In 1810, Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig — he would later go on to become King Ludwig I of Bavaria — married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.
Source: Business Insider
The Bavarian royalty threw an epic wedding celebration on the fields in front of the city gates and invited the citizens of Munich to join them.
Source: HISTORY
The public fields were named Theresienwiese, or "Therese's fields," to honor the crowned princess.
Source: HISTORY
The royal family decided to repeat the celebration one year later, which sparked the annual tradition now dubbed Oktoberfest. This year will be the 185th celebration.
Source: HISTORY
There have only been a few times throughout history — times of war, cholera epidemics, and hyperinflation — when the country skipped the celebrations.
Source: TIME
From the beer to the costumes to the food, there are tons of traditions spread out across all aspects of the festival.
At the start of the festivities, more than 7,000 people join musicians and farm animals — predominantly horses and oxen — in the streets.
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If you've never been to Munich for the festival, you probably didn't know there's an opening ceremony.
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The festival doesn't officially start, though, until the mayor of Munich taps the first keg of beer and yells "O’zapft is!" ("It's tapped!") He serves the first glass of Oktoberfest to Bavaria's minister president.
Source: USA Today
And at the closing ceremony, there's another salute on the steps of the Bavarian monument.
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If you're doing Oktoberfest right, you won't just be drinking any old beer. And you can forget about ordering a Guinness.
Source: Food&Wine
But by the late 1800s, Oktoberfest revelers were introduced to a lighter beer, called Märzen or Märzenbier. These beers are more reddish in color and slightly sweet to taste, and they're similar to the Oktoberfest beers we tend to brew stateside.
Source: Mike Siegel via Food&Wine
Throughout the years, the festival beer has grown lighter in color. Now, typical Oktoberfest beer has got more of a golden hue.
Source: Mike Siegel via Food&Wine
Today's Oktoberfest beers also have a higher alcohol content than they used to as a result of the brewing process.
Source: Mike Siegel via Food&Wine
The beer is served in a giant mug dubbed a "mass," which is German for "measure." Each mass holds up to one liter of beer.
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If you're in Munich for the on-site celebration, you’ll find beers from only six local breweries:
Source: Mike Siegel via Food&Wine
Each of these breweries sponsors a tented beer hall, for which you should probably make a reservation if you plan on attending. They set the model for all the local beer gardens you love to visit on Saturdays with your friends year-round.
Source: USA Today
These giant sponsored tents we know today replaced smaller stands in 1896, which were there so festival-goers could quench their thirst.
Source: USA Today and The History of Oktoberfest
While the beer tents are where you'd go to grab your drinks, they also play traditional Bavarian music.
Source: TIME
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone dressed in anything other than lederhosen and dirndl at Oktoberfest. But these are more than just festival costumes.
Source: TIME
Originally, and during the time of the wedding, dirndls were plain, worn exclusively by servant girls, and typically paired with a set of lederhosen.
Source: InStyle
It's estimated that around 7 million people take part in Munich’s Oktoberfest each year.
Source: Business Insider
And a lot of people means a lot of beer consumption. On average, the crowd consumes around 7 million liters of it.
Source: Business Insider
But, contrary to popular belief, the festival isn't just for drunk adults. Local families go with their kids and enjoy candy apples and schnitzel sandwiches. They ride roller coasters and take part in all the traditional festivities.
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It's common for families to swing by the fair and enjoy a classic Bavarian lunch of obatzda and brezn (cheese dip and a pretzel). You may be more likely to find us hanging out there than by the beer tents, if we're being honest.
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The crossbow competition you'll find over at the Armbrustschützen tent has been going on since 1895.
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Music is an integral part of the festivities, too. Some tents even host Yodeling groups.
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Yes, you'll even get to see the Alphorn blowers — they're the musicians who play those instruments you've seen in any Ricola commercial.
If you’re feeling traditional, you can stop at one of many tents hosting the classic brass bands.
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Back in 2010, Oktoberfest celebrated its 200th anniversary. Organizers paid homage to the original festival with an "historic" celebration. It was called the "Historical Wiesn" and featured classic rides, horse races, and older style beer.
Source: Business Insider
Remember the horse race we mentioned? Well, you won't be able to see one of those at the festival today. But, if you plan it right, you'll be able to catch the Agricultural Show.
Source: The History of Oktoberfest
The Agricultural Show was introduced to the festival in 1811 as a way to boost the Bavarian agriculture industry, and it now takes place every three years.
Source: The History of Oktoberfest