Oktoberfest

or Oc·to·ber·fest

[ ok-toh-ber-fest ]

/ ɒkˈtoʊ bərˌfɛst /

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noun

a traditional festival held each October in Munich, Germany.

any similar festival held usually in the autumn.

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Origin of Oktoberfest

From German; see origin at October, fest

Words nearby Oktoberfest

okoume, Okovango, okra, Okri, okta, Oktoberfest, Okuninushi, OL, -ola, Olaf I, Olaf II

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT OKTOBERFEST

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is a traditional festival held in October in Munich, Germany. It’s the largest Volksfest, which combines a beer (or sometimes wine) festival and a traveling carnival.

Despite its name, Oktoberfest usually starts in September and ends in early October.

Oktoberfest can also refer to any similar fall festival, especially held in the United States and featuring beer and German foods.

Example: My town’s Oktoberfest always features local German beers and foods from Karl’s German Kitchen.

When is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest 2023 will begin on September 16 and end on October 3.

More information and context on Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest has been going on in Germany since 1810. It started as a wedding celebration for Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. It was a festival of drinks, feasts, and horseracing, which became an annual event.

Probably the biggest thing people associate with Oktoberfest is beer, but it’s about much more than that. It’s a Volksfest, that is, a folk festival, celebrating Bavarian culture with traditional dress, food, music, and, yes, drink.

Oktoberfest has gotten so big and so popular that various Oktoberfests are celebrated around the world. The biggest and most famous is still held in Munich, Germany, where the whole thing started.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Oktoberfest?

How is Oktoberfest discussed in real life?

Oktoberfest is a popular German folk festival featuring beer and Bavarian foods. It’s celebrated from mid-September through to early October.

Going back in time! To 1983 and, I believe, my first independent trip abroad – to the Oktoberfest! The glass is from that very trip, the beer is a more recent acquisition, but it's good to put the real thing in the real thing again. Prost! 🍻#beer #German #oktoberfest #paulaner pic.twitter.com/Jdkj06ao7K

— Adrian S (@kccade) February 28, 2021

A lovely feature in @CalClubLondon #magazine! We had so much fun performing at their #Oktoberfest #oktoberfestlondon pic.twitter.com/9IAfcNt3qi

— Prostbusters (@ProstbustersUK) February 25, 2021

Found a 16oz swing top of my fall 2019 Oktoberfest in the fridge. Tad malty, but damn, this was epic is taste and sight! pic.twitter.com/mG2RpshXZU

— Kurtace (@KurtaceG) February 26, 2021

Try using Oktoberfest!

True or False?

Oktoberfest usually occurs in November.

How to use Oktoberfest in a sentence

It’s an Oktoberfest festivity, so be sure to stick around after the race for drinks at the Backyard Brewery and Kitchen.
11 of Our Favorite Races to Run in 2022|Molly Hanson|January 25, 2022|Outside Online
The running of the sausage dogs is a tradition at Oktoberfest at the Wharf, where the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash is projected onto a 17-foot video screen for a crowd of cheering fans.
The best things to do in the D.C. area the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 6|Fritz Hahn, Anying Guo, Haben Kelati, Adele Chapin|September 30, 2021|Washington Post
First, Atlas Brew Works throws an Oktoberfest-style party at its Half Street location.
The best things to do in the D.C. area the week of Sept. 23-29|Fritz Hahn, Anying Guo, Chris Kelly, Adele Chapin, Haben Kelati|September 23, 2021|Washington Post
The finalized recipe debuted in September 2019 at the Heurich House Museum’s Oktoberfest event.
Senate, a classic D.C. beer, is on tap at Nationals Park this season|Scott Allen|April 15, 2021|Washington Post

She dressed up for Oktoberfest and held cultural events at school.
‘I said goodbye to my sister through a computer screen’|Holly Bailey|January 2, 2021|Washington Post
But on day two, I discover the trick keeping many Oktoberfest revelers afloat despite their grueling alcohol intake.
My Two-Day Oktoberfest Bender|Kristyn Ostman|October 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Taybeh is a West Bank village that houses Palestine's only beer brewery and every year hosts a run of the mill Oktoberfest.
If You Build It, They Will Skate|Maysoon Zayid|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sajed, a Muslim, at first worried about accepting an invitation for the team to perform in the Taybeh Oktoberfest.
If You Build It, They Will Skate|Maysoon Zayid|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Recipe Get a jump start on Oktoberfest festivities with this German dish—lederhosen optional.
Fresh Picks|Kurt Gutenbrunner|September 10, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The Oktoberfest starts on Friday and continues for sixteen days.
Unborn Tomorrow|Dallas McCord Reynolds
These statistics I read on the Oktoberfest in the Munich tourist pamphlets.
Unborn Tomorrow|Dallas McCord Reynolds