Germany's Oktoberfest kicked off yesterday with millions of revellers set to soak up the atmosphere during 16 days of oompah music, lederhosen and beer.

Munich mayor Dieter Reiter opened the city's festival with the traditional call of "Ozapft is" ("The keg is tapped").

About six million people are expected to visit the world's biggest beer party, which runs until October 5. Staff carried millions of glasses of beer to punters seated in dozens of tents at the city's Wiesn fairgrounds.