FAQ for your trip to the Octoberfest

When will the Oktoberfest 2023 take place?

On Saturday, September 16th, the Schottenhamel tent is the place to be, if you want to catch the official opening ceremonies. At noon, the Mayor of Munich will have the honor of tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. Once the barrel has been tapped, all visitors will then be allowed to quench their thirst. It pays to arrive early in order to experience the festivities up close and personal and it’s quite common for visitors to come around 9 am to secure good seats. The festival will last until October 3rd.

What are the opening hours?

Beer Serving Hours

Opening day 12.00 noon – 10.30 pm

Weekdays 10.00 am – 10.30 pm

Saturday, Sunday & holiday 09.00 am – 10.30 pm

‘Käfers Wiesnschänke’ and ‘Weinzelt’ are open daily until 1.00 am

Opening hours of stalls

Opening day 9am – midnight

Monday – Friday 10 am – 11.30 pm

Saturday, Sunday and on holidays 9 am - 11.30 pm

Fairground attractions & sideshows

Opening day 12.00 noon – midnight

Sundays to Thursdays 9 am - 11.30 pm

Fridays, Saturdays as well as on the October 2nd (the eve before the public holiday) 9 am until midnight

End of Oktoberfest 2023

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023 11.30 pm

When is Oktoberfest scheduled for 2024?

2024: September 21 – October 6

Do I have to pay an entrance fee?

No, the entry to the area and all beer-tents is free.

How can I make a reservation for beer tents?

For making a reservation in a beer tent you have to contact the respective beer tent. Find the tents with their reservation info here! https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/beer-tents/reservations-at-oktoberfest

Can I enter the beer tents without a reservation?

Of course you can also enter the tents without any reservation. But please consider to come early, because the tents fill up very quickly! When the tents are overfilled, you can not enter anymore. On weekends the tents often close before 11 am. because of overfilling. During the week the tents are normally open until afternoon.

Why is Oktoberfest called “Oktoberfest” when it actually begins in September?

The historical background: the first Oktoberfest was held in the year 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended on October 17th with a horse race. In the following years, the celebrations were repeated and, later, the festival was prolonged and moved forward into September.

By moving the festivities up, it allowed for better weather conditions. Because the September nights were warmer, the visitors were able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and the stroll over “die Wiesen” or the fields much longer without feeling chilly. Historically, the last Oktoberfest weekend was in October and this tradition continues into present times.

Are children allowed to visit the beer tents?
  • The Oktoberfest regulations apply to stays on the Festwiese: children under the age of 6 - even when accompanied by adults - are not allowed in beer tents and catering establishments after 8 p.m., not even with a parent or guardian.
  • Children and young people under the age of 16 are only permitted to be present on the Festwiese (and therefore also in the beer tents) after 8 p.m. if accompanied by a parent or guardian. They are then allowed to stay until the end of the Wiesn.
  • Adolescents over 16 years of age may remain on the festival grounds until the end even without an adult, but in the tents (wine tent, Käfer) only until 24 o'clock
Is smoking allowed in the beer tents?

No. Since August 2010 there is a new no-smoking law in Bavaria which interdicts smoking in all kind of bars, pubs and restaurants including beer tents. Contravention is punished by not being served or from 2011 on also by a fine.

What is “Die Wiesn”?

The locals in Munich fondly refer to Oktoberfest as “die Wiesn” because of its location, Theresienwiese, which was named after Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

Is there a program of events to observe during this folk’s festival?

The main highlight of the Wiesn events and an important must-see is the Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen’s Parade. The parade happens every year on the first Wiesn Sunday.

Other important events are the Parade of Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, the Official Tapping of the Keg, the Oktoberfest Mass , “Böllerschießen” (handheld canon salute) in front of the Bavaria statue and – this year- an agricultural festival.

Here are all the information you want and need about the Obtoberfest
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