Oktoberfest in Munich: A Complete First-Timer’s Guide

Millions of people descend on Munich every September for Oktoberfest, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s free entry to the grounds, massive beer tents run by Munich’s legendary breweries, and two weeks of lederhosen, roasted chicken, pretzels the size of your head, and beer flowing at levels that seem impossible until you’re standing in the middle of it. You’ll typically only pay for what you eat, drink, and ride, which is how the whole thing runs on such an enormous scale.

If you’re planning your first Oktoberfest, this guide covers everything: when to go, which tents feel right for you, what to wear, and how to get there. Let’s start with the basics.

When Oktoberfest happens

Oktoberfest always starts on the third Saturday of September and runs for more than two weeks, ending on the first Sunday of October. The exact dates shift each year, so check the official Oktoberfest website for the current year’s schedule. Despite the name, the festival is mostly held in September.

Tents typically open Monday to Thursday from 10:00, with last beer service at 22:30 and closing at 23:30. Friday to Sunday and public holidays, they open at 09:00. A handful of tents stay open past midnight.

The opening ceremony takes place at noon on the first Saturday. The Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent, shouts “O’zapft is!” (It’s tapped!), and hands the first Maß to the Bavarian Minister-President. A 12-gun salute from the Bavaria statue signals all other tents to begin serving. The Parade of Landlords and Breweries starts at 10:35 that same morning, and the Costume and Riflemen’s Parade follows on the second Sunday.

What you need to know about Oktoberfest beer tents

• Schottenhamel-Festhalle (Spaten): the oldest tent, dating to 1867, and the site of the opening ceremony. Young and lively, popular with Munich locals.
• Hofbräu-Festzelt (Hofbräu): the most international tent, the rowdiest, and the one where English is most commonly heard. The only large tent with a standing area where you can drink without a reserved seat.
• Hacker-Festzelt (Hacker-Pschorr): known as “Bavarian Heaven” for its painted sky-blue ceiling. One of the best sing-along atmospheres at the festival.
• Augustiner-Festhalle (Augustiner): the most authentically Bavarian, loved by locals, and the only large tent still serving beer from wooden barrels. A more relaxed pace with a traditional brass band. A solid first choice.
• Paulaner Festzelt (Paulaner): huge and traditional, with a classic party atmosphere.
• Löwenbräu-Festzelt (Löwenbräu): easily spotted by the roaring lion above the entrance. Popular with large groups.
• Ochsenbraterei (Spaten): famous for its whole spit-roasted ox. Worth visiting as much for the food as the beer.
• Fischer-Vroni (Augustiner): cosier than the large tents, known for grilled fish on a stick. A quieter, food-focused option.
• Käfer Wiesn-Schänke (Paulaner): upmarket, celebrity-frequented, with refined food. One of only two tents that stays open past midnight.
• Bräurosl / Pschorr-Festzelt (Hacker-Pschorr): hosts the Rosa Wiesn (Gay Sunday) on the first Sunday of the festival.

The Oide Wiesn (“Old Oktoberfest”) is a separate, calmer section with its own small admission charge, historic rides, traditional music, and a family-focused tent. A good option if you want something less intense.

What to wear at Oktoberfest

Well over 90 percent of people at Oktoberfest wear Tracht, traditional Bavarian dress. It’s not a requirement, but wearing it absolutely changes how you experience the festival and how staff and other visitors treat you. It’s the difference between standing out as a tourist and feeling like you’re part of something genuinely local.

If you are buying or renting Tracht, choose natural fibres and a plain or subtly striped look. Avoid cheap polyester costumes from souvenir stalls near the railway station. They read as tourist gear immediately. Specialist Tracht shops in Munich stock quality pieces across a wide range of budgets, and several companies offer day rentals if this is a one-off visit.

Getting to the Theresienwiese

The Theresienwiese is in southwest Munich, a short journey from the city centre. Do not drive. Parking is essentially impossible and police cordon off the surrounding streets during the festival. Public transport is your only sensible option.

• U-Bahn U4/U5 to Theresienwiese: the station sits right at the grounds but becomes very crowded in the evenings. The next stop, Schwanthalerhöhe, is a 10-minute walk and far less packed.
• U-Bahn U3/U6 to Goetheplatz or Poccistrasse: a 5 to 10-minute walk to the grounds; a useful route on busy days to avoid the main station queues.
• S-Bahn (all lines) to Hackerbrücke: a 5-minute walk to the north entrance, often the least crowded arrival point.
• S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof (main station): then a 10 to 15-minute walk, easy to navigate by following the crowds in Tracht.
• From Munich Airport: the S1 or S8 trains reach the city centre in around 40 minutes, then transfer to the U-Bahn or S-Bahn.

Buy an MVV day ticket for unlimited travel across Munich’s network. The MVGO app offers real-time routing and can help you find less crowded services.

Getting a seat at Oktoberfest: reservations vs walk-ins

Good news: you don’t need a reservation to get in. A quarter of all seats in the large tents are held back for walk-in guests, rising to 40 percent on weekends and public holidays until around 15:00. On weekday mornings, just show up and you’ll find a spot without any fuss.

That said, reservations are basically essential for Friday and Saturday evenings, opening day, and public holidays. Without one, you could rock up at 10:00am and find the tent already rammed. It’s not worth the gamble on those days.

• Each tent manages its own reservation system via its own website. There is no centralised booking.
• Most tents open bookings a few months in advance. Exact dates vary, so check each tent’s site directly.
• Reservations cover whole tables of 8 to 10 people. There is no per-seat option.
• A deposit per person is charged upfront, converted into food and drink vouchers.
• Avoid third-party resellers, who typically mark prices up by 30 to 50 percent.
• Cancellations are released throughout the festival, so it is worth checking if you miss the initial opening.

Food at the festival

Eating well, and eating early, is your most important strategy for a good day at Oktoberfest. The Festbier is around 6 percent ABV and it hits harder on an empty stomach than you might expect. Eat before you start drinking and keep eating throughout the day.

• Hendl: spit-roasted half chicken, the defining Oktoberfest dish. Eaten with your hands, crisp skin and juicy meat. Order before 8pm; later in the evening, chicken at outdoor stalls can sit too long under heat lamps.
• Brezn: a giant soft pretzel. Buy from the main kitchen window of your tent rather than from wandering vendors.
• Steckerlfisch: whole mackerel or trout grilled on a stick over charcoal. Smoky and lighter than the meat dishes.
• Schweinshaxe: roasted pork knuckle with crackling, served with dumplings and gravy. Order it to share.
• Schweinebraten: sliced roast pork in dark-beer gravy with a dumpling. The everyday Bavarian classic.
• Käsespätzle: Bavarian cheese noodles. The best vegetarian option; check whether yours comes with bacon before ordering.
• Weisswurst: a white veal sausage served as a breakfast dish with sweet mustard, a pretzel, and wheat beer. Order it only before midday; that is the tradition.

Security and what you can bring

Security checks at all entrances are thorough. Allow extra time for queues, especially on weekend mornings.

• Bags: maximum size is 3 litres in volume, roughly 20cm x 15cm x 10cm or about the size of a small clutch. No backpacks. There is no bag storage at entrances, so leave anything larger at your accommodation.
• Banned items: glass bottles, aerosol sprays, anything corrosive or staining, and anything usable for cutting. Also banned: bicycles, scooters, skateboards, drones, and animals (except service dogs).
• Prams and pushchairs: not allowed on Saturdays or public holidays, and not permitted after 18:00 on other days.
• Drinks: You can bring soft-container non-alcoholic drinks onto the grounds, but not into the tents, and not your own alcohol anywhere on site.

Bringing children

Oktoberfest is genuinely family-friendly during the day. Just know the rules: kids under 6 need to be out of the main tents by 20:00, and anyone under 16 needs a parent or guardian with them at all times. If you want to skip the noise and chaos altogether, the Oide Wiesn is your move. It’s quieter, has a small admission charge, and comes with historic rides, traditional music, and a dedicated family tent that feels like a completely different festival.

Family Days (both Tuesdays) are a goldmine. They run from 10:00 to 19:00, typically with discounted ride prices, so it’s worth timing your visit around them. Plan to head out around 16:00 with little ones, before the evening crowd rolls in and things get wilder. The fairground itself is packed with options: Ferris wheels, toboggans, chain carousels, and loads of smaller rides that younger children actually want to go on.

Oktoberfest do’s and don’ts

• Do make eye contact when clinking glasses and saying “Prost!” Skipping it is considered rude, and local tradition holds it brings bad luck.
• Do eat before and while you drink. Three Maß of 6 percent beer over a few hours is more than it sounds.
• Do tip your server per round. They carry enormous loads across a full shift.
• Do sit to be served. Beer is brought to seated guests only (except in Hofbräu’s standing area).
• Do stand on benches to sing. That is actively encouraged.
• Do bring cash. Many stalls and rides remain cash-preferred.
• Don’t stand or dance on the tables, only on the benches. Security intervenes quickly.
• Don’t try to keep the Masskrug. It belongs to the tent and taking one is theft, actively prosecuted.
• Don’t bring a large bag. You will be turned away at security.
• Don’t treat Tracht as fancy dress or a joke. It is a genuine cultural garment worn with pride by the people around you.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee to Oktoberfest?

No. Entry to the Theresienwiese grounds and to every beer tent is completely free. You pay only for beer, food, and fairground rides. The only paid sections are the Oide Wiesn and specific ticketed events such as rooftop viewing areas on opening day.

When is Oktoberfest held?

Every year, Oktoberfest runs from the third Saturday of September through the first Sunday of October. Check the official Oktoberfest website for the exact dates of the year you plan to visit.

Do I have to wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen?

No, but over 90 percent of visitors do, and wearing Tracht genuinely changes the experience. You are treated differently by staff and other visitors. Renting a complete outfit for the day is the most practical option if this is a one-off visit. Avoid cheap polyester costumes from tourist stalls.

How do I book a table?

A quarter of all tent seats are always kept free for walk-ins, rising to 40 percent on weekends until 15:00. For Friday and Saturday evenings, the opening day, and public holidays, a reservation is close to essential. Each tent manages its own booking via its own website. Reservations cover whole tables of 8 to 10 people, with a per-person food and drink deposit required upfront. Avoid third-party resellers.

Which tent is best for a first-timer?

If it’s your first time, head to Augustiner-Festhalle. It’s got the best of everything: traditional Bavarian vibe, filled with locals who love the festival, and it’s the only large tent that still serves beer from wooden barrels. If you want something louder and more international, Hofbräu and Hacker will give you that party atmosphere. Prefer a quieter vibe and better food? Fischer-Vroni and Ochsenbraterei are your friends. And if you want to skip the chaos entirely, the Oide Wiesn is calmer and genuinely lovely.

What are the must-eat foods?

Hendl (roasted half chicken), Brezn (giant pretzel), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle), and Käsespätzle (Bavarian cheese noodles) are the classics. Eat before you start drinking and continue eating throughout the day. Weisswurst is a traditional pre-noon breakfast dish.

What size bag can I bring?

Bags are limited to 3 litres in volume, roughly 20cm x 15cm x 10cm or about the size of a small clutch. No backpacks are permitted. There is no bag storage on site, so leave anything larger at your accommodation.

What is the quietest day to visit?

Tuesday to Thursday mornings are the quietest and most straightforward for first-timers. Tents sit at 40 to 60 percent capacity and walk-in seating is easy. Both Tuesdays traditionally offer reduced ride prices and cheaper food menus until 15:00.

Is Oktoberfest suitable for families?

Yes, during the day. Children under 6 must leave the main tents by 20:00, and under-16s must be with a parent at all times. The Oide Wiesn is the most family-friendly section of the festival, with calmer rides and a dedicated family tent. Family Days (both Tuesdays) offer reduced ride prices. Plan to leave with young children by 16:00 before the evening crowd builds.