The Oktoberfest tents are ready and they look glorious

It won't be long until the Munich Oktoberfest tents are heaving with partygoers from across the globe having the time of their lives.
It takes hundreds of workers months to get everything set up for the big party, and each of the huge beer tents is assembled from scratch each year.
When they’re finished they’re a magnificent sight to behold - true ‘cathedrals’ to the Oktoberfest deities of beer, food, music and good cheer.
Here’s a look inside the most famous beer tents at the festival, while they’re still empty.

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The Schottenhamel tent. This is where it all begins! At midday on the festival's first Saturday, Munich's lord mayor uses a mallet to tap the first keg to mark the festival officially open. The Schottenhamel is the oldest Oktoberfest tent, which interestingly, attracts the youngest crowd.

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The Ochsenbraterei tent. It's name means 'Ox grill' and that's what this tent is famous for - each year scores of oxen are given names, roasted on spits and served up to a hungry public. last year alone 116 were eaten. The tent is lovingly decked out in sky blue and white - the colours of the Bavarian flag.

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The Pschorr Bräurosl tent. It's one of the smaller ''big' tents which has one of the nicest Oktoberfest 'closing ceremonies' on the last evening of the festival.

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The Armbrustschützenzelt tent. It's name translates as 'crossbow shooting tent' which kind of explains the game trophies lining the interior. It's also where they have the German Crossbow Championships! There's great food and beer to had here.

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The Marstall tent. This is the newest Oktoberfest tent - the Marstall replaced the Hippodrom a few years back after the owner of the latter had to withdraw due to a wee tax avoidance scandal. That said, the tent looks rather timeless, and is obviously very lovingly decorated. The Marstall has a special rule that you're not allowed to stand on the benches before 4pm.

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The Löwenbräu Festhalle tent. The 4.5m-high lion statue that's Löwenbräu' mascot make this tent unmissable, and the curved ceiling kind of makes it feel like you're in a huge beer barrel. The Löwenbräu Festhalle always attracts a strong international crowd, and it's especially popular with Italians.

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