Söder brings Oktoberfest feeling to Berlin with Spider Murphy Gang!

Söder brings Oktoberfest feeling to Berlin with Spider Murphy Gang!

In Berlin, the tradition of the Munich Oktoberfest is celebrated in an unconventional way. On September 10, 2025, the Bavarian state government invited people to a special event entitled “Berlin Kick-off of the Munich Oktoberfest” in the Tipi, a charming location for concerts and events not far from the Chancellery. Around 1,200 guests, including politicians, administrative representatives, associations and numerous media, enjoyed a varied evening there.

Markus Söder, Prime Minister of Bavaria, opened the event with the picturesque view that we should celebrate celebrations, even in difficult times. A special highlight was the performance of the Spider Murphy Gang, which Söder described as his “favorite band”. The musical accompaniment, which ranged from traditional brass music to rock sounds, created an exuberant atmosphere in the large beer tent, which was built especially for the event. Typical Bavarian food and drinks such as beer, Franconian wine, fried chicken, Leberkäs and Kaiserschmarrn were served on the tables and invited to enjoy.

Politics and Oktoberfest

As befits an event of such relevance, politics was also a major focus of the evening. Söder left the tapping of the first barrel to the head of the State Chancellery, Florian Herrmann, and welcomed prominent guests such as Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and Jens Spahn, who accepted the first steins of traditional Oktoberfest beer, which had an alcohol content of 6.3%. Söder took the opportunity to express political points against Berlin and the Greens, especially with regard to the state financial equalization and the preference for vegetarian food.

But the pricing for the Oktoberfest also remained the topic of the evening. Söder emphasized that he is committed to keeping the event affordable for all citizens. In this context, attention was drawn to the temporary reduction in VAT on food in the catering industry from 19 to 7 percent during the pandemic, which was extended until the end of 2023. However, it remains unclear what the regulation will look like afterwards.

A look into the past

The roots of Oktoberfest go back a long way; they go back to 1810, when the wedding of Prince Regent Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen was celebrated. The idea for the first big festival, then a horse race, came from Andreas Michael Dall'Armi, a member of the Bavarian National Guard. The wedding celebrations, which lasted from October 12th to 17th, ended with a spectacular race on what was then known as the “Theresienwiese”.

Every year, Oktoberfest attracts between six and seven million visitors who enjoy the festival in all its splendor and tradition. It is an event that, as Söder emphasized in Berlin, is more important than ever despite the current challenges - the feeling of community at the Oktoberfest has persisted.

In this sense, the anticipation of the festival, which opens its doors in Munich in a few weeks, is becoming increasingly tangible. Once again, the Oktoberfest becomes a venue for social gatherings, culinary delights and Bavarian tradition that radiates far beyond the borders of Munich.

You can find out more about the event in Berlin and the political aspects of Oktoberfest at Evening newspaper and Franconian day. The history and tradition of Oktoberfest is up Oktoberfest.de to read.