The world’s largest folk festival, Oktoberfest, officially commenced on Saturday at noon when the ceremonial keg-tapping took place. Thousands of beer enthusiasts gathered in the Munich fairground to celebrate the 189th edition of the festival, eagerly raising their mugs to the first pours.

Servers diligently transported trays laden with up to 8 glass mugs, delivering them to eager patrons. Revelers engaged in lively clinking of their mugs, savoring their first sips of beer amidst the warm atmosphere of the tent.

The celebration will continue until October 6th, spanning 18 large tents erected across the Theresienwiese fairground.

This year’s festival incorporates heightened security measures following a recent attack in Ansbach, a city approximately 470 kilometers (292 miles) northwest of Munich. The August 23rd attack resulted in three fatalities and eight injuries, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility. In response, organizers have implemented metal detectors at the festival for the first time, despite the absence of concrete threats.

Early Saturday morning, tens of thousands of people lined the streets to witness the opening parade, while others rushed to secure tables inside the tents. They engaged in conversation, played cards, and explored the fairground’s culinary offerings and amusement rides to pass the time before the beer flowed freely.

At 9 a.m., as soon as the entrances opened, revelers sprinted across the fairground, despite security personnel’s efforts to maintain order. Laughter filled the air, despite the morning chill, as some exclaimed “why are we running!” The eager crowd then formed lines to be among the first to enter the tents.

Over the festival’s 16 days, an estimated 6 million visitors are expected, with up to 600,000 attending each day. They can anticipate paying between 13.60 and 15.30 euros ($15.12 to $17.01) for a 1-liter mug of beer (33 fl oz). This year’s prices are roughly 3.87% higher than in 2023.

Mikael Caselitz, a 24-year-old Munich native who has been a regular Oktoberfest attendee, believes everyone should experience the festival at least once in their lifetime. He humorously acknowledged the potential for overcrowding and occasional mishaps, but emphasized its overall enjoyable nature.

Ollie Standen, a 21-year-old from England who is currently participating in a university exchange program in Munich, woke up at 6 a.m. to secure his place in line for the festival, where the beer starts flowing at noon. Encouraged by a local friend, Standen is excited to sample a range of German beers not typically found in England. He considers it a unique German tradition and expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the festivities.

Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event returned in 2022. The first Oktoberfest took place on October 17, 1810, to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Theresa of Saxony. The event was held on a meadow on the outskirts of Munich, aptly named “Theresienwiese” in honor of the bride. While the name has persisted, the starting date has been shifted to September, when temperatures in Bavaria are generally warmer.