After the first Oktoberfest weekend: Innkeepers see trend

Rush to the Oktoberfest: Half a million people came to the Theresienwiese on the first day. It could be full on Sunday too.

Update from September 22nd, 4:22 p.m.: The Oktoberfest began on the first day with half a million visitors. According to estimates by the festival management, the situation will be similar on Sunday. That means one million guests on the first Wiesn weekend. That is more than ever. “From the organizer’s point of view, the first weekend of the Oktoberfest was a dream start,” the press office said. Around 525,000 visitors were there on Saturday, and around 475,000 on Sunday.

We report on a wonderfully relaxed meadow – and a growing trend towards non-alcoholic drinks. The showmen and market traders were delighted with the cheerful audience. There was a lot to do on the children’s carousels and rides. Last year, the festival management reported around 850,000 visitors on the first weekend, with perfect autumn weather and blue skies.

First report from September 22nd, 7.45 a.m.: Munich – Munich is once again in a state of emergency: Oktoberfest is in full swing. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the Theresienwiese on the opening day and it could be full on the second day too.

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The Oktoberfest in Munich has begun: perfect weather for the Wiesn kick-off

After an impressive start to the Oktoberfest, which was helped by bright sunshine and party-loving visitors, a large number of visitors are also forecast for Sunday. In the morning (10 a.m.) one of the largest traditional costume parades in the world will take place, leading through Munich to the Oktoberfest. Over 9,500 traditional costume wearers and marksmen will take part.

The Münchner Kindl will lead the parade. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU), Munich’s Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) and the director of the Oktoberfest, Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU), will take their place in the festively decorated honorary carriages. Reiter opened the Oktoberfest on Saturday with the traditional tapping of the first barrel.

Oktoberfest in Munich: Half a million visitors on day 1

According to initial estimates by the festival management, around half a million people flocked to the Theresienwiese on the first day of the Oktoberfest. On Saturday afternoon, the streets between the tents, stalls and rides were very busy. The increased security measures following the suspected Islamist-motivated attack in Solingen did not seem to worry the guests. For the first time, hand-held metal detectors will be used at the entrances. The police also plan to carry out more intensive checks on the site.