On April 29th, Munich’s Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter announced at a press conference that the 187th Oktoberfest on the Theresienwiese will take place from September 17th to October 3rd. The much-awaited event, Lord Mayor said, would take place without any restrictions linked to Covid-19.
After careful consideration of the political situation and the Corona situation in Germany, Dieter Reiter has given the green light for the staging of the ‘Wiesn 2022’. The mayor has instructed the administration to “initiate the staging of Oktoberfest 2022 without conditions and without restrictions.” A corresponding resolution is to be presented to the City Council in May.
I’m looking forward to a Oktoberfest 2022 that I hope everyone who wants to go will enjoy.
Dieter Reiter, Munich’s Mayor
Reiter explained that he did not make his decision lightly. Both the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the infectious disease situation had played a role in his considerations, the city leader assured. “Seen from the political situation, a cancellation of Oktoberfest 2022 is not possible,” he explained. “Ultimately, it’s up to everyone to decide for themselves anyway whether they want to celebrate at the Volksfest.”
At the moment, there are no plans to impose restrictions on access to the tents due to Corona or to impose conditions such as a mask requirement. Reiter stressed that there is currently no legal authority for this. “Both the federal government and the Free State of Bavaria have not created any legal regulation that would enable me as Lord Mayor to issue any access restrictions,” he stated.
“The decision gives perspective, for the people and for the economy. I believe that we will experience a mega Wiesn 2022.” said Clemens Baumgärtner, Munich’s Economic Officer and Head of Oktoberfest.
According to the Associated Press, Oktoberfest was first held in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese. The event has actually been canceled several times in the past 200-plus years.
The traditional tapping of the first beer barrel in the Schottenhamel tent by the Lord Mayor will mark the start of the 187th Oktoberfest on September 17, 2022 at 12 noon. This year, the so-called “Oide Wiesn” with historic rides will be back. Due to the Corona pandemic, the world’s largest folk festival had to be canceled twice in a row in 2020 and 2021.
