Oktoberfest begins Sep 16, 2023

Oktoberfest begins

Welcome to Oktoberfest, the world"s biggest beer festival, held each year in the German city of Munich. Dating back all the way to 1810, it began with the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig, later Ludwig I of Bavaria, and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The celebrations took place on the fields in front of the city gates, which were named Theresienwiese, or Theresa"s Meadow, in honor of the bride. The festivities lasted for five days, filled with exciting activities such as parades and horse races. It was so popular that Oktoberfest became an annual event that now draws more than 6 million people. This year"s festival starts today and lasts 18 days. Beyond Munich, it has become a popular celebration in multiple countries, and cities inside and outside of Germany imitate the festival and cherish its German traditions.

© Peter Kneffel/picture alliance via Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Sep 16, 2018Mexico celebrates its Independence Day
Sep 16, 2019The mighty, mighty mushroom
Sep 16, 2020It s Independence Day in Mexico
Sep 16, 2021A cry for independence
Sep 16, 2022Puma in Patagonia
Sep 16, 2024Wallabies at sunrise, Australia
Sep 16, 2025Nighttime view over the Gulf Coast

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 26, 2024Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
Mar 31, 2021Paradise, found
Dec 2, 2021Denali National Park
May 12, 2022International Nurses Day
May 3, 2025Happy International Astronomy Day!
Oct 5, 2018Is that a smile?
Nov 11, 2024Veterans Day
Aug 8, 2021Bridge to infinity
Apr 21, 2019The Easter Bunny’s story
Jan 18, 2022Winnie-the-Pooh Day
Nov 23, 2025Fibonacci Day
Dec 29, 2024Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia
Jun 14, 2018Celebrating Flag Day: ‘O long may it wave’
Apr 22, 2026Earth Day
Oct 20, 2024International Sloth Day
May 22, 2024International Day for Biological Diversity
Sep 9, 2021Islands of the Salish Sea
Dec 7, 2024National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Sep 27, 2019Ancient storage in the Grand Canyon
Nov 8, 2022Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Apr 12, 2026International Day of Human Space Flight
Apr 7, 2025Happy International Beaver Day!
Jan 8, 2025National Take the Stairs Day
Dec 13, 2025Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California
Jun 11, 2022Misool Island, Indonesia
Aug 14, 2019Lizard of mystery
Oct 9, 2023Indigenous Peoples Day
May 16, 2023American Wetlands Month
Jun 24, 2025Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah
Sep 17, 2019Constitution Day and Citizenship Day