Oktoberfest

Now a contender for the title of the 'world’s largest public celebration', Munich’s Oktoberfest begins in late September, running for around 17 days, to mid-October. It began as a royal wedding celebration in 1810 and is now effectively a beer festival, when local breweries conspire to brew dangerously darker, stronger fare and drench the city in joyous, drunken revelry. Regional food is also a vital component, and whole roast chickens, sausages and various indulgent Bavarian specialities are cooked freshly and sold to passers-by amongst the street carnival shows and traditionally outfitted locals.