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Oktoberfest takes place from late September until early October.

All over the world,Oktoberfest is duplicated, paying homage Bavaria, the southern German state nestled in the Alps and Black Forest. What many people don’t know is that Oktoberfest actually started out as a royal wedding reception for Ludwig I.

Son of King king Maximilian I and Wilhelmine of Hessen-Darmstadt, Crown Prince Ludiwg (later Ludwig I) of Bavaria married Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The wedding was an open inivation to all of Bavaria, drawing 40,000 guests (still small compared to the 6.4 million people who attend today). At the wedding reception, it is estimated that 40,000 chickens, 80,000 pork sausages and one million gallons of beer were served. The main attraction was a horse race, rather than the beer. Oktoberfest was such a wild success that the government decided to make it an annual event. In 1811 they held Oktoberfest in conjunction with the first state agricultural show, which was hoped to boost Bavaria’s agriculture.

Together, Ludwig and Therese had eight children. However, Ludwig was forced to abdicate his throne following the Revolution of 1848, in part because of his affair with dancer, Lola Montez. Even though his reign was cut short, the Oktoberfest would continue, interrupted only by war and disease, for nearly 200 years, to present day.

Oktoberfest is still held in the original place in Munich, Theresienwiese (which literally means Therese’s fields, named in honor of the royal bride). It runs for 16 days, starting the third weekend of September and ending on the first Sunday in October. People come to feast on authentic German cuisine, like sauerkraut, potato dumplings and bratwurst. Small beer stands have been replaced by giant brewery sponsored tents that hold up to 5000 people.

German immigrants brought Oktoberfest with them to America, and it is still a popular festival in areas with German populations, with Cincinnati, Ohio boasting the largest authentic Oktoberfest in the United States.

Walk from the city center or use one of the many forms of public transportation available in Munich: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, bus, tram, or taxi. Another possibility, if you’re coming from outside Munich, is to book an excursion through a local travel agency.

Munich’s Thalkirchen Camping Ground could be the cheapest place to stay with tents available for just a few euros. There’s a small supermarket on site, regular buses to the Wiesen and a 24-hour party ambience during Oktoberfest. It’s at Zentralländstr. 49, Munich.

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