7,2 million visitors – this means that Oktoberfest 2023 has exceeded the almost 40-year-old record, the festival management announced. After 1984 (7 million) and 1985 (7,1 million), more than seven million people visited Oktoberfest this year for the third time.
However, due to the national holiday, German Unification Day, which is celebrated on October 3rd, Oktoberfest lasted 18 days this year – two days longer than usual.
Balance of Oktoberfest
Already halfway through the festival, it was obvious that this year's Oktoberfest would be a success. At a press conference held on Tuesday, representatives of the city, police, fire and medical services and Oktoberfest director Klemens Baumgertner spoke about this year's success.
Beer went up in price again this year – a pint cost between 12,60 and 14,90 euros. But it apparently did not affect the visitors. According to director Baumgartner, food and beverage sales increased by 15 percent – and soft drink sales were higher than last year.
Most of the guests were from Munich and its surroundings, but also from France, Italy and the USA. In addition to caterers, entertainers are also very satisfied. A hit among souvenirs this year was the Hendel hat, or chicken hat.
Also, red high heels, dentures – and many mobile phones and ID cards ended up in the lost and found office.
Police: fewer crimes
According to Andreas Franken from the Munich Police Department, there were slightly fewer crimes this year. A third of the offenses were offenses related to narcotics, primarily cannabis, while 40 percent of cases (383) involved cocaine.
Crimes involving bodily harm were similar to previous years, 260 – including 29 cases of fights with beer mugs. At the same time, pickpocketing was 40 percent less.
More sexual offenses
There is also a noticeable increase in awareness regarding sexual offenses. The number of applications was significantly higher than in previous years. 73 violations were recorded, mostly sexual harassment such as "upskirting", when women wearing a skirt or dress are photographed without permission from a frog's perspective. In six cases, it was about rape.
This year, the police recorded 23 traffic accidents caused by alcohol, which is 15 percent less than last year. Fewer driver's licenses were revoked, 258 to be exact. There were also fewer cases of driving electric scooters under the influence of alcohol - 219. In addition, there were 828 illegally parked vehicles, while 25 drone owners were reported for operating drones over the festival complex.
Medical service: number of patients stable, fewer drunk young people
The medical service recorded 7.620 patients this year – more than in 2019, but these are mostly similar figures given the longer duration of Oktoberfest 2023. The most common diagnosis was alcohol poisoning, and there were also surgical emergencies due to cuts or cardiovascular problems. Only one percent of injuries are caused by fights or similar incidents.
It is encouraging that only 36 cases of young people in a state of severe intoxication were recorded - which is 50 percent less than in 2019. And one less pleasant "record": the highest measured blood alcohol level was 3,6 per thousand!
The record was looming already halfway through the festival
Already halfway through Oktoberfest, 3,4 million guests have been recorded: more visitors than last year, more beer sold, and weather experts say this year was the hottest Oktoberfest ever. The sunny days attracted many visitors and probably contributed to record sales in Munich, as the amusement park and stands in particular depend on good weather.
The festival management did not reveal how many chickens and oxen were eaten this year. At the first press conference, Oktoberfest director Klemens Baumgertner said: "We no longer count dead animals."
Oktoberfest is a stable economic factor for Munich and Bavaria. In 2019 alone, the economic value of the festival was around 1,25 billion euros. Also, visitors from abroad have returned after the pandemic. The only exception were guests from Russia.
Next year without the amusement park "Oide Wiesn"
Oktoberfest traditionally ends with a bonfire at 12 o'clock under the statue of Bavaria. Nevertheless, the celebration continues until midnight.
Farewell is especially difficult for visitors to the amusement park "Oidn Wiesn" (old meadow). Namely, that part of Theresienwiese will be used for the Bavarian Agricultural Fair next year. "Oide Wiesn" will have to take a break in 2024.
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