Few events in the world have managed to combine tradition, community, and the joy of life as successfully as Oktoberfest. For over two centuries, the beer festival has become a symbol of Bavarian culture and a global phenomenon, celebrated today in dozens of countries—from Munich to Tokyo, Sydney, or Bucharest.

( Source: Oktoberfest Tours ) 

The story begins on October 12, 1810, in Munich, Germany, when the city's inhabitants were invited to a huge party to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (the future King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The event took place on the fields outside the city, later known as Theresienwiese ("Therese's Meadow"), and was so successful that the residents decided to turn it into an annual tradition.

In its first editions, Oktoberfest was more of an agricultural celebration, featuring horse races, parades, traditional costumes, and local produce. It wasn't until a few decades later that Munich's breweries began to play a central role, setting up large tents where they served craft beverages and Bavarian dishes. This is how what we know today as the world's largest beer festival was born.

Over time, the event has developed enormously. Currently, Oktoberfest attracts over 6 million visitors annually, who consume millions of liters of beer and enjoy a unique atmosphere. Everything revolves around simple but authentic values: friendship, good cheer, traditional gastronomy, and respect for tradition.

The traditional costumes—Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women—have become emblems of the festival, as have the brass band music, wooden décor, and the famous Bavarian cheer, "O’zapft is!" (meaning "The barrel is tapped!"), spoken at the inauguration of each edition.

Throughout the 20th century, the spirit of Oktoberfest quickly expanded worldwide. Major cities such as New York, London, and Toronto began to organize their own versions of the festival, bringing with them the German atmosphere and adapting it to the local culture. In Romania, the Oktoberfest tradition was adopted with enthusiasm—first in Brașov, and then in Bucharest, where it has become an eagerly awaited event every autumn.

Today, Oktoberfest Fest Bucharest preserves the original essence of the celebration: celebrating the simple joy of being together. Although the atmosphere is Romanian, the Bavarian spirit remains the same—long tables full of friends, cold steins of beer, live music, colorful costumes, and a community celebrating life.

Thus, from a royal wedding in the 19th century to a modern festival in the heart of the Romanian capital, Oktoberfest has retained its authentic core: a celebration of tradition, friendship, and the joy of living in the moment.

Concerts at Oktoberfest Fest Bucharest 2025

Oktoberfest Fest is not just about beer, good food, and good cheer; it's also about live music that transforms every evening into a true Bavarian party with a Romanian soul. In 2025, the Bucharest festival stage will vibrate to the tunes of beloved artists, who will bring energy, emotion, and a healthy dose of fun for all tastes.

The atmosphere will open with the unmistakable charm of Diana Matei & Taraful Cleante, who will kick off the party with reinterpreted traditional rhythms, perfectly blending Romanian authenticity with the festive spirit of Oktoberfest. As the autumn evenings settle over the city, the stage will come alive with legendary bands and rhythms that invite dancing.

Generic will warm up the audience with their nostalgic songs, injecting a touch of romance and cheer into the cool October air. Then, Direcția 5, with their unmistakable musical elegance, will transform the evening into a moment of connection and pure emotion, perfect for those who want to sing along to every chorus.

( Source: Oktoberfest ) 

The contagious energy of the band Zdob și Zdub could not be missed; they will get the audience on their feet with their unique sound, a mix of rock, folklore, and Balkan spirit. And Bere Gratis will continue the festive atmosphere with hits that have marked generations, offering a concert full of optimism and warmth.

At the end of the first week, the stage will transform into a true party floor with Spitalul de Urgență, who bring humor, rhythm, and energy, followed by the legendary band Azur, who will close the weekend with party rhythms and authentic Romanian nostalgia.

The second part of the festival promises to be just as intense. L.A. will bring the vibe of the 2000s, full of memories and choruses that still resonate in many minds. Iris, one of the most beloved rock bands in Romania, will electrify the audience with powerful chords and songs that have made history. And, as a fitting conclusion, Compact will bring a wave of emotion and energy, providing a memorable finale for a festival that blends tradition with the present in the most spectacular way possible.

Every evening at Oktoberfest Fest Bucharest 2025 promises a different experience, a story told through music, light, and smiles. From popular rhythms to classic rock chords, from love songs to dance tracks, the festival gathers under the same sky a community united by the same simple joy: that of living the moment and celebrating it with a glass of beer in hand and friends nearby.

The History of Brewing in Romania

Although beer is often associated with German or Czech traditions, its story in Romania is just as rich and flavorful. Before large steins and Bavarian tents conquered the country's festivals, Romanians already had a special relationship with this foamy drink—a combination of taste, tradition, and conviviality.

The first documented traces of beer in the Romanian space appear as early as the 17th century, when Moldavian and Transylvanian chronicles mentioned the "barley drink" consumed at royal courts or in merchant inns. However, the true golden age of Romanian beer began in the 19th century, with the emergence of the first modern factories.

( Source: RisCo) 

In 1878, the famous Luther Brewery opened in Bucharest, considered one of the first industrial beer factories in Romania, followed by other legendary names such as Ursus in Cluj, Timișoreana—the oldest still-active brewery in the country, founded in 1718—and later Silva, Ciuc, and Gambrinus, each contributing to the development of an authentic Romanian beer culture.

Over the decades, beer became an essential part of Romanian social life. It bore witness to long conversations in beer halls, student evenings, popular celebrations, and simple, yet joyful moments. In Transylvania, craft beverages maintained an almost artisanal tradition, while in Moldavia and Muntenia, light lager beers became the favorites for hot summers and family gatherings.

Today, Romania can boast a vibrant craft beer scene, which brings together a passion for authentic tastes and the creativity of young brewers. In large cities—from Cluj to Bucharest, from Brașov to Iași—microbreweries have emerged that reinvent the beer experience: unfiltered varieties, beers with forest fruits, local hops, or unexpected infusions. This renaissance of authentic taste perfectly complements the atmosphere of modern festivals, such as the Oktoberfest Fest Bucharest.

In a way, the Romanian Oktoberfest is not just a replica of the German one, but a natural continuation of our own story. Romanians have always known how to turn a glass of beer into a symbol of friendship, long discussions, and the joy of being together. And when local tradition meets the Bavarian spirit, the result is an authentic celebration of taste and community.

Thus, Oktoberfest Fest 2025 is not just about importing a tradition, but about combining the Romanian past with the European present, about how beer has managed to unite people, cultures, and generations in the same cheerful clink of a raised stein.

Conclusion

Oktoberfest Fest Bucharest 2025 is not just a beer festival, but a true celebration of autumn, friendship, and the joy of being together. For nearly three weeks, Romania's capital will transform into a place full of color, rhythm, and aromas, where the Bavarian tradition perfectly intertwines with Romanian hospitality.

From the spectacular opening parade to the live music evenings, the delicious food, and the vibrant atmosphere at Verde Stop Arena, every moment promises a memorable experience. It is an invitation to live life in the most authentic way, with a smile on your face, a cold stein in hand, and great people by your side.

Whether you come for the beer, the food, the concerts, or simply to enjoy the festive spirit, Oktoberfest Fest 2025 offers something you can’t find anywhere else: the feeling of being part of a shared story—one about joy, community, and the freedom to enjoy every moment.

So, mark your calendar: between October 23 and November 9, Bucharest becomes the capital of fun and good cheer. Come to Oktoberfest Fest 2025, live the experience, be carried away by the music, and taste the tradition that has conquered the world. Because some moments aren't just told, they are lived.