Oktoberfest kicks off with beer, cheers and a traditional first tap

Loading the video No Comment Video. Oktoberfest kicks off with beer, cheers and a traditional first tap Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 21/09/2026 - 10:10 GMT+2 Oktoberfest 2026 opened in Munich, Germany, when the mayor tapped the first keg. Crowds sang and drank beer while police stepped up security checks. Oktoberfest opened in Munich, Germany, on Saturday as the mayor tapped the first keg. Video shows the crowd counting down, then mugs passed down from the stage. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The mayor needed only two strokes and gave the traditional cry of O'zapft is, meaning 'It's been tapped'. It was the 191st edition of the world's largest folk festival. Thousands of visitors in dirndls and lederhosen filled the beer tents on the Theresienwiese fairground. They sang, danced and swayed to brass music. About 6 million people are expected over 16 days, until 4 October. Security is tighter after last year's festival closed temporarily because of overcrowding. AI-powered cameras detect large crowds early, and knives and drones are banned. About 600 police officers are on duty. Germany Culture Festival Tradition Beer Top stories Now playing Next Oktoberfest kicks off with beer, cheers and a traditional first tap Now playing Next Who can solve it fastest? Speed puzzlers race against the clock at World Championships Now playing Next Police clash with far-right protesters at anti-immigration rally in The Hague Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | September 21st, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | September 20th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | September 20th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | September 20th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Macron touts relationship with Canada in Saint Pierre and Miquelon Now playing Next Moscow hit by 'largest-scale attack' on capital so far, mayor says Now playing Next Far-right anti-immigration rally in The Hague leads to clashes Now playing Next Flames and smoke spotted at Riyadh's King Khalid airport Now playing Next Tehran split between marathon defiance and regime military parade Now playing Next People 'lost their trust' in Merz's government, S&D MEP says Now playing Next Europe Today: Merz under pressure again, Ukraine's biggest strike hits Moscow Now playing Next A tooth from the Ice Age: Mastodon fossil found in San Francisco Bay Area Now playing Next Dirty air is killing Europeans and costing trillions. These cities prove change is possible ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Japan tests mobile robotic rubbish bins at Shinjuku Station No Comment Torrential rain and flooding slam Tunis, forcing schools to close No Comment Russian drones devastate shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia city No Comment Russia holds nationwide Duma elections as war in Ukraine reshapes vote The Big Question The Big Question: Can a viral sensation become a global brand? Europe News Germany: The Left triumphs in Berlin as AfD surges in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Europe News Macron and Carney vow closer France-Canada ties amid strained US relations Europe News Exit polls show Merz’s party suffering heavy losses in 2 German state elections Europe News Germans head to the polls in state elections as pressure mounts on Merz Europe News Moscow hit by 'largest-scale attack' on capital so far, mayor says Europe News Macron touts relationship with Canada in visit to Saint Pierre and Miquelon Europe News Dutch police clash with hundreds of far-right protesters at anti-immigration rally ADVERTISEMENT Saudi Arabia Yemen’s Houthis claim strikes on Riyadh and the port of Yanbu Iran Contrast in Tehran as unveiled women race marathon alongside regime military display Europe News The keg is tapped: Munich springs to life as Oktoberfest returns Culture news Shakira returns to Spain in fire, tears and 'Waka Waka' Greenland US and Denmark reach deal over Greenland's security Russia Russians leave before election ends, fearing mobilisation to follow Europe News Video shows migrants running towards temporary camp in Ceuta 12 minutes with Irish Finance Minister says Hormuz closure, not Ukraine, causing energy crisis ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT