The world’s largest beer festival kicked off in Munich on September 20th as the Mayor of the city tapped the first keg and opened the festivities. The 175th version of the Bavarian folk and beer festival runs until October 5th. This year over six million visitors are expected to join in the fun and have a bit of beer in one of the many beer tents. There are 14 giant tents that have a capacity for 100,000 revelers in the Wiesn, the home to the annual party.
Most of the tents open at 10:30 in the morning and shut down at 23:00, or 11 pm. These tents will serve some 5.5 million litres of Bavarian beer and serve over 600,000 fried chickens. In addition to the traditional beer tents, there are fairground rides that are open daily for all to enjoy. This year the Bavarian Central Agricultural Festival runs until September 18th for those who are interested in more than just beer and rides.
For those who want to explore Munich during this time, there are plenty of things to do and see in this popular German city. Sports fans will love to see the futuristic Allianz-Arena as well as the Olympic park. There are also many old castles and homes to enjoy, including the famous Palace Neuschwanstein that graces many photos of the region. Getting around is easy with the Munich Transport Company, or MVG, which operates the metro, tram and bus systems. There is also a regional bus system to take you anywhere in Bavaria you want to go.
This is a great time to see this part of Germany and enjoy the celebration. If you are looking for a place to stay or potential home, it is a nice time of year to be here, with or without Oktoberfest.
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