Revelers decked out in felt caps, lederhosen, and traditional dirndls collectively reach for the first beer stein at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus beer tent during the first day of Oktoberfest 2013 in Munich, Germany. The festival, which runs between September 21 through October 6, is the world’s largest beer fest and draws visitors from across the globe. This year, for the 180th Oktoberfest, nearly 6 million ale lovers were expected to show up in Germany. Bottoms up! Johannes Simon/Getty Visitors hoist their mugs of beer into the air during the opening day of Munich’s Oktoberfest. Michaela Rehle/Reuters Because nothing less than four steins of beer in each hand can bring that kind of smile to the face of a waitress. These traditionally dressed ladies are serving in the Hofbräuzelt beer tent during the opening ceremony. Matthias Schrader/AP This view shoes the first of an expected 6 million visitors flooding into the Bavarian capital on September 21, the first day of Oktoberfest. Michael Dalder/Reuters Let’s hope the people enjoying a swing ride in front of the St. Paul’s Church didn’t hit the beer tents too hard before taking a spin. Matthias Schrader/AP Clad in traditional Bavarian dress called the dirndl, revellers walk over the Theresienwiese, where the festival is held, during the first day. Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Waitresses in old-fashioned dress take a break at the lake Neuer See in Berlin. Kay Nietfeld/AFP/Getty Too much ale, young’un? A group rests on a bench at the Munich festival. Matthias Schrader/AP Excited young women celebrate the opening ceremony day in the Hofbräuzelt beer tent, which holds more than 4,000 seats, making it the largest of the festival. Matthias Schrader/AP The Ferris wheel passes a giant beer mug, the logo of Munich’s Paulaner Brewery, in an amusement park at Oktoberfest. Matthias Schrader/AP A waitress carries an armful of foamy steins during the opening ceremony. Matthias Schrader/AP Something about this seems like a bad idea. Revelers spin on an amusement park ride (and don’t even look too sick). Matthias Schrader/AP Young partiers, already three-quarters through their beer mugs, toast to the opening ceremony. Matthias Schrader/AP Live entertainment, 1700s-style. Members of a traditional Bavarian brass group in full-blown Lederhosen participate in the opening parade in Munich. Johannes Simon/Getty A Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round light up Munich’s night sky. Michaela Rehle/Reuters