The German city that is home to the annual Oktoberfest beer festival is Munich. The festival takes place on the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, commonly called the Wiesn, in the Bavarian capital.
Oktoberfest began on 12 October 1810, when Munich celebrated the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The original celebration included a public horse race, and the event was repeated the following year. Over time, food stalls, amusement rides, parades, and large beer halls became central features.
Despite its name, Oktoberfest mostly takes place in September. Organizers moved its start earlier to benefit from warmer weather and longer daylight, while the festival traditionally ends on the first Sunday in October or on German Unity Day, 3 October.
Munich’s festival is the original Oktoberfest, although cities around the world host events using the same name. It attracts millions of visitors and is famous for Bavarian food, music, costumes, and beer served in one-litre mugs.