Germany: Oktoberfest
Part 1 of “Oktoberfest” can be viewed here...
Part 2 – Inside Oktoberfest: Beer Tents, Maß, Millions of Guests.
How much does it cost, what do people eat, how is it kept safe, and what lies ahead for this world’s folk festival?
“O’zapft is!” (“The keg is tapped!”)
— the traditional words of the Munich mayor at the opening of Oktoberfest.
How the Festival Is Organized
After the mayor taps the first keg, a festive procession begins. At its head rides the Münchner Kindl — the symbol of the city — a little girl in black-and-yellow monastic attire, ringing a bell. She is followed by carriages and wagons carrying beer brought from all over Germany. Next comes a column of marksmen, artists, folk ensembles, acrobats and musicians, as well as people in historical costumes, garlands, lanterns, and decorated branches.
The six-kilometer parade winds its way to the Theresienwiese — the meadow of Princess Therese, whose wedding celebration started it all.
The number of tents for guests may vary. Today, Oktoberfest traditionally features about 14 large beer tents (Festzelte) and around 20 smaller ones (kleine Zelte). The large tents each hold between 5,000 and 10,000 people (set up by the giant Munich breweries such as Hofbräu-Festzelt or Paulaner-Festzelt). Germans, however, prefer to drink their beer seated. Smaller tents, designed for a few hundred visitors, often specialize in certain foods or atmospheres.
Each tent has its own character. At the Augustiner tent, beer is poured from wooden kegs. At Schottenhamel, students get rowdy. At Winzerer Fahndl, families with children can find a calmer atmosphere.
Beer is served in one-liter glass mugs called Maß. Waitresses in traditional Bavarian dresses carry three or four of them at once, and everyone wants to take a photo with them. Tipping is not obligatory, but when it happens, it is generous.
At peak times, about 30,000 beer mugs are in circulation per hour. Not millions of disposable cups, but an “army of glass soldiers” marching in circles: tent → guest → washing station → tent again. This endless cycle makes it possible to serve millions of liters of beer over the 16 days. The only thing these seasoned veterans fear is greasy hands: about 1–3% of mugs break or disappear, as tourists love to “take a Maß home as a souvenir.” (It’s officially forbidden, and fines await at the exit.) The rest return to service, lifted high to the sound of “Prost!”
Number of Visitors
In recent years, Oktoberfest has attracted around 6.7–7.2 million visitors. In 2025, the expectation is roughly 6.5–7 million, close to the 2024 level — possibly a bit higher if weather and conditions are favorable.
Security Measures
Today, Oktoberfest is considered one of the most heavily secured public events in Germany — stricter even than the UEFA Euro 2024 football championship, which also took place in Germany.
The organizers’ private security staff check entrances, control movement inside the tents, and keep order. Since 2016, large bags and backpacks have been banned. At every gate, metal detectors are in place, and random checks are mandatory. It is easier to get in “with a light heart than with a heavy backpack.”
Drones are now used for monitoring as well. Despite such strict measures, everything is designed so that guests still feel comfortable: security and police officers behave politely, trying not to disturb the fun — though their presence is quite noticeable.
Beer
During Oktoberfest (16–18 days), about 6–7 million liters of beer are consumed. In “record years” (for example, 2014 or 2019), this figure reached 7.5 million liters. In 2024, with 7.2 million visitors, around 6.5 million liters were drunk.
On a single day, roughly 300,000–400,000 liters of beer pass through the mugs of guests. On average, that means 1 to 1.5 liters per person (keeping in mind that some drink much more, while others don’t drink at all).
Only a special festival beer, Oktoberfestbier, is served. It is a Märzen-style beer with an alcohol content of about 6% — slightly stronger than a regular lager. The six official Munich breweries each brew their own version, and only they are allowed to sell beer at Oktoberfest.
Each tent develops its own rhythm: music, toasts, collective shouts of “Prost!” every few minutes. By evening, the tables themselves turn into dance floors — and the mugs are raised faster than they can be refilled.
Food
In Germany, food and beer are like two musicians in the same orchestra: each is good on its own, but together they create true harmony. The principle is: “Iss örtlich, trink örtlich” — “Eat local, drink local.” In Bavaria, this principle works perfectly: what is grown and prepared nearby pairs best with drinks from the same land. Beer was born to accompany Bavarian cuisine, and Bavarian cuisine seems designed precisely to complement beer.
At Oktoberfest, this harmony is clearer than anywhere else: people don’t eat and drink just for satiety, but to keep pace with the rhythm of the festival.
🏺 Historical Note
In Bavaria, breweries and butcher shops were neighbors for centuries. This was not just convenient, but logical:
• Beer needed hearty, salty snacks to “hold” and enhance its taste.
• Meat — especially fatty pork, sausages, and knuckles — needed a refreshing drink to cut through the fat.
In small Bavarian towns and villages of the 19th century, you could often see a brewery with a beer garden (Biergarten) on one side of the street and a butcher (Metzgerei) on the other. Their owners were often relatives or business partners.
This pairing lives on today: Bavarian cuisine is built on the tandem of beer + meat, and Oktoberfest elevates it to the scale of a giant celebration.
• Pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe): juicy, fatty meat with a crispy crust needs a drink that washes down the fat and refreshes the palate. Strong Oktoberfest Märzen does the job perfectly.
• White sausages (Weißwürste): tender and mild, served with sweet mustard and a pretzel. A light lager or wheat beer underlines their flavor without overpowering it.
• Roast chicken (Wiesnhendl): a universal classic — crispy skin, juicy meat — always asking for a mug of golden Helles.
• Pretzel (Brezn): perhaps the ultimate symbol of friendship with beer. Its salty dough sharpens the taste of beer and “invites” the next sip.
• Cheeses and snacks (Obatzda, radish, sauerkraut): fatty, salty, or tangy, they are designed to be balanced by a cold gulp of beer.
Each year at Oktoberfest, visitors consume approximately:
• 500,000–600,000 roast chickens,
• 75,000–85,000 pork knuckles,
• 120,000 sausages, ducks, and skewered fish (Steckerlfisch),
• Millions of pretzels, some up to 30 cm in size.
The pretzel’s twisted form goes back to monastic traditions: one version says it symbolizes the folded arms of a monk in prayer. Without pretzels, no beer mug feels complete. They are also believed to “hold their ground” — helping visitors stay on their feet longer despite heavy drinking.
The French are proud of their wine, which elevates the refinement of their cuisine. The Germans found another way: their food and beer form a union where simplicity becomes flavor, and heartiness becomes joy.And this is exactly what makes Oktoberfest a celebration without leftovers.
A Frenchman vs. a German: Two Drinking Cultures
The Frenchman:
• Wine is part of everyday culture: a glass at lunch, a glass at dinner.
• Portions are smaller than a one-liter Maß, but they are more regular and ritualized.
• The so-called “French paradox”: despite a fatty diet (cheese, duck, butter, rich sauces), rates of cardiovascular disease are much lower — polyphenols like resveratrol in wine and moderation are thought to be part of the explanation.
• The image: a slim figure in a beret, holding a glass of Bordeaux, perhaps with a thin cigarette.
The German:
• Beer is not a modest glass or a can, but a serious liter of Maß — often more than one.
• The snack: pork knuckle or chicken, plus a hefty pretzel.
• The symbol: the Bierbauch (“beer belly”), which long ago became a stereotypical image of the German burgher.
• Germans themselves take it with humor, but the beer belly remains firmly tied to the image of a Bavarian reveler.
⚖️ Contrast:
• The Frenchman drinks as if practicing philosophy: slowly, savoring, comparing, reflecting.
• The German drinks a lot, quickly, and always collectively.
But if you look closer, both find in their glass or mug exactly what makes life easier.
The Frenchman and the German Through the Eyes of Two Geese
Two geese sat outside a beer tent, watching. A stout Bavarian with a round Bierbauch once again raised his liter mug, while his friends roared in unison: “Prost!” The tables shook, foam spilled over, and it seemed as if the entire tent might lift off the ground.
— Remember France, — sighed the goose. — Everything was so proper there: a slim Frenchman in a beret, a delicate glass of Bordeaux, cheese on the plate. He drank as if pondering the fate of the world.
— And here? — chuckled the gander.
— Here they drink as if they were building a bridge, — she replied. — Broad, loud, and meant to last forever.
The gander stroked his side with a wing and added with a smirk:
— The French have their ‘French paradox.’ The Germans have their own kind of directness: beer is here, and the belly comes with it.
And both agreed that perhaps the truth lay somewhere in between: in a glass of wine or in a beer mug, what really matters is not the volume, but with whom you share the moment.
But a party isn’t just about songs and beer, it’s also about the bill at the end of the evening…
The Price of the Experience
Let’s calculate the cost of a one-time Oktoberfest visit for a family of four: two adults and two underage children.
Entry is free. The money goes toward food, drinks, rides, and souvenirs.
🍺 Beer
In 2024, a Maß (1 liter) cost on average €13.50–15.50 depending on the tent.
If each adult has two mugs → about €60 just for beer.
🥨 Food
• Roast chicken (Hendl): €15–20 per portion.
• Pretzel: €5–7.
• Pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe): €20–25.
• For a family of four (two adults + two kids with simpler meals: sausages, potatoes, lemonade), the bill comes to around €80–100.
🎡 Rides
• Ferris wheel or carousel ticket: €3–5 per child, €5–7 per adult.
• If the family rides twice each → about €40–50.
🎁 Souvenirs
• Gingerbread heart (Lebkuchenherz): €6–10 each.
• Plush toys and small gifts: another €20–30.
🚗 Parking
Directly at Theresienwiese (the festival grounds) there is no parking — everything is blocked off for pedestrians. The nearest official garages are 10–15 minutes away on foot, costing €10–20 per day depending on location and time. Many families prefer Park & Ride: leaving the car at a metro station on the outskirts (€3–6 per day) and taking the U-Bahn into the center.
Arriving at Oktoberfest by car is like showing up at the ballet with a hiking backpack: technically possible, but it looks odd. And don’t forget Bavaria’s golden rule: “Don’t drink and drive.” Most families and groups consciously choose public transportation.
⚖️ Realistic Total
• Minimum budget → €200–220 (without parking €180–200)
• Average spending → €270–320 (without parking €250–300)
📈 Expected Prices in 2025
The price of a Maß will rise to about €14.50–15.80 — roughly 3.5% higher than in 2024. Prices for non-alcoholic drinks — lemonade, water, mineral water — are also climbing, especially closer to the central tents.
Is It Worth the Price?
► From the perspective of foreign visitors
For international tourists, Oktoberfest is a once-in-a-lifetime experience:
• The atmosphere is truly “one in a million” — nowhere else do beer, music, costumes, and carnival blend in this way.
• It’s a chance to experience German culture in a concentrated form — all in one place and within just a few days.
• But it is expensive: €15 beer mugs, €20+ meals, rides, souvenirs, and hotel prices in Munich that skyrocket several times during the festival.
For many foreigners, it is more of a “bucket list experience” — something to see at least once in life, like Carnival in Rio or New Year’s Eve at Times Square. Many conclude: “Yes, it was expensive, but it was worth it.” Still, one has to plan for a solid budget and be ready for a noisy, crowded, and somewhat commercialized event.
► From the perspective of Germans themselves
• Local Munich residents have mixed feelings: some are proud — “our Wiesn” — a symbol of the city, a tradition, a festival that shows the Bavarian character to the world. Others complain about tourist crowds, inflated prices, and noise; many even leave the city during this time.
• Germans from other regions (Berlin, Hamburg, northern Germany) see Oktoberfest more as an “exported Bavarian tradition.” For them it is not truly a national holiday but a regional one, albeit world-famous.
• Yet despite skepticism, Germans admit: Oktoberfest is a massive contribution to the economy, prestige, and tourism image of the country.
“Geese at Oktoberfest”
Our feathered runaways from a French farm landed safely near the beer tents — having escaped the fate of becoming foie gras. Their first impressions were overwhelming: crowds of people in strange leather trousers, loud music, noise so strong it hurt their ears, the smells of beer and roasted meat. But they also discovered a pleasant surprise: leftovers everywhere — chicken bones, scraps of pretzels, bits of sausages. The goose happily nibbled at a pretzel, relieved that no one was reaching for her liver.
Suddenly, a man rushing by almost stepped on the gander’s foot.
— What’s wrong with him? — the goose wondered.
— See that sign? — the gander nodded toward “Toiletten.” — Looks like after three liters of beer, they run faster than we can fly.
The ground shook under their feet — by evening, people had begun dancing right on the tables. The planks creaked, mugs bounced, and one guest lost his balance, falling onto the straw-covered floor. The startled geese flapped their wings, and the man tried to grab one, shouting: “Prost, feathered friends!”
— And they call this fun? — asked the goose, staring at the swaying crowd.
— Well, every people has its customs, — replied the gander philosophically. — The French drink wine and reflect on its taste; the Germans drink beer and rejoice simply in being together.
Later that evening came a curious scene: one tipsy tourist spotted the geese outside the tent, raised his mug, and yelled:
— Prost, feathered friends! Today you are part of Oktoberfest too!
The crowd laughed, and for a moment, the geese became the heroes of the night.
Moving away from the noisy tent, they settled down in its shadow.
— Tell me honestly, — asked the goose, — Was it worth flying this far? Back there it was quiet, scented with grapes, people sitting calmly with a glass of wine.
The gander looked at her and nodded:
— It was worth it. In France we’d have been roasted and washed down with Bordeaux. Here, at worst, they step on our tails. Loud and chaotic as it is, this is a land where geese can stay geese — no one sees us as a delicacy. A promised land.
— You’re right, — she sighed. — The French savor their wine slowly, philosophically. The Germans drink to be together. Their beer mug is like a bridge from one person to another.
“The promised land is where the liver remains untouched” (ironic goose proverb)
And so the geese realized: Oktoberfest is not only about millions of liters of beer and thousands of pork knuckles. It is about people from all over the world gathering in one place to forget their worries for a while and share joy. For two geese, it was proof that sometimes escape can turn into finding a new home.
“Where people drink together, they live in peace” — old Bavarian saying.
The Future of Oktoberfest
Of course, this festival does not stand still. Its organizers must adapt to new trends:
• Declining alcohol consumption among youthAcross Europe (including Germany), younger generations drink less beer than their parents. More and more often, they prefer alcohol-free options or craft beverages “with a story.” This is already visible at Oktoberfest: the share of non-alcoholic beer and lemonades is growing. The reasons include a healthier lifestyle, an interest in alternatives such as lighter drinks and wine, and also demographic shifts with an aging population. Economic and social factors — prices, taxes, and the promotion of moderation — also play a role.
• 25 years ago, per capita beer consumption in Germany was around 130–140 liters per year.
• 10 years ago, it was already down to 110–112 liters per year.
• Environmental footprint
Questions are growing louder: how sustainable is a festival with millions of liters of beer, tons of food, and mountains of waste? The answer: a shift to green technologies — on-site waste recycling, solar power for the tents, and reduced plastic use.
• Internationalization
Today, Oktoberfest is no longer purely Bavarian — it has become a global brand. Tourists from the USA, Asia, and Australia make up a significant share of visitors. In the future, the festival may adapt even more to international tastes while preserving its Bavarian flavor.
Forecast
• Beer will remain the core of the event (it’s part of the cultural code), but non-alcoholic varieties will take an ever larger niche.
• The menu will diversify: from knuckles and sausages to falafel, kosher dishes, vegetarian options, even “green pretzels.”
• The festival will go greener: organizers will proudly highlight waste reduction and a smaller carbon footprint.
• The atmosphere will endure: dancing on tables, shouts of “Prost!”, brass bands, and carnival rides will remain — because that is the true heart of the celebration.
Historical What-If:
…What If Germany Had Become a Wine Country?
Let’s imagine that Bavaria’s climate had been just a few degrees warmer, and instead of devoting themselves to brewing, the local monks had turned seriously to winemaking. In this alternate world, today we would not be talking about Oktoberfest, but about Weinfest.
On the Theresienwiese, people would be raising glasses of white Silvaner or red Spätburgunder instead of hefty liters of amber lager.
The cultural picture would be different too. Instead of long beer tables with loud songs, we would see small tables with checkered cloths and elegant wine glasses — more like French cafés. Instead of roast pork knuckles and Bavarian sausages, there would be cheese platters, bread, grapes, perhaps even foie gras.
There would be no Gemütlichkeit — the warm buzz of friendship, heavy mugs clinking in hands, songs and laughter.
And yet: if fate had leaned toward wine, perhaps today the German would be as slim as the Frenchman, and the word Biergarten might never have been invented. But then there would also be no Oktoberfest tents where seven million tourists come to taste the essence of Germany.
Conclusion
For the geese, Bavaria became a “promised land” — where no one covets their liver, and at worst someone steps on their tail. For people, Oktoberfest is the same promised land in human form: a place where millions of strangers sit at the same table, raise their mugs as if they’ve always known each other, and seal it with a simple, eternal word: Prost!
In the Guinness World Records, Oktoberfest is listed as the largest alcoholic festival on earth. But numbers alone don’t explain the essence. The true strength of this event lies in the fact that, at least once a year, it turns a vast city into a village — and its people into neighbors at a long wooden table.
Here you find the distilled spirit of German culture, the qualities Germans have poured into their brewing craft for centuries: honesty, tradition, and respect for skill.
Our journey through the world’s drinking festivals is only just beginning. Join us as we travel from country to country, continent to continent, to discover how people everywhere raise a glass — or a mug — in celebration.
Leave a Reply