How did the tradition of Oktoberfest start?
With the royal wedding. Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King of Bavaria, Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. Since then, Otoberfest is held at the same place every year (except for epidemics and wars).