Traditional Trachten- und Schützenzug Bavarian President (Ministerpräsident) Markus Söder waiting for the parade to begin. Munich September 20, 2026 Famous worldwide as one of the largest cultural festivals, the Oktoberfest is a renowned expression of German and Bavarian culture. While the festival is often associated with beer tents, food and fairground attractions, the parade itself highlights a history of royal celebration, regional identity, traditional dress, hunting, marksmanship, and pageantry. The parade’s roots can be traced back to the nineteenth century. In 1835, a grand procession was organized to mark the silver wedding anniversary of King Ludwig I and Queen Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, as well as the twenty-fifth anniversar