The 185th Oktoberfest beer festival opened in Munich this weekend, and organizers are expecting more than 6 million visitors over the next two weeks—the last keg will be tapped on October 7. The Bavarian beer festival, the largest in the world, is held on Munich’s Theresienwiese, a large open space just southwest of the city center. In 2018, the average price one can expect to pay for a one-liter mug of beer at Oktoberfest is 11.24 euros ($13.22). Gathered here are some of the scenes from the opening weekend of Oktoberfest 2018.
Oktoberfest 2018: Photos From the Opening Weekend
- Alan Taylor
- September 24, 2018
- 22 Photos
- In Focus
-
Visitors celebrate in a beer tent on the opening day of the 2018 Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany, on September 22, 2018. #
Alexandra Beier / Getty -
-
Upon opening, people run to enter the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 22, 2018. #
Matthias Schrader / AP -
Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter pounds a tap into the first Oktoberfest beer barrel on opening day at Theresienwiese in Munich on September 22, 2018. #
Hannes Magerstaedt / Getty -
A hostess hands out Maßkrugs, one-liter mugs, of beer in the Paulaner Oktoberfest tent shortly after opening on September 22, 2018. #
Sean Gallup / Getty -
People spill a mug of beer early in the 185th Oktoberfest on September 22, 2018. #
Christof Stache / AFP / Getty -
Young people celebrate the opening of the 185th Oktoberfest on September 22, 2018. #
Matthias Schrader / AP -
-
A visitor poses with a brooch of the Bavarian King Ludwig II affixed to his beard on the opening day of Oktoberfest in Munich. #
Andreas Gebert / Reuters -
Waitresses carry 12 Maßkrugs each in a beer tent in Munich on September 22, 2018. #
Alexandra Beier / Getty -
Members of a traditional Bavarian marching band drink beer in the Armbrustschuetzenzelt tent following the Oktoberfest parade on September 23, 2018. #
Sean Gallup / Getty -
Two young women wearing dirndls attend the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 22, 2018. #
Sean Gallup / Getty -
Visitors arrive on the opening day of Oktoberfest 2018. #
Sean Gallup / Getty -
-
Men wearing traditional Bavarian lederhosen and wool socks march in the Oktoberfest parade of costumes of folk and crafts associations on September 23, 2018, in Munich. #
Sean Gallup / Getty -
A visitor in traditional Bavarian outfit, his hat topped with hops, is pictured on the opening day of Oktoberfest 2018. #
Alexandra Beier / Getty -
Gingerbread hearts are offered for sale at Theresienwiese on the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 22, 2018. #
Alexandra Beier / Getty -
A view of the Oktoberfest festival grounds during opening day on September 22, 2018. #
Michael Dalder / Reuters -
Visitors enjoy amusement rides at Oktoberfest, with the main tower of Saint Paul's Church in the background, in Munich on September 22, 2018. #
Michael Dalder / Reuters -
-
A visitor rests during the opening day of Oktoberfest 2018 on September 22, 2018. #
Andreas Gebert / Reuters -
A general view shows the festival grounds in Munich on September 22, 2018. #
Andreas Gebert / Reuters -
Festival goers celebrate in a crowded beer tent during Oktoberfest 2018 on September 22, 2018. #
Alexandra Beier / Getty -
Visitors cheer with beers during the opening day of the 185th Oktoberfest on September 22, 2018. #
Michael Dalder / Reuters -
People enjoy an amusement ride during Oktoberfest on September 22, 2018. #
Alexandra Beier / Getty -
-
The 2018 Oktoberfest festival grounds light up as daylight fades on opening day in Munich, Germany, on September 22, 2018. #
Andreas Gebert / Reuters
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.