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The Main Event — Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest
2026

The world's biggest beer festival. 6 million visitors. 8 million litres of beer. Litre steins, live brass bands, roast chickens, and a vibe you won't find anywhere else on earth. This is why we built the trip around Munich.

19 Sep
Opening Day
4 Oct
Closing Day
6M+
Visitors/year
~€15
Per Mass stein

The Tents

There are 17 large tents and 21 smaller tents on the grounds. Each has its own character and associated brewery. Here are the main ones worth knowing about:

HB
Hofbräuzelt
The most internationally famous tent — run by the Hofbräuhaus. Loud, lively, packed with international visitors and Australians. Great atmosphere. Capacity ~10,000. Popular with tourists which means it's busy from early.
Hofbräu beerInternational crowd
AU
Augustiner-Festhalle
Considered by many locals to be the best tent. Augustiner is Munich's oldest brewery and the only one that still serves beer from wooden barrels (Mäzkrug barrels, not modern kegs). More traditional crowd. Book reservations through the Augustiner website.
Locals' favouriteWooden barrels
SC
Schottenhamel
The opening ceremony tent — the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg here at noon on day one with "O'zapft is!" (It's tapped!). Traditional atmosphere, younger crowd on weekdays.
Spaten beerOpening ceremony
WK
Wiesn-Käfer (Hippodrom)
One of the more upscale tents with a lively terrace bar. Popular with a slightly older, trendier crowd. Great for an afternoon drink in the sun on the terrace.
TrendyGood terrace

What to Know

TM
Timing
Tents open 10am on weekdays, 9am on weekends. Beer service typically starts 10am (9am Sat/Sun). Most tents are standing-room only by midday on weekends. Go early to secure a table, or use your reservation. Last beer is usually called around 10:30pm, tents close 11:30pm (1am on Fri/Sat).
DR
What to Wear
You don't have to wear traditional costume but you'll feel underdressed if you don't. Lederhosen for blokes (leather shorts + suspenders), Dirndl for women. You can buy or hire both in Munich. Lederhosen from about €80 new, hire from €30. Wearing traditional costume is a massive part of the fun.
Lederhosen recommended
BI
Beer & Food
Only the six Munich breweries are allowed to serve beer at Oktoberfest: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. Beer comes in 1-litre Mäss (steins) only — about €14–16 per stein. Food: half roast chicken (Hendl, ~€14), Schweinsbraten (roast pork), Brez'n (pretzels), sausages.
GE
Getting There
The Theresienwiese (Wiesn) is very central — about 1km from Hauptbahnhof (main station). Take the U-Bahn: U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese. Do NOT drive on festival days — no parking near the grounds and you'll be drinking. Ubers surge badly on busy nights; walk or catch the U-Bahn back.
U4/U5 Theresienwiese~15 min walk from Hbf
SA
Safety & Common Sense
Oktoberfest is generally very safe. Large police presence. Keep your wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag. Don't leave drinks unattended. Pace yourself — a Mass is a full litre of ~5.8% beer. Drink water. Eat food. The festival medical tent treats hundreds of people a day for dehydration and overconsumption.

Beyond the Beer Tents

Oktoberfest isn't just tents — the whole Theresienwiese is a fairground. Massive roller coasters, ghost trains, a giant Ferris wheel with views across Munich, carnival games, and food stalls selling everything from churros to roast oxen. The Bayern Tower (traditional swing ride) is iconic. Even if you skip the beer tents entirely, there's a full festival to explore.

Entry to the festival grounds is free — you only pay for beer, food, and rides.

Quick Facts
  • Dates 202619 Sep – 4 Oct
  • LocationTheresienwiese
  • EntryFree (grounds)
  • Beer cost~€14–16/Mass
  • Tent hours10am–11:30pm
  • Weekend hours9am–1am
  • TransportU4/U5 Theresienwiese
Packing List

Lederhosen or at minimum smart-casual clothes. Cash (some stalls don't take card). A portable phone charger. Comfortable shoes (you'll be standing for hours on concrete). Jacket for the evening — it gets cold after dark in late September.

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