Oktoberfest has opened in Munich after the ceremonial beer keg-tapping. Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started the 189th Oktoberfest at noon when he inserted the tap into the first keg.

The festival takes place in Munich every year, at Theresienwiese, a 100-acre fairground space in the city’s Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt district, near the Old Town. Believe it or not, Oktoberfest isn’t actually considered a beer festival in Germany – instead, it’s a folksy celebration popular among families as well as those after a stein or two.

It runs through Oct. 6 in 18 large tents on the Theresienwiese fairground. About 6 million visitors are expected over the 16 days.