Traditions of Munich
The Bavarian capital, home of Oktoberfest, the beer garden and the Weisswurst breakfast before noon.
Munich is the capital of Bavaria, a state with its own strong customs of dress, church and table. The Oktoberfest, which began in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration, now draws millions each autumn. Bavarians wear traditional dress, Tracht, with Lederhosen for men and the Dirndl for women.
Oktoberfest and the beer garden
The festival begins when the mayor taps the first keg and calls O'zapft is. Brass bands, big tents and the Schuhplattler dance fill the grounds. The beer garden, a shaded spot with chestnut trees, allows families to bring their own food. The Starkbierzeit, strong beer season, runs in spring.
At the table
Weisswurst, a veal sausage, is eaten before noon with sweet mustard and a soft pretzel. Schweinshaxe, roast pork knuckle, Obatzda, cheese spread, and Semmelknödel are served in pubs. Wheat beer, Weissbier, is poured into tall glasses. Apfelstrudel and Kaiserschmarrn are desserts.
Signature traditions of Munich
Also part of it, and being written: Oktoberfest (The beer festival.), Weisswurst (The Bavarian sausage.), Beer garden (The outdoor tradition.).
A trail idea for Munich
- Viktualienmarkt Visit for sausages and pretzels.
- Englischer Garten Join the beer garden.
- Marienplatz See the Glockenspiel at 11.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Schuhplattler: Harald Bischoff, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Tracht: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- German Unity Day: Philipp Hertzog Bearbeitet von Dr. Meierhofer (beschnitten, aufgehellt, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- O'zapft is!: Michael Lucan, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, source