Oktoberfest

or Oc·to·ber·fest

[ ok-toh-ber-fest ]

noun

1. a traditional festival held each October in Munich, Germany.
2. any similar festival held usually in the autumn.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Oktoberfest¹

From German; October, fest

Example Sentences

Millions of litres are consumed by millions of people at Oktoberfest's annual party, which takes place in September to October in Munich.

From BBC

Last year, Johnson played in the Bavarian city of Augsburg and Wolfe posted Instagram photos of the pair at Oktoberfest in Munich.

From Seattle Times

Baker: If the gig he’s coming for is Grubauer’s role as the team’s local Oktoberfest ambassador, I could see it as Daccord attended Arizona State University and we all know all about the nightlife there.

From Seattle Times

Oktoberfest beers and pumpkin ales have become synonymous with the autumn drinking season in the United States, but in the Pacific Northwest — especially Seattle — fresh hop beers rule in the fall.

From Seattle Times

The Oktoberfest has typically drawn about 6 million visitors every year.

From Seattle Times

More About Oktoberfest

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is a traditional festival held in October in Munich, Germany. It’s the largest Volksfest, which combines a beer (or sometimes wine) festival and a traveling carnival.

Despite its name, Oktoberfest usually starts in September and ends in early October.

Oktoberfest can also refer to any similar fall festival, especially held in the United States and featuring beer and German foods.

Example: My town’s Oktoberfest always features local German beers and foods from Karl’s German Kitchen.

When is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest 2023 will begin on September 16 and end on October 3.

More information and context on Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest has been going on in Germany since 1810. It started as a wedding celebration for Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. It was a festival of drinks, feasts, and horseracing, which became an annual event.

Probably the biggest thing people associate with Oktoberfest is beer, but it’s about much more than that. It’s a Volksfest, that is, a folk festival, celebrating Bavarian culture with traditional dress, food, music, and, yes, drink.

Oktoberfest has gotten so big and so popular that various Oktoberfests are celebrated around the world. The biggest and most famous is still held in Munich, Germany, where the whole thing started.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Oktoberfest?

• beer
• food
• German
• Bavarian
• dirndl
• lederhosen
• rides
• fair
• sausage
• bratwurst

How is Oktoberfest discussed in real life?

Oktoberfest is a popular German folk festival featuring beer and Bavarian foods. It’s celebrated from mid-September through to early October.

Going back in time! To 1983 and, I believe, my first independent trip abroad – to the Oktoberfest! The glass is from that very trip, the beer is a more recent acquisition, but it's good to put the real thing in the real thing again. Prost! 🍻#beer #German #oktoberfest #paulaner pic.twitter.com/Jdkj06ao7K

— Adrian S (@kccade) February 28, 2021

A lovely feature in @CalClubLondon #magazine! We had so much fun performing at their #Oktoberfest #oktoberfestlondon pic.twitter.com/9IAfcNt3qi

— Prostbusters (@ProstbustersUK) February 25, 2021

Found a 16oz swing top of my fall 2019 Oktoberfest in the fridge. Tad malty, but damn, this was epic is taste and sight! pic.twitter.com/mG2RpshXZU

— Kurtace (@KurtaceG) February 26, 2021

 

 

Try using Oktoberfest!

True or False?

Oktoberfest usually occurs in November.