Oktoberfest Munich Festival 2026

Background & History

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest (folk festival), held annually in Munich, Germany. The tradition was born on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The fields where the wedding was celebrated were named Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”) in her honor, and the festival has been held there almost every year since. Over two centuries, it has evolved from a simple horse race into a global phenomenon attracting over 6 million visitors who consume roughly 7 million liters of beer while celebrating Bavarian heritage.

Event Highlights

• The Grand Entrance (Sept 19): The festival kicks off at 11:00 AM with the Parade of Landlords and Breweries, featuring flower-decorated horse carriages and brass bands marching into the meadow.
• The Tapping Ceremony (Sept 19): At precisely noon, the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent with the legendary shout, “O’zapft is!” (It is tapped!). No beer is served before this moment.
• Costume & Riflemen’s Parade (Sept 20): One of the world’s largest parades of its kind, featuring 10,000 participants in historic regional costumes, marching from the city center to the festival grounds.
• Outdoor Brass Band Concert (Sept 27): On the second Sunday, over 300 musicians from all the tents gather at the foot of the Bavaria Statue for a massive open-air performance.
• The Gun Salute (Oct 4): The festival concludes with a traditional gun salute on the steps of the Bavaria Statue, where shooters in historic dress fire black powder to mark the end of the festivities.

Date & Duration

• Dates: Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, October 4, 2026.
• Duration: 16 days.
• Hours: Beer is served from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays, and starting at 9:00 AM on weekends and holidays. Tents typically close at 11:30 PM.

Venue / Location

Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany. The site covers 42 hectares and is dominated by the 18-meter-high bronze Bavaria Statue and the Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame).

Contact & Ticket Information

• Website: www.oktoberfest.de
• Admission: Always Free. You never need a ticket to enter the grounds or the beer tents.
• Reservations: While entry is free, table reservations are highly recommended for groups. These are made directly with individual tents (e.g., Hofbräu, Augustiner, Paulaner) starting in Spring 2026.
• The “Oide Wiesn”: This “Old Oktoberfest” section requires a small entry fee (approx. €4) but offers historic rides for €1 and a more traditional, relaxed atmosphere.

Food & Drinks

• The Beer: Only beer from Munich’s “Big Six” breweries (Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten) is served. It is specially brewed “Wiesn-Bier,” which is stronger than average (approx. 6% alcohol).
• 2026 Price Estimate: Expect to pay between €15.20 and €15.80 for a one-liter Maß (mug) of beer.
• Food Specialties: Includes Hendl (half a spit-roasted chicken), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle with potato dumplings), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), and Obatzda (savory Bavarian cheese spread with giant pretzels).

Family & Accessibility

• Family Days: Every Tuesday (Sept 22 & 29) features discounted prices on rides and food until 7:00 PM.
• Strollers: Allowed on weekdays but prohibited on Saturdays and the public holiday (Oct 3) due to safety and crowds.
• Accessibility: Most tents have dedicated wheelchair-accessible entrances and tables. The “Wiesn-Guide” app provides real-time accessibility info for various areas.

Getting There

• Public Transport: Use the MVG app for real-time routing. Use U-Bahn lines U4/U5 to “Theresienwiese” or U3/U6 to “Goetheplatz.” S-Bahn lines stop at Hackerbrücke, which is a 10-minute walk from the entrance.
• By Air: From Munich Airport (MUC), take the S1 or S8 train (approx. 45 min) to the city center.
• Warning: Do not drive. Parking is nonexistent near the site, and the city implements strict roadblocks. Use Park & Ride (P+R) lots at suburban train stations if arriving by car.