In Munich, crowds from all over the world flooded the streets on Saturday as the 182nd Oktoberfest 2015 kicked-off, showcasing Germany's best craft beers and cuisine.
The two-week festival was opened as Mayor Dieter Reiter cracked the first barrel at the historic Schottenhamel tent. After saying the magic words: 'O'zapft is!' (translated in English: It's tapped!'), Rieter handed the first mug to Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer and offered a toast for a "peaceful" Oktoberfest.
The ceremony was followed by a street parade called 'Trachten- und Schuetzenzug' where riflemen and people in costumes march to the Oktoberfest venue known as the 'Wiesn'. The traditional Tracht was designed to accommodate growing beer bellies all throughout the drinking spree. Men sport the usual lederhosen (leather shorts), embroidered braces and dirndls, while women dress in pleated smocks and low-cut blouses.
The world's biggest beer festival which runs from September 19 to October 4 may have started way earlier but was packed on the first and second day. 30 beer tents and more than 35 beer varieties were served at 10 euros ($11.40) to 10.40 euros a litre. With beers costed at a much higher price this year, revellers didn't seem to mind as thousands of crowds didn't leave the streets until the next day.
Aside from beers, the celebration was filled with entertainment, music and culture.
"We love the tradition here, everyone all dressed up - it's a real people's party," said Mexican Gabriel Estrada who visited the festival for the third time. The 49-year-old BMW engineer who arrived on Sunday with his wife and 22-year-old son told Mail Online he and his family have always felt the warm welcome from local residents.
The Oktoberfest started in October 12, 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. All residents in Munich were invited to the festive royal wedding which was then continuously celebrated year after year to commemorate the Bavarian culture.
The Oktoberfest 2015 festival was pushed to an earlier month to take advantage of better weather.