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Oktoberfest
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Oktoberfest: beer hall
When was the first Oktoberfest?
Infographic summarizing the history of Oktoberfest, including its 1810 origin in Munich, key events by decade, reasons for cancellations, and modern celebration details such as traditional attire, festival foods, and international versions. A map highlights Bavaria, and a beer mug and keg illustrate the festival's beer tradition. Large crowd of people sitting at long tables in a festive beer garden tent decorated with colorful striped fabric during Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
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Beer glasses on dark table
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Oktoberfest: beer hall
Oktoberfest: beer hall Revelers celebrating Oktoberfest in a beer hall in Munich, Germany.

Oktoberfest

German festival
Also known as: Wiesen
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•History

Oktoberfest, annual festival in Munich, Germany, held over a two-week period and ending on the first Sunday in October. The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festival concluded five days later with a horse race held in an open area that came to be called Theresienwiese (“Therese’s green”). The following year the...

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