Know Before You Go: Celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich
Attended by more than 6 million visitors annually, enormous in scale, and tonally somewhere between an amusement park and an all-you-can-drink extravaganza, Oktoberfest is by far one of the top Munich attractions as well as one of the best festivals in Germany. The annual Bavarian beer festival—which, despite its name, begins in late September each year, and lasts for roughly 2.5 weeks—is a smorgasbord of traditional Bavarian music, food, and, of course, beer tents full of beer.
Held at Munich’s Theresienwiese park, known as “die Wies’n” to the locals, the festival has grown into a larger-than-life spectacle that’s on the bucket list of beer drinkers (and even non–beer drinkers) everywhere. But if you’re visiting for the first time, here's our ultimate Oktoberfest guide that will have you singing and swinging steins in Munich with the best of them.
What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival.
Now globally recognized as Bavaria’s (and the world’s) largest beer festival, Oktoberfest originated from the celebration of the wedding of the future King Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The wedding celebrations included a large feast and horse races, and the royal family of the time invited the whole city of Munich to join in the happy occasion.
The festivities were such a success that in the years following the wedding, a harvest-time agricultural fair was added to the annual horse races. In an effort to entice families to enjoy the day out, a carnival was then added in the late 1800s. While it's now best known as a beer festival, stands selling malty ales and lagers were only a small aspect of the event—that is, until 1896 when brewery-sponsored tents joined in the carnival action, which gave rise and evolved into the Oktoberfest we know and love today.
When is Oktoberfest?
The celebration takes place annually for roughly two weeks in late September and early October.
Munich's Oktoberfest celebrations typically take place from late September through early October. The official parade, the Parade of the Landlords and Breweries, usually kicks off on opening day in the midmorning. But if you miss this parade, fear not, as there are loads of other spectacles, services, and concerts that continue throughout the 16-day celebration.
Those include family days, which take place roughly halfway through the overall Oktoberfest celebrations. These two specials days offer extra discounts for kids and their families including rides, special snack stand prices, and kid-friendly dishes and menus.
Insider tip: For the full schedule of events, visit Oktoberfest.de.
Do I need to book tickets for Oktoberfest?
Yes, if you have your heart set on this bucket-list event, book early.
Booking Oktoberfest tickets should be done as early as possible, as they tend to sell out fast. In fact, to secure your space in one of the biggest Oktoberfest tents (more on those below), you’ll want to book tickets as early as spring, or at least 4–5 months out. You can also opt for tickets which guarantee your tent access, as well as come complete with food and drink, too. Or, if you'd like to combine Oktoberfest festivities with general Munich exploration, there are options available that blend the two.
Where should I stay for Oktoberfest in Munich?
The obvious spot is Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt, but there are other options.
Of course, given the popularity of Oktoberfest, you'll need to book your hotel stay in Munich in advance as well. Due to its proximity to the Oktoberfest celebrations, many people will opt to stay in the Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt neighborhood of Munich. However, accommodation here during the festivities can be noisy, cramped, and pricey. If you don’t mind a short taxi ride, or a meandering stroll to clear your head post-festivities, opt to stay somewhere else for a more relaxing and economical visit.
Staying in either Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, or Sendlinger Tor, will offer you easy access via the U-Bahn to the Oktoberfest carnival while keeping you in reach of the best attractions in Munich. Try to book as early as possible, as accommodations can be booked up nearly a year in advance for the festival.
What should I wear to Oktoberfest?
Wearing traditional clothing, such as dirndls and lederhosen, is popular at Oktoberfest.
While you don’t have to wear a dirndl or lederhosen to attend Oktoberfest, you’ll probably be in the minority if you opt for modern clothing. Both Germans and international visitors alike tend to don tracht, or traditional garb, for the event, and if you want to really indulge in the spirit of gemütlichkeit (good cheer and friendliness), it’s worth investing in an outfit of your own.
If you can’t order one in advance, explore Munich’s specialist shops and department stores, as they often carry a wide range of styles. And if you’re really pressed for time, you can even pick up an outfit from stalls in and around the Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof).
What is Oktoberfest festbier?
Festbier is a strong, malty German lager, brewed specially for Oktoberfest celebrations.
Lager lovers, this one’s for you. There's famously just one beer style poured at Oktoberfest, and no—it’s no longer the rich, amber-hued lagers you’ve probably seen sold as Oktoberfest seasonals.
Instead, the drink of choice at the Theresienwiese is festbier: a strong, golden lager that clocks in between 5.8–6.3 percent ABV, and which is a little bit like a suped-up Munich helles. The style supplanted malty märzen at the festival grounds several decades ago, and it was only added to the official Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) beer style guidelines in 2015.
Insider tip: Get acquainted with the local lagers ahead of the festival on a local beer and food tour of Munich.
What are the biggest Oktoberfest beer tents and how can I visit?
If you're traveling to Munich for Oktoberfest, know that there are six large tents to choose from.
Every year, Munich’s “Big Six” breweries—Hofbräu, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Augustiner, Spaten, and Löwenbräu—occupy enormous “tents,” in Oktoberfest parlance, which are really closer to mammoth drinking stadiums. Table reservations are made at the respective breweries, and open in the spring; you may need to book a half or whole table at a time, or pay for vouchers in advance.
Too late to grab an Oktoberfest booking? Oktoberfest tours and advance-booking options take the hassle out of the experience, while a portion of tables are left free for day-of walk-ins—plan to arrive early in the day to increase your chances of securing a table.
What are the smaller German beer tents and should I visit?
Absolutely! Smaller beer tents provide a more local Oktoberfest experience.
Drinkers have varying preferences among the Big Six—Hacker Pschorr’s cloud-bedecked ceiling is one of the most popular thanks to its bright and airy nature, while the Augustiner, considered the most traditional of the Oktoberfest tents, is the only brewery to pour its festbier directly from wooden barrels.
But once you’ve taken in the supersized spectacle, it’s worth seeking out Oktoberfest’s smaller tents. To experience Oktoberfest as it once was, head to the more relaxed Festzelt Tradition tent, where you can listen to oompah bands perform, watch folk dancers perform, and sip your beer directly from ceramic mugs.
What foods are traditionally eaten at Oktoberfest?
Look out for classic Bavarian snacks, including pretzels and roast chicken.
If you’re swigging liter upon liter of festbier, it’s wise to line your stomach with some food. Luckily, food is also a key component of the Oktoberfest experience. The tents have varying menus, but you’re certain to find roast chicken (or Wiesnhendl), a staple of the festival, as well as hearty German fare such as bratwurst.
If carbs are more your thing, cheese spaetzle (German noodles), and knödel dumplings go well with beer, while schweinshaxe, or pork knuckle, is best for when you’ve really got an appetite.
What is “Ein Prosit?”
Get ready to hear it everywhere; it's the official song of Oktoberfest.
You'll hear “Ein Prosit” at least 300 times during your Oktoberfest stint, so might as well join the crowd and learn to sing this German drinking song that doubles as Oktoberfest's anthem. No matter where you are, you’re sure to hear resident bands strike up the tune sooner rather than later. Luckily, its lyrics are very simple to learn; don’t be afraid to belt it out while holding your beer aloft:
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit (A toast, a toast)
Der Gemütlichkeit (To cheerfulness)
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit (A toast, a toast)
Der Gemütlichkeit (To cheerfulness)
Which is then followed by a toast: Oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa! (One, two, three, drink up!)
Is Oktoberfest accessible for travelers with disabilities?
Yes, a number of amenities are provided to make the event accessible.
In recent years, the city of Munich has worked to make Oktoberfest more accessible to disabled visitors. All the large beer tents are now required to offer at least one barrier-free entrance, as well as wheelchair accessible seating areas and disabled bathrooms; the festival’s smaller tents are also equipped with the same features. These seats are kept free for wheelchair users until 5pm on weekdays and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. If you plan to visit after those times, it’s best to make a reservation in advance (or explore as part of an Oktoberfest tour).
Beyond the beer tents, many other Oktoberfest attractions and amenities are also accessible, including barrier-free water stations, rides such as the iconic Ferris wheel, as well as carnival games and food stalls with low counters and barrier-free access.
Insider tip: The Theresienwiese gets busier (and rowdier) as the day wears on, and disabled visitors may find it more challenging to navigate the crowds and impeded walkways. For the calmest experience, it’s best to visit earlier in the day.
What else can I do in Munich?
The Bavarian capital is full of charm, history, and architecture.
While this Oktoberfest guide is all about the beer festival, don't make it your one and only Munich stop. If you're traveling to Germany for Oktoberfest, it's worth breaking up your time at the festival with some sightseeing—or at least a sobering walk around the city’s tranquil English Gardens.
Exploring by bike is also a good way to sweat out the beer while catching Munich’s must-see sights, and discovering the city’s many museums (including the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum) will reward culture lovers.
And if your thirst still hasn’t been quenched, you can visit the much-lauded Hofbräuhaus, taste beers from other popular Bavarian breweries such as Ayinger and Schneider, and plan supplementary visits to local bierkellers and biergartens.
Frequently asked questions
Everything else you need to know about going to Oktoberfest in Munich.
What can non–beer drinkers order at Oktoberfest? There are loads of options for non–beer drinkers at Oktoberfest. There are various wines you can choose from, plus liquor, cocktails, and even non-alcoholic drinks such as coffee, tea, soda, juice, and water.
Is Oktoberfest cash only? Yes, you can only pay with cash at the Oktoberfest tents. There are ATMs located around the Oktoberfest grounds.
Are kids allowed at Oktoberfest? Kids are allowed at Oktoberfest.
Is there anything to do at Oktoberfest besides drink? Oktoberfest may be all about the beer, but that doesn't mean it's the only thing to do. There are festival rides, including a Ferris wheel, parades, shopping, concerts, and of course, all the wonderful Oktoberfest food.
What's the word for “cheers” at Oktoberfest? “Prost!”
How many people attended Oktoberfest in 2024? Close to 7 million guests visited the beer festival in 2024 and set an attendance record for the festival.
How much beer was consumed at Oktoberfest in 2024? Seven million liters of beer were poured in 2024 but the highest record of beer served was during the 2011 Oktoberfest where almost 8 million liters of beers was poured for guests.
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