What Is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is the world's largest folk festival, held annually on the Theresienwiese (affectionately known as "the Wiesn") in central Munich. Despite its name, the festival runs primarily in September, beginning on the third Saturday of the month and ending on the first Sunday of October. In 2025, it runs from 20 September to 5 October.
What started as a public celebration of a royal wedding in 1810 has grown into a globally recognised event attracting millions of visitors every year. But at its heart, it remains a deeply Bavarian celebration — of beer, food, music, traditional costume, and communal joy.
The Beer Tents
The centrepiece of Oktoberfest is its 14 large beer tents (Festzelte) and numerous smaller ones. Each tent is run by one of Munich's six major breweries: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. Each has its own distinct atmosphere:
- Hofbräu-Festzelt — the most internationally famous, lively and often packed with tourists.
- Augustiner-Festhalle — beloved by locals for its traditional atmosphere and wooden barrels rather than kegs.
- Käfer's Wiesn-Schänke — more upscale, popular with celebrities and those wanting a quieter experience.
- Schottenhamel — where the Lord Mayor ceremonially taps the first keg to open the festival.
Getting a Table: Reservations vs. Walk-In
The most important practical point for first-timers: popular tents fill up fast. For weekend visits, reservations (made months in advance through the tent operators' official websites) are almost essential. Walk-in spaces exist but require arriving early — many tents stop admitting new guests by early afternoon on busy days.
Weekday visits, particularly earlier in the day or in the first week of the festival, are considerably easier to navigate without a reservation.
What to Wear
Traditional Bavarian dress is very much encouraged — and widely worn by locals and visitors alike. For women, a Dirndl (a fitted dress with apron); for men, Lederhosen (leather breeches with suspenders) and a chequered shirt. You can rent or buy Tracht (traditional costume) at numerous shops throughout Munich. Wearing it genuinely enhances the experience and is warmly appreciated.
The Beer
Only beer brewed within Munich city limits by the six official Oktoberfest breweries is served at the festival. The special Oktoberfestbier is a slightly stronger, amber-hued Märzen-style lager brewed specifically for the occasion. It's served in the famous one-litre Maß — expect prices of around €15 per Maß in recent years.
Beyond the Beer Tents
Oktoberfest is also a full fairground. The Theresienwiese features rollercoasters, carousels, fairground rides, shooting galleries, and food stalls selling roasted almonds, gingerbread hearts, and a vast array of Bavarian classics. The festival is genuinely family-friendly in the first week, with reduced prices and quieter afternoons.
Practical Tips
- Arrive early — gates open at 9am, beer service starts at 10am (noon on Sundays).
- Take public transport (U4/U5 to Theresienwiese) — parking is extremely limited.
- Keep valuables secure; pickpockets operate in crowded tents.
- Drink plenty of water and eat before and during drinking — the beer is stronger than it seems.
- The lost-and-found (Fundbüro) at the festival is impressively well organised if you lose something.
- Book accommodation in Munich months in advance — the city fills up during the festival.