It has barely begun when it is almost over again. 16 days of Oktoberfest and 16 nights of Oktoberfest after-parties fly by. But the Oktoberfest is not over yet. One last weekend of fun awaits us, culminating in the grand Wiesn finale!
The Wiesn finale at the foot of the Bavaria
On the last Sunday of Oktoberfest at 12 noon, marksmen and onlookers gather below the Bavaria to honor the kings of the Oktoberfestland shooting competition. Two weeks ago, twelve shots were fired here to herald the official start of the beer tapping. Now twelve more shots are fired to herald the end of the Oktoberfest. A brass band plays the Bavarian anthem and the festival management announces the estimated number of visitors and liters of beer served.
But it’s not over yet. Visitors can stroll around the festival grounds one last time in dirndls and lederhosen or take a seat in one of the beer tents into the evening before it’s really time to say “Pfiat di, 190th Wiesn!
Taps in the festival tents
Each of the festival tents has its own ritual to celebrate the Wiesn finale. In the large beer halls, a certain song usually announces the end of the Wiesn. In the Hofbräu tent, “Angels” by Robbie Williams is played, in the Hacker tent “Sierra Madre el Sur”, in the Augustiner the “Defiliermarsch” and in the Schützen tent “Weus’d a Herz hast wia Bergwerk”. The guests join in, sparklers are lit and the waiters raise their glasses. These are wonderful last moments at the Oktoberfest, but also wistful ones.
Afterwards, the employees are given a lap of honor on the various rides and “Time to Say Goodbye” is played all over the Theresienwiese. And the marquee staff can look forward to a trip to Therme Erding on Monday.
The Wiesn finale leaves us with a heavy heart, normal everyday life begins again, but one thing is certain: we’ll be there next year when it’s finally “O’zapft is” again!”