If you live in Dallas or spend any time in North Texas in the fall, you’ve probably come to realize that Oktoberfest is kind of a big deal.

Multiple Oktoberfest celebrations take place across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex each fall offering beer, traditional German festival fare, and live music.

Oktoberfest season also tends to be the time of year when everyone’s beer craving kicks into high gear.

But why is Oktoberfest such a big deal in Dallas?

The History of Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest, the annual celebration of beer, Bavarian culture, and merriment, is deeply rooted in German history and tradition.

The festival dates back to 1810 in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, where it originated not as a beer festival but as a royal celebration. On October 12, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig, who would become King Ludwig I of Bavaria, married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

To commemorate the event, the citizens of Munich were invited to attend a public festival held on the fields outside the city gates, which were later named Theresienwiese (“Theresa’s Meadow”) in honor of the princess.

The festivities included horse races, feasting, and music. Of note, beer was not yet the central focus. But the tradition of celebrating the royal wedding annually continued, and, over the years, the event expanded to include agricultural fairs and, eventually, beer stalls.

It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that beer became the centerpiece of the event. The festival gradually lengthened and was moved to late September to take advantage of the warmer weather, though it still culminates in early October.

Today, Oktoberfest is a global symbol of Bavarian culture with Munich hosting the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the world. It attracts millions of visitors from around the globe to the beer halls, carnival rides, parades, and traditional German food stalls.

When is Oktoberfest?

The dates of the official Oktoberfest celebration change each year. Running 16 days in total, Oktoberfest begins on the Saturday after September 15 and lasts until the first Sunday in October.

Oktoberfest Beer

At the heart of Oktoberfest in present day is the beer!

The only breweries allowed to serve inside the 14 tents at the official Munich Oktoberfest are the six major Munich-based breweries: Spaten, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Augustiner, Hofbräu, and Löwenbräu.

These breweries produce a special beer known as Märzen, a type of lager that was historically brewed in March, hence the name, and stored in cool cellars during the summer to be consumed in the fall.

Märzen is characterized by its amber color, malty sweetness, and slightly higher alcohol content, typically around 5.8% to 6.3% ABV.

Over time, a lighter version of Märzen evolved, known today as Festbier, which is slightly less sweet and more golden in color.

Festbier is now the predominant style of beer served at Oktoberfest.

The serving vessels in Munich, known as Maßkrug, are one-liter glass steins. Beer tents at Oktoberfest serve only beer in these large steins with servers often carrying as many as 10 to 12 at once through the crowded tents.

The beer-drinking culture is also deeply connected to the social aspects of Oktoberfest with toasts, singalongs, and traditional drinking songs playing a central role in the atmosphere.

Oktoberfest Food

Oktoberfest is as much a celebration of Bavarian food as it is of beer.

Traditional dishes include Weißwurst (white sausage), Brezn (pretzels), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Hendl (roast chicken), and various types of Wurst (sausages).

These hearty meals are designed to pair perfectly with the rich flavors of Märzen beer and are a key part of the festival experience.

Desserts like Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) and Kaiserschmarrn (fluffy shredded pancakes) also add a sweet note to the festivities.

Fun Fact
On Rotation offered its own take on the Baked Apple Strudel during a past Oktoberfest celebration, and the dessert was so popular that it became a part of the regular, everyday menu at the brewpub.

Oktoberfest Music

Oompah bands and traditional Bavarian music are ubiquitous at Oktoberfest, creating an energetic and joyous atmosphere in the beer halls and tents.

Many of the songs are well-known drinking anthems, with “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” being perhaps the most famous. This song, which calls for toasting to good cheer and camaraderie, is played repeatedly throughout the day, encouraging festival-goers to raise their steins and drink together.

Traditional Bavarian dances, such as the Schuhplattler, a form of folk dance where performers slap their shoes, thighs, and knees, are also performed.

Oktoberfest Clothing

Many attendees, both locals and tourists, dress in Lederhosen, leather shorts for men, and Dirndls, traditional dresses for women, to fully immerse themselves in the Bavarian spirit.

Oktoberfest Parades & Carnival Rides

Oktoberfest also features parades and carnival rides that cater to families and children. The festival begins with a grand parade featuring horse-drawn beer wagons from each of the breweries, along with costumed performers, musicians, and dancers.

How did Oktoberfest get so popular in Texas?

While Munich remains the spiritual home of Oktoberfest, the festival’s popularity has spread far beyond Germany, and Texas has become one of the key locations in the United States for Oktoberfest celebrations.

Given Texas’s significant German immigrant history, it’s no surprise that the state has embraced this Bavarian tradition with open arms.

German Immigration to Texas

German immigration to Texas began in the 1830s and 1840s with large groups of settlers arriving as part of organized immigration efforts, such as the Adelsverein, the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas.

These settlers established numerous towns across Central Texas, many of which retain their German heritage to this day. Towns like New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, and Boerne are known for their German-inspired architecture, cuisine, and culture.

German immigrants brought with them their love of beer, sausages, and traditional Bavarian celebrations, laying the groundwork for Oktoberfest to become a beloved tradition in the Lone Star State.

Like fellow cities across Texas, Dallas began to celebrate Oktoberfest in various forms as it grew into one of Texas’ largest cities.

Oktoberfest in Texas Craft Breweries & Brewpubs

The craft beer movement in Texas has also embraced Oktoberfest with many breweries across the state brewing special Märzen and Festbiers for the occasion.

Craft breweries in Texas take great pride in brewing authentic versions of Märzen, using traditional German malts and hops while putting their own Texan spin on the flavors.

These limited-edition beers are eagerly anticipated by beer enthusiasts and have become a core part of the Oktoberfest experience in the state and in Dallas.

On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen began producing its own tribute to the style in 2021 and celebrates Oktoberfest with an annual Oktoberfest FEST FEST, during which the On Rotation guest taps are invaded by several examples of Märzen and Festbier brewed primarily by North Texas craft breweries and brewpubs.

Oktoberfest in Dallas Today

Over the past two centuries, Oktoberfest evolved from a royal wedding celebration in Bavaria to a global cultural phenomenon with Texas playing a key role in bringing the festival to the United States.

Dallasites have fully embraced the joy, camaraderie, and rich cultural history of Oktoberfest, and, rooted in the strong German heritage of the state, Oktoberfest celebrations have grown into major events that honor both Bavarian traditions and the local flair of the Lone Star State.