Oktoberfest, Germany Sept 19, 2026

Oktoberfest, Germany

As Oktoberfest opens today, visitors arriving in Bavaria, Germany, may hear a sound even older than the famous festival itself: the deep, resonant voice of the alphorn. This traditional Alpine instrument is closely linked to Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland, where it once helped shepherds communicate across mountain valleys.

© U. J. Alexander/Shutterstock

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