Oktoberfest FAQ: Questions and answers about the Oktoberfest

When is the Oktoberfest open?

Oktoberfest 2026 will take place from September 19 to October 4. 

Which festival tents are at the Oktoberfest?

The Oktoberfest offers 17 large festival tents with several thousand seats and 21 small festival tents. Each tent has its own atmosphere, from traditional Bavarian coziness to a modern, exuberant party atmosphere. A special feature is the individual food and drink offerings that characterize each tent. When the weather is fine, you can celebrate in the beer gardens of the festival tents. More about the festival tents

Can I reserve a table in the marquee?

Yes, reservations are possible, especially recommended for evenings and weekends. These must be booked directly with the festival tents. It is very unlikely to get tables during the Oktoberfest. However, there are generally enough places available in the tents without reservations. Tables cannot be reserved in the beer gardens.

How much does beer cost at the Oktoberfest?

• For the Oktoberfest, the six approved breweries (Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten) brew their own special festival beer. Beer prices for a Maß (1 litre) range between €14.80 and €15.90 for the 2026 Oktoberfest, depending on the tent and brewery.
• The average prices for non-alcoholic drinks in 2026 are €11.13 per litre for still water, €12.84 for Spezi (cola-lemonade mix) and €12.35 for lemonade.

What rides are there at the Oktoberfest?

• The Oktoberfest features over 120 fairground attractions with modern and traditional rides such as the Ferris wheel, roller coasters, carousels and numerous throwing and shooting galleries. The highlights of the rides

What is the Oide Wiesn?

• Since 2010, the Oide Wiesn has been a nostalgic part of the Oktoberfest that preserves the historical flair of the Oktoberfest. Here you will find traditional rides and four festival tents that are reminiscent of the festival's origins. The separate area is located on the Theresienwiese and requires a small entrance fee of 4 euros, although many attractions are cheaper than in the rest of the festival area. Families and fans of Bavarian tradition appreciate the peaceful, authentic atmosphere and the Bavarian music and folk dancing on offer. The museum tent offers insights into the history of the Oktoberfest. New this year is the Boandlkramerei musicians' tent. More about the Oidn Wiesn

Are there special events during the Oktoberfest?

Yes, there's a long-standing tradition of official events. The festivities kick off on the first Wiesn Saturday with the Parade of the Breweries and Landlords. The Lord Mayor then taps the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent at 12 noon sharp. On the first Wiesn Sunday, thousands of costume and marksmen's groups parade through the city centre. On the second Wiesn Sunday, the tent bands perform a concert beneath the Bavaria statue. The festival closes on the last Wiesn day with the traditional cannon salute, also at the Bavaria statue.

• Saturday, 19 Sept: Parade of the Oktoberfest Landlords
• Saturday, 19 Sept: The Tapping of the Keg
• Sunday, 20 Sept: Costume and Riflemen's Parade
• Sunday, 27 Sept: Concert at the Bavaria statue
• Sunday, 4 Oct: Cannon salute at the Bavaria statue

Prices: Admission, beer tents, rides

• The visit of the Oktoberfest is free. No admission is charged for the Theresienwiese.
• Exception: For the historic "Oide Wiesn" an entrance fee of 4 Euros must be paid. Here there are separate entrances at which payment is made
• Access to the festival tents and the beer gardens is free of charge. Reservations for the tents only in advance and only bookable directly at the respective tents.
• Payment for the rides is made at the individual ticket offices. Ride chips are usually issued.

Is there an Oktoberfest site plan?

• Yes, you can search for the locations of festival tents, toilets, luggage storage, cab ranks, bus stops and much more on our interactive site map.

Directions to the Oktoberfest

• Public transport: You can get to the Oktoberfest easily and quickly by subway, bus and streetcar and the Munich S-Bahn.
• Cab: For the duration of the Oktoberfest, cab stands will be set up around the Theresienwiese in the north, east and south.
• Train: The Oktoberfest grounds are only a 15-minute walk from Munich's main train station.
• Car: If arriving by car, it is recommended that you avoid the city center and go directly to a park-and-ride station. From there you can use public transport.
• Bus: A cordon will be set up around the Theresienwiese, which will also apply to buses. Passengers can only get on and off at the designated parking areas.
• Motorhomes: There is no parking for motorhomes around the Theresienwiese. There is a special open-air area on the trade fair grounds in Munich-Riem, De-Gasperi-Bogen, available as a parking area with sanitary facilities for approx. 1,500 motor homes. In addition, there are further camping facilities.

What can I take to the Oktoberfest?

• Security staff check visitors at the entrances.
• Bags and backpacks brought along may have a maximum volume of three liters and may not be larger than 20 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm.
• Regardless of the size of the bag, gas spray cans with dangerous contents, corrosive or coloring substances and objects that could be used as weapons (including knives) are prohibited.
• Drinks may be taken onto the festival grounds, but not into the tents or beer gardens - and under no circumstances in glass bottles.
• Walking aids or medical devices are permitted, provided they are checked and marked with a safety banderole.
• Umbrellas are also permitted.
• Baby carriages may be taken onto the Oktoberfest until 6 pm (except on Saturdays and public holidays).

Service center with Oktoberfest lost and found office

• As of 2026, the Lost & Found Office is no longer located in the Service Centre, but at the Deutsches Museum – Verkehrszentrum (Am Bavariapark 5, 80339 Munich), just a short walk from the festival grounds. It is open daily from 1pm to 8pm from 19 September to 4 October. On the day after the Oktoberfest, 5 October, it is open from 10am to 6pm. Lost items usually only reach the office one to two days after they went missing, so it's best to wait a day or two before enquiring. More about the Lost & Found Office
• The Service Centre is still located in the box-shaped copper building behind the Schottenhamel tent. Around 400 staff work here to keep the Oktoberfest running smoothly, including the festival management office, police, first aid, fire brigade and youth welfare office.

Police

• The Munich police are everywhere on the festival grounds and ensure your safety.
• If you need them urgently, dial the emergency number 110 without area code. Find out where you are so that the police can find you as quickly as possible.
• If you see suspicious things, if you notice aggressive persons or if you observe dangerous situations, also report to the police patrols on the grounds, to the security personnel of the tents or, in case of doubt, dial the emergency number.

Safe Space of the "Sichere Wiesn"

• As part of the "Safe Wiesn for Girls and Women" campaign, the Safe Space has been a contact point for women in a wide variety of emergency situations at the Oktoberfest since 2003. At the Theresienwiese Service Center (behind the Schottenhamel Festhalle), all security personnel wearing the campaign's button can be approached.
• Employees of Condrobs e.V. provide information about the WiesnGentleman* prevention project for civil courage (daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Esperantoplatz) and street workers from the social organization are on the road around the Oktoberfest.

First aid and medical care

• There are various emergency stations at the Oktoberfest: at the Theresienwiese Service Center (entrance "First Aid"), at Esperantoplatz and at the northern end of Schaustellerstraße, as well as at the Oide Wiesn.

Are there special events for the LGBTIQ* community?

• Yes, several. The “Gay-Sunday” in the Bräurosl on the first Oktoberfest Sunday is the most popular event for the queer community at Oktoberfest. You can find more events in our Special.