The 191st Oktoberfest will begin on the third Saturday of September, 2026 and end on the first Sunday of October, 2026. Oktoberfest 2026 preparations start as early as February. Beer tents are finalized, and the host families start the construction to welcome millions of guests. Make your Oktoberfest beer tent reservation 2026 as early as possible for a smooth experience.
When is Oktoberfest 2026?
Opening Day: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Closing Day: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Duration: 16 days
Location: Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany
Beer Tent Operating Hours
Large and small beer tents have specific times for opening, serving meals, and closing. You can confirm the exact timing from the officials but for an idea, Oktoberfest 2026 beer tents will follow this operating hours schedule:
Weekdays: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM (beer serving ends at 10:30 PM)
Weekends: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Opening Day: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Oktoberfest 2026 Events Schedule
Oktoberfest Munich will open up at around 11:00 AM, September 19th. The first event will be the official parade. Horse-drawn beer carriages will wind through Munich's streets, led by the Münchner Kindl mascot. At exactly 12:00 PM, the keg tapping ceremony will be held, led by the Munich mayor in the Schottenhamel tent with a loud "O'zapft is!" (It is tapped!). That’s when the beer serving will start in each tent.
Sunday, September 20th, will feature the grand Traditional Costume and Riflemen's Parade at 10:00 AM. Nearly 10,000 participants are expected to march in traditional Bavarian dress, accompanied by brass bands and folk dancers. The parade will start at the Max II monument and end at Theresienwiese.
The Oktoberfest Church Service will take place on September 24, followed by the Concert of Tent Bands on September 27. The festival will close with a traditional gun salute beneath the Bavaria statue at noon on October 4, 2026.
Beer Tent Reservations 2026
Entry to Oktoberfest and its beer tents is free. However, securing a seat during peak hours requires planning and booking. Reservations guarantee your spot, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings when tents close due to overcrowding.
How do Oktoberfest Reservations Work?
Oktoberfest tent reservations are available only for complete tables seating 8-10 people, depending on the tent. You cannot reserve individual seats. When booking, you must purchase vouchers covering minimum consumption, typically two liters of beer and half a chicken per person. A 10-person table requires €400-600 in prepaid vouchers.
Oktoberfest Tents Reservation Timeline
January 2026 – March 2026: Individual tents begin accepting reservation requests
January – April 2026: Best window for securing weekday lunch and some evening slots
May – June 2026: Most desirable times (evenings, weekends) typically sell out
24 hours before: Some tents release limited same-day reservations
You can reserve your seat directly through each tent's official website. Popular tents like Hofbräu and Hacker-Pschorr fill within days of opening reservations. Weekend evening slots often go to returning guests with established relationships.
Without a Reservation
Munich law requires large tents to maintain unreserved seating areas. On weekends and holidays, 40% of seats remain unreserved until 3:00 PM, dropping to 25% afterward. Arrive by 9:00 AM on weekends to secure a spot. Weekday mornings between 10:00 AM and noon offer the easiest entry.
Plan Oktoberfest Munich Trip Early
Oktoberfest 2026 preparations began as soon as Oktoberfest 2025 was closed. Plan your trip a year in advance to secure a spot in budget-friendly accommodations. Oktoberfest outfit stores also offer seasonal end-of-sale and discounts. This is the best time to shop for lederhosen and dirndl without paying too much.
Accommodation
Munich hotels book up to a year in advance during Oktoberfest. Properties near Theresienwiese demand premium rates, around €300-500 per night or more. The Ludwig-Vorstadt-Isarvorstadt district is within walking distance of the grounds. Hotels near Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) provide excellent U-Bahn access to the Theresienwiese station.
For budget travelers, hostels like Wombats City Hostel (15-minute walk to the festival) or accommodations in Augsburg, a 50-minute train ride from Munich are some of the good options.
Budget Expectations
Plan €80-150 per person daily for food, drinks, and entertainment. A one-liter Maß of beer costs approximately €15-16, depending on the tent. Official 2026 prices will be announced by Munich authorities in June 2026. Based on recent trends, expect a 3-5% increase from 2025 prices (€14.50-15.80 per liter).
What to Wear to Oktoberfest 2026?
Traditional Bavarian clothing is the official outfit for the festival. Women wear Dirndls (fitted bodice, blouse, and apron), while men wear Lederhosen with a traditional tracht shirt and vest. Online tracht stores like Lederhosens, which display genuine user reviews, are the best to shop from.
Oktoberfest Transportation
Theresienwiese sits southwest of Munich's old town. The U-Bahn station Theresienwiese (U4/U5 lines) takes you directly to the grounds. Munich Central Station is a 15-minute walk.
Best Times to Visit Oktoberfest
Visit Oktoberfest 2026 any time and any day, as the weather in Munich during September will be pleasant. In case you dislike crowds, visit the festival on weekdays.
Least crowded: Weekday mornings (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Most crowded: Opening weekend, closing night, Friday and Saturday evenings
Pro tip: The hour before beer service ends (9:30-10:30 PM) delivers the most intense celebration as crowds rush for last orders.