The largest folk festival in the world is taking place for the 213th time and is once again attracting millions of people from all over the world to Munich.
Around six million people attend the week-long festival each year, a number that has only increased since its founding in 1810, to sample the best sausage and beer Munich has to offer.
Guests wear their best Bavarian costumes, with the men often seen in lederhosen, while the women wear “dirndls,” a traditional dress consisting of a top with a plunging neckline, a blouse and a high-waisted skirt.
The first Oktoberfest ever began as a celebration of the wedding of Prince Regent Ludwig of Bavaria, later King Ludwig I, and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in 1810.
Celebrations for the wedding, which took place almost 213 years ago to the day and where the Bavarian citizens celebrated with a huge horse race.
The region’s population enjoyed the race so much that they decided to hold another one every year thereafter, with the festival expanding to include rides and attractions in future years.
Oktoberfest, the 188th edition, runs until October 3rd and attracts around six million visitors every year. The event was skipped in 2020 and 2021 as authorities struggled with Covid-19, but returned in 2022.
A one-liter mug of beer costs between 12.60 and 14.90 euros (£10.86 to £12.84) this year, an increase of around six percent on last year.
Tracy Dash (left) and Dean Deville (right) pictured celebrating today in the Braurosl tent in Munich
Revelers dressed in lederhosen enjoy mugs of beer on the second day of Oktoberfest
People in costumes take part in the traditional costume parade at Oktoberfest 2023
Two women wear traditional “Dirndls”, a traditional dress consisting of a top with a plunging neckline, a blouse and a high-waisted skirt
During the parade, women wearing “dirndls,” a traditional dress consisting of a top with a plunging neckline, a blouse and a high-waisted skirt, wave to the crowd
Revelers in traditional lederhosen and dirndls come to Munich for the 188th Oktoberfest
Members of a traditionally dressed costume group play in a brass band during the rifle parade
Members of a group wearing traditional clothing stroll down the street during the costume parade today
A young girl in traditional clothing takes part in the rifle parade on the second day of the 2023 Munich Oktoberfest
A young woman performing the so-called “Münchner Kindl” rides a horse during the shooting parade
A waiter in the Hofbräu tent balances around a dozen one-liter beer mugs as he carries them to a table
Revelers enjoy the sunny and warm weather conditions on the opening day of the festival
A one-liter mug of beer costs between €12.60 and €14.90 (£10.86 to £12.84) this year.
Children sit in handcarts during the traditional costume parade at Oktoberfest 2023
Hundreds of people enjoy beer and food on the second day of the festival
People in traditional clothing take part in a parade while others take part in the maypole dance
Revelers drink beer from traditional beer mugs in the Hofbräu tent
Waitresses and waiters at the “Schottenhamel” beer tent present their beer mugs in the sunshine
A young woman in traditional clothing is accompanied by a brass band during the rifle parade today
A man in armor waves to the crowd during the rifle parade
Bavarian musicians sit in a subway on the way to a traditional costume and shooting parade
The picture shows revelers dressed in lederhosen taking a short rest before continuing to drink beer
On the opening day of the Munich Oktoberfest 2023, revelers drink beer from traditional beer mugs in the Hofbräu tent
A young woman sips her beer from a famous one liter beer mug