Oktoberfest is a 16-day beer festival held every September and October in Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest takes place in a fairground called Theresienwiese in Munich, Bavaria. The festival runs for 16 days, always ending on the first Sunday in October. The opening date shifts each year — it typically begins in mid-September. The 2024 festival ran from September 21 to October 6; the 2025 festival will run from September 20 to October 5.

The festival is not a single venue but a sprawling outdoor event with multiple beer tents, food stalls, carnival rides, and stages. Each tent is run by a different brewery or hospitality company and holds hundreds to thousands of people. The largest tents seat over 10,000 guests. Attendance typically reaches six to seven million visitors over the 16 days, with peak crowds on weekends and during the final week.

Oktoberfest is free to enter the fairground itself. You pay only for beer, food, and rides. Beer is sold by the mass — a one-liter mug — and prices vary by tent and year. In recent years, a mass has cost between 12 and 15 euros. Food prices are similarly high compared to Munich restaurants outside the festival.

Key Takeaways

  • Oktoberfest runs 16 days from mid-September through the first Sunday in October in Munich's Theresienwiese fairground.
  • Entry to the fairground is free, but beer, food, and rides are paid separately, with prices higher than typical Munich venues.
  • The festival features multiple beer tents run by different breweries, each with its own atmosphere, seating capacity, and crowd level.
  • Peak attendance occurs on weekends and during the final week, with quieter periods on weekday mornings and early afternoons.
  • Traditional Bavarian beer styles, clothing, and food are central to the festival, though international visitors now outnumber locals.

What beer styles and breweries you'll find in each tent

Oktoberfest beer is a specific style: a lager brewed to around 5.8 to 6.3 percent alcohol by volume, malty and slightly sweet, with low hop bitterness. Only breweries based in Munich are permitted to serve beer at Oktoberfest. The six major breweries are Hofbräu, Paulaner, Spaten, Löwenbräu, Augustiner-Bräu, and Hacker-Pschorr. Each operates one or more tents and brews an Oktoberfest lager specifically for the festival.

The tents vary widely in size, music style, and crowd composition. Hofbräu-Zelt is the largest and most tourist-heavy, with live brass bands and a younger international crowd. Augustiner-Bräu-Zelt is smaller and attracts more locals. Käfer's Wiesn-Schänke is known for upscale food and a more refined atmosphere. Schottenhamel is one of the oldest tents and opens the festival each year with a ceremonial keg tapping by the Mayor of Munich.

Each tent serves the same Oktoberfest beer style but may offer regional food specialties. Roasted chicken, pork knuckle, sausages, pretzels, and cheese are standard. Some tents feature live music; others are quieter. Visiting multiple tents over the 16 days lets you experience different atmospheres without committing to a single location for hours.

How to get there and where to stay

Munich's main airport, Munich Airport (MUC), is about 40 kilometers northeast of the city center. Direct flights arrive from major European cities and some international hubs. From the airport, the S-Bahn (commuter rail) runs directly to central Munich in about 40 minutes. A taxi or ride-share takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.

Theresienwiese is accessible by U-Bahn (subway) line U4 and U5, which stop at Theresienwiese station. The journey from central Munich takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your starting point. During Oktoberfest, trains run extended hours and increased frequency, though they become extremely crowded in the evenings. Arriving early in the day or mid-afternoon avoids the worst congestion.

Hotels in Munich fill quickly during Oktoberfest, and prices rise significantly — rooms that cost 80 to 120 euros on a normal night may cost 200 to 400 euros during the festival. Booking three to six months in advance is common for popular hotels. Hostels and guesthouses in outer districts offer lower rates but require longer travel times to Theresienwiese. Some visitors stay in nearby towns like Dachau or Freising and commute by train, trading convenience for lower accommodation costs.

What to wear and what the dress code actually means

Traditional Bavarian clothing — lederhosen (leather pants) for men and dirndl dresses for women — is worn by many festival-goers, but it is not required. Locals and regulars often wear traditional dress; international tourists wear everyday clothes. You will see both throughout the festival.

If you choose to wear traditional clothing, lederhosen are typically brown or black leather knee-length pants with suspenders. A white linen shirt and a wool jacket or vest complete the look. Dirndls are full-skirted dresses with a fitted bodice, usually in dark colors with embroidered aprons. Both are available for purchase or rental in Munich and at the festival itself, though rental shops near Theresienwiese charge premium prices during the festival.

Practical clothing matters more than costume. Oktoberfest happens in late September and early October, when Munich weather is cool and unpredictable — temperatures range from 8 to 18 degrees Celsius (46 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit). Rain is common. Wear layers, closed-toe shoes with good grip (the ground becomes muddy), and bring a light jacket. The fairground is outdoors, and you may spend hours standing or sitting on benches.

Timing your visit: crowds, weather, and quieter days

Weekends are the busiest times, particularly Saturdays. The final weekend of the festival draws record crowds. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are noticeably quieter — you can often find seating in tents on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning that would be impossible on a Saturday evening. If you prefer a less chaotic experience, plan your visit for a weekday.

Weather in late September and early October is cool and often rainy. The first week of the festival typically has milder weather; the second week can bring colder temperatures and higher rainfall. Pack accordingly. The fairground becomes muddy after rain, and many attendees wear rubber boots or waterproof shoes.

The opening weekend and the final weekend are the most crowded and the most festive. If you want the full festival atmosphere with live music, crowds, and energy, these periods deliver it. If you want to experience the beer and food with shorter wait times and easier movement, visit mid-week during the second week of the festival.

Food, beer quantities, and what happens after the festival ends

Oktoberfest beer is served in one-liter mugs called a mass. This is the standard serving size — you cannot order a smaller pour. A mass contains roughly 33 ounces. First-time visitors often underestimate how much liquid this is and how the alcohol accumulates over hours of sitting in a tent. Eating food alongside drinking slows alcohol absorption and is strongly recommended.

Food stalls and tent kitchens serve roasted chicken (Hähnchen), pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe), Bavarian sausages, pretzels, and cheese. Prices are high — a roasted chicken costs 12 to 16 euros, a pork knuckle 18 to 24 euros. Eating before entering a tent or bringing snacks is a cost-saving strategy, though outside food is not permitted inside the tents themselves.

After Oktoberfest ends, the fairground is dismantled and returns to its normal use as a public space. The beer tents are taken down, the rides are removed, and the grounds are cleaned. Some Munich breweries continue to serve Oktoberfest beer in their regular beer halls for a few weeks after the festival, but the festival itself is a single 16-day event each year. Planning your trip around those specific dates is necessary if you want to attend the actual Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest celebrations outside Munich

Oktoberfest-themed celebrations occur in cities worldwide — Denver, New York, São Paulo, and many others host their own versions in September or October. These events feature beer, food, and music inspired by the Munich festival but are not the official Oktoberfest. They are typically smaller, less crowded, and more affordable than the Munich event.

The Munich Oktoberfest is the original and largest. It is the only event officially called Oktoberfest and held in the original location. Other celebrations use the name or theme but operate independently. If you are interested in Oktoberfest specifically, the Munich festival is the authentic experience. If you want a similar celebration closer to home or at lower cost, local Oktoberfest events in your region may offer an alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book a tent in advance or can I just walk in?

You can walk into most tents without a reservation, but seating is not may provide, especially on weekends and evenings. Some tents accept reservations for large groups; individual visitors typically sit at communal tables on a first-come basis. Arriving early in the day or on a weekday increases your chances of finding a seat without waiting.

Is Oktoberfest only for people who drink beer?

No. The tents serve non-alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and food. The fairground also has carnival rides, live music stages, and attractions that do not involve beer. Many visitors spend time in the fairground without entering the beer tents or consume only food and non-alcoholic drinks.

What is the age limit for entering Oktoberfest?

There is no age restriction for entering the fairground or the tents. However, beer and alcohol are sold only to people 16 years old and older for beer and cider, and 18 years old and older for spirits, in accordance with German law. Children and teenagers can attend with family members and consume non-alcoholic food and beverages.

How much money should I budget for a day at Oktoberfest?

A typical day costs 50 to 150 euros per person, depending on how much you eat and drink. A mass of beer costs 12 to 15 euros, a meal 15 to 25 euros, and rides or attractions 5 to 10 euros each. Accommodation and travel are separate expenses. Visiting on a weekday and eating outside the tents before entering can reduce costs.

Can I bring my own food or drinks into the tents?

Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the beer tents. You must purchase food and beverages from the tent vendors. However, you can eat and drink outside the tents in the fairground before or after visiting a specific tent.