It’s 9 am on the first Sunday, and the line outside the Hofbräu-Festhalle (the 2nd largest festival tent in the Oktoberfest) and the first keg hasn’t even been tapped yet. Welcome to Oktoberfest 2026, running from September 19 to October 4 in Munich, Germany. It is the world’s largest folk festival, with over 6 million people attending every year. If you have never been there, it’s worth going at least once in your life.
Whether you know it as Oktoberfest Munich 2026 or just Oktoberfest, then read our guide to know dates, costs, tents, what to wear, and more.
Looking for more adventures? Check out our 27 Best European Destinations To Travel To
What is Oktoberfest?
In 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, and the city of Munich held a large public celebration to mark the wedding. The festivities include horse races on a field and a grand feast just outside the city. People loved it so much that they kept doing it every year. That field is known as Theresienwiese and locals just call it “the Wisen.”
In 2026, it will be the 191st Oktoberfest in Munich, a unique festival in its own right and an important part of Munich’s magic. What started as a wedding celebration is now a 16-day festival with beer tents that attracts thousands of people from all over the world. Apart from this, the festival also features fairground rides, traditional Bavarian food, and music throughout.
Oktoberfest Traditions Worth Knowing Before You Go
Before you trade your daily routine for a one-liter stein and a bench dance, it pays to decode the unwritten rules of Oktoberfest Munich 2026. From mastering the proper cheers to decoding the hidden meaning behind your traditional dirndl or lederhosen is worth knowing:
1. The Keg-Tapping Ceremony
Oktoberfest is famous for its centuries-old history, and one of its most iconic rituals is the keg-tapping ceremony. The tradition actually began in 1950, when Munich Mayor Thomas Wimmer struck the very first barrel open and famously declared, “O’zapft is!” (It is tapped). Since then, this single moment has grown into a high-stakes political and cultural spectacle. This tradition is important as it marks the official start of the festival. The exact moment when the beer starts to flow, a 12-gun salute echoes from the Theresienwiese signaling the tents to open.
2. The Toasting Ritual
If you want to blend in with the locals rather than stand out as a rookie, getting the toasting routine right is very important. Once the beer is flowing, this exact sequence is played out several times:
- The buildup: the band calls it “die Kruge hoch” (mugs up) for 3 consecutive times.
- The Anthem: then the band starts playing “Ein Prosit,” which is by far the most played song at the festival.
- The Clink: Everyone stands up and clinks their mugs together in the center of the table and shouts “Prost!” together.
- The Follow-up: Immediately after, the whole table joins in to chant “Ozans, zwoa, drei, gsuffa!” which basically means “one, two, three, drink.”
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to skip eye contact when you are raising your glass and clinking mugs with your neighbors. Looking them in the eye is taken seriously, and skipping it is considered wrong etiquette.
3. Gemütlichkeit
If there is one tradition that ties the entire festival together, it is Gemütlichkeit. The term translates to “Cheers to conviviality,” meaning a feeling of warm, unhurried togetherness. It is about the driving spirits of the tents and less about how fast you can drink. That deep sense of shared camaraderie is exactly why booking a tent reservation in advance is important.
Oktoberfest 2026 Dates and Hours
Here is the full Oktoberfest 2026 schedule straight from Munich’s official festival information:
| What | When |
| Festival runs | September 19 – October 4, 2026 |
| Opening Day | September 19, when Munich’s Mayor taps the first barrel at noon (Schottenhemel tent) |
| Costume and Hunters Parade | September 20 |
| Family Days (discounted rides until 7 pm) | September 22 and September 29 |
| Closing Ceremony | October 4 with a traditional gun salute |
| Beer Tent Hours | Serving until 10:30-11 pm; tents close by 11:30 pm |
| Grounds and Rides | 10 am to 11:30 pm most days; later on Fridays and Saturdays |
Entry to the festival grounds and beer tents is free. There is one ticket you will pay for: the historic Oide Wiesen section, the old-fashioned, quieter half of the festival. The fee is $4.59 for adults and free for kids under 14.
How To Get To Wiesn for Oktoberfest 2026?
Theresienwiese sits close to the central Munich, but driving to the venue is the real headache. It is best to avoid driving, as there is no visitor parking available on the grounds. So, instead:
- Subway & Train: The best is to hop on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn, which have multiple stations situated right at the festival grounds. During peak hours, trains run continuously to manage massive crowds.
- On foot: If your hotel is anywhere near the city center, then you can easily skip the transit options altogether and walk easily to the gates.
What Does Oktoberfest Actually Cost?
The Oktoberfest festival itself is free to enter, but beer and food add up fast. Here’s what to budget for:
| Item | Cost |
| Beer ( 1 Liter called a Mab) | $16.99 – $18.26 in most tents |
| Beer at premium tents like that, wheat beer-only at Weinzelt | Up to $21.13 |
| A full meal in a tent | Roughly $17.22 to $28.71 |
| Oide Wiesn Entry for adults | $4.59 |
So, an evening at Oktoberfest 2026 with 2 beers and 1 meal will cost you around $51.67 to $68.89 per person.
How To Pick A Beer Tent?
There are 17 large and 21 small tents at the Oktoberfest 2026 festival. Here’s a quick guide to understand what to expect and how to book your place at these beer tents:
Big Beer Tents At Oktoberfest
| Tent | What It Is Known For | Reservation |
| Festhalle Schottenhamel | It is the oldest tent, dating back to 1867, and the site of the Mayor of Munich’s keg-tapping ceremony. Around 9,000 people can fit in this beer tent, including its beer garden. | Phone: +49 (0) 89 54469310 |
| Hofbräu-Festzelt | It is the 2nd-largest Oktoberfest 2026 beer tent and the only tent with a standing area directly in front of the music stage. It can easily accommodate 10,000 people. Most international tents in Wiesn with the Aloisius figure. | Phone: +49 (0)89 4489670 |
| Paulaner Festzelt | From this tent, you have the complete view of the hustle and bustle of the festival, along with a clear view of the band. In the south-facing seating area, you can see the beautiful autumn sunset. Up to 15 pours per tap in 1 minute. | Phone: +49 (0)89 50 22 22 00 |
| Hacker-Festzelt | It stands out with the most distinctive designs on the entire Wiesn. The massive wooden roof beams are covered in light blue fabric, creating the illusion of sitting outside. The highlight is the “grand finale” on the last Sunday of Wiesn, when thousands of sparklers illuminate the interiors. | https://hacker-festzelt.de/reservierung/ |
| Augustiner Festhalle | Here, the popular Augustiner beer comes from the “hirsche,” which are the traditional wooden barrels with a capacity of 200 liters. The beer tastes better than from a steel container—family-friendly tent, as many families enjoy lunch with their children. | Phone: +49 89 / 23183266 |
| Löwenbräu-Festzelt | This is the tent known for its 4.5-meter lion guarding the entrance, which roars “Löööwenbräu” every minute. It also has a 37-meter-high lion tower visible from far away. | Phone: + 49 (0) 89 5007 7530 |
| Käfer Wiesn-Schänke | This tent gives the original tent feeling with its authentic Bavarian log cabin. The beer can be served here past half past midnight as well. The tent is also a hub for many famous figures, including FC Bayern stars and Hollywood celebrities. | Phone: +49 (0)89 4168356 |
Small Beer Tents
The small beer tents are usually quieter, more local, and easier to get a seat without a reservation. Some of the names you can look for are Bodo’s Cafézelt & Cocktailbar, Café Theres’ (the oldest coffee tent at Oktoberfest), Fisch Bada, Wildstuben, and more.
How To Stay Connected During the Oktoberfest Festival?
Here is something worth planning, as most Oktoberfest guides tend to forget to mention. Finding your group in such a large crowd, pulling up a tent reservation, or just checking a map back to your hotel gets a lot harder without a local cell connection. Setting up a Maya eSIM before you even land in Munich solves your problem at Oktoberfest 2026.
It installs digitally before you even leave home, works alongside your home SIM, and gets you online the moment your flight lands. There is no need to search for the SIM shop in an unfamiliar city. Maya’s Europe eSIM plans cover Germany and 35 other European countries, so if your trip extends beyond Munich, you can easily travel with one eSIM. Also, check whether your device is compatible with eSIM before you fly.
Beyond The Tents: What Else To Do in Munich
If you are making your itinerary, then it’s important to take some time out from Oktoberfest as well. You can explore the BMW Museum if you are into cars, and Nymphenburg Palace, a former summer residence of Bavarian royalty. Munich’s old town is also easily walkable, where you can easily explore the twin towers of the Frauenkirche and many others.
FAQs
1. When is Oktoberfest 2026?
Oktoberfest 2026 runs from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Munich, Germany.
2. What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is a 16-day Bavarian folk festival that started as a royal wedding celebration in 1810. Today, it is one of the largest folk festivals in the world, with beer tents, rides, traditional food, and around 6 million visitors every year.
3. Is Oktoberfest free to attend?
Yes, entry to the grounds and beer tents is free. You only pay for what you drink and eat, plus a small $4.59 or 4 EUR if you want to visit the historic Oide Wiesn section.
4. Where is Oktoberfest in Munich held?
In Munich, Oktoberfest is held at Theresienwiese, a large open field near central Munich, which is easily accessible by train and subway.
5. Do I need to book a table in advance at Oktoberfest beer tents?
Yes, for the big tents and popular tents, you have to book a table in advance, especially if you are visiting on weekends. For small tents, you can just walk up as they are usually quieter.
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