Munich’s 191st Oktoberfest Kicks Off with New Rides and Netflix Filming

Oktoberfest 2023 in Munich

According to УНІАН — Туризм: The 191st edition of Munich’s Oktoberfest began on September 19 and will run until October 4. This iconic festival, held every year since the late 19th century, attracts between 6 and 7 million visitors annually during the second half of September. The opening ceremony was led by Munich’s Mayor, Dominik Krause, who tapped the first beer keg with two hammer strikes. Following this, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder was the first to receive a one-liter beer stein. The festival beer is brewed in the traditional Märzen style, with this year’s one-liter mugs priced between €14.80 and €15.90 - marking a 2.5% increase from last year.

Fresh Attractions and Festival Traditions

Alongside the familiar festive spirit, this year’s Oktoberfest introduced several new attractions, including:

• The 42-meter-tall "Chaospendel" (Pendulum of Chaos)
• The Fisherman’s Place entertainment complex
• An updated version of the Shake & Roll ride

The Oide Wiesn area, established in 2010 to celebrate Oktoberfest’s 200th anniversary, continues to welcome visitors for an entry fee of €4, which becomes free after 9 PM. Festival grounds generally open in the morning and close around 11:30 PM to midnight, with some venues staying open until 1 AM.

A traditional parade will take place on September 20, featuring approximately 9,000 participants and 60 decorated floats. In a new development this year, Netflix is filming during the festival, involving around 4,000 extras.

Beyond the festival news, it’s worth noting that in South Korea, a restaurant owner was fined for serving ants in dishes, violating food hygiene laws due to excessive heavy metal content in the ants, which are not approved for consumption. Additionally, a town in Italy’s Apulia region is facing a housing crisis as most properties have been converted to short-term tourist rentals, pushing prices up and leaving scarce options for long-term residents.

Oktoberfest remains a vital cultural event, drawing tourists and locals alike to experience Bavarian heritage, cuisine, and entertainment. With rising beer prices and the introduction of new rides, the festival is evolving to meet modern expectations while preserving its authentic traditions and festive charm.