What is the meaning of Oktoberfest? The charm of Bavaria, where the "October Festival" begins in September
Although "Oktoberfest" has "October" in its name, its peak is actually in September. In fact, our Schmatz team traveled to Bavaria in September 2025 and experienced the reason firsthand. We'll bring you the meaning of Oktoberfest and its appeal as "the season for festivals and outdoor drinking," along with the authentic atmosphere.
◯ The meaning of Oktoberfest is exactly "October Festival"
If you break down "Oktober" + "Fest", you get
First, let's talk about the name. Oktoberfest (Oktoberfest) is surprisingly simple when broken down in German.
"Oktober" = October, "Fest" = festival.So, the meaning of Oktoberfest is simply "October Festival."
A mismatch: named for October, but happens in September
However, it's confusing. The current main venue, the Oktoberfest in Munich, opens in the latter half of September every year. In 2025, the opening was also on September 20th.
The name is "October," but the event is in "September." This mismatch is intriguing, isn't it?
◯ Why is it called the "October Festival" when it's held in September?
It was originally held in October.
The reason is straightforward.It was originally held in October.
But October in Munich is simply too cold. It's a bit harsh for enjoying beer outdoors.
💡 1829, a snowstorm four days after opening
As an anecdote illustrating how cold Munich can be in October, there is even a record that in 1829, just four days after the opening, a snowstorm hit and all the stalls had to close.
With such cold weather as a backdrop, and coupled with factors such as urban development and good weather, the timing of the event gradually moved forward. Eventually, the September holding became established, and now it starts in late September and only the last few days fall into October.
The name remained "October Festival," but the content moved to September. History is interesting with these "now that you mention it" moments, isn't it?
◯ The very beginning was a prince's wedding
1810: The celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese
Let's delve a little into its origins.
The year was 1810. The celebrations for the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese were the very beginning of it all.
At that time, a horse race held on October 17th as the opening event of the wedding festivities is considered the commemorative "first Oktoberfest." The vast meadow where it was held was later named "Theresienwiese" (Therese's Meadow) in honor of Princess Therese.
💡Locals don't call it "Oktoberfest"
By the way, locals don't really call this festival "Oktoberfest." They affectionately refer to it as "Wiesn," a shortened version of the venue's name. This nickname was even officially included in the prestigious German dictionary "Duden" in 2017. It was a moment when the local dialect received official recognition.
That's enough historical digging for now. What I really want to convey starts here.
《The "Festival Season" in Bavaria, as we saw it in September 2025》
◯ Regensburg's Riverside Wine Festival
From September 18 to 23, 2025, Schmatz staff traveled through Bavaria, Germany.
Our base was not Munich itself, but nearby provincial cities. It was a trip to visit breweries and stay in old towns like Regensburg and Landshut.
What surprised us most was that in every town, people were out enjoying beer and wine.
In Regensburg, a "Wine Festival" (Weinfest) was being held in the Stadtamhof district along the Danube River. People gathered with glasses in hand, chatting against the backdrop of the picturesque historic townscape. This festival, which had been suspended during the pandemic and was only revived in 2025, had a special buzz about it.
◯ Landshut's Street Performance Festival, and the opening weekend in Munich
In Landshut, we stumbled upon one of Europe's largest street performance festivals, with the entire old town serving as a stage. Street performers from all over the world captivated the city streets with acrobatics and music. Stalls lined the streets, live music played, and the entire old town became one big stage.
Indeed, from late summer to autumn in Bavaria, various festivals, big and small, are held throughout the region, making it truly a "festival season." And at the pinnacle of these is the Oktoberfest in Munich.
Our trip coincided with the opening weekend of Oktoberfest 2025 (September 20-21). At the very moment the authentic Wiesn opened, other festivals were occurring simultaneously in nearby towns. In other words, the entire region of Bavaria was in "festival mode," making it the best season.
If you want to know more about German beer itself, please also check outWhat is German Beer?📚
And the styles of beer drunk at such authentic festivals are all available inSchmatz's beer lineup.
◯ Why is "outdoor drinking" so pleasant in Bavaria in September?
Munich is actually further north than Hokkaido.
Here's a fact that was subtly shocking to me as a Japanese person.
Munich is located at approximately 48 degrees north latitude. How far north is that? It'seven further north than Wakkanai (approximately 45 degrees north latitude), the northernmost point of Hokkaido.
I had imagined it was in "southern Germany," so it was a surprise to learn it's further north than Hokkaido. No wonder it's cool.
Pleasant during the day, cold at night.
In late September, Bavaria experiences pleasant daytime temperatures of 15-20 degrees Celsius, with comfortable sunshine. However, at night, temperatures quickly drop to around 5-10 degrees Celsius. This temperature difference is very autumnal.
The exhilaration of drinking beer on a riverside terrace during the day. The warmth of huddling together in the cool night air. It's like getting two delights in one day, so to speak. I deeply understood on site that this coolness is precisely why people are drawn outdoors.
The decision of our predecessors to move the timing forward to avoid the cold of October was absolutely correct. September in Bavaria was truly ideal weather for travel and beer. For more on how locals enjoy beer and the atmosphere, please seeHow to enjoy authentic German beer.
◯ The closest place to experience the authentic atmosphere in Japan
After the trip, I reflect again. The meaning of Oktoberfest is "October Festival." But its essence is not just about a specific date or place, but rather aboutthe Bavarian way of life itself: gathering outdoors and celebrating the season with beer.
However, not everyone can fly to Munich in September, right?
That's where Schmatz comes in. We offer craft beers that inherit the brewing culture of authentic Germany, both at home and in our restaurants. We hope you can feel that atmosphere of toasting with arms linked, as closely as possible here in Japan 🇩🇪
If you want to savor the authentic experience at home, visit ▶︎ Schmatz Online Shop.
If you feel like toasting lively, please visit ▶︎ your nearest Schmatz store. You'll surely relive a bit of the Wiesn's excitement.
If you want to know more about the meaning, history, and how to enjoy the authentic Oktoberfest, please refer to this complete guide.
📚 What is Oktoberfest? A complete guide to its history, beer, food, and how to enjoy it in its homeland
