Since what year has Munich Oktoberfest typically ended on the first Sunday in October? Since 1994, Munich Oktoberfest has typically ended on the first Sunday in October.
The festival now begins in September because Munich’s autumn weather is generally milder then. Despite its name, only the closing portion usually falls in October. The standard schedule lasts about 16 days, although the exact length varies with the calendar.
There is an important exception. If the first Sunday in October falls before October 3, Oktoberfest continues through October 3, German Unity Day. That rule can make the festival last 17 or 18 days, so “16 days” is a useful approximation rather than an absolute rule.
The modern Oktoberfest grew from a royal wedding celebration in 1810. Its horse race and later amusements gradually developed into today’s huge Volksfest, combining beer tents, food stalls, rides and parades.