The 191st Oktoberfest Munich 2026 runs from Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, October 4, 2026 — 16 days of Bavarian tradition, beer, food, parades, and music at the Theresienwiese. Whether it's your first visit or your tenth, this guide covers everything you need to know for this year's edition: the full event schedule, what makes the 191st unique, how to navigate the tents, what to eat, what to wear, and how to plan around the crowds.
Quick Facts: The 191st Oktoberfest 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Edition | 191st Oktoberfest |
| Dates | Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, October 4, 2026 (16 days) |
| Location | Theresienwiese, Munich, Bavaria, Germany |
| Expected visitors | 6+ million |
| Big tents | 14 large tents + ~21 small tents |
| Official breweries | 6 Munich breweries (Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten) |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Maß price (estimated) | €15–€16 per 1-liter mug |
The History Behind Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest began on October 12, 1810, as a public celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Citizens were invited to a grand festival on the fields outside Munich's gates — a field later named Theresienwiese ("Therese's Meadow") in her honor.
The original celebration ended with a horse race. It was such a success that the city began repeating it every year, gradually adding agricultural fairs, food stalls, beer tents, and eventually carnival rides. By the late 19th century, the start date had shifted forward from mid-October to mid-September to take advantage of warmer weather — which is why most of "Oktober"fest actually happens in September.
Today, 216 years after that first horse race, the 191st edition continues the tradition on the same fairground.
The Full 2026 Event Schedule
Here are the major dates, parades, and ceremonies for Oktoberfest 2026. All confirmed times come from the official Oktoberfest.de events calendar:
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Sept 19 | 10:35 AM | Opening Parade — Arrival of the Oktoberfest landlords and breweries. Horse-drawn beer wagons from Josephspitalstraße to Theresienwiese. |
| Saturday, Sept 19 | 12:00 PM | Ceremonial Tapping — Munich's Lord Mayor taps the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent and shouts "O'zapft is!" Beer officially flows across all tents. |
| Sunday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM | Traditional Costume and Riflemen's Parade — 10,000+ participants in Trachten from across Bavaria, marching from Max II monument to Theresienwiese. |
| Sunday, Sept 20 | All day | Gay Sunday — LGBTQ+ celebration centered around Bräurosl tent and Fischer-Vroni. |
| Tuesday, Sept 22 | Until 7 PM | Family Day #1 — Discounted rides and attractions. |
| Thursday, Sept 24 | Morning | Oktoberfest Church Service at Hippodrom tent grounds. |
| Saturday–Sunday, Sept 26–27 | All weekend | Italian Weekend — Traditionally the busiest weekend, centered around Löwenbräu tent. |
| Sunday, Sept 27 | 11:00 AM | Concert of the Tent Bands — Brass bands from all tents perform together beneath the Bavaria statue. |
| Tuesday, Sept 29 | Until 7 PM | Family Day #2 — Second discounted day for families. |
| Saturday, Oct 3 | All day | German Unity Day — Public holiday, one of the most crowded days. |
| Sunday, Oct 4 | 12:00 PM | Closing Ceremony — Traditional gun salute beneath the Bavaria statue. |
| Sunday, Oct 4 | 11:30 PM | Festival ends. |
What Makes the 191st Oktoberfest Unique
Every edition has small shifts worth noting. For 2026:
- Winzerer Fähndl (Paulaner) transitions to a new host — a major change for one of the festival's most popular tents.
- Maß prices push past €15 across all major tents — the official 2026 prices will be announced by Munich authorities in June 2026.
- New official festival poster — the 2026 design introduces a modernist visual identity for the 191st edition.
- Oide Wiesn returns — the traditional "Old Wiesn" section with historic rides, calmer tents, and lower entry fees.
Planning Your 2026 Visit
When to Go
- Best for first-timers: Tuesday–Thursday, any week. Tents are easier to enter, seats are plentiful, and the atmosphere is more relaxed.
- Best for parades: Saturday, Sept 19 (opening) and Sunday, Sept 20 (costume parade).
- Avoid if possible: Opening Saturday afternoon, Friday nights, all Saturdays, Italian Weekend (Sept 26–27), and October 3.
- Best for families: Sept 22 or Sept 29 (Family Days), or any weekday morning before 2 PM.
Getting There
Do not drive — there is no parking near the grounds. Use Munich's public transport:
- U-Bahn U4/U5 to Theresienwiese station (main festival entrance)
- U-Bahn U3/U6 to Goetheplatz (southern entrance, less crowded)
- S-Bahn to Hackerbrücke (10-minute walk, best from Munich Airport via S1/S8)
- Walking — from Hauptbahnhof (Munich Central Station), it's about 10–15 minutes on foot
Entry, Security & Rules
- Entry is completely free — no tickets, no admission fees.
- Bags must be under 3 liters — no backpacks, no large purses. Security will turn you away.
- Large items get confiscated at the gate. Use a small crossbody bag or fanny pack.
- No outside alcohol, no weapons, no drones.
The 14 Big Beer Tents at Oktoberfest 2026
Each tent represents a Munich brewery and has its own character. These are the tents visitors mention most often:
| Tent | Brewery | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Schottenhamel-Festhalle | Spaten | Opening ceremony, young crowd, keg-tapping |
| Hacker-Festzelt | Hacker-Pschorr | Painted sky ceiling, "Heaven of the Bavarians" |
| Augustiner-Festhalle | Augustiner | Locals' favorite, beer from wooden barrels |
| Hofbräu-Festzelt | Hofbräu | Most international, English-speaking staff |
| Löwenbräu-Festzelt | Löwenbräu | Iconic roaring lion statue, Italian Weekend hub |
| Paulaner Festzelt (Winzerer Fähndl) | Paulaner | New host in 2026, large family-friendly tent |
| Bräurosl | Hacker-Pschorr | Gay Sunday celebration |
| Fischer-Vroni | Augustiner | Grilled fish (Steckerlfisch), LGBTQ-friendly |
| Armbrustschützenzelt | Paulaner | Crossbow shooting competitions |
| Marstall-Festzelt | Spaten | Equestrian-themed, elegant interior |
| Ochsenbraterei | Spaten | Roasted ox specialty |
| Schützen-Festhalle | Löwenbräu | Smaller, cozy traditional atmosphere |
| Käfer Wiesn-Schänke | Paulaner | Upscale, celebrity spot, open until 1 AM |
| Weinzelt | — | Wine tent (not beer), open until 1 AM |
Table Reservations: What to Know
- Reservations cover entire tables of 8–10 people. You cannot reserve single seats.
- Reservations themselves are free, but require prepaid vouchers for food and beer — typically €400–€600 per table.
- Minimum consumption is usually 2 Maß of beer and half a chicken per person.
- Munich law requires 25% of indoor seats to stay unreserved on weekdays, and 35–50% on weekends before 3 PM.
- Book directly through each tent's official website — never through third-party resellers.
- Reservation windows: individual tents open bookings between December 2025 and March 2026. Evening and weekend slots fill first.
If you're a solo visitor or a couple, skip the reservation and walk in before 10 AM on weekdays. You will find seats. Reservations mainly help groups of 6+ on Friday or Saturday evenings.
Oktoberfest Food: What You Must Try
| Dish | What It Is | Approximate Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hendl | Roasted half-chicken, crispy and seasoned — the most popular tent meal | €14–€18 |
| Schweinshaxe | Roasted pork knuckle with crackling skin, usually served with dumplings and sauerkraut | €18–€24 |
| Weisswurst | Mild white veal sausage, served before noon only, with sweet mustard and pretzel | €8–€12 |
| Bratwurst | Grilled pork sausage, served in a roll or with sauerkraut | €7–€10 |
| Brezn (Pretzel) | Giant soft Bavarian pretzel, often the size of a dinner plate | €5–€8 |
| Obatzda | Bavarian cheese spread (camembert, butter, paprika) served with radishes and bread | €8–€12 |
| Steckerlfisch | Whole grilled fish on a stick, typically trout or mackerel (specialty of Fischer-Vroni) | €14–€18 |
| Kaiserschmarrn | Shredded sweet pancake with powdered sugar and apple or plum compote | €10–€14 |
| Dampfnudel | Steamed sweet dumpling with vanilla sauce — traditional dessert | €8–€12 |
Pro tip: food stalls outside the tents offer the same classics at roughly half the price. Inside the tents, you pay tent markup and service.
What to Wear: Traditional Bavarian Attire
Wearing traditional Trachten isn't required, but close to half of visitors now do — and you'll feel out of place in jeans and a T-shirt. Real Lederhosen or a real Dirndl beats any costume-store version.
For Men
- Authentic Lederhosen — short (Kurze) or knee-length (Kniebundhosen) leather breeches, usually goat suede, cowhide, or deerskin
- A checkered or plain white Trachtenhemd shirt (blue, red, or green check most common)
- Embroidered suspenders with a chest plate
- Knee-high Trachten socks or Loferl (calf warmers with separate ankle socks)
- Haferl shoes — the traditional Bavarian leather shoe with a side lace
- Optional: felt Alpine hat with feather, Gamsbart, or Charivari pocket chain
For Women
- A Dirndl in mini, midi, or maxi length (midi is most common and flattering)
- A Dirndlbluse — white blouse worn under the bodice
- An apron — the bow position signals relationship status:
- Left bow — single and open
- Right bow — taken, married, or engaged
- Center (front) bow — traditionally worn by virgins or young girls
- Back bow — worn by widows or by waitresses working in the tent
- Comfortable flats or ankle boots (no heels — you'll be walking and standing for hours)
- Optional: Edelweiss jewelry, a shawl for cool evenings, a floral hair piece
For a complete look, the Outfit Studio lets you combine Lederhosen or Dirndl with matching shirts, shoes, socks, and accessories. Women can also browse the full women's Oktoberfest collection for Dirndls in every length and style.
Beyond the Beer Tents
The Theresienwiese is much more than tents. Don't miss:
- Carnival rides — giant Ferris wheel (best views at sunset), roller coasters, carousels, haunted houses, and classic fairground games
- Oide Wiesn — the "Old Wiesn" section preserves the pre-1950s character with traditional rides, a museum tent, folk music, and lower entry fees (€3). Calmer, family-friendly.
- The Parades — the opening parade (Sept 19, 10:35 AM) and costume parade (Sept 20, 10 AM) are worth attending even if you don't drink
- Concert of Tent Bands — Sept 27 at 11 AM, a free outdoor performance under the Bavaria statue with brass bands from every tent
- Bavaria Statue — 19th-century bronze colossus overlooking the grounds, climbable for €3 with city views
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Arriving opening Saturday afternoon — the worst crowd-to-access ratio of the entire festival.
- Trying to visit every tent. Pick 2–3. Attempting more leads to exhaustion by 4 PM.
- Paying for "Oktoberfest tickets" — there are none. Entry is free. Any site selling admission tickets is a scam.
- Forgetting cash. Food stalls and many souvenir stands are cash only. Bring €100–€200 per day.
- Wearing costume-store Lederhosen. Bavarians consider printed "lederhosen" t-shirts or synthetic costumes disrespectful.
- Trying to steal a Maß mug. Security catches hundreds every year. Buy a legitimate one from the souvenir shops.
- Missing the U-Bahn last train. Trains run until about 1:30 AM weekdays, 2:30 AM weekends. Know your return schedule before the first Maß.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 191st Oktoberfest?
The 191st Oktoberfest runs from Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, October 4, 2026 — 16 days at the Theresienwiese in Munich.
Why is it called the 191st if Oktoberfest started in 1810?
Not every year has had a festival. Oktoberfest was canceled during major wars (including both World Wars) and cholera epidemics. 2026 is the 191st actual edition held since 1810.
What time does the first keg get tapped?
12:00 PM (noon) on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in the Schottenhamel tent. Munich's Lord Mayor taps the first keg and shouts "O'zapft is!" — beer service then begins across all tents.
Do I need a ticket to enter Oktoberfest?
No. Entry to the festival grounds and all beer tents is completely free. Anyone selling "Oktoberfest tickets" is running a scam.
What's different about the 191st Oktoberfest in 2026?
Winzerer Fähndl (Paulaner) gets a new host for the first time in decades, Maß prices are projected above €15 at every major tent, and a new modernist official poster introduces the 2026 visual identity.
Can I visit Oktoberfest without drinking beer?
Yes. The rides, parades, Oide Wiesn, food stalls, and the Concert of Tent Bands (Sept 27) are all full experiences without beer. Many tents also serve non-alcoholic options, coffee, and wine.
Is Oktoberfest 2026 family-friendly?
Yes, especially on Family Days (Sept 22 and Sept 29) with discounted rides, and in daytime hours inside Paulaner Festzelt and the Oide Wiesn section.
What's Italian Weekend?
The second weekend (Sept 26–27) is unofficially known as Italian Weekend because tens of thousands of Italian visitors travel to Munich for Oktoberfest that weekend. The Löwenbräu tent is the main hub. Expect heavy crowds and loud celebrations.
Final Thoughts
The 191st Oktoberfest is another chapter in a 216-year tradition. Plan early, dress the part, pace your drinking, and give yourself time to see the parades and the Oide Wiesn — not just the tents. Even if you're only in Munich for three days, following the schedule above will get you into the heart of the festival without the common first-timer mistakes.
For a deeper look at hotels, transport, and all the planning details, read our Complete Guide to Oktoberfest Munich 2026.
