From Oct. 11-13, 2024, the Mancini Arena in Rome’s Flaminio district will host “FoodStock” as an Oktoberfest version. This gourmet street food festival will offer a selection of traditional Bavarian foods such as shin and pretzels, along with Italian specialties such as fritti alla romana, burgers, arrosticini, pizza and desserts.
The event will feature well-known street chefs, including Mancho with his smash burgers and Baciata Romana with pinsa. There will also be Bavarian beers on tap, including Paulaner and Spaten, for an authentic experience.
The festival will include musical entertainment, DJ sets, foosball and a children’s area. Admission is free and hours are Friday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from noon to 1 a.m. and Sunday from noon to midnight.
Fun facts about Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is one of the world’s most famous and largest folk festivals, which originated in Munich in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Originally an agricultural event, it has evolved over time to become a celebration of Bavarian beer and culture, attracting millions of visitors each year.
This festival is held in Munich and covers the end of September and the first weeks of October. The star attraction, beer, can be found at Munich’s six traditional breweries (Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten) during Oktoberfest. Märzen beer, which is stronger and darker than the traditional lager, is the star of the event.
The event begins with an opening ceremony in which the mayor of Munich symbolically uncorks the first barrel of beer. The beer festival also includes traditional costume parades and outdoor concerts, and in addition to beer, a wide range of typical Bavarian dishes such as pork knuckle, bratwurst and pretzels are offered.
Fun fact: Each year the event attracts more than six million visitors from all over the world!
In fact, Oktoberfest is not only an opportunity to enjoy beer and traditional food, but also a time to celebrate Bavarian culture through music, dancing, and traditional dress.