Oktoberfest 2026: Everything You Need to Know

What Is Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest has been one of the key German festivals for over 200 years. Its history dates back to 1810, and since then, it has been an annual highlight of the city. It was first held at Theresienwiese to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The public loved the idea, and it quickly became an annual tradition.

Oktoberfest 2026 Dates

Traditionally, Oktoberfest takes place in Munich, Germany, starting in late September and ending on the first Sunday in October. The 191st edition of the festival runs from September 19 to October 4 on the Theresienwiese. You still have plenty of time to plan your trip to Munich and join the celebration.

As the festival approaches, the city begins to buzz with festive energy — tourists from around the world come to celebrate one of Europe’s most popular events. Entry is free, but you'll pay for food, drinks, rides, and other attractions. The only paid area is the “Oide Wiesn” (Old Oktoberfest), which charges a small admission fee (€4).

• When: September 19 – October 4
• Where: Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest 2026 Tents

The festival is best known for its beer and traditional Bavarian food. But there’s much more to explore during Oktoberfest 2026 in Munich. The main highlights are tents — there are 14 large tents, 21 small tents, and 3 tents at the Oide Wiesn. The tents feature indoor and outdoor seats, serve beer and food, and host the main celebration. There’s no need for a reservation, but bookings are possible for groups of 8–10 people.

Oktoberfest 2026 Events

The main events include:

• September 19: Oktoberfest kicks off with the Parade of the landlords and breweries. At noon, the Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first beer barrel, officially opening the festival.
• September 20: The costume and hunters’ parade takes over the city — costumes, music, and dancing set the festive mood.
• September 24: Visitors can attend the traditional church service in the Marstall tent.
• September 27: The Oktoberfest landlords’ concert brings together over 300 musicians — a great option to enjoy live music free of charge.
• October 4: The festival ends with the gun salutes near the Bavaria statue at 12 p.m.

Oktoberfest combines traditional Bavarian culture with modern attractions, offering endless food, lively music, thrilling rides, and unforgettable festive experiences.

Family-Friendly Areas and Attractions

In addition to the main events, Oktoberfest 2026 features over 80 rides for children and adults, with attractions for visitors of all ages. The historic Kettenflieger Kalb dates back to 1919 and remains one of the festival's most iconic attractions. Most rides range from €3.00 to €14.00. The best rides include Olympia Looping, Skyfall & Hangover Tower, Alpina-Bahn, Willenborg Ferris Wheel, The Toboggan, and Bayern Tower.

The Limogarten is a perfect place for families with babies and children who are looking for a calm stay. There are changing areas, children’s toilets, and a fountain with unlimited lemonade for €1. The Museumszelt offers a glimpse into the history and past of the festival, with options for children to take part in quizzes, get their make-up done, and enjoy balloon artists.

Best Day to Go to Oktoberfest

The best day to visit depends on what you’re looking for. In general, there are some tips to keep in mind:

• Weekdays are calmer and less crowded
• Saturday is one of the busiest days
• Sunday evenings tend to be less crowded
• Mornings are much quieter
• Tuesday is Family Day, offering discounts and special programs
• Choose event days if you'd like to experience traditional parades and ceremonies

If you are looking for bustling tents and prefer noisy parties, consider going on weekends — crowds, lots of food, music, and beer. If you want to get a more authentic experience, avoid long queues and enjoy a calmer atmosphere, we suggest going on a weekday.

Oktoberfest 2026 Beer Prices

“What is the Oktoberfest beer price in 2026?” is a popular question from those seeking to try German beer and join the traditional celebration. Beer prices are not set by the city — each tent sets its own rate. Oktoberfest 2026 beer prices range from €14.80 to €15.90 per liter, depending on the tent. Non-alcoholic drinks cost around €11.13 for water and €12.35 for lemonade.

Oktoberfest in Numbers

This major European event attracts millions of visitors and breaks records year after year. It’s fascinating to look at Oktoberfest in numbers:

• 6.5 million people visited the festival in 2025
• 6.5 million liters of beer were consumed in 2025
• 4,500 items were handled by the lost and found office in 2025
• 6% more food was sold in 2025 compared to 2024

These numbers confirm why Oktoberfest is considered the world’s largest folk festival. Most tourists come from the USA, the UK, Italy, Austria, Poland, and France, making up 21% of the total crowd.

How to Get to Oktoberfest 2026

Oktoberfest is hosted at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds in Munich. You can get there by multiple transport options, including buses, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and trams. You can reach Theresienwiese by:

• Underground: The U4 and U5 lines — Odeonsplatz, Karlsplatz/Stachus or Hauptbahnhof to Theresienwiese. The U3 and U6 lines — Odeonsplatz, Marienplatz, or Sendlinger Tor to Goetheplatz.
• S-Bahn: The main line (S1 to S8) runs to Hackerbrücke, followed by a 10-minute walk.
• Bus: MetroBus line 53 — Schwanthalerhöhe stop, line 58/68 — Georg-Hirth-Platz, Beethovenplatz or Goetheplatz, line 62 — Hans-Fischer-Straße, Poccistraße or Herzog-Ernst-Platz stop.
• Tram: Line 18/19/29 — Holzapfelstraße or Hermann-Lingg-Straße stop, lines 16/17 — Hackerbrücke, plus a 10-minute walk.

Travel to Oktoberfest 2026 with INFOBUS

Reaching Oktoberfest is easy — Munich has excellent public transport connections. Munich has global connections by flight, bus, or train. For international travelers, INFOBUS provides convenient routes to the city from trusted carriers across Europe.