Name: Oktoberfest Munich 2026
Start: 2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-04T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Theresienwiese

Wiesn

About Wiesn

Munich's Oktoberfest – simply called "Wiesn" by locals – is the largest folk festival in the world and the quintessential symbol of Bavarian festival culture. Every year in late summer, the Theresienwiese in the heart of Bavaria's state capital transforms into a giant festival ground with large beer tents, historic food stalls, amusement rides, and showmen. Over six million visitors from all over the world flock to the festival for 16 days, which is opened with the traditional tapping of the first keg, "O'zapft is'!", by the Mayor of Munich. Six traditional Munich breweries serve their specially brewed Wiesn beer. Oktoberfest is much more than a beer festival: it is living tradition, pride in traditional costume, and a piece of Bavarian identity that originated from a royal wedding in 1810.

Dates 19 Sep — 04 Oct 2026

Venue München (09162)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Wiesn — edition 2026

The 191st Oktoberfest will take place from September 19 to October 4, 2026, on Munich's Theresienwiese. For 16 days, over six million guests will celebrate in the large festival tents of the six Munich breweries. The Wiesn opens on September 19 with the entry of the Wiesn landlords and the keg tapping at 12 p.m.; the traditional costume and riflemen's parade follows on September 20.

From September 19 to October 4, 2026, the Theresienwiese will transform for the 191st time into the world's largest folk festival. On the opening Saturday, September 19, the Wiesn landlords and breweries will parade onto the grounds with festively decorated wagons starting in the morning; at 12 p.m., the Mayor of Munich will officially open the festival with the traditional keg tapping, "O'zapft is'!", in the Schottenhamel tent. On the first Sunday, September 20, the grand traditional costume and riflemen's parade will move through Munich's city center to the Theresienwiese. For 16 days, around 17 large and 21 smaller festival tents, as well as over 100 rides and showmen, will attract visitors. The "Oide Wiesn" revives the historic Oktoberfest.

Highlights Wiesn 2026

191st edition of the world's largest folk festival
Entry of the Wiesn landlords and breweries on September 19
Keg tapping at 12 p.m. in the Schottenhamel tent
Grand traditional costume and riflemen's parade on September 20
Wiesn beer from the six traditional Munich breweries
"Oide Wiesn" and amusement park with over 100 rides

Programme Wiesn 2026

Opening Weekend

Saturday, September 19, 2026, morning — Entry of the Wiesn landlords and breweries
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 12:00 p.m. — Keg tapping "O'zapft is'!" in the Schottenhamel tent by the Mayor of Munich
Sunday, September 20, 2026 — Traditional costume and riflemen's parade through Munich's city center to the Theresienwiese

During the 16 Festival Days

Daily operation of the large and small festival tents with Wiesn beer from the six Munich breweries
Amusement park with over 100 rides and showmen
"Oide Wiesn" with historical rides and traditional folk music
Family day with reduced prices

The complete program, including concerts, the closing cannon salute, and tent opening hours, will be published on the official festival website.

Prices Wiesn 2026

Admission to the festival grounds is free. A Maß (liter) of Wiesn beer is expected to cost around 15 to 17 Euros in 2026, depending on the tent. Table reservations are free and can be made directly with the respective landlords, but often involve a minimum consumption.

Practical information

Practical information — Wiesn

Getting There

The Theresienwiese is centrally located in Munich and is best reached by public transport: Theresienwiese (U4/U5), Goetheplatz (U3/U6), and Schwanthalerhöhe (U4/U5) subway stations are located directly at the festival grounds. It is only a few minutes' walk from Munich Central Station. Due to the large crowds, traveling by car is strongly discouraged.

Admission

Admission to the festival grounds is free. The tents open on the first Saturday from 9 a.m., and on other days usually from 10 a.m.; beer is served until 10:30 p.m. on weekdays. For larger groups, early table reservation directly with the festival landlords is recommended.

Tip

The family day with reduced prices on rides is ideal for a visit with children. If you want a seat in a tent, you should come in the morning, as the tents fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

The world's largest folk festival

Munich's Oktoberfest is the most famous folk festival worldwide and a cultural flagship of the state of Bavaria. On the approximately 42-hectare Theresienwiese in the Bavarian state capital – in the Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt district – over six million guests from all over the world celebrate every year. Despite its international reputation, the "Wiesn" is deeply rooted in Munich's city life and, for many locals, the social highlight of the year.

Origin and History

The history of the festival dates back to 1810: on the occasion of the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, a horse race took place on the Theresienwiese, named after her. From this first celebration, the present-day Oktoberfest, with its large festival tents, the traditional costume and riflemen's parade, and the "Oide Wiesn", which nostalgically revives the historic folk festival, developed over more than two centuries.

The Festival Tents

The centerpiece of Oktoberfest are the approximately 17 large and 21 smaller festival tents. Only the stronger Wiesn beer from the six traditional Munich breweries Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten is served. Bavarian specialties such as Hendl (roast chicken), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Brezn (pretzels), and Ochsenbraten (roast ox) are served. Brass bands provide a festive atmosphere during the day and a lively one in the evening.

Tradition and Highlights

The festival begins on the opening Saturday with the entry of the Wiesn landlords and breweries and the ceremonial tapping of the first keg at 12 p.m. in the Schottenhamel tent: with the cry "O'zapft is'!", the Mayor of Munich releases the first barrel. On the first Sunday, the magnificent traditional costume and riflemen's parade takes place with several thousand participants in historical costumes, floats, and music bands, moving across Munich's city center to the Theresienwiese.

More than Beer Tents

In addition to the tents, there is a vast amusement park with over 100 rides, roller coasters, carousels, and showmen. On the "Oide Wiesn", visitors experience Oktoberfest in historical attire with nostalgic rides and traditional folk music. The family day with reduced prices also makes the festival attractive for families.

Bavarian Identity

Oktoberfest is an expression of lived Bavarian tradition: Dirndl and Lederhosen shape the image, with Gemütlichkeit (coziness) and sociability at the center. For visitors from all over the world, Munich's Wiesn is the gateway to Bavarian culture – and at the same time a unique major event that puts the state capital at the center of the world for a good two weeks.