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The Hacker beer tent on the Theresienwiese

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Munich Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest（Wiesn） · Munich (Theresienwiese), Germany

Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0

The world's largest folk festival: giant beer tents on the Theresienwiese, Bavarian brass bands and a cry of 'O'zapft is!'

Know before you go

  • Don't bring large bags: only bags up to 3 litres and no bigger than 20×15×10 cm are allowed
  • don't walk off with the beer mugs
  • don't force your way into full tents in the evening — entrances may close temporarily

Stories & people

Stories & people

History

A festival that grew out of a royal wedding

On 12 October 1810 Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Celebrations were held on a meadow outside Munich, with a parade in regional costume — the first Oktoberfest; the venue was later named the 'Theresienwiese' after the princess.

Ludwig I1786–1868

Source: Wikipedia: Ludwig I of Bavaria; Wikipedia: Munich

Culture

Culture & customs

Background

Oktoberfest began with the celebrations of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese in 1810; its venue, the Theresienwiese, is named after the princess and nicknamed the 'Wiesn' by locals.

Local customs

  • At noon on opening day the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent and cries 'O'zapft is!' ('It's tapped!')
  • only then do the tents start serving beer
  • many locals wear traditional dress: Lederhosen for men, the Dirndl for women

Etiquette

Etiquette & taboos

Rules that apply here

Good mannersEveryday mannersGermany

Germany: most shops close on Sundays

  • Shop for food and essentials on Saturday
  • If you need to shop on Sunday, go to shops at railway stations, airports or petrol stations
  • Planning a shopping trip for Sunday

There is no penalty — you will just find everything closed. Sunday is protected as a day of rest by the constitution, and each state allows only a few 'open Sundays' a year.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Library of Congress law blog: Germany's shop opening laws

Don’t DON'T

  • Don't bring large bags: only bags up to 3 litres and no bigger than 20×15×10 cm are allowed
  • don't walk off with the beer mugs
  • don't force your way into full tents in the evening — entrances may close temporarily

Locals appreciate DO

  • Locals appreciate visitors who sing along with the band and look each other in the eye when clinking glasses
  • traditional dress earns you points but isn't required.

Plan your visit

Practical info

2027 datesSeptember 18 – October 3, 2027

Travel tips

  • In 2027 it runs from 18 September to 3 October
  • the grounds and tents are free to enter, while the 'Oide Wiesn' area charges admission (EUR 4 for adults in 2026, free for under-14s)
  • table reservations are handled by each tent and aren't required
  • the big tents stop serving at 22:30 and close at 23:30

2027 schedule

  • The keg is tapped in the Schottenhamel tent at noon on Saturday 18 September 2027
  • the festival closes on 3 October.

Photos

Photos

The Hacker beer tent on the Theresienwiese
The Hacker beer tent on the Theresienwiese
kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Marstall tent
The Marstall tent
User:Mattes · CC BY 3.0 de
Sources & verification notes

City of Munich official website: Oktoberfest

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