Oktoberfest, also affectionately known as ‘Wiesn’, feels a bit like Christmas in Munich. With preparations beginning months in advance and the tent structures appearing week by week, the build-up is huge and the excitement infectious. The world’s largest folk festival is a must for those who want to tap into the city’s beer scene and culture – just be careful not to drink so many of the strong brews that you don’t remember any of it.
Dating back over 200 years, the event is now known for revellers standing on beer benches, live bands belting out ballads and Lederhosen-clad staff lifting 10 litres of beer at a time, but there’s more to this festival than partying. With under two weeks to go until Oktoberfest 2025 gets underway, here’s everything you need to know before visiting, from the history to the highlights.
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When is Oktoberfest 2025?
The dates for this year’s Oktoberfest are Sunday, September 20 – Sunday, October 5.
What is Oktoberfest and why is it celebrated?
Today an iconic festival, focused around Munich’s breweries, Oktoberfest is a tradition that dates back to a royal wedding in 1810, when celebrations lasted several days and ended with a public horse race just outside of town. With the public keen to repeat the fun, the event grew and evolved over time, with carousels and beer tents first arriving in the late nineteenth century.
These days, the site (Theresienwiese) is surrounded by celebrations all over the city, and people come from across the world to experience the madness. In its long history, the festival has only been cancelled a few times, for reasons including war, cholera and most recently the pandemic.
Do you have to book tickets or can you just turn up?
You can just turn up. It’s free to enter the grounds where the rides, food vendors (gingerbread heart anyone?) and tents are – you might get stopped for a quick bag check though.
What can require more planning is securing a table in one of the busy tents. If you’re travelling in a group, it’s best to book ahead via the individual websites. Note that you’ll need to reserve an entire table and pay for food and drink tokens in advance. Smaller groups or couples will normally get in somewhere, as some spaces have to be left unreserved. Arrive early, be flexible, ask around and be prepared to queue for the big hitters.
When’s the best time to go to Munich for Oktoberfest?
This depends a bit on what kind of experience you’re after. There are certainly quieter and livelier times during the 16-day festival, with weekends and evenings generally more crowded. For a more relaxed time, head over at lunchtime during the week; for the full experience, join the revelry on a Saturday night. Every Tuesday is Family Day with several concessions for children.
Key dates to bear in mind
- The opening weekend (September 20) has several additional events, including parades through the city and the tapping of the first beer keg in the Festhalle Schottenhamel – one of the oldest tents.
- At 11am on the second Sunday (September 27), bands from different tents gather for an open-air concert on the steps beneath the Bavaria statue. It’s completely free of charge.
- On the second Monday (September 28), the Fischer-Vroni tent hosts the local LGBTQ+ scene for an event called Prosecco Wiesn.
What should you wear at Oktoberfest?
You can wear what you like, but many people dress up in traditional Bavarian clothing, i.e Lederhosen and Dirndls. If you want to blend in, you’ll have no problem finding specialist shops in the city, such as at Angermaier or Trachtenrausch. Munich’s department stores have entire sections, even floors, dedicated to Oktoberfest during the event. You can also hire outfits from companies such as Bavarian Outfitters.
For something more contemporary or unique, try Berlin-founded Amsel or young Munich label Gottseidank. And finally, don’t forget to accessorise. Pair woollen socks with Lederhosen, find a delicate blouse for your Dirndl and consider adding a knitted Janker jacket or hat to finish your look.
What are the best venues at Oktoberfest?
Again, this depends on what you’re looking for. Party animals should aim for one of the big tents. Highlights here include the Hofbräu Festzelt with a fun international crowd, Augustiner Festhalle loved by loyal locals, the Schützen-Festzelt with its own shooting range and the Hacker Festzelt, where people end the night standing on benches, arm in arm, singing Robbie Williams’ ‘Angels’ underneath a blue and white sky ceiling.
Alternatively, you could (try to) rub shoulders with the FC Bayern players and other celebrities at the fancy Käfer Wiesn Schänke tent or head to one of the smaller ones, including the Münchner Knödelei for hearty dumplings or the Wildstuben, specialising in game meat.
Other useful info and tips for visiting
- It is always a good idea to have cash on you in Munich, and Oktoberfest is no exception. Most tents accept debit cards, but some are still cash only. Credit card usage is also limited.
- You’ll find ATMs at the entrances to the festival grounds.
- Large bags are not permitted in the festival grounds. Bags can have a maximum volume of three litres and can’t be larger than 20x15x10 centimetres. You’ll find left-luggage offices at several entrances. The fee is 5 euros.
- Anyone who has lost their friends can head to the ‘Safe Space’. This also applies to people who feel threatened or in danger.
- Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc are not permitted on the festival grounds.
What to do and where to stay in Munich
When you’re not drinking beer (although there are plenty more places to do so outside of Oktoberfest), make some time to explore the city’s excellent museums, restaurants and bars. We keep our things to do in Munich guide up-to-date thanks to clued-up locals – and for somewhere to sleep it all off, check out our lists of Munich’s best hotels and Airbnbs.
Did you see that there’s a new ‘beer train’ taking travellers to Oktoberfest this year?
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