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 liters of beer in 14 large beer tents, 21 smaller tents, with fairground rides and food stalls that surround these tents. Oktoberfest has been held almost continuously since Crown Prince Ludwig's October 1810 wedding celebration which makes 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 including, Hofbräu, Paulaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Spaten, Löwenbräu and several smaller tent operators. The tents seat anywhere from 3,000 to 11,000 people. And all of them serve the same thing: Oktoberfest-specific Märzen or Festbier (5.8–6.3% ABV), served in one-liter Maß (pronounced "mass") steins by servers who can carry up to a dozen simultaneously. A Maß costs €14.80–€15.90.
The most popular tents get booked fast, so you must, must, must reserve seating months or even a year ahead. The Augustiner Festhalle, widely considered the best tent (traditional, no brass band, gravity-tapped wooden barrels from casks, no amplified music), is particularly popular. There is a walk-in standing room that is available in most tents outside of peak weekend afternoons on weekdays.
Getting Reserve Seats
The reserved tickets include a table for a specific time block and includes a food/drink voucher. They're sold through each brewery's official Oktoberfest website from around February/March for the following year. The demand far exceeds supply for weekend time slots. But, the weekday visits are easier to secure and offer a more 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). There are some quality rental shops in Munich city center that provide full outfits for €30–60 per day. Oktoberfest-edition Lederhosen are sold across the city but try to avoid the very cheap versions and buy mid-range if you plan to use them again. At the end of the day, wearing Tracht is entirely optional but appreciated by locals.
Practical Notes
- Getting there: Munich S-Bahn or U-Bahn lines U4 and U5 stop at Theresienwiese and this is a better option than trams. The site is a bit of a walk from the train.
- 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-liter quantities, in a socially pressured environment. Remember to 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 permanent exhibit at the Bavarian National Museum covering Oktoberfest history.