Every year, Munich transforms into a living postcard of Bavarian tradition, crisp autumn air, the irresistible aroma of roasted almonds, and vibrant crowds dressed in classic lederhosen and dirndls. All this is the result of Oktoberfest. This isn’t just any festival; it’s the world’s largest German beer festival that’s on the bucket list of every traveler who knows about it.

This Oktoberfest travel guide covers everything you need to know, from the dates for 2025 and essential Oktoberfest tips to what to wear and which tents to visit. We will even be answering the  If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing Oktoberfest in Germany, this is your chance to do it right.

Real Story Behind the Oktoberfest in Munich

One royal wedding. One epic party. And that’s how Oktoberfest was born. 

Back in 1810, Munich threw a massive celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese, and they ended the party in style with horse races, food, and festivities. The celebration lasted for a week, and the event was such a hit that the royals decided, “Let’s do this every year!” And just like that, the Munich beer festival came into existence.

Over the years, Oktoberfest in Munich has evolved from a local celebration to the world’s largest beer festival, drawing over 6 million people from around the globe. 

Originally, the fest was held in October. However, the organizers shifted it to September to take advantage of better weather. That’s why today, Oktoberfest runs from September 20 to October 5, giving visitors more sunny days to enjoy the outdoor beer gardens and carnival rides.

Do’s and Don’ts at Oktoberfest

Let’s discuss some of the do’s and don’ts that you should remember while attending Oktoberfest in Munich.

Do’s

• Bring cash because even though there are beer tents that accept online payments, most of Oktoberfest operates on a cash-only basis.
• Tip the waitresses and make them your friends. Your friendly behavior can get you insider tips, faster drinks, and even some stories.
• Try to wear the traditional Bavarian tracht at the Oktoberfest, or you might start feeling like you are missing out. 
• Get your hands on the famous Oktoberfest and familiarize yourself with it. It will help you vibe with the crowd a lot better.

Don’t’s

• Do not, at any cost, dance on the tables. Showing your hook steps on the benches is the vibe, but tables are strictly prohibited by the beer tents.
• Avoid bringing your own food to this German beer fest. Although it’s not banned or anything but, it is still heavily frowned upon. 
• Use the washrooms and try not to relieve yourself outside the toilets. It’s not only unhygienic but can also lead to hefty fines.
• Drones are not allowed in the area, so make sure that it doesn’t accidentally slide into your bag.

What All Should You Pack for Oktoberfest?

Now that you have fully made up your mind to attend the Oktoberfest, it’s time to know what you should be packing to make the most of your trip.

1. Personal Items

Traditional Bavarian dresses	Comfortable shoes	Light jacket or sweater	Breathable clothing
Warm tights or thermal leggings	Sunscreen	Aftersun

2. Hygiene Products

All your toiletries	Hand sanitizers	Face Wipes
Disposable washcloths	Disinfectant gel

3. Other Necessities

Water bottle	Charger	Charger
Cash	Passport / ID	Tickets

Cost Breakdown Box for Oktoberfest

The cost of Oktoberfest depends on various factors, including lodging, food, and travel expenses.

Transport to Munich (within Europe)

• BlaBlaCar: €30 – 50
• Flixbus: €20 – 100
• Flights: If you book in advance or go for budget airlines, then you can save money
• Trains: Comfortable but not the cheapest

Transport from Abroad

• You can also try to fly directly to Munich Airport or to other cities in Europe and connect via budget transport

Accommodation (per night estimates)

• Couchsurfing: Free
• Camping (Stoke Travel): €65 (includes meals and tent)
• Hostels: €50 – 300
• Airbnb/Sublets: €50 – 150
• Hotels: €200 – 500+

Festival Daily Expenses

• Reservations: No extra cost beyond a deposit (returned as vouchers)
• Oktoberfest Outfit: €60 – several hundred (depends on what kind of quality you want)
• Transport within Munich: €4.10 (single) or €18.70 (group day ticket for up to 5)
• Food: €12 – 20 per meal (budget €40/day if staying long)

Oktoberfest Vocabulary Cheatsheet

Although we know that you don’t need to learn German to attend Oktoberfest. However, learning a few key words can go a long way in helping you connect with others.

Use the word ‘Maß’ (liter of beer) instead of ‘Beer.’ It’s a simple way to blend in and avoid looking like a newbie.

Other popular words include:

Tents of Oktoberfest

Tent-hopping is one of the most exciting and lively experiences of Oktoberfest. With 35 tents in total, each beer tent offers its own spin on Bavarian hospitality, and it can be tough to know where to start. 

So, here’s a rundown of some of the best tents to visit at Oktoberfest in Munich, whether you’re a first-timer, a foodie, or a full-blown beer enthusiast:

Armbrustschützen-Festzelt	Augustiner-Festhalle	Bräurosl	Fischer-Vroni
Hacker-Festzelt	Hofbräuhaus Festival Tent	Käfer Wiesn-Schänke	Löwenbräu Festival Tent
Marstall	Ochsenbraterei	Paulaner Festival Tent	Schottenhamel Festival Hall
Schützen Festival Tent	Kuffler’s Wine Tent	Ammer	Familienplatzl
Feisinger’s Käs & Weinstub’n	Fisch-Bäda	Glöckle-Wirt	Goldener Hahn
Haxnbraterei	Heimer	Heinz Sausage and Chicken Roasting	Veal roastery
Münchner Knödelei	Münchner Stubn	PoschnerVinzenz Murr Metzgerstubn	Wildstuben
Wirtshaus im Schichtl	Zur Bratwurst	Oide Wiesn	Oide Wiesn
Musicians’ Tent	Museum Tent	Folk singers’ Tent

Fun Facts About Oktoberfest 

Here are some fun facts you should know about the beer tents in Oktoberfest:

1. Schottenhamel Festival Hall is the oldest beer tent in Oktoberfest.
2. Oktoberfest in Munich features 14 large and 21 small beer tents.
3. Hofbräu-Festzelt is supposed to be the most popular tent at Oktoberfest.
4. Kaffeehaferl Schiebl is the smallest tent of Oktoberfest.

Things to do at Oktoberfest/ Oktoberfest in 2025

Here’s your Oktoberfest itinerary for the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful things to do in Munich.

1. Tapping Ceremony

This ceremony marks the start of the beer festival. During this ceremony, Munich’s Mayor, Dieter Reiter, taps the first keg and shouts: “O’zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”). The goal is to tap the keg in as few mallet strikes as possible. Once the keg is tapped, only then can beer start flowing in the rest of the tents.

• Date: September 20, 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM
• Venue: Schottenhamel Festhalle

2. Parade of the Landlords and Breweries

The Parade of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries is one of the main events of Oktoberfest. This parade consists of festively decorated horse-drawn wagons, marching bands, and beer barrels rolling through the city as brewers and tent owners make their grand entrance to Theresienwiese.

• Date: September 20, 2025 
• Time: 10:35 AM
• Venue: Begins at Josephspitalstraße (behind Sendlinger Tor) and ends at Theresienwiese

3. Trachten- und Schützenzug

One of Oktoberfest’s most cherished traditions, the Trachten- und Schützenzug (Traditional Costume & Hunters’ Parade), takes over Munich on the first Sunday of the festival. Over 9,000 participants from Bavaria and across Europe take to the streets in historic dirndls, lederhosen, Biedermeier fashion, and even knights’ armor.

• Date: September 21, 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM
• Venue: From Maximilianstraße through Munich city center to Theresienwiese

4. Ecumenical Mass

Before the beer starts flowing and the music kicks off, Oktoberfest pauses for reflection with a heartfelt ecumenical church service in the Marstall Festzelt. Though originally held for festival workers, showmen, and market sellers, everyone is welcome to join this tradition of prayer and hope for a peaceful Wiesn.

The service has been going on at the German beer festival since 1956. The main goal of this service is to honor the lives of the members of the Oktoberfest community. It is held jointly by Catholic and Protestant clergy, and this gathering presents a perfect blend of solemnity with community spirit.

• Date: First Thursday of the Oktoberfest
• Time: 9:30 AM
• Venue: Marstall Festzelt

5. Wreath-laying ceremony

As part of the annual Oktoberfest program, the City of Munich holds a commemoration for the victims of the 1980 Oktoberfest bombing, one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Germany’s history.

On this day, Mayor Dieter Reiter leads a wreath-laying ceremony, joined by victims’ families, survivors, and officials, including the Federal Commissioner for Victims. The event honors the memory of 200 victims in the attack.

• Date: September 26, 2025
• Venue: Bavariaring 5

6. Landlords’ Concert

During the concert, around 300 musicians play famous and popular Bavarian songs. Alongside this, there are many guest appearances. This concert is enjoyed by people from all age groups, and the concert ends when thousands of colorful balloons are released into the air while the audience sings the Bavarian anthem.

• Date: September 28, 2025
• Time: 11:00 AM
• Venue: Steps of the Bavaria Statue

What to Wear During Oktoberfest?

If you’re heading to Oktoberfest, dressing the part adds to the fun, and it’s easier than you think. While there’s no official dress code, most people wear traditional Bavarian outfits: dirndls for women and lederhosen for men (and increasingly for women too). 

Not only do these outfits help you blend in with the crowd, but they also make for great photos and an even better experience. 

What to Eat at Oktoberfest?

Now let’s hop on and discuss some of the best food to eat at the Oktoberfest.

1. Non-veg Options

Hendl (Half-Roasted Chicken)	Roasted Ox	Weißwurst and Currywurst
Grilled Fish (Stecklerfisch)	Grilled Fish (Stecklerfisch)	Bratwurst (Grilled Sausage) with Sauerkraut

2. Vegetarian

Brezel (Pretzel)	Obatzda (Cheese Spread)	German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer)	Cheese Noodles (Käsespätzle)
Schmalznudeln (Bavarian Doughnuts)	Soy Steak with Melted Onions	Lebkuchen (German gingerbread)	Knödel and Rahmschwammerl (Dumpling with mushroom sauce)

3. Must-Have Quick Bites

Beer Cheese dip

Butter and Radishes with Salt

Pretzels and Mixed Nuts

Pickles and mustard

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Oktoberfest: A Festival Where Every Toast Tells a Story

Oktoberfest is a shared experience that no one should miss out on. It’s a living tradition, a sensory overload, and a warm reminder that sometimes, the best way to connect with people is across a shared bench, under a massive tent, over a frothy beer.

The best part is that you don’t need to speak German, wear perfect lederhosen, or know all the folk songs. Just bring your spirit of joy, an appetite for life, and a willingness to say “Prost!” to strangers because, at Oktoberfest, strangers quickly become friends. 

And remember that every toast isn’t just a cheer but a chance to share a story, create a memory, and celebrate the simple joy of togetherness.

Oktoberfest: A Glimpse into the Bavarian Way of Life FAQs

Can I avoid alcohol at Oktoberfest?

Yes, absolutely! At Oktoberfest, there are numerous alcohol-free options at every tent. From soft drinks and sparkling water to classics like Spezi (a cola-orange soda mix) and fruity juices. So even if you’re skipping the beer, you won’t go thirsty.

uy tickets to attend Oktoberfest?

Usually, you don’t have to buy tickets for Oktoberfest. However, this decision is also based on various factors like:
• Size of Your Group: If you are traveling solo or have a group of 2-3 people, then you can easily get seats at any beer tent. But if you have a bigger group of, let’s say, ten people, then you will need to reserve a table in advance. 
• When do You Want to Visit: If you want to attend the fest in the morning or on a weekday, then we are cool. However, if you want to experience the opening weekend or closing weekend of Oktoberfest or at night, then tickets become downright necessary.

Are the prices for beers the same at every tent?

No, they are not the same at every tent. However, the cost in 2025 for beer would range from around 14.50 euros to 15.80 euros.

Are there any vegetarian options at Oktoberfest?

Definitely! All the beer tents offer vegetarian dishes, and the selection keeps growing every year.

Is Oktoberfest family-friendly?

Absolutely,  in fact, Tuesdays at the Oktoberfest are “Family Days” with discounts on rides, food, and attractions. Between the carnival rides, live music, and lively atmosphere, there’s plenty for kids (and parents) to love.