Munich - Wiesn preparation: dress code, smoking weed and beer price
The summer has barely begun when Munich is gearing up for the fall. On September 21st, it's "Ozapft is" again for Oktoberfest, with six million visitors expected until October 6th, still considered the largest people's festival in the world. The setup of the beer tents started on a Monday, and for midweek, the city has announced one of the top news in Munich's annual calendar: the beer price announcement.
How much does the beer cost?
This is always one of the most important questions, and regardless of how the price turns out: Arguments over the price of Oktoberfest beer are part of the tradition. It's likely that the price will probably exceed the 15 Euro mark this year. In 2023, a liter of beer cost between 12.60 Euro and 14.90 Euro, with an average of 14.18 Euro, a 6.1% increase from the previous year. Despite annual complaints about the allegedly expensive Oktoberfest beer: Considering the rising costs for personnel, music, and setup, the price increase last year was in line with the general inflation in Germany and slightly higher price increases for food and catering. And: You get more alcohol for your money at Oktoberfest: The alcohol content is around six percent. Those who just want to quench their thirst don't have to reach deep into their pockets for a liter and thus a table: As in the previous year, there are free water fountains on the festival grounds.
How do the prices for food look?
It will be more expensive there as well. One reason is the higher value-added tax on food in catering, which was raised from seven to 19 percent in January - the pre-Corona level. "A price increase of 15 percent must be assumed; 12 percent of that is due to the alignment of the value-added tax on food to the pre-Corona level, and three percent is due to general cost increases," says Spokesperson for the Innkeepers Christian Schottenhamel. "Guests can thank the Federal Government for that. Both Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Finance Minister Christian Lindner have broken their promise to keep the 7-percent value-added tax on food."
Is Corona still a topic?
No. However, the Wiesn remains a virus superspreader event. Regularly a few days after the opening, doctors' offices in Munich are filled disproportionately with coughing people: Wiesn flu. In the confined spaces of the tents, cold viruses have optimal conditions.
Is it allowed to smoke weed on the Wiesn?
No. The ruling coalition of CSU and Free Voters has passed a state law that bans smoking weed at folk festivals and beer gardens. While the Federal Cannabis Law of the Bundesrepublik prohibits smoking weed in the immediate vicinity of minors, which effectively means a ban for folk festivals during the day due to the presence of children and adolescents, festival organizers had complained about a regulatory gap. "We have to comply with the ban and will also sensitize our security personnel accordingly," says Spokesperson for the Innkeepers Christian Schottenhamel. "We don't see a big problem, as there have been no major cannabis smoke clouds in Munich to date."
Can you visit the Oktoberfest virtually?
Non only people with a Virus-Phobia will experience the Wiesn experience for the first time digitally. Fans should be able to virtually stroll over the festival grounds just in time for its start. An online game is currently being developed, where visitors can attend the festival as avatars with VR glasses. The game was not intended as a precaution for the next pandemic, clarified Wiesn-Chief Clemens Baumgaertner (CSU) during the game's announcement last year. The Munich Inclusion Initiative vr4kids now offers a virtual Wiesn visit for the first time, primarily for disadvantaged and disabled children and adolescents. Children Felix and Leah walk over the Wiesn, ride the Ferris wheel, and take their guests with - even the Elderly, who can no longer make it to the festival themselves. Leah signs in German Sign Language. The Eldest, who visited the Wiesn in the VR Glasses test run, was 96 years old, reported Initiator Christoph Ostler. "The main keyword is participation."
What is the dress code at the Wiesn?
Dirndl and Lederhose is the uniform for the Wiesn per se. But whatever pleases is allowed. Scots come in kilts, on the Gay-Sunday at the first Wiesn Sunday, drag queens parade over the grounds. Hats with Plushpendants remain unclad, but indestructible Wiesn accessories. Heads with Plushpendants have been seen, as well as US guests in the white-blue check costume. Locals and foreigners prefer Lederhose and Dirndl - the palette ranged from Mini-Dirndl to the "Christmas Tree Dirndl" with glitter decorations to extravagant variants with skulls. For those who want to quickly change into Wiesn outfits on the way to the Wiesn: Stalls around the festival grounds sell cheap versions. The outfit, however, has little to do with traditional costumes, which are characteristic of certain places and can cost several hundred or even thousands of Euros. These can be seen during the Trachtenumzug on the Sunday after the Wiesn opening.
How does one get a spot in the Bierzelt?
Reserve as early as possible - that's the safe way. Many reservable places are already gone. However, the hosts cannot give away all places. Those who are good on foot should rush to the tent of their choice as soon as the festival grounds open in the morning. With the hosts, reservations must be purchased with food vouchers. Since last year, guests who cannot keep their reservation can offer them on a swap platform.
How sustainable is the Wiesn?
The Volksfest is certainly not an energy-saving event. Nevertheless: The hosts of the large tents have set themselves the ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral within four years - if possible even by 2026. The hosts determine their CO2 consumption to reduce the carbon footprint. Waste was measured in part to draw conclusions. For a long time, green electricity has been used and beer mug rinse water for toilets has been reused. In addition, there are more and more vegan dishes. The question of whether the Wiesn could only be possible with organic products was rejected by the hosts so far.
- Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Finance Minister Christian Lindner, despite their promises, have contributed to the price increase of food at Oktoberfest due to the alignment of the value-added tax on food to its pre-Corona level.
- Despite the increase in beer prices at Oktoberfest, those who just want to quench their thirst can do so without spending a lot, as there are free water fountains on the festival grounds.
- The ruling coalition of CSU and Free Voters has passed a state law that bans smoking weed at folk festivals and beer gardens, including Oktoberfest.
- For those looking for a digital Oktoberfest experience, an online game is being developed where visitors can attend the festival as avatars with VR glasses.
- The Coronavirus is not a major topic at Oktoberfest, but the festival remains a potential spreader of viruses, as seen in the increased number of sick people in Munich's doctors' offices after the festival's opening.
- In Munich's annual calendar, the announcement of the beer price for Oktoberfest is considered one of the top news, and arguments over the price increase are a traditional part of the festival.
- The dress code at Oktoberfest is casual, with Dirndls and Lederhosen being popular, but any outfit that pleases is allowed, including kilts, drag queens, and even US guests in white-blue check costumes.
- The setup of the beer tents for Oktoberfest starts on a Monday, and by Wednesday, the city has announced the much-anticipated beer price announcement.
- The Wiesn remains a popular destination for children, despite the higher prices for food and the presence of adults enjoying beer and music.
- The CSU, one of the major political parties in Bavaria and Germany, plays a significant role in the organization of Oktoberfest, and their policies affect various aspects of the festival, including the dress code and the ban on smoking weed.
