The world’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration returns to Munich, Germany on September 20^th and we’re all about it. Whether you’ve been or it’s still on your bucket list, here are 10 things you might not know about the “ Mother of all Oktoberfest Celebrations.”

It started with a royal wedding
Oktoberfest kicked off in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Locals had such a good time, Munich decided, “Let’s do this again next year.”

It’s not actually in October (well, mostly)
Despite the name, the festival mostly happens in late September. The shift happened so people could enjoy better weather before Munich’s chilly fall fully set in.

Six Munich breweries rule the tents
Only beer brewed within Munich’s city limits makes the cut. That means just six breweries—Paulaner, Augustiner, Spaten, Löwenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr, and Hofbräu—get the honor of fueling Oktoberfest.

The beer is stronger than you might expect
Oktoberfest bier isn’t your average lager—it’s brewed just for the fest, with a slightly higher alcohol content (around 6%) and a maltier, smoother taste.

The mayor of Munich taps the first keg
Tradition dictates that the mayor of Munich shouts “O’zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”) after hammering the first keg. Only then can the beer officially flow to the masses.

It’s not just about beer—now there’s wine too
Tucked away in the Käfer and Weinzelt tents, you’ll find German wines and even champagne. So yes, non-beer drinkers can survive Oktoberfest just fine.

Chicken is king, not bratwurst
Forget sausages—roast chicken (Wiesn-Hendl) is the true food staple of Oktoberfest. Millions of them are eaten every year, usually alongside giant pretzels and potato salad.

Lost and found is massive
Each year, thousands of items turn up in Oktoberfest’s lost and found, from passports and wallets to random things like wedding rings, wheelchairs, and even musical instruments.

Oktoberfest in Munich also has a family-friendly side
Weekday mornings and afternoons are much calmer, with carnival rides, parades, and family-focused fun. It’s not all drunken singalongs—though you’ll definitely hear plenty of those after dark.

It draws way more than just locals
Around six million people attend each year, with visitors from all over the world. Fun fact: Americans are among the largest groups of international guests.

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