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Oktoberfest is that time of the year when everyone gets a free pass to drink to his or her heart's content. And although the actual festival in Munich, Bavaria, Germany is postponed for the second year in a row due to the pandemic, beer lovers around the world probably resorted to an e-numan version of Oktoberfest.

But have you ever wondered how this festival came about in the first place? And why is it celebrated in October, instead of the other eleven months in a year?

Then, read on to unveil the history of one of the most-celebrated festivals in the world.

How and where did the Oktoberfest originate? / Source: Pexels

Origin

Oktoberfest is the largest Volksfest, or beer festival and travelling funfair, held annually in Munich, the capital city of Germany's largest state by land area, Bavaria. And believe it or not, it actually originated as a celebration of a German royal couple's wedding.

The world-famous festival is inspired from the festivities held during the union of Bavarian Crown Prince Louis, who later became known as King Louis I of Bavaria, and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810.

The royal couple invited the citizens of Munich to join the festivities that were held in the public fields in front of the city gates called Theresienwiese, or “Therese's fields,” named in honor of the Crown Princess. The locals would later abbreviate it to “wiesn,” which is also another name for the Oktoberfest.

The said royal wedding celebration concluded five days later with a horse race held at the wiesn.

The following year, they repeated the horse race and held a state agricultural fair at the same time.

And it was this decision to repeat the festivities during King Louis I and Princess Therese's wedding that gave rise to the Oktoberfest as we know it.

Overtime, the celebrations evolved to adapt to the changing world and new trends.

In 1818, booths serving foods and drinks were added to the Oktoberfest celebrations.

And by the late 20th century, the booths had transformed into large beer halls that were made from plywood and had indoor balconies and bandstands.

Moreover, several cities around the world eventually developed their own version of the Oktoberfest celebration.

Traditions

The Oktoberfest usually begins in late September and lasts until the first Sunday of October.

The world-famous event in Munich typically draws more than six million tourists each year, many of them tourists who are eager to join the festivities.

Traditionally, the mayor of Munich begins the celebration by tapping the first keg.

There are also parades held featuring the floats and beer wagons of breweries, as well as people clad in their folk costumes.

Some of the other forms of entertainment at the Oktoberfest include games, amusement rides, concerts, and dance parties.

Reportedly, a total of more than two million gallons of beer are consumed annually during the Oktoberfest.

Wow. That's a lot of beer! Can you remember how much beer you drank during the last Oktoberfest you attended? Sound off in the comments section, mga Kapuso.

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