Every year from the third Saturday of September through the first Sunday of October, six million people descend on Munich's Theresienwiese meadow to participate in the world's largest folk festival. They consume approximately 7 million litres of beer in 14 large beer tents, 21 smaller tents, and across the fairground rides and food stalls that surround them. Oktoberfest has been held almost continuously since Crown Prince Ludwig's October 1810 wedding celebration — making it one of the oldest and largest regular gatherings in human history.
The Beer Tents
Each of Munich's major breweries operates one large tent at Oktoberfest — Hofbräu, Paulaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Spaten, Löwenbräu — and several smaller tent operators round out the layout. Tents seat anywhere from 3,000 to 11,000 people. All serve the same thing: Oktoberfest-specific Märzen or Festbier (5.8–6.3% ABV), served in one-litre Maß (pronounced "mass") steins by waitresses who carry up to a dozen simultaneously. A Maß costs €13–14.50 in 2025.
The most popular tents book out reserve seating months or even a year ahead. Augustiner Festhalle, widely considered the best tent (traditional, no brass band, gravity-tapped wooden barrels from casks, no amplified music), is particularly sought-after. Walk-in standing room is available in most tents outside of peak weekend afternoons, particularly on weekdays.
Getting Reserve Seats
Reserve tickets include a table allocation for a specific time block and a food/drink voucher. They're sold through each brewery's official Oktoberfest website from around February/March for the following year. Demand far exceeds supply for weekend time slots. Weekday visits are significantly easier to secure and offer a more authentically local experience.
What to Wear
Wearing Tracht (traditional Bavarian costume) is encouraged and adds to the experience. Men wear Lederhosen (leather short or knee trousers); women wear Dirndl (dress with apron). Quality rental shops in Munich city centre provide full outfits for €30–60 per day. Oktoberfest-edition Lederhosen are sold across the city — avoid the very cheap versions and buy mid-range if you plan to use them again. Wearing Tracht is entirely optional but universally appreciated by locals.
Practical Notes
- Getting there: U-Bahn lines U4 and U5 stop at Theresienwiese — take these rather than trams. The site is 2km from Munich Hauptbahnhof on foot.
- Accommodation: Book 6–12 months ahead. Munich hotels triple or quadruple prices during Oktoberfest weeks.
- Food: Pairs perfectly with half a roast chicken (Hendl), giant pretzels (Brezn), grilled fish (Steckerlfisch), or a pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe).
- Pace yourself: Oktoberfest Märzen is stronger than regular beer, served in 1-litre quantities, in a socially pressured environment. Hydrate, eat before and during, and gauge your intake early in the day.
- Beyond the tents: The Oktoberfest fairground has traditional carnival rides, a beer history museum at the entrance, and a remarkable permanent exhibit at the Bavarian National Museum covering Oktoberfest history.