Munich Tip: Grand ceremonial cannon firing beneath the Bavaria statue
A traditional ceremonial cannon firing (using black powder) concludes the 191st Munich Oktoberfest 2026 this weekend.
Sunday, October 4, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM: The ceremonial cannon firing, the honoring of the state marksmen kings and queens, and the singing of the Bavarian anthem will take place on the steps leading up to the Bavaria statue (English, Deutsch, Italiano)
Munich – Theresienwiese. Amidst all the festivities, many Oktoberfest visitors may not have realized that the grand Oktoberfest state marksmen competition was taking place. To mark the close of the Oktoberfest, around 60 marksmen and markswomen dressed in traditional costumes will assemble on the steps of the Bavaria statue starting at 12:00 PM to bid farewell to this year's festival. Accompanied by brass band music, the state marksmen kings will first be honored. The final day of the Oktoberfest is then traditionally celebrated with loud salute shots—fired from ceremonial cannons—and the singing of the Bavarian anthem. During the firing, only black powder is discharged into the air, enveloping the Bavaria statue in rising white smoke. Everyone is welcome to watch; the event is free of charge, though hearing protection is recommended for those sensitive to loud noise.
 |
| Über dem Oktoberfest - die Bavaria vor der Ruhmeshalle, Pressefoto: Helga Waess |
Offizielle Fassung / Text der Bayernhymne
1. Strophe:
Gott mit dir, du Land der Bayern,
deutsche Erde, Vaterland!
Über deinen weiten Gauen
ruhe Seine Segenshand!
|: Er behüte deine Fluren,
schirme deiner Städte Bau
Und erhalte dir die Farben
Seines Himmels, weiß und blau! :|
2. Strophe:
Gott mit dir, dem Bayernvolke,
dass wir, uns’rer Väter wert,
fest in Eintracht und in Frieden
bauen uns’res Glückes Herd!
|: Dass mit Deutschlands Bruderstämmen
einig uns ein jeder schau
und den alten Ruhm bewähre
unser Banner, weiß und blau! :|
