 

It’s only been cancelled 24 times in over 200 years 

Oktoberfest has only been stopped by war, cholera epidemics, and the most recent pandemic. 

The Mayor of Munich decides when you can start drinking 

The festival doesn’t officially begin until the mayor of Munich says so – specifically until the mayor says “O’ zapft is!” (which translates to “It’s tapped!”) during the opening ceremony in the Schottenhamel tent on the first day of Oktoberfest. There’s only one place to be to witness this. Every year, as per tradition, the mayor will open the first keg of beer at midday, and this signs to everyone else that they can officially start Oktoberfest. Prost!  

Extra strong beer is brewed just for the occasion… 

There are super strong beers brewed specially for Oktoberfest, some a even as high as 6% ABV. A fun fact, and also one to take into account before you go – there are also 140 restaurants and food stands, if all that steiner lifting works up an appetite.  

… but not as strong as the Strongest Beer in the World 

There aren’t just strong beers at Oktoberfest, but the strongest beer in the world. Called Schorschbock, this clocks in at 57% and you can buy it in 40ml bottle for around €30. 

There are more than 20 beer tents to visit 

There are 17 large and 21 small tents to explore at Oktoberfest, but no matter their size each tent is full throughout the festival. Hofbräu-Festhalle is the largest tent, which seats nearly 11,000 people, takes three months to build and 2 months to take apart, towering 43 feet high. 

Oktoberfest hasn’t always been a beer festival  

Originally, Oktoberfest was celebrated to honour Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage in 1810. The festivities began 12th October 1810, lasted nearly a week until 17th October. The couple had such a blast celebrating their big day, they decided it should become an annual party, which gradually morphed into a beer festival over the years – though the annual horse races continued up until 1960.

Don’t become a “Bierleichen”

Festival-goers who are overly drunk are called “Bierleichen” (German for “beercorpses”). Bierleichen will be taken to the medical tent, which isn’t how you want to spend the festival!

6 million people visit Oktoberfest each year 

Unsurprisingly with that number, Oktoberfest is the busiest time of year in Munich, though many of them are locals – only 19% of the visitors aren’t from Germany. 

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1.8 million gallons of beer are consumed each year 

That’s nearly three Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

Oktoberfest is for geniuses 

In 1896, Albert Einstein worked at Oktoberfest as an electrician, helping set up one of the beer tents. You’re in good company! 

Glass mugs are new… 

It wasn’t until 1892 that beer was served in glass mugs. They were traditionally made of stone, then they created them with metal, but now they’re mostly made of glass. 

… and they’re popular souvenirs 

Guests love to try and sneak glasses home. One year, 130,000 beer mugs were confiscated from guests and returned to their rightful tents – but the good news is you can buy an official one which you are definitely allowed to take home. 

2023 was the biggest year in Oktoberfest history 

Oktoberfest 2023 saw record-breaking attendance – a staggering 7.2 million visitors made their way to the Theresienwiese over the 18-day celebration (compared to 5.7 million in 2022 and 6.3 million in 2019). Bring on 2024. 

Traditions reign strong at ‘Old Oktoberfest’ 

Want to go back to Oktoberfest’s roots? The Oidn Wiesn (“Old Oktoberfest” in English) is a separate festival that runs at the same time, placing more emphasis on the traditional character of the Oktoberfest with brass music and historical attractions. 2024 marks the 10th year of Oidn Wiesn, as 2023 saw a significant increase in visitors to this part of the festival with 480,000 guests (compared to 230,000 in 2022 and 500,000 in 2019).  

Paris Hilton is banned from Oktoberfest 

Out of the millions of people attending the festival, there’s one person you won’t find at Oktoberfest: Paris Hilton. She has been permanently banned since 2006, after she promoted a canned wine brand while wearing a particularly non-traditional dirndl. Locals were so offended by this disrespect of their cultural dress that they called for her to be banned from the festival – and succeeded. 

Lost and found works overtime at Oktoberfest 

Over 4,000 items are lost (and found) each year. Previous possessions have included wheelchairs, crutches, wedding rings – and the team allegedly find a pair of teeth nearly every year.  

Beer not your thing? No problem.  

Love the vibe, but not the beer? You’re in luck – there’s also a tent serving wine and champagne. Head the Weinzelt tent if you’re after something other than beer. 

If all these Oktoberfest facts have got in the mood to discover this festive country, explore our Insight Vacations Germany tours. In fact, the dates for Oktoberfest 2025 are already released (20th September – 5th October), so you can be extra organized and catch the festivities next year.