Why is Oktoberfest associated with Munich?

Oktoberfest is associated with Munich because the festival originated there in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria—who later became King Louis I—to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.12

The inaugural celebration concluded with a horse race held in an area that became known as the Theresienwiese, or "Therese’s green," in honor of the princess. Over the following decades, the event evolved from a royal wedding celebration into a major public festival. By 1818, food and drink booths were introduced, eventually developing into the large beer halls operated by Munich brewers that define the modern event. Today, the festival remains deeply tied to the city, with the mayor of Munich traditionally tapping the first keg to open the festivities.2