A Historic Celebration

What began as a wedding celebration in the 1800s, Oktoberfest is now a massive festival celebrating Bavarian culture, food, and beer. This tradition has grown into the world’s largest folk festival, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Family-Friendly Festivities

Oktoberfest is for all ages! Beyond the beer tents, there’s a large carnival with food, games, rides, and activities. Depending on the date you attend, you can enjoy opening and closing ceremonies and parades.

Festival Hours

Doors for beer tents open at 9 a.m. on weekends and 10 a.m. on weekdays. Last call is at 10:30 p.m., and the festival closes at 11:30 p.m. It can be quieter in the morning, making it a great time for families and those who prefer a more relaxed experience. As the day progresses, especially around 2-3 p.m. when locals start arriving, the atmosphere gets more festive and energetic.

Getting There

Getting to the festival is easy – on a map, the area are called Theresienwiese. It is a short walk from downtown or accessible by U-Bahn or S-Bahn trains, making it effortless and inexpensive to get to the festival grounds.

Free Entry

Oktoberfest and its beer tents and gardens are free to attend, no tickets are required. You’ll only need to pay for food, drinks, and rides. If you visit Old Wiesn, the nostalgic area of Oktoberfest, there’s a small entrance fee of about €3 per person, but it is well worth it for the traditional experience. Oktoberfest has a strict bag policy similar to concert venues. Small bags are allowed, but no backpacks. Be sure to check their website for what you can and cannot bring into the festival.

Bring Cash

Most vendors and beer tents only accept cash, so ensure you have enough on hand to enjoy the day. There are ATMs located within the festival grounds. Food and drink pricing is listed by tent on the Oktoberfest website, but a liter of beer will cost you about 12-15€ ($13-16), food ranges from 6-30€ depending on what you get, and rides can cost 2-10€.

Dress the Part

Wearing lederhosen (for men) and dirndls (for ladies) is not required, but it’s highly encouraged! Dressing up is part of the fun, and you’ll see almost everyone in traditional Bavarian attire. Marienplatz, Munich’s central square, has many shops selling or renting these outfits, from budget-friendly options for tourists to high-quality pieces for locals.

Explore Different Tents

Each beer tent at Oktoberfest represents a different brewery, offering its own unique style of seasonal German lager. Be sure to visit multiple tents to experience the variety of seasonal Oktoberfest brews. The atmosphere and music vary from tent to tent, with some being more vibrant during the day and others coming alive at night.