When is the Wiesn-Ja coming?

Aiwanger demands a quick decision – hosts see high demand

Created: 04/26/2022, 20:39

By: Christoph Gschossmann

Two years forced break: It is not yet clear whether there will be a Oktoberfest in 2022.

© Achim Frank Schmidt

Will Munich celebrate the Wiesn again in 2022?

The city wants to announce this week whether there will be an Oktoberfest this year.

Reservations are already plentiful.

Munich - Will the Wiesn take place in 2022?

And to what extent?

Is there even a big demand in Corona times?

The answer to the last question is probably yes: The Munich Oktoberfest hosts expect similar visitor numbers for an Oktoberfest in 2022 as in 2019, the last Oktoberfest before the pandemic.

"Demand is very good," said Peter Inselkammer, one of the two spokesmen for the Oktoberfest hosts.

"I can imagine that it will be like 2019." At that time 6.3 million guests came.

Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) wants to announce this week whether the folk festival should be celebrated.

After two years without an Oktoberfest, everything could go back to the way it was before on the Theresienwiese this year.

After the canceled festivals in 2020 and 2021, the hosts are demanding a "yes" to the Wiesn.

The people of Munich have a deep longing for it.

Information about the Wiesn 2022 can already be read on the City of Munich website - with planned dates and other information.

Aiwanger appeals: "Now put the green tick behind it"

Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger (free voters) also called on the city of Munich to quickly clear the way for the Oktoberfest.

He appealed to the state capital "now finally to put the green tick behind it and to commit to the Oktoberfest, the most important Bavarian folk festival," said Aiwanger on Tuesday.

The folk festival also has a "leading function" for all of Bavaria.

"I would like to emphasize that, despite the sensitivity of the issues, neither Corona nor the Ukraine conflict should now be used as justification for canceling festivals of this kind," said Aiwanger.

The Wiesn is also extremely important for the economy in Munich.

"From the service to the taxi driver, from the hotel to the restaurateur, we need this festival."

Oktoberfest 2022: Is there even a record Oktoberfest?

Wiesn boss Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) had recently expressed confidence that this year it would be possible to celebrate again.

Under certain circumstances, he even expects more guests than in 2019 – maybe even a record Oktoberfest.

The longing for a carefree folk festival is evident at the Munich Spring Festival, which saw a rush of visitors last weekend.

"One noticed that people want to celebrate again," said Inselkammer.

Baumgärtner is also expecting guests from abroad.

"I think we're going to see a lot of tourists - from North America and from Europe.

It is already becoming apparent that tourists are booking again,” said the economics officer.

However, Chinese guests could be absent, as they would have to be in quarantine for a long time on the return journey.

Oktoberfest 2022: beer, chicken and Co. should become more expensive

It is already becoming apparent that visitors will have to dig deeper into their pockets for beer, chicken and the like.

"One will be prepared to have a stronger price increase than usual, especially since there are three years in between," said Inselkammer, also with a view to general inflation.

In the past, the price of a liter of beer rose by about three percent a year.

The city reviews the measure price and usually announces it around the beginning of June.

The Oktoberfest hosts are also planning campaigns in favor of Ukraine.

It is said that offering a Ukrainian national dish in the tents and donating part of the proceeds is being considered.

It is unclear whether there will be measures because of Corona if there is a yes to the Wiesn, although there are currently no government requirements.

"We are preparing for the Wiesn to take place like in previous years," said Inselkammer.

As a precaution, the city had an app developed that could be used to check the vaccinated and recovered status.