The ongoing Oktoberfest in Munich, taking place from September 20 to October 5, has raised significant safety concerns due to overcrowding. On Saturday, the festival’s entrances were closed for approximately 30 minutes after a loudspeaker announcement urged attendees to leave. This unexpected directive caused confusion and panic among visitors, with some expressing fears of being trampled in the crowd. One attendee described the situation as “extremely dangerous,” with widespread panic ensuing.
Incidents and Visitor Experience
Many festival-goers reported experiencing bottlenecks as they struggled to navigate the grounds. A TikTok video captured the overwhelming number of people unable to move freely. Fortunately, although two visitors suffered panic attacks, there were no serious injuries reported. Event manager Christian Scharpf indicated that the swift influx of people was unexpected, particularly during the shift change at 5 p.m., when tent operations cause increased foot traffic.
At this peak time, approximately 300,000 visitors were on the Theresienwiese grounds, leading to the temporary closure of entrances. During this period, subway services to Theresienwiese were halted, and local police advised people to avoid the area until the situation stabilized.
Attendance and Consumption Trends
As Oktoberfest reaches its midpoint, attendance figures reveal a slight decline compared to previous years. Organizers estimate that around 3.5 million people have attended by the last Sunday of the festival, down from 3.6 million at the same point in 2022. Beer sales also reflect this trend, with consumption levels lower than in prior years, attributed to higher prices and a significant increase in the sale of non-alcoholic beverages, particularly water. Water sales spiked by about 10% from 2024 levels, partly due to unusually warm weather, with temperatures hitting 30.7 degrees Celsius (87.2°F), the highest recorded since 1879.
Crime and Safety Concerns
Munich police reported a troubling rise in criminal incidents during the festival. By the weekend, there were 414 reported crimes, up from 317 in the same timeframe last year. Overall, officers responded to 833 incidents, fewer than the 901 in 2024. Many incidents involved physical assaults and disturbances, while sexual offenses remained consistent with previous years, totaling 33 reports. These primarily involved harassment and voyeuristic acts.
Popular Culture at Oktoberfest
This year, no standout hit song has emerged at the festival, although “Wackelkontakt” by Bavarian artist Oimara is gaining popularity, often sung by attendees.
- Festival Dates: September 20 to October 5
- Peak Attendance: 300,000 visitors at 5 p.m. on Saturday
- Current Attendance: Approximately 3.5 million visitors
- Reported Crimes: 414 incidents
- Average Beer Price: €14.50 to €15.80
As Oktoberfest continues, the organizers and local authorities are working to ensure visitor safety amidst the challenges posed by overcrowding.
