Munich's Oktoberfest revelers turn to alternative parties

Saturday should have marked the start of Oktoberfest celebrations, but events across Germany were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

In addition to a canceled celebration, Munich authorities even banned alcohol on the Theresienwiese – the ground where the main celebration is usually held – from 9:00 a.m. local time on Saturday. The ban was put in place to prevent "replacement parties" for the event, which draws around 6 million visitors annually, Deutschewelle reports.

Police sent officers on Saturday to break up spontaneous large parties on the Oktoberfest grounds. But police reported that the atmosphere had remained peaceful, with just a few people, some in traditional Oktoberfest dress, walking or having picnics in small groups.

In lieu of a party in the usual location, 54 city landlords issued invitations to a "pub Wiesn," using the local name for the festival, to encourage revelers to celebrate in local pubs.

The event is controversial because Munich has recently risen above the benchmark 50 new cases per 100,000 residents in a week.

The invitation followed rumors that several people were planning to drink on the Theresienwiese anyway, despite the ban on the event.

According to the city, "two private individuals" registered demonstrations on the Theresienwiese for Saturday – one to demonstrate for "our right to an alternative Oktoberfest" and another for the purpose of "preserving tradition and customs."

At noon local time, the scaled-back event was marked by the traditional breaking open of beer barrels. Celebrations will run until October 4.