Prost! Beer Flows at Germany's Oktoberfest

Visitors celebrate in the Hofbrau tent on Sept. 24 in Munich.

The annual festival is known locally as the "Wiesn" because it is held on the Theresienwiese, an open space near the city center. The two-week celebration is attended by locals and tourists alike, many decked out in traditional lederhosen and dirndls.

Visitors reach for one-liter glasses of free beer to kick off the 2016 Oktoberfest beer festival in the Paulaner tent on Sept. 17.

 The festival was first held in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Theresa of Saxony. The festivities were repeated annually in October, but were later brought forward to start in September when the temperatures in Bavaria are usually warmer.

A young boy participates in the traditional costume and riflemen parade on the second day of Oktoberfest on Sept. 18. The world's largest beer festival runs until Oct. 3.

People ride a swing in front of St. Paul's church on Sept. 26.

Crowds enjoy the evening on Sept. 26.

Visitors pose for a picture at the Hofbrau tent on Sept. 24.

People enjoy a swing ride on Sept. 26.

Acrobats perform during the costume parade on Sept. 18.

Visitors celebrate in the Hacker Pschorr tent on Sept. 24.

The ferris wheel spins on Sept. 22.

People enjoy a fun slide on Sept. 20.

A waitress is surrounded by visitors during the festival's opening on Sept. 17.

A woman receives a kiss at a bratwurst stand on Sept. 17.