Ecumenical Mass
The ecumenical Oktoberfest and memorial service took place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, in the Marstall Festzelt. It was aimed at the Wirte und Schausteller (hosts and showmen) - but festival guests were also invited to pray together in the Festzelt for a peaceful Oktoberfest.
Fellowship of Schausteller (showmen) and believers at the Oktoberfest
All Schaustellerinnen und Schausteller (showmen and showwomen), the Wirtefamilien and Marktkaufleute (families of innkeepers and market traders) as well as the faithful of the city of Munich and the region were cordially invited to take part in the Festzeltgottesdienst (marquee service). The festwiese (fairground) and the Marstallzelt opened half an hour before the start of the Holy Mass.
In addition to the main celebrant of the Holy Mass, Father Sascha Ellinghaus, who heads the Catholic Circus and Fairground Pastoral Care of the German Bishops' Conference, the regional pastors Monsignor Manfred Simon (for Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland) and Father Martin Fuchs (for Franken and Niederbayern) will also take part. Pastor Torsten Heinrich, head of the Protestant Circus and Showmen Pastoral Care of the Protestant Church in Germany, will speak on behalf of the Protestant churches.
Confirmation of a young Schausteller (showman)
The ceremony in which a young Schausteller (showman) was confirmed by Archabbot Birnbacher was particularly solemn. This year's service was accompanied by music from the “Kirchenband Maria Trost” from Munich. At the entrance to the Marstallzelt, Mr. Sandro Neugebauer greeted the faithful with classical barrel organ music.
Impressions from the service
Church service at the Oktoberfest: Prayer instead of beer in the Marstall-Festzelt
The church service is a firm tradition at the Oktoberfest. It was held for the first time in 1956 by Father Heinz Peter Schönig, head of the Catholic Circus and Fairground Pastoral Care. The service itself is ecumenical and is led by Catholic and Protestant pastors.
The Hippodrom was the venue from 1956 to 2013. In 2014, the service was held in the Fischer-Vroni. Since 2015, it has found a new regular place in the Marstall-Festzelt. People pray together for a peaceful Wiesn.
Blessings in the year 2025
In addition to the Wiesn church service, the blessing of the new “Isarschänke” Weißbiergarten by Schaustller Andreas Dräger and Christine Kübler-Dräger also took place on September 18, 2025. The new mobile observation tower “SkyLift” by Timo Kollmann was also blessed.
