Oktoberfest begins with ceremonial keg-tapping

Thousands of beer lovers celebrated in the Munich fairground as the first to clink their mugs during the world's largest folk festival.

The celebration runs through October 6 in 18 large tents covering the Theresienwiese fairground.

The 2024 festival includes stepped-up security in the wake of a deadly knife attack in August in Solingen, a city roughly 470km northwest of Munich. 

The festival will run until October 6 within 18 tents in Munich's Theresienwiese fairground. (AP PHOTO)

The violence left three people dead and eight more wounded, and the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, without citing evidence. 

As a result, organisers added metal detectors to the security lineup for the first time in Oktoberfest's history, but said there were no concrete threats.

Some 6 million visitors are expected over the festival's 16 days - up to 600,000 each day - and can expect to shell out between 13.60 euro and 15.30 euro ($A22 - $A25) for a one-litre mug of beer. 

This year's prices are roughly 3.87 per cent more than in 2023.

The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria. (AP PHOTO)

Mikael Caselitz, 24, was born and raised in Munich and has attended Oktoberfest for years. He said everyone should travel to Munich for the festival at least once in their lives.

"It can get really crowded and disgusting when people puke on the side of the road," he joked, "but overall it's a really fun experience."

The event was skipped in 2020 and 2021 as authorities grappled with COVID-19, but returned in 2022.

The first Oktoberfest was held October 17, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Theresa of Saxony. 

The venue, a meadow on the edge of Munich at the time, was called "Theresienwiese" to honour the bride. 

While that name remains, the start date has moved up to September, when the temperatures in Bavaria are usually warmer.