Munich's two-week beer festival usually starts in late September and runs until early October. The first edition took place in 1810 and in over two centuries the beer festival has become one of Germany's best-known festivals. Sixteen large beer tents allow tens of thousands of people to party at the same time. Around six million visitors attend every year. Speciality beers and snacks are served in the tents by traditionally dressed waitresses and waiters.
Drinking beer and dancing to the music is not the only thing you can do at Munich's beer festival. Behind these beer tents is a large fairground full of attractions for all ages. There are games and competitions, as well as performances by German folk dancers. Take part in a game of arm wrestling or listen in admiration to the participants of yodelling contests. Parades with traditional costumes and festive decorations are also part of the festivities.
The exact dates when Munich's Oktoberfest is held vary from year to year. Often, the festival starts in the second half of September and ends two weeks later in the month of October. Different parts of Oktoberfest have different opening hours.
Find all information on festival dates, opening day and opening hours here
The big, regular Wiesn costs nothing to enter; anyone can wander the grounds without a ticket. You also do not need a reservation to enter a hall in most cases - except when the tents are closed due to overcrowding. That can happen on weekends from early afternoon onwards. There are often enough tables free for visitors who drop by spontaneously. Starting April or May, it is possible to reserve a table in one of the big tents.
Book your table for Oktoberfest here
The 'Oide Wiesn', the traditional Oktoberfest on the south side of the venue, is separate from the big Wiesn and costs just a few euros entry. Children up to 14 years old can enter for free. Admission to fairground rides in the Oide Wiesn is charged per ride.
Of course, you can travel to Munich purely for the Oktoberfest. Make your visit even more special with a visit to the Beer & Oktoberfest Museum or book a beer tour with a local beer expert. Visit the Hofbräuhaus and the Hofbräukeller to stay in the beer theme for a while longer. Of course, you can also seek out other sights in the city. Stroll between historic buildings along Marienplatz, visit the Deutsches Museum, one of the oldest and largest science and technology museums in the world, or admire the iconic Frauenkirche.
Travel comfortably and relaxed with friends to Munich's beer festivals. You will reach the centre of Munich directly with the night train. Prefer to travel during the day? It is possible to travel during the day from Amsterdam Centraal, changing trains once, in 7.05 hours with Intercity Berlin or ICE International.
The lowest one-way price on day trains is € 38. With night trains, a seat costs from € 30 for a one-way trip. For all trains: the earlier you book, the lower the price!
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