The Oktoberfest in Munich, which dates back to 1810, has closed for the year 2024 with the same enthusiasm. The festival lasted sixteen days, from September 21 to October 6 on the Theresienwiese. The days filled the city with authentic Bavarian vibes, music, and millions of visitors.
It kicked off with the traditional barrel tapping by Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter on 21 September at 12 noon in the Schottenhamel Festhalle. Like every year, Oktoberfest 2024 delivered impressive numbers, attracting millions of visitors and setting new records. We have compiled the most important facts and figures about the 189th Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest 2024 Dates
Sat, Sep 21, 2024, 12:00 AM – Sun, Oct 6, 2024
How Many Visitors Attended Oktoberfest in 2024?
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Visitors: 6.7 million
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Top Countries: USA, Italy, UK, France, Spain, Australia, and India.
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Audience Demographics: Families, young people, seniors, couples.
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Local Representation: Majorly from Bavaria
The number of visitors in 2024 was slightly fewer than the 7.2 million attendees in 2023. A considerable crowd came from the major parts of Germany, especially Bavaria. Approximately 25% of attendees were international visitors, with significant numbers from the USA, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Notably, a growing number of attendees came from India.
The visitors were spread out in the beer tents, gardens, and streets. The event also saw a younger demographic, with individuals aged 18 to 29 comprising 27% of adult visitors. The traditional Bavarian costume including Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women unites everyone at the festival.
How Much Beer and Food Were Consumed at Oktoberfest?
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Beer Drunk: 7 million liters
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Food Consumption: 9% more traditional food
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Top Dishes: Kässpatzen (cheesy noodles) and Bavarian Hendi
The visitors drank 7 million liters of beer in 2024, slightly less than the 7.4 million liters consumed in 2023. But more traditional Bavarian food was eaten at the festival. The classic Bavarian Hendl (half chicken) remained the top choice.
Vegetarian and vegan options also continued to grow in popularity. Food sales rose by about 10%, with guests valuing quality meals but being mindful of prices, often skipping the last beer or dessert. Non-alcoholic drinks also saw strong sales, showing a shift toward variety in what people enjoy at the Wiesn.
What Were the Best-Selling Street Treats and Souvenirs at the Festival?
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Street Treats: Roasted almonds, chocolate fruits, gingerbread hearts
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Family Day: High demand for rides and attractions
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Souvenirs: Münchner Kindl posters, T-shirts, traditional hats, and flower headbands
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Rainy Day Bestsellers: Ponchos and umbrellas
The street vendors saw strong sales of classic Oktoberfest treats, with special mention of smaller gingerbread hearts. Vendors were pleased with strong sales. The rides and attractions also saw high demand, especially on Oktoberfest Family Day, which was well received.
The weather turned out better than expected. Souvenir sales were booming, with the Münchner Kindl poster design being a big hit. American visitors loved motif tees, while men preferred traditional hats and women wore flower headbands. The chicken hat also remained a festival favorite.
How Much Lost and Found Items Were Recorded at 2024 Oktoberfest?
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Total lost items: 1,515
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Most common items: 16 pairs of Lederhosen, 335 clothing pieces, 230 ID cards, 180 bank cards, 270 wallets
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Electronics & Accessories: 150 mobile phones, 170 pairs of glasses, 70 bags, 65 keys
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Returned to owners: 330 items, up from 250 in 2023
The lost property office saw an increase in lost items this year, with over 1,500 belongings registered. Wallets, IDs, and clothing made up the majority, while the number of lost glasses more than doubled. More people successfully got their belongings back.
Over the course of the festival, five wedding rings were handed in to lost and found, with three having since been returned. Sixteen pairs of Lederhosen, various pairs of women's shoes, and a dental retainer were among the other curious items logged lost.
What Was the Cost of Beer and Utilities in 2024?
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Beer Consumption: Over 7 million liters sold
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Price Per Liter: 13.6-15.3 euros
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Electricity consumption: 2.8 million kilowatt hours
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Natural gas consumption: 165,000 cubic meters
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Water consumption: 82,653 cubic meters
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Garbage: 802 tons
Oktoberfest is a mix of traditional celebrations and a major economic powerhouse for Munich. In 2023, the festival generated over 1.25 billion euros from food, drinks, rides, and attractions. Inflation continuously impacts the global economy, leading to fluctuating prices in various sectors. The annual Oktoberfest, an iconic event for beer enthusiasts, is no exception.
The price for a liter of beer at Oktoberfest 2024 ranged between €13.60 and €15.30, reflecting an average increase of approximately 3.87% compared to 2023. The lowest value recorded an increase of one euro versus 2023. Beer is Oktoberfest’s top seller, with over 7 million liters sold this year. Only six Munich breweries are allowed to serve beer at the festival. Each brewery operates its own tent and follows strict purity laws, ensuring high-quality beer.
What New Attractions Were Introduced at Oktoberfest 2024?
The event introduced new features for its visitors this year to add to the fun and excitement. Here is what was new at the Wiesn in 2024:
New Attractions and Rides
Jim & Jasper's Wild Wasser: This year, the festival welcomed 'Jim & Jasper's Wild Wasser', the largest transportable white-water ride in Europe, offering attendees an exciting experience.
Kick Down: A dynamic ride combining three motion sequences featuring a rotating arm with an inclined axis moving a platform in the opposite direction. Five free-swinging four-person gondolas on this platform reach speeds up to 50 km/h.
Hupferl: A Bavarian classic from 1987, this ride features a round bench with a 9-meter diameter, accommodating around 50 people. It turns and bounces, requiring passengers to hold on by their own strength, reaching up to 14 revolutions per minute.
Laser-Pix: The first ride at Oktoberfest, where visitors can actively participate in a video game setting. Passengers aim and shoot at various targets using small pistols, with the unpredictable course adding to the thrill.
Inclusive Initiatives
vr4kids Project: An inclusive initiative offering a virtual Oktoberfest experience specially designed for children and young people with disabilities. This project was honored with the German Mittelstand Innovation Award for its pioneering approach.
New Tents and Culinary Offerings
Boandlkramerei: A new musician's tent at the historic Oide Wiesn, managed by the Schöniger family with 33 years of folk festival experience. The tent features well-known and emerging folk music groups offering vegan, vegetarian, and traditional Bavarian dishes, accompanied by Augustiner Bräu's Wiesn beer.
AuerOx & Suppenküche: A new gastronomic stall offers ox sandwiches, fried chicken, stews, and soups, adding to the festival's diverse culinary landscape.
Sustainability and Accessibility Enhancements
Drinking Fountains: Building on previous successes, the number of drinking fountains was increased to ten, with two installed at the Oide Wiesn for the first time, promoting sustainability and visitor convenience.
Accessibility Maps: For the first time, individualized maps of the large festival tents were provided, highlighting barrier-free entrances, seating for the disabled, and accessible toilets, utilizing the what3words system for precise location identification.
Big Picture 2.0: A 12-D cinema was added to the fairground, bringing stories to life with special effects. Viewers become part of the adventure as elements like wind, rain, and snow create a realistic, live sensation, making every moment feel thrilling and lifelike.
Final Words
Oktoberfest 2024 once again proved why it remains one of the world’s most celebrated festivals. With millions of visitors, record-breaking sales, exciting new attractions, and a strong economic impact, it blended tradition with innovation. As the tents come down and the streets quiet, Munich now looks ahead to Oktoberfest 2025 where new memories and records await.