"O'zapft is" — this rallying cry of "It is tapped" by Munich's mayor has kicked off 16 days of beer-fueled revelry. Take a closer look at the world-famous Oktoberfest with DW.
Image: Peter Kneffel/dpa/picture alliance
First mug to Bavaria state leader
It's tradition at Oktoberfest that the first mug of beer goes to the Bavarian premier. Mayor Dieter Reiter (center) who tapped the keg, handed it to him.
Image: Peter Kneffel/dpa/picture alliance
Lederhosen run
As soon as the gates opened on Saturday, visitors made a run for the tents, with these two men in "Lederhosen," traditional leather shorts, looking very keen on being among the first.
Image: Peter Kneffel/dpa/picture alliance
Böllerschützen (gun saluters) parade
Festivities begin with the Munich breweries' parade where innkeepers are welcomed with gun salutes. This custom symbolizes the beginning of the festival.
Image: Felix Hörhager/dpa/picture alliance
Brewery horses
Horses pulling carts, accompanied by a Munich band are part of the parade kicking off festivities. These cars were traditionally used by breweries to transport kegs of beer from the breweries, but today are mainly seen for promotional purposes and at festivals.
Image: Felix Hörhager/dpa/picture alliance
Dirndl not just for women
Traditional Bavarian costume is a common feature at the festival, and it's not just donned by locals. These English men truly got into the spirit by putting on "Lederhosen" — and even, in one case, a dirndl dress.
Oktoberfest waiters and waitresses famously carry between seven and up to 18 beer mugs. One mug contains one liter, which costs around €15 (17,70) this year.
Leonie Splitter (left) also donned a dirndl to mark being picked as the Wiesn-Playmate for 2025 by Playboy magazine. "D'Wiesn" is the local dialect term for the Oktoberfest. She is accompanied by her title predecessor, Vroni Sbrizzai.
Image: Felix Hörhager/dpa/picture alliance
Partying in the sunshine
Visitors to Oktoberfest can also enjoy a variety of fair rides, or listen to performances of Bavarian folk music. And all of this under (currently) blue and friendly skies.
Image: Felix Hörhager/dpa/picture alliance
Wiesn Lebkuchenherzen
Ginger bread hearts with messages like "I love you" or "You are my sweetheart" written in icing are a staple at German fairgrounds. Prices at Oktoberfest start at €6.
Every year, millions of visitors from all over the world flock to Munich to take part in the Oktoberfest and enjoy German beer.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Bavaria's Premier Markus Söder and the chairpeople of the center-left Social Democrat party, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Labor Minister Bärbel Bas posed for photos on the opening of Oktoberfest, enjoyed a brief dip into the crowd, a couple of beers and a Brotzeitplatte (snack platter). And gave no political statements.
DW has put together some pictures from the festival, which opened on Saturday, to give an idea of the fun-filled atmosphere at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds.
