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    Facts 2008
   
 

On September 20th 2008 the Oktoberfest started in Munich. Until the 5th of  October the Oktoberfest casts its spell on millions of people, as Munich and the entire world raise a glass to the Bavarian lifestyle.

The Theresienwiese offers a great deal of amazing sights to see, proven attractions and new highlights. Top entertainment is guaranteed watching and witnessing the "Schichtl" illusion show, the big dipper, the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster.
 
     

Munich and the rest of the world celebrates the Bavarian way of life: with traditional music, substantial delicacies and specially brewed Oktoberfest beer! In four of the marquees it is particularly tasty: the Schottenhamel, the Ochsenbraterei, the Hippodrom and the Glöckle Wirt. These are the best places to enjoy original Spaten Oktoberfest beer!
   
 

Grand Parade of Festival Innkeepers

On the first morning of the Oktoberfest the festival innkeepers made their grand procession to the Wies'n fairgrounds. Innkeepers, waiters, waitresses and bartenders wore their best clothes: genuine Munich traditional folk costumes. The horses and carriages were splendidly caparisoned, the brass bands added their jaunty tunes, and everybody had a good time!
   
  Tapping the First Keg

Spaten's flavourful Oktoberfest beer, specially brewed and stored for this beer festival, had been waiting for its great moment. At noon on the dot it had been waked from its keg by the mighty blows of the Lord Mayor of Munich:
"O'zapft is!"  
   

The first litre of beer, golden-coloured with a frothy head of white foam, slided into the tankard - to the delight of Oktoberfest visitors from all over the world.
      The tradition of tapping the first keg dates back to 1950 and Munich's then mayor, Thomas Wimmer. This distinction is reserved for the Schottenhamel beer tent, where the official opening of the Oktoberfest has taken place since time immemorial.