This year's Oktoberfest gathered a record-breaking number of visitors - 7.2 million people, marking the highest attendance in decades, with the last seven-million mark surpassed in 1985, according to Clemens Baumgartner, the head of Oktoberfest (CSU).
Then, for the festival's 175th anniversary, just slightly fewer visitors attended - 7.1 million people.
Baumgartner's statement came at the end of the 'XXL-Wiesn,' as they dubbed the popular festival, extended for three days this year.
Munich Oktoberfest 2023 in numbers
This year, visitors were somewhat more restrained in terms of alcohol consumption: from September 16 to the festival's closing on Tuesday, October 3, approximately 6.5 million liters of beer were consumed. Before the 2019 pandemic, this figure was 7.3 million liters.
Baumgartner informed the DPA agency that many opted for non-alcoholic beverages. Over 50 % more non-alcoholic drinks were served, with water being particularly popular.
The second Oktoberfest after the cancellations due to Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021 went, according to representatives of the local fire department, "smoothly".
Overall, medical staff assisted more than 7,600 patients with various injuries and ailments, mostly minor.
Andreas Franken, the Munich police spokesperson, noted a growing awareness of sexual crimes in Munich, with an increasing number of reports, though he did not provide specific figures. However, he expressed surprise at some visitors' calm attitude towards drugs.
Almost 370 guests in Wiesn were caught with drugs. Most of them had cannabis, which is on the brink of legalization in Germany, and 40 % had cocaine.
And what about Wiesn?
The largest party of the year in Munich became the perfect opportunity for celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who arranged a performance by a band in one of the beer tents, and football player Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, to show off and pose for numerous photographers.
According to Baumgartner, the only thing missing at the festivals this year was the 'Wiesn hit,' a Schlager-style song that captivates the entire festival every year. Such a song should be memorable, have a good rhythm, and be simple enough for at least the chorus to be sung along with the crowd – even after a couple of beer mugs.
In the past, songs like "Layla" by DJ Robin & Schürze, "Cordula Grün" by Josh, "Hey Baby" by DJ Ötzi, or "Atemlos" by Helene Fischer played on repeat in the beer tents.
This year, Baumgartner said he would like to see the 1981 Italian classic at the top: "Sarà perché ti amo" by the group Ricchi E Poveri.
"That would be what it takes to become the secret hit of Wiesn", he said.
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The 1981 Italian classic "Sarà perché ti amo" by Ricchi E Poveri was suggested by Baumgartner as the potential "Wiesn hit" for this year, aiming to replicate the popularity of past Schlager-style songs like "Layla" by DJ Robin & Schürze and "Hey Baby" by DJ Ötzi.
Despite the less crowded attendance at the festival in celebration of its 175th anniversary, a record number of non-alcoholic drinks were served, with water being particularly popular, indicating a shift in drinking preferences among visitors.
