Munich Oktoberfest 2025 Ends with Financial Loss After Bomb Scare Closure

The 2025 Oktoberfest in Munich, the world's largest folk festival, concluded amid significant challenges including a bomb scare and repeated overcrowding, which led to partial grounds closures and financial losses estimated at €21.2 million. Despite attracting roughly 6.5 million visitors, slightly fewer than previous years, the festival faced disruptions such as the closure on October 1 due to a bomb threat linked to a separate explosion in the city, causing heightened security measures and a significant economic impact on local businesses reliant on festival tourism. The event also experienced its hottest day ever and overcrowding severe enough to close the venue on two occasions, testing the resilience and cooperation of organizers and attendees. Highlights included performances, traditional Bavarian festivities, and notable guests like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who participated in the celebrations. Other Oktoberfest events across the U.S., such as those in Sidney, Nebraska, and Reading, Pennsylvania, celebrated the cultural heritage with music, parades, and community activities, maintaining the spirit of camaraderie despite the challenges faced in Munich. The 2025 Oktoberfest will be remembered for its mix of cultural celebration and operational challenges, underscoring both the festival's global appeal and the complexities of managing such a large event in a security-conscious era.