Munich’s Oktoberfest 2025 opened under blazing sunshine and record-breaking heat. With temperatures soaring to 30.7 degrees Celsius, the city experienced the hottest Wiesn day ever recorded.
The combination of summer-like weather and massive crowds pushed emergency services to their limits, with more than 500 interventions by early evening.
A heat record in Munich
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the mercury reached 30.7 degrees in Munich on the opening Saturday—surpassing the previous Oktoberfest record of 29.7 degrees set on September 22, 1993.
The unusual warmth was caused by a pocket of hot air moving into Bavaria, creating what meteorologists described as an “extraordinary” late-summer weather pattern.
Medical teams under pressure
The sweltering heat took its toll on visitors of all ages. An 11-year-old girl and a 72-year-old woman were among those treated for circulatory problems.
Emergency crews reported more than 500 callouts by 6 p.m., calling it a “record day” for first-day interventions.
The Aicher Ambulanz Union noted that both the high temperatures and unusually large visitor turnout contributed to the numbers.
Inside the festival tents, conditions became almost unbearable. Some tents closed temporarily due to overcrowding, while others felt like saunas.
Many guests fanned themselves with menus or sought relief in cold beer, though even that offered limited comfort. Some eventually left the tents voluntarily, unable to withstand the heat.
A tragic incident overshadows the start
The celebrations were further overshadowed by a tragedy before the official opening.
Police confirmed that a 71-year-old carnival worker was found dead in her caravan on the morning of the festival. Investigators ruled out foul play.
Crowds, heat, and atmosphere
Despite the heat, Oktoberfest’s opening day attracted massive crowds. Long queues formed from early morning, and by mid-afternoon, emergency services had already treated more than 280 people.
Even Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder, a seasoned Oktoberfest visitor, remarked on the oppressive temperatures inside the Schottenhamel tent: “Puh, it’s warm.”
For many, the day will go down in history as a unique mix of record-breaking weather, heavy strain on visitors and rescue workers alike, and the unmistakable spirit of Munich’s Wiesn—where, despite it all, the festival continued with beer, music, and camaraderie.
