Oktoberfest in Germany [2027 Guide] - Live In Germany

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk festival, held every year on the Theresienwiese in Munich, and it runs for about 16 to 18 days from mid or late September into the first weekend of October. Despite the name, most of it happens in September. Around 6 million people visit each year, drinking beer served in one-litre glasses, eating roast chicken and pretzels, and riding fairground rides next to 14 giant beer tents.

If you live in Germany, Oktoberfest is one of the few events that is genuinely worth planning for. Tables in the big tents are hard to get, hotel prices in Munich jump sharply, and a bad plan can cost you a lot of money for a mediocre day. This guide covers when it takes place, what it costs, how reservations work, what to wear and how to get there without stress.

What Is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest, known locally as the Wiesn (short for Theresienwiese, the meadow where it is held), began in 1810 as a public celebration of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese. The horse race that closed the first festival was so popular that the city repeated it the next year, and the event grew into the festival it is today.

It is not a single party but a large fairground with three parts:

• The large beer tents (Festzelte), run by Munich’s big breweries and restaurateurs, each with its own music, crowd and atmosphere.
• The fairground rides, from classic carousels to roller coasters and the Ferris wheel.
• The Oide Wiesn (Old Wiesn), a quieter, more traditional area with historic rides and a small entrance fee, popular with locals who want less chaos.

Only beer from the six Munich breweries is served: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. It is brewed specially for the festival and is stronger than standard lager, at roughly 6% alcohol.

When Is Oktoberfest 2027?

The festival always starts on a Saturday in September and ends on the first Sunday of October, or on 3 October (German Unity Day) when that falls later. For 2027 the expected dates are 18 September to 3 October. The 2026 festival has just finished, so use the official Munich city site to confirm the 2027 dates before booking anything.

The opening day follows a set ritual. The parade of the tent landlords and breweries goes through Munich to the fairground. At noon the mayor taps the first barrel in the Schottenhamel tent with the words “O’zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”), and only then can the beer be served in the other tents.

Opening hours in the tents are generally from 10:00 on weekdays and 09:00 on weekends, with the last beer served around 22:30 and the tents closing by 23:30. Check the official schedule, as times can shift slightly by year.

Related guide German Public Holidays Public Holidays

How Much Does Oktoberfest Cost?

Entry to the fairground is free. The costs come from food, drinks, rides and accommodation.

These ranges reflect recent years. Beer prices have risen almost every year, so expect the 2027 Maß to cost more than the 2025 price. The official city website publishes the confirmed beer prices per tent shortly before the festival starts.

A realistic budget for a day trip is €80 to €150 per person, covering three beers, a meal, a couple of rides, tips and transport. Staying overnight in Munich can double that, which is why many expats in Germany book a day trip by train instead.

How to Get a Table in a Beer Tent

Tables are the hardest part of Oktoberfest. Inside the large tents, the seating is on long benches at tables. You cannot be served beer while standing, and most tents do not let you in once the seats are full.

There are three ways to get a seat:

1. Reserve a table in advance. Most tent reservations are made directly with the tent operators through their websites. Booking usually opens in the winter or spring before the festival, and tables are generally reserved for groups of 8 to 10 people with a minimum spend on food and drink vouchers. Only use the booking page of the tent itself, as fake reservation sites and resold tickets are common.
2. Go early on a weekday. Without a reservation, arrive before opening time, ideally Monday to Thursday. Many tents keep part of their seating open to walk-ins before the afternoon crowds arrive.
3. Use the unreserved areas. Some tents have an open section, and there are beer gardens around the tents and the outdoor terraces where no reservation is needed.

For a first visit, a weekday lunchtime is the best balance between atmosphere and stress. Evenings and weekends are louder and more crowded, and entry is often limited once a tent reaches capacity.

What to Wear: Tracht, Dirndl and Lederhosen

You do not have to dress in traditional clothes (Tracht), but a large share of visitors do, and you will feel more at home if you join in. A Dirndl for women and Lederhosen with a checked shirt for men are the standard outfits.

A few practical points:

• Buy rather than rent if you plan to come back. A decent Dirndl or Lederhosen set costs about €100 to €250. Cheaper costume-style versions are widely sold but are often looked down on by locals.
• The bow on a Dirndl is traditionally tied to signal relationship status: on the left means single, on the right means taken. This is treated as a bit of fun, not a rule.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You will be standing, walking and dancing on benches for hours, and the ground can be wet and muddy.
• Layer up. September evenings in Bavaria can be cold, especially outside the tents.

How to Get to Oktoberfest

Munich’s public transport system is the easiest way to arrive, because parking near the Theresienwiese is very limited during the festival.

• U-Bahn: the station Theresienwiese (lines U4 and U5) is right at the grounds. On busy days it can be closed for entry or exit, so also plan for Goetheplatz (U3, U6) or Schwanthalerhöhe (U4, U5) as alternatives.
• S-Bahn and train: the main station (Hauptbahnhof) is about a 15 to 20 minute walk from the grounds, and many visitors walk from there.
• Regional trains: the Bayern-Ticket and the Deutschlandticket both work on regional trains and local transport in Bavaria and Munich, which makes a day trip from cities such as Augsburg, Nuremberg or Ingolstadt much cheaper than a hotel stay.
• Driving: avoid it. Roads near the grounds are restricted, and parking prices are very high.

Related guide Public Transport in Germany Public Transport

Rules, Safety and Practical Tips

A few things catch first-time visitors out:

• Bag size limits. Large backpacks and bags over a set size are not allowed through the gates, and there are security checks at the entrances. Bring a small bag or a Dirndl/Lederhosen pouch only.
• Cash and cards. Most tents and stands accept cards today, but queues for card readers can be slow and payment systems occasionally fail. Carry some cash anyway.
• Tipping. It is normal to tip the servers, who carry up to 10 or more full Maß glasses at a time. Rounding up or adding 1 to 2 euros per round is standard. Our guide to Related guide Tipping in Germany Tipping in Germany explains the general rules.
• Do not take the glass. Taking a Maß glass out of the tent is treated as theft, and the security staff do check.
• Eat first. The beer is stronger than standard German lager, and drinking quickly on an empty stomach is the most common reason visitors have a bad day.
• Keep valuables safe. Pickpockets target crowded areas, so keep your phone and wallet in a zipped inside pocket.
• Children. Families are welcome during the day, and some tents offer family times. Children should leave the tents in the evening, when the music gets louder.

Oktoberfest Alternatives in Germany

If Munich is too far, too crowded or too expensive, Germany has many other Volksfeste (folk festivals) with the same format of beer, rides and live music:

• Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart, held at the same time and often described as the second-largest folk festival in Germany.
• Frühlingsfest in Munich, a smaller spring version on the same Theresienwiese grounds.
• Local Schützenfeste and Kirmes events in towns across the country, which are cheaper and more local.
• Oktoberfest-style events in other cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt. These are mostly tent parties and are not connected to the original festival.

Conclusion

Oktoberfest is worth experiencing once, as long as you plan it. Book your accommodation or train tickets early, reserve a table through the tent’s own website if you want a weekend visit, go on a weekday if you do not, and set a budget before you arrive. Wear Tracht if you want to blend in, eat before you drink, and keep your valuables close.

If you live in Germany, a day trip by regional train is usually the cheapest and least stressful way to go. Then you can go home and sleep in your own bed.

Jibran Shahid

Hi, I am Jibran, your fellow expat living in Germany since 2014. With over 11 years of personal and professional experience navigating life as a foreigner, I am dedicated to providing well-researched and practical guides to help you settle and thrive in Germany. Whether you are looking for advice on bureaucracy, accommodation, jobs, or cultural integration, I have got you covered with tips and insights tailored specifically for expats. Join me on my journey as I share valuable information to make your life in Germany easier and more enjoyable.