The countdown is on—just a few days left until we hear once again: “O’zapft is!” With these famous words, Munich Mayor Dominik Krause will open the 191st Wiesn on October 19, and beer can finally be served. So you’re not completely in the dark, we’re giving you an overview of the events at the world’s largest folk festival to ensure a successful first Oktoberfest weekend.
Parade of the Oktoberfest Innkeepers
This year, Oktoberfest begins on Saturday, September 19, as always, with the traditional procession of the Wiesn landlords into the festival tents at the Theresienwiese. They ride through the city on festival floats, symbolically transporting beer to the festival grounds. The parade begins at 10:35 a.m. on Josephspitalstraße at Sendlinger Tor. It is led by the Münchner Kindl and the mayor on a festively decorated float. The Münchner Kindl represents a young, unmarried woman who was born in Munich. This year, that role is played by Sina Hochreiter.
If you want to watch the procession from the grandstands, you’ll need to get tickets in advance. You can watch for free from the side of the street. Those who can’t be there in person can follow the spectacle on TV.
The First Tap
Following the parade of the Oktoberfest tavern owners, the tapping of the first keg takes place at 12:00 p.m. sharp in the Schottenhamel tent, the oldest of the festival tents. Mayor Dominik Krause inserts the tap into the beer keg and taps the first Maß of this year’s Oktoberfest. This is served to the current Minister President of Bavaria. After the successful tapping, twelve celebratory cannon shots ring out, fired in front of the Bavaria statue. Now beer may officially be served in all festival tents.
If you want to be there in person for the tapping of the first keg, you’ll need a reservation for the Schottenhamel tent; otherwise, you can watch it on TV or via the BR livestream.
Traditional Folk Costume and Riflemen’s Parade
On Sunday, September 20, the next parade will follow immediately as part of the first Oktoberfest weekend. The traditional traditional costume and marksmen’s parade starts on Maximiliansstraße near the Maximilianeum and winds its way 7 kilometers through the city to the Theresienwiese. The parade features historical traditional costumes and acrobatic performances, accompanied by music. The Münchner Kindl will once again lead the procession, this time not on a parade float but on horseback.
The parade begins shortly after 10 a.m., and there are various viewing stands from which you can watch. You’ll need tickets for these as well. Of course, you can also watch for free from the side of the street.
Gay Sunday
Also taking place on the first Oktoberfest weekend is Gay Sunday, when members of the LGBTQIA* community gather at the Bräusrosl starting at 9 a.m. Gay Sunday has been around for nearly 50 years and is known as “the gayest Sunday of the year.” It was founded by the Munich Gay Lions Club (MLC), which still organizes the event today. The club reserves seats on the Bräurosl balcony specifically for members of the community. If there are still seats available in the main hall, you can also meet there and save the money you’d spend on a reservation. However, a seat isn’t guaranteed in that case.
We wish you a wonderful first Oktoberfest weekend and lots of fun at the 191st Wiesn!
