Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen and Ludwig I
Courtesy of Bavarian State Painting Collections
It may be the world’s most famous beer festival, but Oktoberfest began without giant tents, overflowing steins or revelers singing on benches. Instead, the celebration was launched by a royal wedding and a horse race.
On Oct. 12, 1810, Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. To mark the occasion, Munich invited citizens to several days of festivities that ended in a grand horse race held on fields outside the city gates.
The event was such a success that it was repeated the following year, giving birth to what would become Oktoberfest. The grounds were named Theresienwiese, or “Therese’s Meadow,” after the bride, a name that remains in use today.
The first Oktoberfest looked more like a community fair. An agricultural exhibition was added in 1811 to highlight Bavarian farming, while swings, merry-go-rounds and other amusements arrived a few years later. By the late 19th century, roast chicken stands, electric lights and larger gathering spaces had transformed the celebration into the festival we recognize today.
Still held annually in Munich, Oktoberfest has grown into the world’s largest folk festival, drawing millions of visitors each year. Despite its name, most of the festivities take place in September, a scheduling shift made to take advantage of warmer weather. This year’s festival runs Sept. 19–Oct. 4.