The Oktoberfest, hosting six million guests annually, stands as the world's biggest public festival. It honors Bavarian traditions with tasty food, Munich beer, and numerous rides on the festival grounds and inside tents. Enjoy key events like the grand entry of Oktoberfest hosts, the beer tapping ceremony, or the traditional costume parade on the first Sunday.
Furthermore, people from around the globe gather to celebrate in 17 large and 21 small festival tents.
Oktoberfest Germany Highlights
|
Event Name |
Oktoberfest |
|
Edition |
189th |
|
Location |
Theresienwiese, Munich |
|
Dates |
September 21 to October 6, 2024 |
Beer Opening Time at the Oktoberfest Germany
|
Day |
Opening Time |
Closing Time |
|
First Saturday |
9 a.m. |
11:30 p.m. |
|
Monday to Friday |
10 a.m. |
11:30 p.m. |
|
Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holiday (Oct 3rd) |
9 a.m. |
11:30 p.m. |
|
Big Tents |
9 a.m. |
Last beer and music - 10:30 p.m. |
|
Small Tents |
9 a.m. |
Last beer and music - 11 p.m. |
|
Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Kuffler’s Weinzelt (wine tent) |
9 a.m. |
Open till 1 am, last call at 12:30 am |
Stalls Opening Time at Oktoberfest Germany
|
Day |
Opening Time |
Closing Time |
|
First Saturday |
9 a.m. |
Midnight |
|
Monday to Thursday (except Oct 3rd) |
10 a.m. |
11:30 p.m. |
|
Fridays and Monday, Oct 2nd |
10 a.m. |
Midnight |
|
Saturdays |
9 a.m. |
Midnight |
|
Sundays and Oct 3rd holiday |
9 a.m. |
11:30 p.m. |
Rides Opening Time at Oktoberfest Germany
The Oktoberfest offers amusement with rides like the Ferris wheel, Toboggan, Hau den Lukas, or Teufelsrad. Here are the opening times for the attractions:
|
Day |
Opening Time |
Closing Time |
|
First Day |
Noon |
Midnight |
|
Mondays to Thursdays (except Oct 3rd) |
10 a.m. |
11:30 p.m. |
|
Fridays and Monday, Oct 2nd |
10 a.m. |
Midnight |
|
Saturdays |
9 a.m. |
Midnight |
|
Sundays and Oct 3rd holiday |
10 a.m. |
11:30 p.m |
Oktoberfest Germany Ticket Price
To secure a free seat in a popular beer tent at Oktoberfest, consider arriving early to beat the crowd and increase your chances.
|
Event/ Location |
Admission Fee |
Details |
|
Oktoberfest Entrance |
Free |
Entrance to the main Oktoberfest grounds. |
|
"Oide Wiesn" (Old Oktoberfest) |
€3 for Adults Free for Children under 14 |
Admission fee for a special area within Oktoberfest, providing a unique experience. |
How to Reserve your Seat at the Oktoberfest Germany
Most festival tents allow reservations for Oktoberfest 2024 until spring, typically in April or May. The festival hosts will share the reservation start date on their websites. It's important to note that making a reservation immediately after Oktoberfest is not possible.
Key Information
- People need to contact the respective tent operators to make reservations for Oktoberfest.
- Reserving seats or tables at Oktoberfest is free.
- Purchase a voucher for a specific amount of beverages and food (usually 2 liters of beer and 1 chicken).
- These vouchers are valid only for the current Oktoberfest and must be paid for in advance.
- Redeem the vouchers inside the tent during the festival.
Oktoberfest Germany Reservation Link
Oktoberfest Germany Family Days
On the two Tuesdays, Oktoberfest hosts official family days until 7 p.m. During these days, tents provide reduced prices and special menu deals for children and families. Additionally, many rides and stalls offer discounted prices – watch for signs labeled "Familientag" or "Kindertag.”
Oktoberfest Germany Luggage fees
If you bring large luggage, you must use the baggage storage at entrances P1, P5, P8, and P10, and a fee will apply.
|
Type of Luggage |
Price (Euros) |
|
Small (up to 10 kg) |
5 |
|
Large (more than 10 kg) |
7 |
|
Baby Carriage |
3 |
Oktoberfest Germany Program Schedule
|
Event |
Date & Time |
Venue |
Details |
|
Grand Entry |
Saturday, 21st September 2024 |
Sonnenstraße-Schwanthalerstraße to Oktoberfest |
Official prelude to Oktoberfest opening with 1,000 participants, including tent landlords' families, brewery drays, decorated floats, and beer tent bands. Duration approximately 45 minutes. |
|
The Tapping |
Saturday, 21st September 2024 |
Schottenhamel-Festhalle |
Opening ceremony where the first beer barrel is tapped. Mayor's saluting shots signal the start. The first liter of beer goes to the Bavarian Prime Minister. |
|
Costume and Riflemen's Parade |
Sunday, 22nd September 2024 |
Max II. Memorial to Oktoberfest grounds |
World-famous procession showcasing customs of Bavaria, Franconia, Swabia, other German states, and neighboring European countries. Duration: 2 - 2 hours 30 minutes, about 9000 performers. |
|
Open-Air Oktoberfest Music |
Sunday, 29th September 2024 |
On the steps of the Bavaria statue |
Tradition of an open-air concert featuring all Oktoberfest bands (about 400 musicians). The mayor conducts a song during the performance. |
|
Firecracker Shooting at End |
Sunday, 6th October 2024 |
On the steps of the Bavaria statue |
Spectacular salute by around 60 individuals using granulated black powder. The event begins at 12 o'clock and includes visually exciting smoke effects. |
How to reach Oktoberfest Germany
To reach Oktoberfest, you can opt for several bus routes:
- MetroBus line 53 to Schwanthalerhöhe
- MetroBus line 58/68 to Georg-Hirth-Platz, Beethovenplatz, or Goetheplatz
- MetroBus line 62 to Hans-Fischer-Straße, Poccistraße, or Herzog-Ernst-Platz
- StadtBus line 134 to Schwanthalerhöhe
Alternatively, you can board the Straßenbahn, also known as the tram, in Munich:
- Tram lines 18/19/29 lead to Holzapfelstraße or Hermann-Lingg-Straße
- Tram lines 16/17 take you to Hackerbrücke, allowing a 10-minute walk to Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest Germany FAQ
Question: What public transportation stops are available around Theresienwiese?
Answer: Theresienwiese and Schwanthalerhöhe for U4/U5, Heimeranplatz for U4/U5 or S-Bahn S7/S20, Goetheplatz and Poccistraße for U3/U6, and Hackerbrücke for S-Bahn (Note: Hackerbrücke may close during high pedestrian traffic).
Question: Where can I park near Theresienwiese?
Answer: There are no parking spaces at Theresienwiese. Visitors from outside should use the P+R facilities.
Question: What are the regulations for bringing handbags to Oktoberfest?
Answer: Large luggage is not allowed; bags and backpacks must not exceed three liters in volume and should have dimensions no larger than 20 x 15 x 10 centimeters.