The Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in the Bavarian capital of Munich, Germany during late September and early October. It is one of the most famous events in the city and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year, and is an important part of Bavarian culture. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the Munich event.

Oktoberfest or Octoberfest?

Americans have the tendency to misspell the festival's name. The correct spelling is oKtoberfest.

History behind Oktoberfest

The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, on October 12, 1810: For the commemoration of their marriage, Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (namesake of the Theresienwiese festival grounds) organized a great horse race (the marriage took place on October 12; the horse race on October 17 — therefore, there are different dates named as being the first Oktoberfest).

In 1819, the town fathers of Munich took over festival management. They decided that the Oktoberfest should be celebrated every year without exception. Later, it was lengthened and the date pushed forward because the end of September in Bavaria often has very good weather. To honor the marriage of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria, a parade took place for the first time in 1835. Since 1850, this has become a yearly event and an important component of the Oktoberfest. 8,000 people — mostly from Bavaria — in traditional costumes (including lederhosen and Dirndl) walk from Maximilian Street, through the center of Munich, to the Oktoberfest.
Source - wikipedia.org

Oktoberfest Munchen Festival Dates:

• 2008: September 20 - October 5
• 2009: September 19 - October 4
• 2010: September 18 - October 3
• 2011: September 17 - October 3

German words to learn before Oktoberfest:

• Brezn - Traditional Bavarian pretzel. Delicious
• Dackl - Dachshund; The Oktoberfest mascot and an overall popular Bavarian dog. Q.v. Wastl
• Dampf - Intoxication / drunk / too many Maß.
• Dampfnudl - A sweet Bavarian dumpling that is often served with melted butter or a vanilla sauce.
• Deandl, Dirndl - Girl or Bavarian traditional outfit worn by women
• Ditschi - Traditional Bavarian hat
• Fackl - A young pig, but often used to describe attendees acting out of line.
• Fetznrausch - Very intoxicated
• Gamsbart - Traditional Bavarian hat that every attendee should wear
• Heisl - Toilet/ Pisser. Needed frequently at Oktoberfest
• Hoiwe - A half liter beer
• Janker - Traditional Jacket often worn with Lederhosen
• Maß (Maas) - one litre beer, important Bavarian measurement.
• Eine mass bier bitte - A Liter of beer please. A very useful expression at Oktoberfest.
• Nimma - No more. It is best to know when to quit.