Oktoberfest 2015: Bring on the Beer!

Oktoberfest is held annually from mid or late September to the first weekend of October. Over six million people from across the world attend the event every year.

Above: A general view of the festival ground during the opening day of the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

The first Oktoberfest in Munich took place on October 12, 1812, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (who became King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

Above: A visitor drinks beer on the first day of the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

The first festival was held on a field on the city’s outskirts. In order to honor the new-wed princess the field was named Theresienwiese (Theresa’s meadow).

Above: Young women pose for a photo during the opening of the 182nd Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

The event is often simple called the Wiesn, after the colloquial name of the fairgrounds.

Above: Visitors ride a Ferris wheel during the opening day of the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

The fest festivities ended with a horse race, and it was decided to repeat the race in the following year. An agricultural show, beers stalls, merry-go-rounds and other amusements were added to the festival over the years.

Above: A waitress carries beer during the first day of the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

A record number of visitors was registered in 1985 when over seven million people came to the festival.

Above: Visitors enjoy the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany in one of the beer tents.

Entry to the Theresienwiese is free, and one has to pay only for beer. The average price of a mug of beer is about €10.

Above: This combo of photos shows a woman drinks beer out of a shoe during the opening this year's Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

There are 14 large Oktoberfest tents with seats for up to 10,000 people, inside and outside. There are also 20 smaller tents with seats for a few hundred guests. There are seats for more than 100,000 visitors during the festival. The tents are non-permanent structures which are constructed for and only used during the festival.

Above: Young women celebrate the opening of the 182nd Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

Oktoberfest beer is usually a lager brewed by Munich breweries. Only Munich breweries are allowed to sell their products during the festival.

Above: This picture shows a Ferris wheel at the Theresienwiese fair grounds of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

Oktoberfest Beer is a registered trademark by the Club of Munich Brewers, which consists of six breweries.

Above: A woman in traditional Bavarian dress sits in a beer tent at the Theresienwiese fair grounds of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

Over 7 million liters of beer are served at Oktoberfest annually.

Above: A vendor arranges gingerbread before the opening of the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Served in a classic one-liter beer stein, the average Oktoberfestbier has 6 percent of alcohol, making these lagers stronger than an average brew.

Above: This picture shows a carousel at the Theresienwiese fair grounds of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

Visitors may also enjoy a mixture of attractions, such as amusement rides, side stalls, carousels and games.

Above: A young participant hold a teddy during the traditional costume parade at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

It is interesting that Oktoberfest became such an important element of Bavarian culture. South Bavaria was once known for its poor water supplies, so to avoid cholera, plague and other diseases local resident had to find a safer alternative of beer.

Above: A man wearing leatherhose, the traditional Bavarian clothes walks with two dogs during the traditional costume parade at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

In addition to beer, visitor may also enjoy wines, cocktails, spirits, shots and a wide range of traditional German food.

Above: A man dressed as a jester jumps during the traditional costume parade at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

It may be surprising but despite being a worldwide famous booze festival, Oktoberfest is very kid-friendly with a lot of amusement facilities for children. What is more, every Tuesday is Family Day at Oktoberfest, featuring lower prices for amusement rides.

Above: Visitors toast with beer on the first day of the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

The festival covers an area of 26 hectares. Some 12,000 people work at the festival annually.

Above: This picture shows people enjoying a ride of a carousel at the Theresienwiese grounds of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.

The classic one-liter beer mug from Oktoberfest is considered to be one of festival’s symbols. So mugs are often stolen by visitors.

Above: A waitress carries plates with grilled chicken in a tent during the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Some 72 percent of visitors come from Bavaria; 15 percent come from foreign countries including surrounding EU countries and other non-European countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, Russia, and East Asia.

Above: Visitors joke with beer mugs on the first day of the 182nd Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Many cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the original festival in Munich.

Above: People enjoy the opening day of the 182nd Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany.