Munich Oktoberfest - The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Biggest Beer Festival

Experience the Magic of the Munich Oktoberfest 🍺🎡

The Munich Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest, combining a legendary beer festival with a lively travelling carnival of rides for all ages. Every year, over six million visitors from around the globe gather on the Theresienwiese in central Munich to celebrate Bavarian culture, enjoy world-famous beer, traditional food, live music, and unforgettable festivities. Often called the Munich Beerfest by international visitors, it’s a bucket-list experience you won’t want to miss - think Disneyland for people of adult age!

The tradition dates back to October 12, 1810, when the citizens of Munich gathered to celebrate the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen - giving the festival grounds their name. More than two centuries later, the Oktoberfest has evolved into an unmissable celebration of Bavarian heritage, filled with lively beer tents, parades, folk music, and endless fun.

Mark your calendars: Oktoberfest 2026 kicks off on Saturday, 19 September, and runs through Sunday, 4 October. Get ready to raise a stein, dress in traditional lederhosen or dirndls and join the world’s biggest party right in the heart of Munich!

When is Oktoberfest & When is Oktoberfest Open 📅

Most years, Oktoberfest in Munich lasts for 16 days, beginning in late September and concluding on the first Sunday in October, though it is extended to include October 3rd if that Sunday falls before it. Hence, some years will go 17 days and some for 18 days.

• Oktoberfest 2026: Saturday, 19th of September to Sunday, 4th of October
• Oktoberfest 2027: Saturday, 18th of September to Sunday, 3rd of October

Large Beer Tent Opening Times

On the opening day, Saturday, the beer starts from 12 midday but many people arrive much earlier to get their seat. Other than the first day during the week the large tents at Oktoberfest (including the Oide Wiesn) are open from 10am to 11:30pm. The service of beer always closes at 10:30pm and the music plays till then. At the weekends and on the public holiday (on October 3) the tents open at 9am. Exceptions are the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Kuffler’s Weinzelt (wine tent). These are allowed to open until 1am with the end of the bar is half an hour before closing time.

Small Tent Opening Times

In addition to the large festival halls, there are also many small and medium-sized tents, restaurant tents and cafe tents. These open during the week from 10am (on weekends and holidays from 9am) and close at 11:30pm. They usual serve their last beer and wine at 11pm.

The History of Oktoberfest 🏰

It all began in 1810, when the citizens of Munich gathered to celebrate the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The festivities were so popular that they became an annual tradition, and the festival grounds were named the Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”) in her honour.

More than 200 years later, the Munich Oktoberfest has grown into the world’s most famous beer festival, blending old Bavarian traditions with an electric, modern-day party atmosphere. Read the full history of the Munich Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest Beer Tents and Entry, Tickets and Reservations 🍻

The heart of the Oktoberfest lies inside the 14 massive beer tents, each with its own unique vibe, food, and entertainment. Whether you want the lively energy of Hofbräu Festzelt, the traditional charm of Augustiner Bräu, or the cosy atmosphere of Fischer-Vroni, there’s a tent for every taste. There is also 21 small tents plus three festival beer tents within the Oide Wiesn.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Authentic Bavarian beers served in 1-litre steins (Maß)
• Traditional dishes like roast chicken, pretzels, sausages, and pork knuckle
• Live folk music, parades, and unforgettable singalongs
• A friendly, festive atmosphere where everyone becomes part of the celebration

Every large beer tent has limited unreserved seating available on a first-come, first-served basis without need for a ticket or reservation. Usually, during the week in the mornings and early afternoon it can be easy to find a seat when you walk into most tents. In the evening it can get terribly busy. At the weekends and on the public holiday (October 3) some tents can shut their doors by lunchtime with “Wegen Überfüllung vorübergehend geschlossen” (“Closed temporarily due to overcrowding”) displayed on signs at the entrances. Whether or when you may not be able to get into a tent is difficult to predict as the weather plays a role too. When it is warm and sunny the beer garden area of each tent is available as a nice outdoor space to enjoy the weather. Often, when busy, these beer garden areas can also be closed due to overcrowding. However, when it rains or is windy the beer gardens are not the place to be, and the tents are often much fuller.

If you plan to attend the Oktoberfest with a large group of friends, colleagues, or clients and plan to sit together then you probably need a reservation. A reservation allows you to bypass any queue and enter the tent to your reserved seating. Reservations are made directly to the tent, but sadly they do fill within a very short period of time. There are people like Oktoberfest Reservation who can assist you with reservations that also include a meet and greet host service that brings you to your table and makes sure everything is ok plus enhanced VIP options, access to the most popular tents.

How to Plan Your Visit to Oktoberfest ✈️

Planning ahead is key to making the most of your Oktoberfest experience. Here are the essentials:

Oktoberfest Tickets & Reservations 🍻

Entry to the festival grounds is free, but beer tent reservations are highly recommended, especially for evenings and weekends. Tickets for special events and private tables sell out quickly - so book early! Avoid the queue on busy days with the help of Oktoberfest Reservation

Where to Stay Near Oktoberfest 🏨

Hotels near the Theresienwiese fill up fast, but there are plenty of options across Munich. From budget hostels to luxury hotels, book as early as possible for the best prices and locations.

What to Wear at Oktoberfest 👗🩳

Embrace the tradition! Most visitors wear lederhosen (for men) and dirndls (for women), but casual outfits are fine too. Dressing up adds to the atmosphere and makes for great photos. Read all about what to wear to Oktoberfest.

Getting to Munich ✈️

With literally millions of people turning up for Oktoberfest, Munich becomes an extremelly busy place. Even though Munich is a major tourist destination and European transport hub, available accommodation and flights become non-existent prior to the opening day of Oktoberfest.

For flights to Munich go to opodo.com or skyscanner.net for a look at most major airlines. For train travel to Munich from throughout Europe head to bahn.de for information and timetables.

Tips for First-Time Visitors 💡

• Arrive early to secure a seat in the most popular tents
• Bring cash - many places don’t accept cards
• Learn the lingo - “Prost!” means “cheers!”
• Pace yourself - those 1-litre steins are stronger than they look
• Explore beyond the beer - enjoy the fairground rides, parades, and traditional music

Oktoberfest Accommodation Options

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