Oktoberfest 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to the World’s Largest Folk Festival

Prost! Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Oktoberfest 2026 in Munich, Germany.

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about the Oktoberfest festival, from the official dates and history to essential tips for first-time visitors and a look at celebrations around the world. Regardless of whether you're planning to visit the legendary tents in Munich or a local Oktoberfest celebration, this is your go-to resource.

Where: The official Oktoberfest takes place on the Theresienwiese (Therese's Meadow), in Munich, Germany.

When: The Oktoberfest 2026 dates are from Saturday, September 20, to Sunday, October 5. The festival schedule is influenced by public holidays, especially German Unity Day on October 3, which sometimes extends the festivities to the first Sunday of October.

The festival officially begins its 190th edition at noon on September 20 with the traditional keg tapping ceremony. The lord mayor of Munich taps the first keg and declares, “O’zapft is!” (It’s tapped!), officially kicking off the festival.

Timing is everything, so if you are aiming for a spot in the beer tents, want to explore the fairground, or catch a special event, knowing the schedule for Oktoberfest 2026 is your key to a great experience. Here's a simple guide to the opening hours and schedules you'll need to know.

To help you plan your day around the main attractions, here´s what you need to know about the festival site´s set of hours:

Oktoberfest grounds:

• Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Fridays and Thursday of October 2: 10 a.m. to midnight
• Saturdays: 9 a.m. to midnight
• Sundays: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Oide Wiesn:

• Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to midnight

The Oktoberfest tents are where the real party happens, and their schedules are a bit different. On the first Saturday of Oktoberfest, the tents open at 9 a.m. for guests, but the beer doesn't start flowing until the official tapping ceremony takes place. As mentioned previously, the lord mayor taps the first keg at 12 noon of September 20, shouting "O’zapft is!" to kick off the celebration.

Beer serving hours:

• Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (tents close at 11:30 p.m.)
• Saturdays, Sundays, and the public holiday on October 3: 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (tents close at 11:30 p.m.)

A few tents have special exceptions. The Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Kufflers Weinzelt (wine tent) are open much later, serving drinks until 12:30 a.m. and closing their doors at 1 a.m.

The fairground rides and stalls are the perfect way to spend your time between drinks. You can grab a tasty fish sandwich or a gingerbread heart from a stall, or enjoy the giant Ferris wheel and rollercoasters.

• Opening day: Rides open at 12 noon, and stalls open at 10 a.m., both staying open until midnight.
• Mondays to Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Fridays and Thursday, October 2: 10 a.m. to midnight
• Saturdays: 9 a.m. to midnight
• Sundays and public holiday on October 3: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Thursday, September 25, is Family Day, with discounted rides and attractions.

Dressing in traditional Bavarian attire, or "Tracht," is a key part of the experience. The Traditional Costume and Riflemen's Parade on Sunday, September 21, showcases these outfits.

✔ For men: Wear Lederhosen (leather breeches), often with a checkered shirt.

✔ For women: The traditional dress is a Dirndl, which includes a blouse, bodice, skirt, and apron. The placement of your apron bow signals your relationship status:

• Bow on the left: You're single.
• Bow on the right: You're taken.
• Bow in the middle: You're a virgin.
• Bow in the back: You're a widow or a waitress.

Impress locals and fellow travellers by learning these key phrases and their pronunciations:

✔ O'zapft is!: Bavarian for "It's tapped!"

• Pronunciation: Oh-TSAPFT is

✔ Prost!: The German word for "Cheers!"

• Pronunciation: PROHST (rhymes with "toast")

✔ Ein Maß, bitte!: "A litre of beer, please!"

• Pronunciation: ein MAHS, BIT-tuh

✔ Gemütlichkeit: A feeling of cosy, friendly atmosphere.

• Pronunciation: guh-MOOT-lich-kite

✔ Lederhosen: Leather breeches.

• Pronunciation: LAY-der-hoh-zen

✔ Dirndl: The traditional dress.

• Pronunciation: DURN-dull

The heart of Oktoberfest is in its beer tents, each with a distinct atmosphere. There are 14 large tents and 21 small tents, each offering a unique experience. While entry to the festival grounds is free, getting a seat in a tent can be challenging.

Getting a seat inside one of the legendary Oktoberfest tents is a top priority for many visitors, and it's essential to plan ahead, especially for prime times. Table reservations are highly recommended.

To secure your Oktoberfest reservations, you'll need to book directly with the individual beer tents. This is a crucial step, as demand is incredibly high, particularly on weekends and public holidays. Most reservations require a minimum consumption per person, which you pay for in advance as a voucher for beer and food.

• Large tents: These are the most famous and seat thousands of guests. Some of the most popular include the Hofbräu-Festzelt, Paulaner Festzelt, and Schottenhamel.
• Small tents: These provide a more intimate and cosy atmosphere. The small tents are a great option if you're looking for a less crowded experience and typically accommodate 60 to 900 guests.

Oktoberfest reservations for most tents open in the spring, typically around April or May. It's important to be proactive, as the most popular slots fill up very quickly. Keep in mind that many seats are set aside for walk-ins, so if you're a small group or spontaneous guests who are arriving at short notice or on a weekday, you can still find a seat. Your best bet though for finding a seat is to arrive early.

No visit to Oktoberfest is complete without indulging in the traditional Bavarian food and famous Oktoberfest beers.

Oktoberfest beers are exclusively brewed by Munich's six historic breweries. You'll find that only beer from these breweries is served at the Oktoberfest tents, so you'll have a great selection of Munich's finest beers on tap.

A Maß, or one-litre mug, is the standard. In 2026, the price for a Maß ranges from €14.50 to €15.80. The lowest beer price is at the Augustiner-Festhalle (€14.50), while the highest is at the Münchner Stubn (€15.80). You can check the beer price list here.

If you're looking for something different, don't worry—the festival also offers plenty of other drinks, including wine, refreshing sodas, and traditional German cocktails that you might want to try.

The food menu in the tents is packed with hearty German favourites such as:

• Pork knuckles (Schweinshaxe)
• Sausages (Bratwurst)
• Roast chicken (Hendl)
• Giant pretzels (Brezn)
• Potato dumplings (Knödel)

With so many options available, you'll be able to enjoy your favourite beers and dishes while you soak up that lively festival atmosphere. You could be sharing a platter of Bavarian food with your friends or trying out a new brew in one of those bustling beer gardens, you'll find that Oktoberfest really is a fantastic celebration of Munich's culinary heritage that you won't want to miss.

Cash is king at Oktoberfest. While many places in Munich accept card payments, the Oktoberfest beer tents and many stalls operate on a cash-preferred system. Servers generally handle individual orders in cash to keep the service quick and efficient.

However, some of the large tents and select stalls are beginning to accept card payments. For instance, tents like the Armbrustschützenfestzelt, Hacker Festzelt, and Hofbräu Festzelt accept EC-cards (German debit cards), and the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Marstall Festzelt also accept credit cards.

It's a smart idea to carry a mix of payment options. ATMs are available on the grounds and inside most big tents, but they can have long lines and may charge high fees. For this reason, it’s best to arrive with a good amount of euros already on hand.

The Oktoberfest grounds are much more than just tents. The festival is a full-fledged funfair with rides, carnival booths, and attractions for all ages.

• Rides: Take a spin on the giant Ferris wheel for panoramic views of the city and festival grounds.
• Parades: Don't miss the spectacular parades on the opening weekend: the Parade of the Landlords and Breweries on September 20 and the Traditional Costume and Riflemen’s Parade on September 21. These parades feature beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriages and marching bands.
• Events: Sundays are especially lively, featuring the famous and the vibrant Gay Sunday festivities, which bring an extra burst of colour and joy to the big tents. Gay Sunday is one of the popular events that draws a large crowd.
• Oide Wiesn: Now a permanent fixture, the "Oide Wiesn" offers a nostalgic look at Oktoberfest's history with a more relaxed atmosphere, classic rides, and beer served in traditional stone mugs.
• Bavaria statue: An outdoor concert with brass bands is held at the feet of the Bavaria statue on the second Sunday of the festival.

Getting to and from the Oktoberfest grounds is part of the experience, and with a little planning, you can make it simple and stress-free. The good news is that Munich has excellent transportation options for everyone.

Munich's reliable public transit system, including the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, is a popular choice for festival-goers. This network makes it easy to reach the Theresienwiese from anywhere in the city and the surrounding areas.

For a stress-free journey, consider booking your Munich airport transfers and in-city travel with hoppa. hoppa offers a range of services to suit your needs:

• Pre-booked airport and private transfers: Arrive at Oktoberfest with ease by booking your ride from Munich Airport (MUC) or from anywhere in Munich to your desired destinations in advance. A professional driver will meet you, ensuring a seamless and comfortable ride to your hotel or the festival grounds. This service provides a fixed price, so you won't have to worry about fluctuating fares.
• Ride-hailing services: During your visit to the festival, you can use hoppa's on-demand ride-hailing services to get around the city with ease. Simply use the hoppa app or website to compare prices and book a ride. We make it simple to navigate between your accommodation and the festival, especially during the late-night hours.

With millions of visitors flocking to the festival, safety is a top priority. Oktoberfest is a very safe place, thanks to robust security measures and a friendly, communal atmosphere.

• Be aware of your surroundings: As with any large gathering, it's wise to be mindful of your belongings in crowded areas. Keeping your cash, cards, and phone secure is an important thing to remember.
• Stick together: It's easy to get separated from friends in a crowded tent. Designate a meeting point with your group in advance so you can easily find each other if you get lost.