Beer, Bavarian music, dancing, tents, bratwurst, fairground rides and, oh yeah, more beer! This is not about the smaller offshoots of Oktoberfest around the world but Munich's original fair, the biggest beer festival in the world.
Eat, drink and be merry! From the last weeks of September to the first weekend in October, dress up in a lederhosen or dirndl dress and head over to the Theresienwiese fields to have your share of 6 million litres of the finest Bavarian beer, tuck into local delicacies and party like there's no tomorrow.
This massive beer celebration has bloomed since its origin back in 1810; Oktoberfest was born from the public wedding celebrations of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hidburghausen.
The royal event led to the emergence of a tradition which is still true to its roots and as such, it only allows beer from Munich's six select breweries to be sold in the 14 large tents, each with its own unique and characteristic feel, crowd and history.
These breweries produce beer according to the German Purity Law decreed in 1516, which guarantees that there are no chemical additives to the healthy beer, brewed only with water, malt, hops, and yeast. Therefore, festival-goers are able to taste the most typical Bavarian beer, the Weißbier a cloudy amber-coloured wheat ale topped with an impressive head.
Apart from the best beer in the world, this amazing festival also offers mouthwatering Bavarian food. Don't miss the opportunity to dine on sucking pig doused in malt beer sauce, sausages with an over-sized helping of sauerkraut, and smoked mackarel on a stick.
Remember to check out the traditional German amusements, which include the quaint flea circus and crossbow competitions.
Don't miss the grand Costume & Riflemen's Parade on the first Sunday of the festival, which features regional costumes, marching bands and traditional riflemen.