The 189th Oktoberfest is currently taking place on the Theresienwiese in Munich – and we’re looking back at its influence on Cumbria.


This is the world’s largest volksfest, or folk festival, famously featuring a beer festival and a travelling carnival, and it is held annually from mid or late September to the first Sunday in October, with more than six million international and national visitors attending.
Oktoberfest is an important part of local culture, having been held since 1810 with a few interruptions. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations that are modelled on the original Munich event.
During the festival, large quantities of beer are consumed – for example, in 2014, 7.7 million litres were served.Visitors also enjoy numerous attractions, such as amusement rides, stalls, and games, and a wide variety of traditional foods are available.
Oktoberfest originally took place in the 16-day period leading up to the first Sunday in October. In 1994, this longstanding tradition was modified in response to German reunification. As a result, if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or the 2nd, then the festival runs until October 3 (German Unity Day, which is a public holiday).
Thus, the festival now runs for 17 days when the first Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1. In 2010, it lasted until the first Monday in October (October 4), to mark the event’s bicentennial.

In 2016, the Old Fire Station in Carlisle held an Oktoberfest and our main picture shows Jill Fullen performing with The Burgermeister Oompah Show.

(Image: Louise Porter)

At the same event, Danny Maudling and Liz Cannon are shown enjoying a beer.

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

Workington was also the setting for Oktoberfest and pictures show the event hosted by Workington Rotary Club in 2013 and 2016. In 2013, it featured beer brewed by Graeme Mitchell in the town, and he is captured raising a toast.

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

Another place in Cumbria to embrace the German tradition was Penrith, with festivities taking place at Brunswick Yard.