The world's largest folk festival returns to Bavaria from Saturday, 18 September to Sunday, 3 October 2027, and Oktoberfest 2027 on Munich's Theresienwiese fairgrounds rewards a little planning. Entry is free, so there are no Oktoberfest 2027 tickets to buy: you only reserve a table.
For over two centuries, millions of visitors have come to clink one-liter steins (Maßkrug). They sing along with the brass bands and feast on roast chicken.
Planning a trip to Munich during Oktoberfest isn't something you can leave until the last minute, because hotel rooms near the central station (Hauptbahnhof) cost a fortune and tent tables book out months ahead. Here's how to do it.
Key dates and schedule for Oktoberfest 2027
The 192nd Oktoberfest follows the usual calendar. It opens on the third Saturday of September and runs 16 days, to 3 October.
- Saturday, 18 September 2027 (Opening Day): At 10:45 AM, the festive grand entry of tent owners and breweries (Einzug der Festwirte) winds through central Munich. At precisely 12:00 PM, Munich's Lord Mayor taps the first wooden beer barrel inside the Schottenhamel tent with the traditional cry "O'zapft is!" ("It is tapped!"). Only then does beer service start in every tent.
- Sunday, 19 September 2027: The traditional Trachten costume and riflemen's parade (Trachten- und Schützenzug) showcases over 9,000 marchers wearing regional folk dress through the city center.
- Tuesday, 21 September & Tuesday, 28 September 2027: Official Family Days, featuring discounted rides and carnival snack prices from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Sunday, 26 September 2027: The open-air brass concert at the foot of the bronze Bavaria statue, bringing together 300 brass musicians from every festival band.
- Sunday, 3 October 2027 (German Unity Day & Closing Night): The emotional closing ceremony, with sparklers lit across darkened tents as thousands sing the Bavarian anthem.
Exploring the 14 large beer tents
Each big tent on the Theresienwiese holds 5,000 to 10,000 guests and pours beer from just one of Munich's six historic breweries: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. Each tent delivers a distinct personality:
1. Schottenhamel
The most historically significant tent where the opening tap occurs. It attracts a young, energetic crowd of local university students and sports clubs. The benches are arranged so guests face each other closely, fostering lively group conversation.
2. Hofbräu-Festzelt
The largest tent on the grounds and the global epicentre for international tourists. It features a standing-room-only area (Stehbereich) directly in front of the bandstand where thousands of international backpackers sing along to classic rock hits.
3. Hacker-Festzelt
Celebrated for its ceiling painted like a blue Bavarian sky with fluffy white clouds ("Himmel der Bayern"). It features a rotating bandstand in the center and is widely considered one of the most cheerful and musically diverse halls.
4. Augustiner-Festhalle
Known as the local favorite. Augustiner is the only brewery that still serves its Oktoberfest Märzen beer exclusively from traditional 200-liter wooden barrels (Hirschen) rather than modern steel tanks, producing a noticeably smooth, naturally carbonated pint.
5. Ochsenbraterei
Famous for roasting whole oxen on massive mechanical spits above open charcoal rotisseries. Each ox's name and weight are posted on a chalkboard above the kitchen. The tent has a relaxed, culinary-focused atmosphere popular with Bavarian families.
Comparing primary Oktoberfest beer tents
To help select which halls fit your personal travel style, here is how the top festival tents compare:
| Beer tent | Brewery served | Total capacity | Tent atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hofbräu-Festzelt | Hofbräu München | 9,992 | High-octane international party with central standing zone |
| Augustiner-Festhalle | Augustiner-Bräu | 8,500 | Authentic Bavarian local crowd, wooden keg service |
| Hacker-Festzelt | Hacker-Pschorr | 9,300 | Painted heaven ceiling, lively evening brass & rock |
| Schottenhamel | Spaten-Franziskaner | 10,000 | Site of the opening tap; youthful, fast-paced crowd |
Table reservation strategies versus unreserved seating
One of the biggest misconceptions about Oktoberfest is that you must have a pre-booked reservation to get into a tent. Entry to every beer tent on the Theresienwiese is free. City rules also make each tent keep many tables unreserved.
The reservation system
Reservations are handled directly by each individual tent's management office, not through a central city agency. Official reservation portals generally open between March and May each year via Oktoberfest Official Portal.
- Reservations are free, but you must buy food and drink vouchers in advance (Verzehrgutscheine), typically minimum two liters of beer and half a roast chicken per seat (about €40 to €55 per person).
- Tables are sold as complete units seating 8 to 10 persons. Solo travelers or couples cannot reserve individual seats online.
Scoring unreserved tables
If you don't have a reservation, you can still easily get seated. Thousands of festival visitors do this every day without issue. The secret comes down to timing your arrival.
On weekday mornings from Monday to Thursday, arrive by 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM. Tents are calm, families are eating lunch, and you'll easily find open benches in unreserved sections (Freie Plätze). You won't face intense lines at the door.
On Friday afternoons and weekends, you'll need to arrive by 7:30 or 8:00 AM. Lines form outside tent doors long before the 9:00 AM opening. Once doors open, walk calmly to the unreserved center aisle tables.
Here are the key ground rules:
- Table etiquette: Never sit at an occupied table without asking "Ist hier noch frei?" ("Is this seat free?"). If there's open bench space, locals will gladly make room. That's how friendships are made at the festival.
- Service rule: Servers won't take drink orders from guests who are standing in the aisles. You must have a seat at a table to be served beer, so don't leave your bench until your group is ready to depart.
Traditional attire: Dirndl and Lederhosen
Wearing traditional Bavarian clothing (Tracht) isn't mandatory, but over 80% of festival attendees dress up. Wearing genuine attire helps you feel part of the cultural tradition, and it's a fun experience.
- For men: Real leather trousers (Lederhosen) made from goat or deerskin, paired with a checkered or plain white linen shirt, wool knee-socks (Trachtenstrümpfe), and sturdy leather shoes (Haferlschuhe). Avoid cheap plastic or polyester costume sets sold at train station kiosks.
- For women: A traditional Bavarian Dirndl consists of a fitted bodice, full skirt reaching at or below the knees, white blouse, and apron. The position of the apron bow carries social meaning: tied on the left indicates single; tied on the right indicates married or in a relationship; tied in the center indicates a virgin or young girl; tied in the back indicates a widow or waitress.
Tipping and payment etiquette inside the tents
Inside the beer tents, transactions are conducted predominantly in cash, although card readers have become more common in recent years. Tipping your designated server (Bedienung) is customary and ensures prompt refills:
- Beer Maß cost: As of October 2026, a one-liter Maß of Oktoberfest beer costs between €14.50 and €15.80.
- Standard tip: Round up your payment to the nearest euro or two. For example, if a Maß costs €15.20, hand the server €17.00 or €18.00 and say "Stimmt so" ("Keep the change").
- For a broader regional perspective on tipping customs across the continent, read our complete guide to tipping in Europe country by country.
Munich accommodation and transit advice
Hotel prices inside Munich multiply during Oktoberfest. To manage your budget, explore smart transit hubs:
- Within Munich: Neighborhoods along the U-Bahn lines U4 and U5 (Theresienwiese station) or S-Bahn lines (Hackerbrücke station) provide five-minute walking access to the grounds.
- Outer perimeter cities: Consider staying in Augsburg, Ingolstadt, or Freising. Modern regional trains connect Augsburg to Munich Central Station in just 30 minutes, and hotel rooms often cost less than half of central Munich rates.
- Visa formalities: International visitors from outside the European Union should verify Schengen entry regulations through the Federal Foreign Office and consult our complete Schengen visa application guide.
For more ideas across Germany, explore official tourism resources at German National Tourist Board.
Daily fan budget for Oktoberfest 2027
Oktoberfest is an indulgent holiday, so budgeting accurately prevents surprises:
- Beer: €15 to €16 per liter Maß (expect 2 to 3 steins per session).
- Bavarian meals: €15 to €24 for a half roast chicken (Wiesn-Hendl) with potato salad, or €22 to €30 for a crispy pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe).
- Giant pretzels: €6 to €8 for an enormous dough pretzel (Riesenbrezel) shared between friends.
- Carnival rides: €5 to €10 per ride on the giant Ferris wheel or historic toboggan.
You can organize your days between Munich beer halls and Alpine day trips using our interactive trip planner.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oktoberfest beer stronger than regular beer?
Yes. Official Oktoberfestbier is brewed specifically for the festival with an alcohol content between 5.8% and 6.3% ABV, significantly higher than typical American or European lagers. Drink water regularly between steins.
What is the Oide Wiesn?
The Oide Wiesn (Old Oktoberfest) is an enclosed historical section in the southern corner of the grounds. For a small €4 entrance fee, it offers traditional folk brass bands, historic 19th-century carnival rides, and a gentler, more nostalgic atmosphere away from heavy party crowds.
Can minors attend Oktoberfest?
Children of all ages are welcome on the grounds and in the tents during daytime hours. However, children under six must leave the large beer tents by 8:00 PM, even when accompanied by parents.
How do I get to the festival grounds from the airport?
Take the S-Bahn line S1 or S8 directly from Munich Airport to Hauptbahnhof (approx. 45 minutes). From there, you can walk 10 minutes south along Goethestrasse to the Theresienwiese entrance.
