All About Oktoberfest

Your guide to the world's largest fair

You can find hearty Bavarian food, unique brews, specialty beer glasses, and a one-of-a-kind cultural experience at the world's largest fair -- Oktoberfest, an annual two-week festival held in Munich, Germany, during late September and early October.

Oktoberfest's exclusive brew, which is specially prepared to result in a stronger taste and alcohol content than traditional beers, is served in one-liter beer glasses called Masskrug. These popular souvenirs are made from heavy glass or stoneware, and are usually decorated with a local brewery logo. While some vendors have switched to plastic beer glasses to cut down on expenses and theft, many attendees are loyal to the customary glass steins. In addition to enjoying brewed refreshments, visitors can feast on time-honored Bavarian fare like bratwurst and sauerkraut, or indulge in local delicacies like roasted oxtails. Collectors will savor the vast array of Oktoberfest souvenirs: hats, pins, beer glasses, and even traditional German attire like Alpine hats and lederhosen.

Oktoberfest across the globe

Since its inception in 1810, the original Oktoberfest has grown to host over 6 million visitors a year and inspired countless festivals of the same name around the world. Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati is the largest Oktoberfest in the United States, held each September in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended by up to 500,000 people each year. Outside of America, other large Oktoberfests can be found in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario; Blumenau, Brazil; and Brisbane, Australia. Some festivals create their own commemorative beer glasses to mark each year's celebration. Belly up to the bar and raise a stein at an Oktoberfest near you!