The Munich Oktoberfest Guide 2023
The Oktoberfest starts in mid-September and closes on the first Sunday of October. The festivity of the fest continues for 15-18 days, and Munich turns into a Party City. You can see the people all over the city in a traditional Bavarian dress.
This year, the Oktoberfest starts from Sep 16, 2023, to Tue, Oct 3, 2023.
The Parade started in 1810 for the wedding celebration of King Ludwig I with Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, and since 1850 the Parade has taken place every year and later on turned into a huge festival. In this blog, you will find a Munich Oktoberfest Guide 2023.
In the beginning, the people within Bavaria participated in the festival. Later on, it gained popularity worldwide around 6 million people attend the festival every year.
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Where does Oktoberfest take place, and how to reach Oktoberfest?
The festival takes place on the big field near Munich City Centre in “Theresienwiese”. Walking from Munich Central Station is better because the U-Bahn is fully crowded. The nearest station to the festival is “Theresienwiese”.
How to dress up for the Festival:
The traditional Bavarian dress is called “Dirndl” for women, which is a ruffled apron dress with a blouse and skirt, and “Lederhosen” for Men, which is short or knee-length leather breeches or Kniebundhosen which is the longer leather breeches.
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There are various shops near Munich Centre and pedestrians between Karlsplatz and Marienplatz from where you can buy Dirndl and Lederhosen. The Dirndl with good quality costs around € 100 and Lederhosen costs around € 150. But you can also find cheap Dirndl and Lederhosen for € 50 on sale. You can also rent it for a day if you only visit Oktoberfest for one day.
You can also wear normal clothes, but of course, you are gonna feel missed out or miss a match in the crowd.
10 Best Tips for Oktoberfest:
1. When Oktoberfest starts:
Oktoberfest starts in September, not in October. Oktoberfest starts in Mid/late September and ends around the German Unity Day.
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2. How to reach Oktoberfest:
Normally, taxis are very expensive but you can easily commute using Public transport and take U4 or U5 which takes you directly to Theresienwiese U-Bahn station or S-bahn station Hackerbrücke and take a walk of 10 minutes.
3. Free Entrance of “Oktoberfest"
The entrance to Oktoberfest is free of charge. Be cautious of online scams attempting to sell fake entrance tickets. Only purchase tickets for specific events or rides within the festival if needed.
4. Oktoberfest tent reservations
If you want to secure a spot in one of the festival's popular beer tents, consider making a reservation in advance. Some tents offer reservations for specific time slots, so plan ahead.
5. Visit the Oktoberfest on weekdays
Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends. If you're looking for a more relaxed atmosphere and shorter lines, plan your visit during the early days of the week and early morning.
6. Oktoberfest tips on booking hotels
Munich's hotels fill up quickly during Oktoberfest, so book your accommodation well in advance. Staying near the festival grounds or close to public transportation is advisable.
7. What to carry to Oktoberfest
As you have to walk a lot, it's advisable to pack lightly and carry all the essentials like cash, Cards, ID, and your smartphone. The big back bags aren't allowed and there's storage available near all the entrances where you can keep your belongings. You are allowed to bring your Camera or other gadgets.
8. Best View of Oktoberfest
For the best panoramic view of the festival, head to the Ferris wheel or one of the giant swings. It's a great way to take in the lively atmosphere from above.
a. Bavaria Statue
You can find the best view of Oktoberfest from Bavaria Statue. The statue is located above and you can sit on the stairs and enjoy the view.
b. St. Paul Church
The St. Paul church is located near the U-Bahn station of Theresienwiese. You can get a panoramic view of the Wiesn from the top of the church.
c. Ferris Wheel
From the Ferris Wheel, you can enjoy the best panoramic view of the Wiesn.
9. Stay as close to the Wiesn
If possible, choose accommodation close to Theresienwiese (the festival grounds). This will make it easier to come and go from the festival, allowing you to take breaks when needed.
10. Best weekend to attend Oktoberfest
The opening weekend of Oktoberfest is usually the most crowded. If you prefer a more manageable crowd, consider visiting during the second or third weekend.
11. Wear the right shoes
Comfortable shoes are essential for navigating the festival grounds, which can get muddy, especially if it rains. Opt for closed-toe shoes that you don't mind getting dirty.
12. You don’t need Oktoberfest reservations
While reservations are recommended for larger groups or those with specific tent preferences, many tents have open seating areas. Arriving early can help you secure a spot, even without a reservation.
13. Download the official Oktoberfest app
The official Oktoberfest app provides information on events, maps, and real-time updates on tent capacities. It's a valuable tool for staying informed during your visit.
14. Oktoberfest tips about money
From this year, there's also a possibility to make a payment via card. But, it's advisable to bring cash, as a few food and drink vendors may not accept cards. There are also ATMs on the festival grounds, but they can have long lines, so it's best to have cash on hand.
Our Experience in Oktoberfest:
The festival starts every year with the traditional opening of the first beer barrel at 12 PM on opening day by the mayor of Munich and opens the Wiesn with a scream of “O’zapft is”.
People normally went crazy after the start of the Wiesn. The tents were fully crowded with people. We would prefer to visit the festival on weekdays rather than on opening or weekends.
We would say, It is better to plan 2-3 days maximum for the Wiesn otherwise, it would be too much.
Tents in Wiesn:
There are in total of 30 tents being placed in Oktoberfest among them, 15 tents are the massive ones with a capacity of 10,000 people, and also outdoor beer gardens. If you are in a big group, it's highly recommended to reserve your table in advance.
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The booking starts 6-9 months before the Wiesn. The cost for 10 people is € 300. You can reserve the table for lunch, afternoon, and evening slots.
The tents also keep some seats for the people on the day of the festival, but in that case, you need to wait for 2-3 hours. In the tents, you can also get an opportunity to eat traditional Bavarian food.
On the weekdays, the opening time is 10 am - 11.30 pm.
On weekends, the opening time is 9 am - 11.30 pm
The Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Weinzelt are open until 1 AM.
Stalls in Wiesn:
There are a lot of food and drinks stalls, you can smell the gingerbread “Lebkuchen”, Currywurst, Pommes, etc. The food is a bit cheaper than the food offered in tents. It’s more like street food and snacks.
Amusement Rides in Wiesn:
The Wiesn has turned into a dreamland for the adventurous and adrenaline junkies. All the rides are transportable, and we promise it will be one of the most exciting experiences of your life.
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The Wiesn has rides for all age groups, they have Carousel rides, Krinoline and merry-go-around for the kids, the Sky wheel where you can see the view of Wiesn from the top, the thrilling 5 looping roller coaster, the tallest sky drop, Ghost palace, Posiden, the famous Kettenflieger Bayern tower, and
many more rides.
It’s impossible to take all the rides. All the rides have long waiting times and are fully crowded with people. Going on weekdays is highly advisable so you can enjoy the fest to the maximum.
Best Tent at Oktoberfest:
Whether you prefer traditional or international vibes at Oktoberfest, you can choose a different tent based on your preference. Each tent of Oktoberfest is unique and offers a different mode for its visitors.
Here are a few most famous tents at Oktoberfest:
Hacker-Festzelt:
It's one of beautiful tent with a view of the Blue Sky and a painting of Munich on the walls. It's known for its vibrant atmosphere and delicious food. It's a great place to enjoy the Bavarian culture.
Hofbräu-Festzelt:
This tent is famous among locals and international visitors and it's known for its traditional Bavarian music.
Schottenhamel:
The Oktoberfest officially starts at the Schottenhamel tent where the mayor of Munich taps the first keg. This tent has a mix of traditional and modern tunes and is famous among the younger crowd.
Augustiner-Festhalle:
Augustiner's tent offers a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. It's a great place to enjoy a meal.
Winzerer Fähndl:
This tent is famous for its diverse crowd, decoration, and lively atmosphere.