Oktoberfest in Munich: Dates 2026, Beer, Tents, Transport and Rules
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Oktoberfest is Munich’s biggest public celebration and Germany’s best-known beer festival. In 2026, it will take place at Theresienwiese from 19 September to 4 October. People come not only for beer: there are parades, rides, Bavarian food, family days, traditional music, and the separate historic Oide Wiesn area.
Key information for visiting in 2026
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Dates | 19 September–4 October 2026 |
| Location | Theresienwiese, Munich |
| Opening | 19 September; the official Anstich at Schottenhamel at 12:00 |
| Price of a Maß of beer | Officially announced 2026 range: €14.80–15.90 per litre |
| Entry to the grounds | Free; Oide Wiesn is usually a paid area |
| Family days | Tuesdays, 22 and 29 September, with discounts until 19:00 |
| Large bags | Prohibited; only small bags up to 3 litres and 20 x 15 x 10 cm are allowed |
| Nearest underground stations | U4/U5 Theresienwiese; alternatives include Schwanthalerhöhe, Goetheplatz and Poccistraße |
How Oktoberfest began
The first celebration took place on 12 October 1810, in honour of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Horse races and festivities outside the city were arranged for local residents. Munich liked the celebration and began repeating it; the meadow was named after the princess: Theresienwiese.
Today, Theresienwiese is close to the centre of Munich. In everyday speech, Oktoberfest is often called Wiesn, after the Bavarian word for “meadow”. Despite its name, most of the festival takes place in September, which gives it a better chance of warm weather and longer daylight.
The traditional costume parade is one of Oktoberfest’s most recognisable moments.
Since the 1960s, the festival has become international. Tourists from around the world come to Theresienwiese, while Munich companies and clubs reserve tables in tents in advance for gatherings, corporate events, and family celebrations.
Oktoberfest has long been an international event, but Bavarian traditions remain at its core.
Oktoberfest 2026 programme
The main events recur every year, though their dates depend on the calendar for the particular season.
| Date in 2026 | Event | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 19 September, 10:35 | Einzug der Wiesnwirte | Tent hosts and breweries make their ceremonial procession to Theresienwiese |
| 19 September, 12:00 | Anstich | Munich’s Lord Mayor taps the first keg at Schottenhamel; beer service begins afterwards |
| 20 September, from 10:00 | Trachten- und Schützenzug | A major parade of costume associations, marksmen, musicians and floats |
| 24 September, 9:30 | Wiesn-Gottesdienst | Ecumenical service in the Marstall-Festzelt |
| 27 September, 11:00 | Platzkonzert der Wiesnwirte | Joint concert by the bands at the Bavaria statue |
| 4 October, 12:00 | Böllerschießen | Traditional marksmen’s salute at Bavaria on the final day of the festival |
On the first day, beer is not served in large or medium-sized venues before the official opening. After the words O’zapft is! and the shots at Bavaria, the tents receive the signal to begin serving.
The procession of tent hosts and breweries takes place before the official opening.
The traditional costume parade is organised with the participation of Festring München e.V. It is not merely a tourist show: Trachtenvereine, marksmen’s associations, musical groups, and guests from different regions all take part.
Lederhosen and traditional costumes are part of the visual language of the Wiesn, but they are not required for entry.
Opening hours
The official hours for Oktoberfest 2026 are as follows:
| Area | Hours |
|---|---|
| Oktoberfest grounds, Monday–Thursday | 10:00–23:30 |
| Grounds, Friday and Thursday 2 October | 10:00–24:00 |
| Grounds, Saturday | 9:00–24:00 |
| Grounds, Sunday and 3 October | 9:00–23:30 |
| Large beer tents on weekdays | 10:00–23:30 |
| Large beer tents at weekends and on 3 October | 9:00–23:30 |
| Last Maß in large tents | Usually until 22:30 |
| Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Kufflers Weinzelt | May stay open until 1:00; last orders are around 00:30 |
In the evening and at weekends, tents may stop admitting people long before their official closing time if there are no seats left. Without a reservation, it is easier to get in on weekday afternoons or during the first hours after opening.
Beer at Oktoberfest
Only beer from Munich breweries associated with the Münchner Bier tradition is served at Oktoberfest. In 2026, the official breweries include:
- Augustiner-Bräu;
- Hacker-Pschorr;
- Löwenbräu;
- Paulaner;
- Spaten;
- Staatliches Hofbräuhaus.
Oktoberfestbier is brewed stronger than ordinary lager; depending on the brewery, its alcohol content is usually around 6%. It is served in one-litre Maß mugs.
In 2026, the announced price of a Maß in the tents ranges from €14.80 to €15.90. This is the price of beer only; food, tips, and reservation vouchers are charged separately.
The Maß is the festival’s main symbol, but its strength and volume are easy to underestimate.
Payment policies vary by tent and area. Cash is still useful, and bookings often use pre-purchased Gutscheine for beer and food. Before travelling, check the rules of the particular tent: booking conditions, minimum orders, and payment methods differ between hosts.
Food at the Wiesn
The classic Oktoberfest selection includes:
- Bretzel — a large salted pretzel;
- Wiesn-Hendl — roast chicken;
- Weißwurst — Bavarian white sausage;
- Schweinshaxe — pork knuckle;
- potato salad;
- Steckerlfisch — fish grilled on a stick;
- Ochsenbraten — roast ox;
- sweets, nuts, and gingerbread hearts.
Pork knuckle and chicken remain the most straightforward options for a first visit.
Food prices vary between tents and stalls. When planning a budget, allow not only for a Maß, but also for water, food, transport, a cloakroom or locker if needed, and rides.
Reserving tables
Entry to tents is free, but at popular times it is best to reserve a seat at a table. Reservations usually open on tent websites in spring, often no later than April or May. The rules are set not by the city but by each tent host.
What is important to know:
- You usually reserve a table or seats for a specific time slot;
- The package often includes vouchers for beer and food;
- Demand is higher in the evenings and at weekends;
- Without a reservation, you have better chances on weekday mornings and afternoons;
- If a tent is full, entry may be closed even during its scheduled opening hours.
Large tents have thousands of seats, but they fill up quickly at peak times.
Things to do besides drinking beer
Oktoberfest is also an amusement park. Theresienwiese hosts a Ferris wheel, carousels, shooting galleries, roller coasters, drop towers, and classic fairground rides.
Even if you do not drink beer, there is plenty to do at the Wiesn.
For a quieter visit, choose a weekday and arrive early. The official Besucherbarometer usually shows that the busiest periods are Saturdays, evenings, and public holidays.
Oktoberfest with children
Munich residents see the Wiesn not only as a beer festival but also as a family Volksfest. Tuesdays are especially convenient for families: in 2026, 22 and 29 September are Familientage, with discounts on many rides, food, and children’s offers until 19:00.
Familienplatzl is not open only on Tuesdays: it is a family area with quieter facilities. However, there are restrictions on pushchairs. For safety reasons, pushchairs are allowed only at certain times and are usually prohibited on Saturdays; check the exact rules on the official family page before your visit.
Clothing: Dirndl and Lederhosen
Traditional clothing is not mandatory, but many guests wear it precisely for the occasion.
Women often choose a Dirndl: a dress, blouse, and apron. There is a popular tradition around the apron bow: on the left means single, on the right means taken or married, at the back means staff or widow, and in the centre has different interpretations depending on the context. It should not be treated as a strict social code; for many tourists, it is simply part of the folklore.
The Dirndl is part of the festival’s visual culture, but ordinary comfortable clothing is suitable too.
Men often wear Lederhosen with braces, a shirt, and sturdy boots. A Charivari, a decorative chain with pendants, is an additional element rather than a necessity.
If you buy a costume in Munich just before the festival, the price is usually higher. For a one-time visit, ordinary weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable footwear are enough: you will walk a lot, and evenings can be cool.
Getting to Theresienwiese
Public transport is the best option. Driving is inconvenient: there is little parking nearby, streets are congested, and you must not drive after drinking alcohol.
Convenient stations:
- Theresienwiese — U4/U5, closest to the site but often the busiest;
- Schwanthalerhöhe — an alternative on U4/U5;
- Goetheplatz and Poccistraße — U3/U6, convenient for the southern and eastern entrances;
- Hackerbrücke — S-Bahn; you can walk from there.
Trains run more often during Oktoberfest, but evenings and weekends can still be crowded. If you are travelling with children, elderly relatives, or a pushchair, it is best not to plan your departure through the busiest Theresienwiese station.
Where to stay
Accommodation during Oktoberfest becomes more expensive and sells out well in advance. Practical options include:
- booking a hotel or apartment several months ahead;
- looking at neighbourhoods near a U-Bahn or S-Bahn station, rather than only the centre;
- considering nearby towns with trains to München Hauptbahnhof;
- checking campsites and accommodation outside the city for a group.
Do not expect to find a cheap room in the centre a couple of weeks before opening. The closer the festival dates, the higher the price and the poorer the choice.
Entry and conduct rules
The main rules are straightforward:
- Do not bring large bags or backpacks;
- A small bag must be no larger than 3 litres and 20 x 15 x 10 cm;
- Dangerous items, gas sprays containing harmful substances, and sharp or cutting objects are prohibited;
- Bicycles, scooters, and similar transport must be left outside the grounds;
- Animals are generally not allowed, except for service dogs;
- Mugs, tableware, and decorations must not be taken out of the tents;
- Do not dance on tables; dance on benches only if appropriate and permitted by staff;
- Aggression, harassment, and fights quickly result in removal from the grounds.
The atmosphere in the tents is cheerful, but safety rules at the Wiesn are enforced strictly.
Planning your first visit
- Choose a weekday if you want smaller crowds.
- Book accommodation and transport in advance.
- Check bag and pushchair rules before leaving.
- Bring cash and a bank card.
- Arrive in the morning or afternoon if you do not have a tent reservation.
- Budget for food, water, rides, and the journey home.
- Do not plan to drive after visiting the Wiesn.
Oktoberfest FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to buy a ticket for Oktoberfest? | Entry to the main grounds is free. The separate Oide Wiesn area is usually paid. |
| Can I come without a reservation? | Yes, but it is difficult to get into popular tents in the evenings and at weekends. |
| When is the best time for a first visit? | On a weekday morning or afternoon. It is easier to find a seat and explore the grounds calmly. |
| Can I pay by card? | In some places, yes, but cash and vouchers are still useful. Rules depend on the tent. |
| Do I have to wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen? | No. Traditional clothing is popular, but entry is also open in ordinary clothes. |
| Can I bring a backpack? | Large backpacks are prohibited. A small bag must fit within the 3-litre and 20 x 15 x 10 cm limit. |
| Where are the crowds smaller? | Usually on weekdays before evening and at alternative entrances or stations. Saturdays and evenings are the busiest. |
