Oktoberfest 2021 (18 September - 3 October) has been cancelled
All info about the Oktoberfest in Munich
The Oktoberfest 2021 will not take place because of the Corona pandemic. But the date for 2022 has already been set: the 187th Oktoberfest is to take place from 17.9. to 3.10.2022.
- Location: Theresienwiese in Munich
- Date: Oktoberfest 2022 is scheduled from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, 2022
- Visitors: 6.3 million at the Oktoberfest 2019
- History: the first Oktoberfest was held on Oct. 12, 1810
Highlights at the Oktoberfest
With over six million guests a year, the Oktoberfest is the largest public festival in the world. No wonder: The Oktoberfest celebrates Bavarian tradition with delicious food, Munich beer and countless rides and attractions on the festival grounds and in the tents.
Experience highlights such as the Grand entry of the Oktoberfest landlords and breweries, the ceremonial opening of the beer tapping or the traditional costume parade on the first Sunday of Oktoberfest.
In addition, the whole world comes together to celebrate in a total of 17 large and 21 small festival tents.
Especially for visits to the Oktoberfest at the weekends or in the evening, it is worth reserving a table in the festival tents in advance. We have compiled the most important information on table reservations.
Info for visitors and press: Opening hours and more
Date:
Oktoberfest is held annually from the Saturday after September 15 to the first Sunday in October. If October 1 or 2 is a Sunday, Oktoberfest is extended up to and including October 3 (a public holiday in Germany).
Opening hours:
- Beer is served in the festival tents until 10:30 p.m. (Käfer Wies'n-Schänke and Kufflers Weinzelt: Until 1 a.m.).
- The stalls and rides are open until 11:30 p.m. or midnight, depending on the day of the week.
- The historic Oktoberfest "Oide Wiesn" is open daily until 10:30 p.m.
A detailed overview with all opening hours can be found here.
History of the Oktoberfest
- 1810: Crown Prince Ludwig (who later became King Ludwig I), married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on 12th October 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates. Horse races in the presence of the Royal Family marked the close of the event that was celebrated as a festival for the whole of Bavaria. The decision to repeat the horse races in the subsequent year gave rise to the tradition of the Oktoberfest.
- 1818: the first carousel and two swings were set up
- 1896: beer stands were replaced by the first beer tents and halls
- 1950: The Oktoberfest is opened for the first time with the tapping of the barrel in the Schottenhamel tent by the mayor.
- 2010: For the first time, the historic Oktoberfest ("Oide Wiesn") takes place at the south end of the Theresienwiese with historic rides, festival tents and other attractions.
Read more about the history here.
