Oktoberfest 2025

Oktoberfest – what exactly is it?

🍺 Oktoberfest is München's folk festival and at the same time the largest beer festival in the world. Every year, millions of visitors come together to enjoy full beer steins, traditional dishes, live music and fairground attractions.

🎉 But it's not just about beer: the parades, costumes and conviviality make it a unique experience that you won't find anywhere else.

⏰ The festival always starts with a tradition: the mayor of München taps the first beer barrel, precisely at 12:00 o'clock. This officially opens the festival. From that moment on, the grounds fill up with music, aromatic dishes and celebrating people, until the last Sunday of the event.

Why does Oktoberfest start in September?

📅 The name suggests otherwise, but most of Oktoberfest takes place in September. That's not without reason: the first editions in 1810 were held in October, because it coincided with the marriage of crown prince Ludwig and princess Therese.

🌞 Later, the organizers decided to let the festival start earlier, simply because the weather is usually better in September. This way visitors could enjoy being outside longer. The final weekend still falls in October, which is why the name has never changed.

Where can you celebrate Oktoberfest in the Netherlands?

🇳🇱 Want to taste the atmosphere of München without traveling to Germany? Then Sittard is the place in the Netherlands to experience Oktoberfest. From October 10th to 15th, the city transforms into a festive setting full of beer tents, music and parades. You'll get a mix of German traditions and Dutch conviviality there, which makes it extra special.

🚗 Don't feel like traveling far? Then there's good news: smaller Oktoberfests are organized in almost every province. This way you can step into your dirndl or lederhose close to home and experience the Bavarian atmosphere together with friends.

What do you wear to Oktoberfest?

👗 Those who really want to get into the spirit naturally do so in traditional clothing. For women that's the dirndl and for men the lederhose. They're more than just outfits – they're a big part of Bavarian culture and history.

The dirndl

👒 Originally, the dirndl was work clothing for servant girls and peasant women in the Alpine regions, but in the 19th century the dress became popular among the upper classes. They gave it a luxurious twist with beautiful fabrics and details, which allowed the dirndl to grow into festive clothing.

🎀 Today it's THE icon of Oktoberfest. Fun fact: in Austria, the word dirndl literally means "girl".

The lederhose

👖 The lederhose stands for traditional leather trousers and comes from the same region as the dirndl. In some areas, the lederhose is still worn as everyday clothing because it's so deeply woven into the regional identity.

🧵 The trousers were previously worn mainly by farmers and hunters because they could take a beating and were easy to clean. Short and long variants exist: the short trousers were ideal for working or hunting in, while the longer version was actually saved for special occasions.

🏅 By now, the lederhose has become a real symbol of pride and tradition. During Oktoberfest you see it everywhere – from the beer tents to the parades.

What can you eat during Oktoberfest?

🍽️ Oktoberfest isn't just about beer, but certainly also about food. The festival is a paradise for lovers of hearty, traditional dishes.

🌭 Wurst – Germany is known for its enormous variety of sausages (there are more than 1,500 types!). During Oktoberfest you'll find especially the classic bratwurst, often served with mustard and sauerkraut.
🍗 Hähnchen – A whole grilled chicken, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Often it's served simply, so the flavor takes center stage.
🐷 Schweinshaxe – A large, roasted pork knuckle with crispy crackling. This dish used to be "poor people's food," but is now one of the most popular Oktoberfest specialties.
🥨 Pretzel – The giant pretzel you encounter everywhere on the grounds. Soft on the inside, crispy on the outside and perfect as a snack in between or in combination with a Maß beer.

🥙 With these dishes on the table, you not only taste the atmosphere of the festival, but also a piece of Bavarian tradition.

In conclusion

🎶 The traditional outfits, the food, the music and of course the beer – Oktoberfest is all about enjoying together.

🇩🇪 Whether you're going to München to experience the real Oktoberfest or just want to taste the atmosphere in the Netherlands: this festival is always a special experience. So put on your dirndl or lederhose, raise your stein and immerse yourself in one of the most enjoyable festivals in the world.

Prost! 🍻