Get ready to eat, drink, and be merry! After a two-year hiatus, Oktoberfest, one of the biggest festivals in Germany, is returning to Munich in late September. Dieter Reiter, the mayor of the Bavarian capital, said the 200-plus-years-old beer-drinking festival would return without restrictions from September 17 to October 3 — just in time for Germany Unity day.
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Munich's Oktoberfest Is Finally Back in 2022 After a Two Year Hiatus
“All Wiesn fans are happy today. I personally am also very happy. The decision gives perspective. For the people and for the economy. I believe that we will experience a mega Wiesn 2022. Because we are already experiencing at the Spring Festival how great people’s desire to celebrate is,” said Munich’s economic officer and head of Oktoberfest Clemens Baumgärtner in a statement.
Like many other grand celebrations around the world. Oktoberfest was canceled due to to pandemic. Rightfully so, considering the festival draws more than six million visitors and takes place under large tents, making social distancing pretty much impossible.
“Ultimately, it’s up to everyone to decide for themselves anyway whether and how much they want to celebrate at the Volksfest,” Reiter said in the statement. “I’m looking forward to a Oktoberfest 2022 that I hope everyone who wants to go will enjoy.”
Although flight prices are going up for spring and summer travel, they typically come back down during the fall, making this a fabulous celebration to travel for if you book in advance. The Wiesn is free to wander through without needing a ticket, but food and drinks are known for being pricey. As of now, Germany welcomes US travelers but requires anyone age 12 and older to be fully vaccinated, according to the German Missions in the United States. Germany also caveats that anyone who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine must have two shots to be considered fully vaccinated.
If you’re not sure you’ll make it to the motherland of Oktoberfest, there are plenty of amazing versions in the United States. The best festivals confirmed to return in 2022 include Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Oregon, and Wisconsin. So if you’re a beer drinker who loves rotisserie chicken, soft pretzels, and great costumes, there’s no reason to miss out on the chance to live it up. 