How is the opening going?
The tents open on Saturday at nine o'clock. If you can't get a seat, you can look forward to the Oktoberfest hosts' arrival instead: from 10:35 a.m., the restaurateurs will parade through the city and onto the festival grounds with horse-drawn carriages and decorated wagons. At twelve o'clock there is the traditional tapping in the Schottenhamel festival tent: the mayor of Munich - for Dominik Krause (Greens) this is the first time this year - taps the first barrel. Then it says: “O’zapft is!” Of course, the first measure goes to the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU).
What are the opening times?
It starts at ten a.m. during the week and at nine a.m. on the weekends and on German Unity Day - then beer can be served. The music starts one hour after the tents open. The last mass in the large festival tents is at 10.30 p.m., then the music ends and it finally ends at 11.30 p.m. Exceptions are the Käfer-Wiesn-Schänke and Kufflers Weinzelt, where you can celebrate until one o'clock. Rides and stalls close at midnight at the latest.
What can I expect at the Oktoberfest?
Around 40 festival tents, as well as numerous stalls and stalls, but also more than 100 showmen and rides and almost 200 market merchants. The traditional costume and shooting parade also takes place on the first Sunday, and the Oktoberfest band concert in front of the Bavaria on the second Sunday.
Since when has Oktoberfest existed?
The festival first took place in 1810 on the occasion of the wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The event was celebrated with a big horse race on a meadow outside the city at the time. Because of its great success, the Bavarian Agricultural Association organized it again the following year. In 1872 it was brought forward to September - because of the (usually) better weather.
How do I get there?
The direct route is via the Theresienwiese subway stop (U5). However, it can get very crowded. There are numerous other stations around Theresienwiese that can be reached on foot in just a few minutes. The paths to the festival meadow are signposted. It is not possible to arrive directly by car as the streets around the festival meadow are closed to car traffic - it is better to use a park-and-ride car park on the outskirts of the city and take public transport to the Oktoberfest. There are also several taxi collection points around the site.
Does the Oktoberfest cost entry?
No, entry to the Oktoberfest and the festival tents is free. The exception is the Oide Wiesn, a small area on the southern part of the Theresienwiese. In addition to festival tents, there are historical rides and stalls here. The Oidn Wiesn is a little quieter and more traditional, which is why it is particularly popular with families. Entry costs four euros per person, children up to 14 years old don't have to pay anything. The entry fee is waived from 9 p.m. The rides in particular at the Oidn Wiesn are significantly cheaper at 1.50 euros per ride than on the rest of the festival grounds.
What can I take onto the premises?
Bags and backpacks may have a maximum volume of three liters and dimensions of no more than 20 by 15 by 10 centimeters. Glass bottles are not allowed to be brought along, nor are gas spray cans with harmful contents, cutting, thrusting or stabbing weapons. This also applies to traditional knives. There is also a ban on strollers from 6 p.m. on Saturdays and October 3rd.
What can you do with children?
There are numerous rides and attractions at the Oktoberfest for children and families - for example the flea circus or the Punch and Judy show. We recommend visiting during the week when there is a little less crowd. Tuesdays are family days at the Oktoberfest, and many shops and stalls offer special prices for children. At lunchtime there is also a discounted offer in many tents at the Mittagswiesen. There are also many child-friendly options and a changing room at the Familien-Platzl, and you can find another in the service center behind the Schottenhamel festival tent - there is also a breastfeeding room.
Do I have to wear traditional costume?
No. In fact, wearing traditional costume at Oktoberfest is a very modern trend. You can wear whatever you want. Flat shoes are recommended for celebrating on the beer bench, and robust materials are also advisable: if in doubt, you should expect a beer shower. If you would like to buy a dirndl or lederhosen, please do so from a traditional costume shop: some Bavarians find trousers with leather prints or dirndls made of cheap polyester fabrics an insult.
Where does the dirndl bow have to go?
Some women use their dirndl bow to indicate their relationship status. If the wearer ties it - from her perspective - on the front left, it means single, on the front right it means taken. Widows wear their bows in the middle of the back, as do waitresses. But: This is not an official or even obligatory custom. Regardless of their relationship status, women can wear their bow however they want - and when it comes to flirting, the rules of common decency also apply at the Oktoberfest.
What is the etiquette in the beer tent?
Dancing on the tables is not permitted - due to the risk of injury from the beer mugs left there. The last sip of beer, also known as “Noagerl” in Bavarian parlance, is usually left in the mug. Payment is usually not made at the end, but rather immediately after receipt of the respective order. In some tents, “exing”, i.e. drinking empty a beer mug without putting it down, leads to being thrown out. In general: Don't drink too quickly or too much. Get a good foundation and eat something!
Do I need a reservation?
Not necessarily. The Oktoberfest hosts are obliged to keep some of the tables free for guests without reservations. It is easy to find a place in smaller groups, especially during the week. But: When there are large numbers of visitors, the tents close their doors - this is often the case, especially on weekends or in the evenings. Then entry is only possible with reservation. If the weather is good, you can go to the beer gardens in the festival tents.
What do I have to pay attention to when making a reservation?
You can only purchase a table reservation directly from the Oktoberfest hosts, for example on their websites. Reservations are usually made for entire tables or groups of eight to ten people and either for lunch or for the evening. You cannot reserve individual seats. The reservation itself usually doesn't cost anything, but you have to buy consumption vouchers - usually two pints of beer and one chicken per person. The vouchers are valid throughout Oktoberfest and also for a few months afterwards in the festival hosts' restaurants. Shortly before the festival begins, there are likely to be only a few free tables left - but reservations are occasionally canceled. Beware of fraudsters: Existing reservations may only be passed on via the oktoberfest-booking.com portal. Anyone who purchases a reservation via other platforms risks not being admitted.
How much does the beer cost?
The prices for the beer this year are between 14.80 and 15.90 euros. Last year, depending on the tent, between 14.50 euros and 15.80 euros were due. It's a little cheaper without alcohol: water is available for around eleven, Spezi for just under 12.80 euros. There are also several free drinking water dispensers on the festival grounds.
It's already so expensive. Does there really have to be a tip?
In fact, even at these prices, a tip is customary, as it makes up a significant part of the Oktoberfest servers' salary. Since you pay as soon as you receive each order, you can bet that if you skimp on your tip, the waitress won't necessarily be kind to you the rest of the day.
Can I at least keep the mug?
No, the mug is not included - anyone who thinks they can pick up a souvenir is committing theft. According to the catalog of fines, there is a risk of a fine of up to 360 daily rates or even a prison sentence of up to one year - but only multiple offenders have to expect this. By the way: Wild peeing is also punished at the Oktoberfest - a fine of 100 euros is due, after all, there are numerous toilets available in the tents and on the grounds.
Can I pay by card?
Don't rely on it! According to the city, card payment is now possible at around half of the stands and rides. If in doubt, it is better to pay in cash and withdraw enough money in advance. If you run out of notes, there are several ATMs on the festival grounds.
Which tent should I go to?
By evening at the latest, the guests in all the large tents are standing on the benches listening to hits like “Sweet Caroline” or the “Fliegerlied”. The Hacker-Festzelt is popular with the younger party crowd, while the crowd at the Hofbräu is a little more international. The Marstall tent is considered a bit more dignified, while TSV 1860 fans like to celebrate in the Löwenbräu. In the Bräurosl, the gay community invites you to Gay Sunday on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest, and celebrities like to go to the Käfer Wiesn taverns. The Ochsenbraterei and Fischer-Vroni present themselves with a clear culinary focus. In the Augustiner Festhalle the beer is still tapped from wooden barrels, and the tent is also popular with families during the day.
What beer is there at the Oktoberfest?
Six Munich breweries – Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwen, Paulaner, Spaten and the Staatliches Hofbräu – brew Oktoberfest beer especially for the Oktoberfest. It must meet the purity law, the water must come from a deep well located within the Munich city limits, and the original gravity must be at least 13.6 percent. The alcohol content is around six percent. In each festival tent there is beer from only one brewery. Whether wheat beer, non-alcoholic drinks and shandy are on offer varies from tent to tent.
Can I smoke weed at Oktoberfest?
No, the consumption of cannabis is not allowed. Last year, the Bavarian state parliament decided to ban the drug at festivals and beer gardens. Smoking is also prohibited in the tents, but many hosts have introduced smoking areas on the balconies or in front of the tents.
Where can I continue celebrating after the Oktoberfest?
