By If Munich is on your travel list this autumn, there is one event that is hard to miss: Oktoberfest. The world’s largest folk festival returns to the Bavarian capital in 2026, bringing together traditional music, food, fairground rides, colourful costumes and, of course, enormous beer tents.
But there is more to Oktoberfest than drinking beer. If it is your first time visiting, knowing when to go, where to stay, how the tents work and what to expect can make the experience much easier.
When Is Oktoberfest 2026?
Despite its name, Oktoberfest actually begins in September. In 2026, the festival runs from September 19 to October 4 at Theresienwiese in central Munich. The festival grounds are open throughout the day, with opening hours varying by day of the week. The official opening takes place on September 19. At exactly noon, Munich’s mayor taps the first beer barrel at the Schottenhamel tent, marking the traditional start of the celebrations. If you want to experience the opening ceremony itself, arrive early; it is one of the busiest moments of the entire festival.
What Actually Happens at Oktoberfest?
Think of Oktoberfest as a huge temporary festival city rather than simply a collection of beer tents. There are 17 large and 21 small festival tents, each with its own atmosphere, food, music, and traditions. Some are particularly lively, while others offer a more traditional Bavarian experience. Entry to the main festival grounds and tents is free, but outside the tents, you will find more than 100 rides and attractions, food stalls, games and plenty of places to simply wander around and take in the atmosphere.
And you don’t have to drink alcohol to enjoy the festival. Non-alcoholic drinks, traditional food, rides and live music are all part of the experience.
Do You Need a Beer Tent Reservation?
Not necessarily; you can enter the tents without a reservation, but reservations are particularly useful for evenings, weekends and larger groups. During very busy periods, tents can reach capacity and temporarily stop admitting visitors.
If you do want a reserved table, book directly through the individual tent’s official reservation system rather than relying on unofficial sellers. For a first visit, it can also be fun to arrive earlier in the day, find an open table, and experience the festival without having your entire schedule built around a reservation.
How Much Does Oktoberfest Cost?
There is no general entrance fee for Oktoberfest, but your spending can add up quickly once you’re inside. In 2026, a one-litre Maß of Oktoberfest beer costs between €14.80 and €15.90, depending on the tent and brewery. Non-alcoholic drinks are also available, although they are not particularly cheap either. You’ll also want to budget for food, rides and transport, especially if you’re spending a full day at the festival.
One easy way to plan the rest of your Munich itinerary is to book attractions and experiences ahead of time. Klook, for instance, offers activities and sightseeing experiences in Munich, which can be useful if you want to combine Oktoberfest with the city’s museums, landmarks or day trips.
What Should You Wear to Oktoberfest?
You will see plenty of visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothing: lederhosen for men and dirndls for women. You don’t have to dress traditionally, though; there is no requirement to wear traditional clothing, and regular clothes are perfectly acceptable.
If you do choose a dirndl or lederhosen, buy or rent something comfortable rather than treating it purely as a costume. You’ll likely be walking, standing, and spending several hours outdoors.
Most importantly, wear comfortable shoes.
How Do You Get Around Munich?
Public transport is generally the easiest way to reach Theresienwiese. The festival organisers recommend using the U-Bahn, S-Bahn or walking, and there are no visitor car parks directly at the festival grounds. Munich’s central location also makes it easy to combine Oktoberfest with sightseeing elsewhere in the city. You could spend your morning exploring the old town, visit a museum in the afternoon, and head to the Wiesn later in the day.
A Few Things First-Time Visitors Should Know
There are some practical rules worth knowing before you arrive.
- Large bags and backpacks aren’t permitted. Munich’s official visitor information states that bags brought onto the grounds must be no larger than 3 litres and 20 × 15 × 10 cm.
- It’s also worth keeping an eye on your belongings. Oktoberfest gets extremely crowded, particularly around popular tents and at peak times.
- Don’t try to see everything in one visit: Pick a few things you really want to experience, perhaps one or two tents, a traditional meal, some rides and a walk around the festival grounds, and leave some room for spontaneity.
Make Oktoberfest Part of a Munich Trip
Oktoberfest can easily fill an entire day, but Munich deserves more time than that. Visit Marienplatz, explore the city’s historic centre, stop by the English Garden or take a day trip outside Munich if your schedule allows. Booking your sightseeing experiences in advance through platforms such as Klook can help you make better use of your time during this particularly busy travel period.
