Oktoberfest in Munich: when it takes place, prices, traditions and how to get there

Once a year, Munich turns into the largest beer stage on the planet: more than six million guests, almost forty tents on Theresienwiese and an atmosphere that cannot be recreated anywhere else in the world. Oktoberfest is not just a reason to drink a one-liter mug of beer, but a true Bavarian tradition with a two-hundred-year history, its own etiquette and even officially approved prices for drinks. In this article — everything worth knowing before your trip in 2026: when the festival takes place, how much it costs to visit and how to get to Munich from Ukraine by KLR bus.

What Is Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is the largest folk beer festival in the world, held annually in Munich and attracting guests from all corners of the planet. Formally, it is not even purely a beer event, but a large-scale Bavarian folk celebration: in addition to beer tents, there are amusement rides, stages with orchestras, fair rows with food and souvenirs. That is why locals often call the festival simply "Wiesn" — after the name of the Theresienwiese meadow where it takes place.

The Oktoberfest beer festival is also unique because the drinks here are brewed exclusively by six Munich breweries according to a special recipe — the so-called Festbier, stronger and richer than regular lager. The Oktoberfest beer celebration has long gone beyond Germany: similar events are held in dozens of countries around the world, but the authentic atmosphere can be felt only on Theresienwiese.

Expert tip: if you are going for the first time, plan at least two full days for visiting Oktoberfest — one for the large tents with music, and the second for the fairground area and less touristy pavilions, where the atmosphere is often more authentic.

History of the Oktoberfest Festival

The history of Oktoberfest began on October 12, 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig, the future King Ludwig I, married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. On the occasion of the wedding, the townspeople were invited to a celebration on the meadow in front of the city gates, which was later named Theresienwiese — in honor of the bride. The highlight was horse racing, which the people of Munich liked so much that they decided to repeat it the following year.

This is how a tradition was born that has been held almost every year for more than two centuries — interruptions occurred only because of cholera, world wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 1818, the first carousels and swings appeared on the meadow; in 1896, simple beer stalls were replaced by the first large tents; and since 1950, the festival has been officially opened by the mayor of Munich with a hammer blow on the tap of a barrel. Why Oktoberfest is called that — the answer is simple: the first celebration took place in October, although later the dates were shifted to September for warmer weather.

Where Oktoberfest Takes Place

Oktoberfest in Munich traditionally takes place on Theresienwiese — a huge meadow in the center of the Bavarian capital, just a few minutes’ walk from the main railway station. This is where more than 30 large and small tents, amusement rides and fairground rows are set up every year. Oktoberfest address: Theresienwiese, 80336 München.

Although Oktoberfest in Germany is associated primarily with Munich, other cities also hold their own versions of the celebration — Stuttgart (Cannstatter Volksfest), Berlin or Hamburg. They are smaller in scale and often have more affordable prices, but the true spirit of the Bavarian festival can be felt specifically on Theresienwiese. If you plan to stay in the Bavarian capital longer, it is worth planning your route in advance — for example, tips on what to see and visit in Munich will help combine the festival with sightseeing of the city’s main landmarks.

Expert tip: the tents near the entrance from the station side, for example Schottenhamel or Löwenbräu, fill up first — if you want to avoid crowds, move deeper into the meadow, where the atmosphere is calmer, especially on weekdays.

When Oktoberfest Takes Place: Dates and Duration in 2026

In 2026, the 191st Oktoberfest will run from Saturday, September 19, to Sunday, October 4 — exactly 16 days. This is one of the main principles used every year to determine when Oktoberfest begins in Germany: the festival always starts on the Saturday after September 15 and ends on the first Sunday in October, and if that Sunday falls on October 1 or 2, it is extended until October 3, German Unity Day.

The official start of the festival is the O'zapft is! ritual: exactly at noon, the mayor of Munich opens the first barrel in the Schottenhamel tent, after which beer service begins in all large tents. Entry to the festival grounds is free and does not require tickets — you only pay for food, drinks and rides.

Tent opening hours:

• on opening day — from 9:00, beer service from 12:00;

• on weekdays — from 10:00 to 22:30;

• on weekends and public holidays — from 9:00 to 22:30;

• some tents (Käfer Wiesn-Schänke, Weinzelt) are open until 1:00.

The current event schedule, parades and tent opening hours should be checked on the official festival website oktoberfest.de — this is where the Munich city administration publishes all changes to the program.

How the Festival Takes Place: Traditions, Atmosphere, Clothing and Menu

The way Oktoberfest takes place in Munich is best felt from inside one of the large tents: hundreds of people at long wooden benches raise their mugs to a live orchestra, waitresses in dirndls carry eight to ten full mugs at the same time, and the hall unanimously picks up the chorus of "Ein Prosit". Oktoberfest traditions also include their own ceremonial order — the festival officially opens with a cannon salute and a procession of tent owners on horses harnessed to decorated beer wagons. Among the main events of the program:

The ceremonial parade of tent owners and breweries on opening day.

• The O'zapft is! ceremony in the Schottenhamel tent exactly at noon.

• The parade in national costumes on the first Sunday of the festival — up to 10 thousand participants.

• Family days, mostly on Tuesdays, with discounts on rides.

• A farewell evening with a fireworks display of sparks and sentimental songs by orchestras.

The clothing style for Oktoberfest is a separate topic. A dirndl for women and lederhosen for men are not mandatory, but they are exactly what create the atmosphere of the festival: without traditional clothing, you feel a little "out of the loop". A set can be rented or bought in Munich, with an approximate price starting from 60 euros for a simpler option.

The Oktoberfest menu goes far beyond beer: roasted chicken (Hendl), pork knuckle with a crispy crust, pretzel, white Bavarian sausages and apple strudel are classics worth trying separately in each tent, as the recipes differ. The features of Oktoberfest beer are that only Festbier from six Munich breweries is served (Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten) — stronger and richer than regular lager, with a higher alcohol content (5.8–6.3%).

Expert tip: if you did not manage to reserve a table in a large tent, come by opening time (from 9:00) and take a seat in the unreserved area — according to Munich law, each of the 14 large tents must have a significant share of free seats.

How Much It Costs to Visit Oktoberfest: Ticket Prices, Beer and Other Expenses

The main thing worth knowing about the cost of Oktoberfest is that entry to the festival grounds is free, and there are no separate "entry" tickets — you only pay for what you consume. There is no ticket price for Oktoberfest in the classic sense, but if you reserve a table in advance, you will have to pay for a minimum consumption voucher (usually 2 liters of beer and half a chicken per person).

The price of a mug of beer at Oktoberfest in 2026 has been officially approved by the Munich city administration and ranges from 14.80 to 15.90 euros for one Maß (liter). This is on average 2.4% more expensive than in 2025, when the range was 14.50–15.80 euros. The cheapest beer is traditionally poured in Augustiner-Festhalle, while the most expensive is served in Armbrustschützen-Festzelt, Bräurosl and Löwenbräu-Festzelt. Approximate prices at Oktoberfest 2026:

• mug of beer (1 l): €14.80–15.90;

• non-alcoholic drinks (water, lemonade, Spezi): €11–13 per liter;

• roasted chicken (Hendl): €17–25;

• pretzel: €5–6;

• fried sausage: €6–7;

• approximate daily budget per person (food, drinks, entertainment): €80–150.

How much beer costs at Oktoberfest depends not only on the tent, but also on whether you reserved a table: in the reserved area, you will have to purchase a voucher in advance, while in the free area you pay when placing your order. Keep cash with you — not all points of sale accept cards.

When planning the budget for the entire trip, it is worth taking into account both transport and accommodation in Munich, which becomes several times more expensive during the festival. Before departure, it is also useful to familiarize yourself with practical matters — for example, German laws that everyone planning to travel to Germany should know — this will protect you from fines and misunderstandings during the celebration.

Expert tip: book accommodation not directly in Munich, but in nearby Bavarian towns with direct rail connections — this can save 30-50% on accommodation during the festival.

How to Travel to Oktoberfest from Ukraine with KLR Bus

A trip to Oktoberfest does not require complicated logistics: KLR Bus offers direct and convenient bus routes from several Ukrainian cities to Munich and nearby German destinations. For example, Lviv – Munich, Kharkiv – Munich and Kyiv – Munich routes are available — choose the one on the website that starts closest to your city. How to get to Oktoberfest comfortably:

• Choose a convenient route and book your tickets in advance — in autumn, demand for travel to Bavaria increases significantly.

• Plan to arrive a day or two before the festival begins so that you have time to check in and rest after the journey.

• If desired, combine the trip with visits to nearby cities — after the festival, it is convenient to plan your return route through other German destinations.

• Keep your accommodation booking confirmation and a sufficient amount of cash with you for crossing the border.

How much a bus trip to Oktoberfest costs depends on the departure city and how early you book — tickets purchased in advance as part of the “Early Booking” service can be up to 50% more affordable. This travel format allows you not only to get to the festival without transfers, but also to rest calmly on the road, preparing for an eventful celebration.

If you want to stretch the impressions over several days, it is also worth considering other German destinations — an overview of German cities worth visiting will help you build a route around the main event of autumn.

Expert tip: buy bus tickets at least 3-4 weeks before the festival dates — during peak season, popular routes to Munich sell out quickly, especially for the festival weekends.

Interesting Facts About Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is much more than just a beer festival; it is a true phenomenon of Bavarian culture that turns Munich into the epicenter of global fun every autumn. This celebration with many years of history impresses with its scale and unique traditions that every traveler should know about. A few interesting facts that will help you better feel the atmosphere of this legendary event:

• Every year, Oktoberfest is visited by more than 6 million guests — more than the population of some European countries.

• Around 7 million liters of beer are consumed at the festival each year.

• The official Festbier is brewed only by six Munich breweries, and no other brand has the right to sell beer on Theresienwiese.

• The first Sunday of the festival has the unofficial name "Gay Sunday" — on that day, one of the largest community celebrations takes place in the Bräurosl tent.

• In 1980, a terrorist attack took place at Oktoberfest, after which the festival’s security system was radically strengthened — today it is one of the safest mass events in Europe.

• Waitresses who carry 8-10 full mugs at once represent a separate professional skill, and they are the true stars of the tents.

These and other Bavarian features are worth taking into account when preparing for the trip — you can read more about German traditions in a separate blog article.

Thus, Oktoberfest is a celebration worth seeing at least once in a lifetime: live orchestras, liter mugs of Festbier, aromatic roasted chicken and thousands of guests in dirndls and lederhosen create an atmosphere that cannot be conveyed through photographs. In 2026, the festival will take place from September 19 to October 4 on Theresienwiese in Munich, entry is free, and expenses depend mainly on your appetite and beer preferences.

The main thing is to plan the logistics in advance. With KLR Bus, the road to Munich becomes a pleasant part of the journey: direct routes from Ukrainian cities, comfortable modern buses and the opportunity to buy tickets online in just a few clicks. Book your route now — and in autumn 2026 you will raise your first Maß in the very heart of Bavaria!