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Nothing sets the stage for fall better than a beer and harvest festival, the traditional end of summer celebrations common in Eastern Europe and American cities with a large German, Polish, or Czech population.

Oktoberfest

The largest of these festivals, by far, is the annual Oktoberfest in Munich. The event began in 1810 as a wedding celebration for Prince (late King) Ludwig I and has been going strong ever since. Held each year in late September, the event draws around six million visitors each year, the majority from within Bavaria. This year, Oktoberfest begins on September 22 and lasts through October 7.

Beer and More

The festivities at Munich’s Oktoberfest include parades, carnival rides, live music, and, of course, lots of food and beer. Between 28 and 30 tents, some holding as many as 8500 people, are set up within the festival site. Most of the tents are sponsored by the large Munich beer companies and all have their own specialties. Most breweries create a special Oktoberfest brew just for the event and food ranges from traditional German sausages to spaetzle to Bavarian cream puffs.

If you Go

Munich is easily accessible from all over the United States, with non-stop flights from New York, Chicago, Charlotte, and Washington DC, among other cities. Parking is scarce at the Oktoberfest, but public transportation will drop you right at the front gate.

Most of the tents take reservations. Read more about the tents and about Oktoberfest at the event’s official Web site. Can’t make it this year? Watch all the fun from the Web cam.

(photo credit: istockphoto)