Oktoberfest FAQ: Questions and answers about the Wiesn

When is the Oktoberfest open?

Oktoberfest 2025 will take place from September 20 to October 5. The beer tents open at 10:00 am (weekends from 9:00 am) and close at 11:30 pm. Exceptions are the Käfer Oktoberfest tavern and Kuffler's wine tent, which may open until 1 am. The rides open at 10:00 am and close at 11:30 pm. The Oide Oktoberfest is open daily from 10 am to 11:30 pm.

• All opening hours of the carnies, stalls and Oide Wiesn are here in detail.

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?

• The six licensed breweries (Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten) brew their own festival beer for the Oktoberfest. The beer prices for a Maß (1 liter) for Oktoberfest 2024 are between 13.60 euros and 15.30 euros, depending on the tent or brewery.
• The average price of non-alcoholic drinks per liter was 10.48 euros for table water, 12.23 euros for Spezi and 11.67 euros for lemonade at the Oktoberfest 2024. More about the beer and drinks prices

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 is a traditional supporting program. On the first Saturday of Oktoberfest, the breweries and festival hosts make their entrance. The Lord Mayor then taps the first barrel in the Schottenhamel tent at 12 o'clock sharp. On the first Oktoberfest Sunday, thousands of traditional costumers and marksmen parade through the city center. On the second Oktoberfest Sunday, the marquee bands play music at a concert under the Bavaria. Finally, on the last day of Oktoberfest, there is a gun salute, also at the Bavaria.

• Saturday, 20.9.: Entry of the Oktoberfest hosts
• Saturday, 20.9.: Tapping of the Oktoberfest
• Sunday, 21.9.: Parade of traditional costumes and marksmen
• Sunday, 28.9.: Square concert at the Bavaria
• Sunday, 5.10.: Shooting of firecrackers at the Bavaria

More about the events at Oktoberfest

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

• Service center: Around 400 employees work in a box-shaped copper building behind the Schottenhamel tent to ensure that the Oktoberfest runs smoothly. Among other things, the festival management, lost and found office, police, first aid, fire department and youth welfare office are housed here.
• Lost and Found: The lost and found office is open daily during the Oktoberfest from 1 to 10 p.m. (entrance „Festleitung“). On the day after the Oktoberfest, the lost and found office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be reached via the Theresienhöhe pedestrian underpass. In most cases, lost property is not turned in until one or two days after it is lost. Therefore, it is advisable to contact the lost and found office only one to two days after the loss. More about the lost and found 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.
• This year, the district administration department (KVR) is once again supporting the shelter for women and girls at the Oktoberfest with 10-euro vouchers for the women's night taxi.  All female visitors will receive the vouchers directly in the Safe Space from Saturday, 21 September. You can use this to take a taxi alone or together with other women or minor children for the safe journey home.  

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.