Oktoberfest in Munich: History, Traditions, and Tips for Visitors

Oktoberfest is Bavaria’s main folk festival and one of Germany’s most recognizable festivals. It takes place in Munich on Theresienwiese, known locally as the Wiesn, and features beer tents, parades, Bavarian music, traditional costumes, amusement rides, and cuisine. In 2026, the official Oktoberfest is scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4.

Why Does Oktoberfest Start in September?

The name can be misleading: most of the festival actually takes place in September. This is done for practical reasons—late September in Munich is usually warmer and more comfortable than October. The festival typically ends on the first Sunday in October, unless the calendar requires a special extension.

For travelers, this means one simple thing: you should plan your trip not for the entire month of October, but for the specific official dates each year. Hotel rooms, tent seats, and train tickets during the Wiesn quickly become more expensive and sell out.

History: From a Royal Wedding to a Symbol of Bavaria

The origins of Oktoberfest are linked to the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Gildburghausen. The celebrations took place in October 1810 on a meadow outside what was then Munich. The site later came to be known as Theresienwiese—Therese’s Meadow.

The festival has gradually evolved. Agricultural exhibitions, amusement rides, carousels, beer stands, large tents, and food stalls were added to the horse races and folk festivities. Wars, epidemics, and various periods of crisis interrupted the tradition, but in Munich’s cultural memory, the Wiesn has remained not merely a tourist event, but a part of the city’s identity.

How the festival opens

The official start of Oktoberfest is more than just the opening of the gates to the festival grounds. On the first day, there is a parade of beer tent owners and brewers: decorated wagons, horses, musicians, waitstaff, and the families of the tent owners make their way to Theresienwiese.

The highlight takes place at noon in the Schottenhamel tent. The Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first keg and proclaims “O’zapft is!”—meaning “It’s tapped!” After that, beer service begins in the tents. The first mug is traditionally given to the Prime Minister of Bavaria.

Another important tradition is the Trachten- und Schützenzug, a costumed parade. It features traditional costume societies, musicians, shooting clubs, and guests from various regions. The Münchner Kindl—a recognizable symbol of Munich—often leads the procession of festive figures.

Dirndl and Lederhosen: What the Costumes Mean

It’s hard to imagine Oktoberfest without traditional clothing. The women’s dirndl consists of a dress, a blouse, and an apron. Men often wear Lederhose—short or knee-length leather pants with suspenders—along with a shirt, a vest, and a hat.

There is a popular cultural reference associated with the bow on a dirndl’s apron:

• on the left - a woman may be open to meeting someone;
• on the right - she is married or in a relationship;
• centered - status is not underlined;
• in the background—usually waitresses, children, or widows.

This is not a legal rule or a universal code, but for tourists, this detail helps them better understand the atmosphere of the festival.

Beer at Oktoberfest: Only Munich Breweries

Oktoberfest serves beer from six traditional Munich breweries: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu. The beer for the Wiesn is brewed in Munich and served in one-liter Mass mugs.

An important practical detail: the large tents differ not only in the brand of beer they serve but also in their atmosphere. Some have more tourists and loud music, while others have a stronger family-oriented or local Bavarian vibe. If you’re visiting for the first time, choose a tent not only based on the brewery’s name but also on the type of gathering you’re looking for: a quiet lunch, an evening with music, a family outing, or a classic tourist experience.

What to Try from Bavarian Cuisine

Food at Oktoberfest is just as much a part of the festival as music and beer. The most recognizable dishes are:

• Hendl - roast chicken;
• Brezn - a large Bavarian pretzel;
• Weisswurst - a white Munich sausage;
• Schweinshaxe - pork knuckle;
• Steckerlfisch - fish on a stick, grilled over charcoal;
• Kartoffelsalat - potato salad;
• Lebkuchenherz - a gingerbread heart with an inscription.

Portions are often large, and prices on the festival grounds are higher than at typical Munich restaurants. If you’re on a budget, check the tent menus in advance and plan where you want to eat and where a drink or a stroll will suffice.

What Tourists Need to Know

Oktoberfest isn’t limited to beer tents. Theresienwiese also features amusement rides, souvenir shops, family areas, music stages, and the historic Oide Wiesn section, if it’s held that year.

Before your trip, be sure to check:

• official dates and hours of operation;
• Rules for bringing bags and luggage;
• the need to reserve a spot in a tent;
• schedule of parades and family days;
• transportation to and from Theresienwiese;
• Limits on card and cash payments in select tents.

Admission to the grounds is usually free, but it’s best to reserve a table in advance at popular tents in the evenings and on weekends. Without a reservation, you might still get a seat—especially in the morning or on weekdays—but there’s no guarantee.

The Atmosphere at the Wiesn

The main appeal of Oktoberfest lies in its combination of scale and local tradition. Tourists come for the colorful spectacle, but for Munich, it’s also an annual city ritual: families, groups of friends, musicians, waitstaff, brewers, and tent owners repeat the same familiar rituals year after year.

A good way to get into the spirit of the festival is not to rush straight to the noisiest tent. Walk around the grounds, look at the costumes, listen to the brass bands, try the food, check out the rides, and only then choose a table. That way, Oktoberfest reveals itself not just as a “beer festival,” but as a distillation of Bavarian culture.

FAQ

When will Oktoberfest take place in 2026?

The official dates for Oktoberfest 2026 in Munich are September 19 through October 4.

Where is Oktoberfest held?

The festival takes place at Theresienwiese in Munich. Colloquially, both the venue and the festival itself are often referred to as the Wiesn.

Do you need to reserve a table in a beer tent?

Reservations are highly recommended for evenings, weekends, and large groups. On weekdays and in the morning, you can try to find seats without a reservation, but this isn’t guaranteed at popular tents.

Which breweries participate in Oktoberfest?

Six Munich breweries are represented at the festival: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu.