On this day in 1810: The first Oktoberfest was celebrated in Munich

The first Oktoberfest, held in Munich in 1810, was not conceived as a beer festival but as a royal celebration. The citizens of Bavaria were invited to join in the festivities marking the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig—later King Ludwig I—and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. What began as a five-day party on the fields outside Munich would grow into one of the most famous annual festivals in the world.

A royal origin
The event took place on 12 October 1810, with horse races held in front of the city gates as the highlight. The field where the festivities occurred was later named “Theresienwiese” (Theresa’s Meadow) in honour of the new princess—a name still used for the Oktoberfest grounds today. The celebration’s success led organisers to repeat it the following year, and thus the tradition was born.

Beer and Bavarian pride
By the late 19th century, the festival had evolved into a showcase of Bavarian culture and craftsmanship, with beer at its heart. Local breweries began setting up large tents to serve their products, and the introduction of beer halls in the 1890s transformed Oktoberfest into a massive social gathering. The festival’s signature drink—amber Märzen beer—was specially brewed for the event, stronger and maltier to withstand the storage through the summer months.

Interrupted by wars and epidemics
Despite its popularity, Oktoberfest has not been held every year. Wars, cholera outbreaks, and economic hardship led to several cancellations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. After World War II, the festival gradually regained its character, combining traditional Bavarian customs with a more modern and international atmosphere.

A global phenomenon
Today, Oktoberfest attracts more than six million visitors annually to Munich and has inspired hundreds of spin-off events worldwide—from Cincinnati and Brisbane to Tokyo and Cape Town. While the core remains Bavarian, the celebration has become a global symbol of conviviality, community, and cultural pride.

Newshub Editorial in Europe – 12 October 2025