Oktoberfest for First-Timers – Everything You Need to Know

Your first Oktoberfest is one of those days you never quite forget: the brass bands, the smell of roasted almonds, that first cold litre of beer raised in a hall full of strangers who feel like old friends by the end of the night. If you have never been, the sheer size of it can seem daunting. This guide covers what a first-timer actually needs to know: the dates, the tents, what to wear, the costs and how to get there. Sort those out in advance and you can just turn up and enjoy the day.

Key facts at a glance

• Dates: Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026 (16 days) on the Theresienwiese
• Opening hours: tents on weekdays from 10:00 to 23:30, at weekends and on public holidays from 9:00; last beer served around 22:30
• Tapping: first Saturday at 12:00 in the Schottenhamel tent
• Beer: served by the Maß (one litre); in 2025 a Maß cost between €14.50 and €15.80 (around €15.25 on average)
• Entry: free; you only pay for food, drinks and rides
• Getting there: from Munich Central Station it is a single stop on the U4/U5 to the Theresienwiese

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest, or the Wiesn as Munich locals call it after the Theresienwiese where it's held, is the largest folk festival anywhere. Munich has held it since 1810, and every autumn it draws around six million visitors from all over the world. Despite the name, most of it happens in September: sixteen days of beer tents, brass bands, fairground rides and Bavarian food in the middle of the city.

When is Oktoberfest 2026? Dates and the best days to go

Oktoberfest 2026 runs from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October. The festival always opens on the third Saturday in September and closes on the first Sunday in October. To dodge the biggest crowds, come on a weekday or in the morning. Evenings and weekends fill up fast, and tents sometimes close their doors once they're full. The opening weekend and the first Sunday, when the traditional costume and riflemen's parade winds through the city, are the busiest and liveliest days of the whole festival.

How to get to the Theresienwiese

By train: minutes from Munich Central Station

You are far better off leaving the car behind and taking public transport. The U4 and U5 stop right at the grounds at Theresienwiese station, though that is where the crowds are heaviest. For a calmer arrival, get off at Schwanthalerhöhe (U4/U5), or at Goetheplatz or Poccistraße (U3/U6), and walk the last ten minutes. From Munich Central Station it is a single stop on the U4/U5, or about a 15-minute walk over Bayerstraße and Hermann-Lingg-Straße. Trams 16/17, 18/19 and 20/21 run nearby too.

Getting around and why to skip the car

There are no visitor car parks at the Theresienwiese, and many of the surrounding streets are closed during the festival. If you do drive to Munich, use the park-and-ride sites on the edge of the city and switch to the U- or S-Bahn from there. When the trains are packed, walking is often the quicker and more pleasant option anyway.

The beer tents explained: which one to choose

Big party tents versus quieter family tents

There are 14 large tents and 21 smaller ones, plus three more large tents over on the Oide Wiesn, the traditional part of the fair. Each has its own character, so it pays to pick one before you go. The Augustiner-Festhalle is rustic and relaxed by day, and the Marstall is a good bet for families. If you prefer wine or sparkling wine to beer, head for the Weinzelt. For a livelier, party-until-late mood, the Hofbräu-Festzelt and the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke are the classics. Both the Käfer and the Weinzelt keep serving until 1:00, long after the others have closed.

Do you need a reservation? How it works

No. You don't need a reservation to get in, and entry is free. You can walk into any tent, which is easiest during the day and midweek. On busy evenings and at weekends, tents often close once they reach capacity, so arriving early is the safe bet. If you want a guaranteed table for the evening or for a larger group, reserve directly with the tent of your choice. Reservations are usually free, but they come with vouchers for food and drink that you pay for in advance.

What to wear: Dirndl, Lederhosen and the dos and don'ts

You don't have to dress up, but most people do, and it's half the fun. Traditional Bavarian dress (a Dirndl for women, Lederhosen for men) is warmly welcomed rather than expected. One thing worth knowing: on the Dirndl, the bow of the apron sends a signal. Tied on the left it means single, on the right it means taken. Go for comfortable shoes over heels, as you'll be on your feet and the ground can be uneven, and bring a jacket for the evening, when it turns chilly. If Tracht isn't for you, smart-casual clothes are perfectly fine.

What does Oktoberfest cost? Beer, food and budget tips

Entry is free, so your budget goes on food, drink and rides. Beer comes by the Maß, a full litre, which in 2025 cost between €14.50 and €15.80 (around €15.25 on average); the official 2026 prices come out in the summer, and a small rise is likely. A Spezi (cola and orange) came in at about €12.50 a litre and still water at roughly €11. Add a half-chicken, a pretzel or a grilled fish, plus the rides, and it soon adds up, so bring a card and some cash. Daytime visits and the family days on Tuesdays, with reduced ride prices until 7 pm, are gentler on the wallet.

First-timer etiquette and practical tips

A few unwritten rules make the day run more smoothly. You order beer only once you have a seat, and you round up for the servers as a tip. Wait for the first toast, a hearty "Prost!", before you drink, and clink glasses at the base of the Maß rather than the rim, so nothing shatters. Dancing on the benches is welcome; standing on the tables is not. Keep an eye on your belongings, agree a meeting point with your group in case a phone dies, and plan your way back before the evening really gets going.

Where to stay for Oktoberfest

To make the most of it, stay within easy reach of the grounds. The Hotel Europa sits right by Munich Central Station, just one stop on the U4/U5 from the Theresienwiese, so you're back in your room minutes after leaving the tent. Rooms across Munich book up early for the Wiesn, so it's worth looking at rooms and current offers well in advance.

Before you go

Oktoberfest 2026 runs from 19 September to 4 October: sixteen days of free entry, long evenings in the tents and a proper taste of Bavaria. Get the dates straight, pick your tent, dress the part and sort your journey in advance, and your first Wiesn will feel far less overwhelming, especially with a central base right by the station.

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