Thousands of attendees gathered in Munich to mark the beginning of the 191st Oktoberfest, the world’s largest folk festival. The event officially commenced on Saturday when Munich Mayor Dominik Krause tapped the first keg at the fairgrounds on Theresienwiese.

The festival, which runs for 16 days, saw a diverse crowd including locals in traditional Bavarian attire such as dirndls and lederhosen, as well as visitors dressed in non-traditional clothing. Attendees quickly filled the beer tents, securing seats on the communal benches as brass bands performed in the background and servers carried multiple one-litre beer steins to the tables.

Oktoberfest is known not only for its distinctive beer but also for traditional Bavarian foods. Visitors are expected to enjoy items like pretzels, pork roast, and sausages throughout the festival. While many of the revelers come from Munich and the surrounding southern German regions, organizers anticipate millions of guests from a broader international audience over the course of the event.