Oktoberfest Kicks Off in Munich
Munich’s Oktoberfest launched its 191st edition this past Saturday, with Mayor Dominik Krause ceremoniously tapping the first keg of beer and declaring “O’zapft is” (“It’s been tapped”).
As thousands of attendees, adorned in traditional Bavarian dirndls and lederhosen, flooded the beer tents at Theresienwiese, the atmosphere buzzed with brass music, singing, and dancing. Alongside beer, festival-goers eagerly enjoyed pretzels, pork roast, and sausages.
Over the next 16 days, up to 6 million visitors are expected, primarily from Munich and southern Germany, but also from around the globe.
In response to last year’s overcrowding, security measures have been heightened, including the use of AI cameras to monitor crowd sizes, entry checks, and a ban on knives, flying objects, and marijuana. Approximately 600 police officers, along with specialized units, will be maintaining order throughout the festival.
