Munich Beer Festival: What to Do & What to Drink

For first-time visitors to Oktoberfest, better known as the Munich Beer Festival, careful planning is essential. 

This guide provides all the information you need for booking flights to Munich, finding the best hotels near Theresienwiese, securing seating in the famous tents, understanding the unwritten rules of Bavarian beer culture, and finding local attractions and landmarks.

What Is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is the largest folk festival in the world since it is a 16-day local festival about the Bavarian tradition and drinking beer that attracts more than six million people to Munich every year.

Though it is well known for its enormous beer tents and special one-liter Maß steins, it is a family-oriented festival as well since it combines numerous attractions with traditional dishes.

The festival started back in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration, and despite being an international event worthy of visiting, it remains Bavarian.

When and where is the Munich Beer Festival?

The world's major and renowned beer festivals, Oktoberfest brings tourists from around the world every year. If you're intending to visit it, knowing about the time and place can mark a good start for a perfect experience there as well as in the city.

📆 Dates: September 19 - October 4, 2026

Oktoberfest lasts for 16 days starting today when the mayor of Munich will officially open the festivities by tapping the first barrel of beer.

⛺ Venue: Theresienwiese, Munich.

The festival area is located southwest of the city center of Munich in the Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt area of the city which is accessible by U-Bahn (Theresienwiese on U4 and U5 lines) or by a short walk from the Munich central station 

Getting to Munich 

✈️ By air: The primary airport is Munich Airport (MUC) which connects the major destinations of USA, Europe, and Asia with direct flights. The Lufthansa Express Bus takes 40 minutes and operates every 20 minutes. You can also take S1 or S8 trains to the airport which takes about 40 minutes.

🚅 By train: Munich Hauptbahnhof is the one of the biggest European train stations connecting almost every major European city and many German cities. When travelling around Europe to attend Oktoberfest, Munich will be one of the most suitable places to start.

🚗 By car: Driving to Munich during Oktoberfest is not advisable. There are just too few parking spaces near the festival area. If you have important reasons to take your car into Munich, make sure to check the park and ride system.

Trains to Munich

Traveling to Munich by train is simply the best option. Ride through rolling hills and picturesque towns before arriving at the historic Hauptbahnhof station, which is located only minutes from the Altstadt. Fast, easy, efficient, and eco-friendly - taking the train to Munich makes travel not just a means of getting to your destination but a memorable journey by itself.

Getting Around Munich During Oktoberfest

Reaching Theresienwiese is an easy task thanks to the U4 and U5 lines passing through the station. Additionally, U-Bahn operates during the festival nights, so having a Munich transport card is a good idea to have unlimited travel during the event. Taxis and ride-sharing services are available as well, but one has to wait for a long time when the tents are closed.

What to Do at the Munich Beer Festival

Oktoberfest encompasses far more than just drinking beer and eating food from Bavaria. With its famous beer tents also come live music and entertainment, exploration of the festival grounds, and enjoyment of amusement parks. Regardless of whether it is your first time at Oktoberfest or whether you have been there before, this guide provides some useful tips in order to maximize your experience at the festival.

The Beer Tents

The most important part of the festival is its fourteen big beer tents, each tent having its own character. The Hofbräu-Festzelt is the most popular tent among tourists, the Schottenhamel is famous for the mayor tapping the first keg, while the Käfer generally attracts a more sophisticated and calm clientele.

The tents generally open at 9 am on weekdays and most get filled rapidly; especially during the weekends. If you happen not to have a reservation, you should come early on a weekday. As for reservations in the evenings, those must be done months prior to the event.

Some of the tents worth mentioning are:

• Hofbräu-Festzelt – This is the party tent that is very popular among tourists;
• Schottenhamel – This one is the tent where the tapping ceremony is conducted;
• Augustiner-Festhalle — A local favorite tent;
• Hacker-Pschorr — A tent that has a ceiling which resembles unearthly sky with stars;
• Oide Wiesn tents — This is a family-oriented tent characterized by a quieter atmosphere;

The Tapping Ceremony

The official beginning of the Oktoberfest takes place when the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg and announces "O'zapft is!" If you cannot arrive on the main day, you can always attend the tapping of your own Oktoberfest beer brewed in Munich Airport, which will take place on September 19.

Rides and Attractions

Apart from beer tents, Oktoberfest offers many rides to choose from, like the family-friendly rides or the Olympia Looping, the most famous mobile roller coaster in the world. You shouldn’t miss the opportunity to take photos from the Ferris wheel!

Oide Wiesn (Old Oktoberfest)

The Oide Wiesn can be seen as a different area of Oktoberfest, which is enclosed in a gated area of Theresienwiese, that closely resembles the old Oktoberfest that existed more than one hundred years ago. You can enter the area for as low as €4 (after 9 pm entrance is free of charge), and enjoy various historical rides, music played by brass music bands, and a wonderful, old-fashioned atmosphere.

Another reason for the festival to be family-centered might include the options involved for kids: puppet theatre, a tent, and folk dances.

Family Days

At Oktoberfest, families could enjoy reasonable prices of rides, entrance, and snacks. The festival has its Family Days, one of which takes place on Tuesday, September 22 while the other comes on Tuesday, September 29 in 2026. Be advised that prams can only be carried around till 6 pm on weekdays while they are completely prohibited on Saturdays and on October 3.

More Options Beyond the Festival: Attractions in Munich

In case you stay for a longer period of time in the city, apart from the Wiesn, you can visit other beautiful places in Munich, such as Marienplatz with its tower, or the English Garden.

What to Eat and Drink at Oktoberfest

At Oktoberfest, the food and drink are just as important as the atmosphere, folk music and enormous beer tents. From rich Bavarian meals and baked pretzels to regional beer or even non-alcoholic drinks, the food offerings are plentiful. Regardless of whether you want to try traditional food or indulge in something you have never eaten before, if you are familiar with what to expect, you will enjoy the festival even more.

The Maß

The Maß (pronounced "Mahss") is the legendary one-litre stein used for drinking beer at the Oktoberfest. Beer at this festival is served by the liter, and the only brands of beer offered are supplied by six main brewers from Munich: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. In the year 2026, you will be paying a price of €14.80 to €15.90 for a Maß.

Bavarian Cuisine

• Hendl: Half a chicken served roasted, the famous beer garden food.
• Schweinshaxe: A roasted pork leg, which is crunchy outside and soft inside.
• Brezn: A soft and salted pretzel in the diameter of a head.
• Weißwurst: A standard white sausage that is better eaten in the morning.
• Steckerlfisch: A grilled fish on a stick.
• Obatzda: A soft Bavarian cheese paste served with pretzels.

Vegetarian dishes

Ongoing options for vegetarians are available in many parts, such as Käsespätzle (cheese and noodle mix topped with fried onions), various salads, and mushrooms. The Oide Wiesn tent usually provides plenty of options for vegetarians, including the famous vegetarian dishes found in the Bavarian cuisine.

What to Wear to Oktoberfest

Traditional dirndl and lederhosen costumes are the attire of choice. Whether you opt for expensive, handmade options or cheap costumes, there are options available for everyone.

Authentic vs. Costume: Typical Dirndls have an apron, bodice, blouse, and skirt, an apron that is tied either right (married), left (single), or in the middle (virgin), but this rule is only loosely followed today. Genuine lederhosen are made of deer leather and can last a lifetime; costume versions are often made of synthetic leather.

Where to Purchase or Hire: Munich has many shopping opportunities, including affordable malls and special Trachten stores. The rental services have become popular, especially among travelers that do not want to buy clothes.

Oktoberfest Etiquette and Safety

Different countries have different traditions, and it always pays to remember what is allowed, and what is considered to be rude, or bad behaviour. The following pointers will make sure your visit to Oktoberfest goes without a hitch.

The Prosit Toast

When you toast, look into the eye of the person you're drinking with, and tap the bottom of your stein on theirs (not the rim). Shunning eye contact is considered bad luck - plus, it's a funny, goofy tradition that everyone upholds.

Don't Stand on Tables

Getting on a table or a bench isn't allowed and can get you thrown out of the tent. The same goes for drinking games - no one's encouraging you to participate in a chugging race.

Tipping and Cash

Card readers are getting more and more common, but cash rules at Oktoberfest. Tip your server (5-10%) so your server will be more likely to give you exceptional service, especially when you're trying to order your next stein.

Staying with Your Group

Tents are very crowded, and cell service is often unreliable. Make sure to have meeting spots inside your tent (by a specific bar or the entrance) in case you get separated, and keep the address of your hotel in your pocket for emergencies.

Cannabis Warning

Oktoberfest is a NO cannabis zone. Possessing or smoking cannabis on festival grounds will result in a €1,500 fine, and possibly over €5,000 for repeat offenders.

Other Safety Tips

• Keep your valuables safe (pickpocketing can be common at these big festivals)
• Don't leave your drink unattended, and pace yourself – a Maß is stronger than it looks
• Know where to find the first aid stations (they're marked on the Oktoberfest maps)

Where to Stay in Munich for Oktoberfest

With more than six million people arriving in Munich, accommodation becomes the most important thing that one needs to book beforehand. The best areas to stay in are Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt (within walking distance from the Theresienwiese), Maxvorstadt, and Lehel — all of them can be easily reached by U-Bahn and buses.

Budget conscious travellers may consider staying in Munich’s suburbs, Trudering-Riem, and Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied, or its vicinity, Rosenheim or Herrsching am Ammersee, all of them being within less than an hour ride.

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