A highlight at the Oktoberfest: Over 9,000 participants parade to the Wiesn
The Trachten- und Schützenumzug is much more than a colorful spectacle - it is a living testimony to Bavarian culture and tradition. Every year, over 9,000 participants, divided into 60 processions, parade from the Max II Monument through Munich's city center to the Theresienwiese. The variety of traditional Bavarian costumes, customs and folk dances is brought to life in an impressive way. 250,000 spectators attended the parade and marveled at the numerous groups.
Glorious weather with late summer temperatures
At the head of the procession, the Munich Mounted Police, which was founded in 1898 by Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria, opens the procession with six horses and closes it with four more.
The cavalcade is followed by the Nördlingen Boys' Band, which was founded in 1924 as a municipal institution. Wearing historical uniforms based on the 17th century town soldiers, 70 young wind players make music in the orchestra, accompanied by a drum corps and a preliminary orchestra with around 100 members. Under the direction of city bandmaster Oliver Körner, the band brings the tradition of brass music to life in an impressive way.
The Münchner Kindl, the city's emblem and heraldic figure, is embodied this year by Franziska Inselkammer. She rides on a horse from the Spaten brewery, which spends its retirement at the Zengerle farm in Neufahrn near Egling. As a symbol of the city of Munich, the Münchner Kindl leads the procession.
Afterwards, the festive carriage of Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter, accompanied by his wife Petra Reiter, rolls through the procession, followed by the Munich city guard “Würmesia”. Bavaria's Prime Minister Dr. Markus Söder and his wife Karin Baumüller-Söder also take part in their own carriage.
The procession is accompanied by numerous bands, horsemen, magnificent carriages and marksmen, who together create an impressive image of Bavarian tradition and community.
Festive tribute: The royal portrayal of Ludwig I and Therese
The depiction of King Ludwig I and Queen Therese, who are presented in a royal carriage and in magnificent royal regalia to mark the 200th anniversary of their accession to the throne, is particularly festive. This depiction is reminiscent of the origins of the Oktoberfest, which has its origins in the festivities for the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The royal couple will be presented again this year on the occasion of the Bavarian State Exhibition of the House of Bavarian History. The actor Holger Matthias Wilhelm, known as the Brunnerwirt from the BR television series Dahoam is Dahoam, will take on the role of King Ludwig I. Regensburg actress Christine Elsa Wagner takes on the role of Queen Therese of Bavaria and stands by his side as his wife.
The most beautiful moments of the Trachten- and Schützenzugs
About the history of the Trachten- und Schützenzug
The roots of the Trachten- und Schützenzug go back to 1835, when the first magnificent parade was held in honor of the silver wedding anniversary of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria and the 25th anniversary of the Oktoberfest. With 86 floats from the Isar district, today's Upper Bavaria, this procession was the highlight of the celebrations and depicted everyday scenes from the kingdom in “living pictures”. Over 1,000 performers took part in the first traditional costume and marksmen's procession.
In the following decades, further parades were held to mark special occasions, including in 1842, 1895, 1910 and 1935. It was not until 1948 that the Trachten- und Schützenzug was held every year and became an integral part of the Oktoberfest.
