Although there are many Oktoberfest events held on various dates throughout the world, the most recognized is the two-week festival held in Munich, Germany. It is one of the most famous events in Munich and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year.
The official opening ceremony of Oktoberfest is held in a tent called “Schottenhamel”. At noon, the mayor of Munich will tap the first keg of Oktoberfest beer with the traditional cry "O'zapft is!" (Bavarian: "It’s tapped!").
A special Oktoberfest beer is brewed for the occasion, which is slightly darker and stronger than most beers.
Visitors consume large quantities of food during Oktoberfest, most of it traditional hearty fare such as sausage, hendl (chicken), käsespätzle (cheese noodles), and sauerkraut, along with such Bavarian delicacies as roast ox tails.
Location
Munich's Oktoberfest is held on an area named the Theresienwiese (Field [or meadow] of Therese), often called "d’ Wiesn" for short.
Dates
Oktoberfest traditionally takes place during the 16 days up to and including the first Sunday in October. The schedule was changed following German reunification in 1990 so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival will go on until October 3rd (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the 1st Sunday is October 2nd and 18 days when it is October 1st.
