Opening Weekend of Oktoberfest 2014

Alan Taylor
September 22, 2014
25 Photos
In Focus

One million steins of beer were consumed over the weekend, organizers say, as tourists and locals kicked off the 181st Oktoberfest. The Bavarian beer festival, held on Munich's Theresienwiese, lasts 16 days and will welcome more than six million visitors from around the world. This year, the average price of a mug of beer at any of the tents this year comes to €10.67 ($13.70 U.S.). Gathered here are some of the scenes from the opening weekend of Oktoberfest 2014.

Hints: View this page full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.

People celebrate the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany, on September 20, 2014. The world's largest beer festival will be held from September 20 to October 5, 2014. #

AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Read more
Visitors enjoy the atmosphere at Augustiner Beer tent after the Parade of Costumes and Riflemen on the second day of the 2014 Oktoberfest at Theresienhoehe on September 21, 2014 in Munich, Germany. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
Oktoberfest festival grounds during opening day in Munich on September 20, 2014. #

Reuters/Michael Dalder

Read more
Visitors reach for one of the first mugs of beer being served after the tapping of the first barrel during the opening ceremony of Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Reuters/Michael Dalder

Read more
Waitresses Beli, right, and Anika pose with beer mugs during the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Read more
A huge Ferris wheel, part of the 2014 Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Joerg Koch/Getty Images

Read more
Visitors dressed in traditional Bavarian Dirndl enjoy riding on a swing on the opening day of the 2014 Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
Two men in traditional Bavarian clothing talk in the Augustiner Beer tent after the Parade of Costumes and Riflemen on September 21, 2014. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
A gingerbread heart for sale at the 181st Oktoberfest in Munich on September 20, 2014. #

Reuters/Lukas Barth

Read more
Visitors enjoy a fairground ride during the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Reuters/Lukas Barth

Read more
Visitors enjoy the brand-new festival beer tent "Marstall" during the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Joerg Koch/Getty Images

Read more
Revelers reach for the first beer mugs at Hofbraeuhaus beer tent on September 20, 2014. #

Johannes Simon/Getty Images

Read more
The most popular Bavarian dish, roasted chicken ("Bavarian Hendl"), roasts on the second day of Oktoberfest 2014 at Theresienhoehe on September 21, 2014. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
People celebrate the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Read more
Visitors raise a toast at Augustiner Beer tent after the Parade of Costumes and Riflemen on September 21, 2014. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
A man takes a rest in a meadow on the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Read more
Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes and Gamsbart hat (hat made of chamois hair) on the opening day of Oktoberfest 2014 on September 20, 2014. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
People enjoy a festival ride in front of St. Paul's church at Oktoberfest 2014 on September 20, 2014. #

AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Read more
Visitors take a selfie on the opening day of Oktoberfest in Munich. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
A waitress carries steins of beer during the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Reuters/Michael Dalder

Read more
A man rests in a grassy area on the opening day of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2014. #

AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Read more
People enjoy a ride on the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
People board the Ferris wheel during the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
A multiple-exposure image of visitors dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing riding on a merry-go-round on the first evening of Oktoberfest on September 20, 2014. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more
Visitors on a funfair ride called "Cyberspace" on the first evening of the 2014 Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany, on September 20, 2014. The 181st Oktoberfest will be open to the public from September 20 through October 5. #

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Read more