STORY: Munich Mayor Dominik Krause performed the traditional hammer strikes to open the first keg of the world’s biggest beer festival Oktoberfest on Saturday (September 19) at noon (1000 GMT).

Followed by the claim “O’zapft is” (Bavarian slang for “the barrel is tapped”), tapping the barrel marks the official opening of the ‘Wiesn’, as Oktoberfest is called by locals.

Krause is not only performing the opening for the first time, he is also the first of the Green Party, governing the city which had been governed by Social Democrat Dieter Reiter for 12 years.

"The Wiesn are part of our identity. All Munich residents – or at least most of them – associate childhood and teenage memories with them. They are a wonderful place for the whole city to celebrate and come together, no matter which neighbourhood you’re from, whether rich or poor”, the 36 year old told Reuters, adding that the festival adds to the city's appeal on an international stage. As State Minister Markus Soeder, Krause attended the ceremony with his life partner, Sebastian Mueller.

According to the spokesperson for the Wiesn landlords, the price of beer this year will be between 15 and 16 euros. At last year’s Oktoberfest, organisers estimated that 6.5 million visitors attended, consuming 6.5 million litres of beer. The Oktoberfest takes place from 19 September to 4 October, featuring 17 large and 21 small tents, as well as over 100 stalls and fairground rides.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: MUNICH, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 19, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. MUNICH MAYOR DOMINIK KRAUSE, ELECTED IN MAY 2026 AND OPENING THE OKTOBERFEST FOR THE FIRST TIME, ENTERS THE MARQUEE ALONGSIDE HIS LIFE PARTNER SEBASTIAN MUELLER FOLLOWED BY STATE MINISTER MARKUS SOEDER AND HIS WIFE KARIN BAUMUELLER-SOEDER

2. UNOPENED KEGS

3. CROWD

4. CROWD BEING ASKED IF THEY ARE THIRSTY AND ANSWERING WITH YES

5. KRAUSE TAPPING INTO KEG

6. TRADITIONAL BEER MUGS

7. SOEDER AND KRAUSE RECEIVING FILLED MUGS

8. WOMAN INCORPORATING THE 'MUNICH KINDL', TRADITIONAL SYMBOL OF MUNICH

9. SOEDER, KRAUSE AND THEIR PARTNERS DRINKING AND CHEERING WITH MUGS

10. CROWD IN TENT

11. (SOUNDBITE) (German) MUNICH MAYOR DOMINIK KRAUSE, SAYING:

"It’s an incredible honour – I’ve got childhood memories of riding the ‘Wilde Maus’ (rollercoaster) and standing outside the festival marquees, and back then I never would have thought that one day I’d be the one opening the festival grounds myself, which makes it all the more wonderful."

12. VARIOUS OF BARMAN AT THE TAP FILLING MUGS

13. (SOUNDBITE) (German) MUNICH MAYOR DOMINIK KRAUSE, SAYING:

"The meadows are part of our identity. All Munich residents – or at least most of them – associate childhood and teenage memories with them. They are a wonderful place for the whole city to celebrate and come together, no matter which neighbourhood you’re from, whether rich or poor. And above all, they are also part of our appeal on the international stage."

14. PEOPLE AT TABLE CHEERING WITH MUGS

15. (SOUNDBITE) (German) BAVARIAN STATE MINISTER MARKUS SOEDER, SAYING:

"I think people want a bit of a break from the crisis and to have a bit of a party, which is why the meadows are coming at just the right time."

16. VARIOUS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MUGS DRINKING AND SINGING

17. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WITH MUGS CHEERING

18. (SOUNDBITE) (German) VISITOR MARTIN BENGSCH, SAYING:

"Yes, the best part is everyone getting together, celebrating peacefully with one another and has a lovely time."

19. (SOUNDBITE) (German) VISITOR NICOLE (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), ASKED WHAT SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO, SAYING:

"The atmosphere, the party and the people. (ASKED HOW THE FIRST BEER IS) Very good. It tastes very good. I’m delighted to be back here."

20. (SOUNDBITE) (German) VISITOR MARTIN KUHLENKLAN, SAYING:

"Well, for a start, I’m looking forward to a very peaceful festive season. I hope people will laugh again. And, in particular, I hope that this negative mood amongst the public will simply be blown away."

21. GROUP OF WOMEN IN TRADITIONAL DIRNDL DRESSES DRINKING

22. ONE WOMAN MAKING ANOTHER DRINK FROM HER MUG

23. VARIOUS OF MUSICIANS

24. VARIOUS OF CROWD IN TENT

25. GROUP CHEERING WITH MUGS

26. CROWD IN TENT

27. WAITER CARRYING CHICKEN DISH

28. VARIOUS PEOPLE SITTING AT TABLES OUTSIDE TENT

29. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING FAST THROUGH OKTOBERFEST ENTRANCE ARCH

30. SIGN READING 'OKTOBERFEST'

31. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE RUNNING ONTO FARE GROUND TO GET BEST SEATS IN TENTS

32. POLICE OFFICERS

33. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE RUNNING

34. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING IN LINE WAITING TO BE LET INSIDE (AHEAD OF OPENING OF FIRST KEG)

35. (SOUNDBITE) (English) VISITOR FROM OHIO TAYLOR BOLEY, SAYING:

"We're studying abroad so we are here just on a fun trip and we are looking to make great memories and have fun with our friends. (JOURNALIST ASKING WHERE ARE YOU FROM?) Ohio."

36. (SOUNDBITE) (English) VISITOR FROM OHIO LUKA BALOOI, SAYING:

"I'm looking forward to drinking a shitload of beer. And I can not wait to listen to music and have a great day at Oktoberfest."

37. BALOOI CHEERING

38. PEOPLE STANDING IN LINE