The first Oktoberfest was held  October 12-October 17, 1810 in Munich, Germany celebrating the wedding of Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The event ended with a horse race.

Because of its popular success, it was repeated annually and experienced many deviations. An agricultural fair, dance, music and amusement rides were added to the original festival concept.

Oktoberfest usually occurs 16 days before the first Sunday in October in Theresienwiese, Germany, and is called die Wiesn or the meadow in Bavarian dialect. A special Oktoberfest beer is brewed for the occasion which is slightly darker and stronger in taste and alcoholic content. It is served in a one-liter-tankard called Ma' Only local Munich breweries are allowed to serve this beer in Bierzelte (beer tents) that are massive, holding 3,000 to 10,000 people.

Only six Munich breweries are allowed to serve beer at Oktoberfest ' L'enbr', Spaten, Augustiner, Hofbr', Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Visitors also consume traditional German foods such sausage, bratwurst, hendl (chicken) and sauerkraut and desserts. Not to miss out on the fun and opportunity to celebrate in grand style, Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart starts one week later than Oktoberfest and is the second largest fair in the world. An Oktoberfest in Hannover, Germany is called Oktoberfest Hannover.

This fun celebration is held in cities around the globe. The largest Oktoberfest outside Germany is held in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. Another large event is in Cincinnati, Ohio where over 500,000 people have attended an annual Oktoberfest celebration. In California the popularity of Oktoberfest grows annually so that nearly every city has an event currently.