Munich Oktoberfest Countdown 2026: 5 days
Oktoberfest Countdown: 5 days and 22 hours to go until the great Munich Oktoberfest 2026
The 191st Munich Oktoberfest kicks off on Saturday: it all begins with the traditional grand entry of the festival hosts and their beer barrels, followed by the tapping of the first keg by the Mayor of Munich
September 19 to October 4, 2026 – 191st Munich Oktoberfest (ITALIANO, ENGLISH, DEUTSCH, FRANÇAIS, NEDERLANDS)
Munich – Theresienwiese. On Saturday, September 19, the ceremonial procession of breweries and festival hosts begins, bringing Oktoberfest beer to the *Wiesn* (festival grounds) using traditional brewery horse teams. The festive parade of carriages—carrying the brewery owners—and decorated beer wagons starts at 10:35 a.m. on Josephspitalstraße and makes its way through Munich’s city center to the Theresienwiese. At exactly 12:00 noon, once Munich Mayor Dominik Krause has tapped the first beer keg, he loudly proclaims, "O’zapft is!" (It’s tapped!) and "Here’s to a peaceful *Wiesn*!" He hands the first *Maß* (liter mug of beer) to Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder, while twelve ceremonial cannon shots fired at the foot of the Bavaria statue announce the start of the festival.
The festival beer is now flowing in all the tents, marking the start of the 191st Munich Oktoberfest. From the arts and culture blog: TIP: Only 5 days left until Oktoberfest 2026 – Oktoberfest camping in Munich – reserve your spot now!
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| The Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest landlords at Munich’s Theresienwiese... everyone is waiting for the brewery horse teams and the landlords! Photo: Helga Waess |
The Oktoberfest parade makes its way through the city center:
Josephspitalstraße
Eastern Sonnenstraße
Schwanthalerstraße
Hermann-Lingg-Straße
Bavariaring
Theresienwiese
Wirtsbudenstraße
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| The Grand Entry of the landlords... the anticipation is building! And everyone cheers for the "Münchner Kindl" leading the procession! Photo: Helga Waess |
On the first Saturday of the festival, the tapping of the keg officially opens Oktoberfest 2026!
- Tents open from 9:00 a.m.; non-alcoholic beverages (excluding non-alcoholic beer) served from 10:00 a.m.
- 12:00 noon: "O'zapft is!" (It's tapped!) and the start of beer service
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| Beer service at the Munich Oktoberfest begins at 12:00 noon – Photo: Helga Waess |
Monday through Friday, the tents open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 11:30 p.m.
- Saturdays, Sundays, and the public holiday (Oct. 3): Service begins at 9:00 a.m.; closing time is 11:30 p.m.
- Festival halls: Last beer and music until 10:30 p.m.
- Smaller tents (roast chicken stands, snack halls, and café tents): Music ends at 11:00 p.m.
- Käfer Wiesn-Schänke / Kuffler’s Wine Tent: Open until 1:00 a.m.; last drinks served from 12:30 a.m.
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| Wiesn; Photo: Helga Waess Archive |
Munich’s Oktoberfest celebrates with the little ones on official, budget-friendly Family Days
The two Tuesdays are the official Family Days:
- Until 7:00 p.m. on both days
- Large and small festival tents offer discounted specials and menus for children and their families
- Rides and stalls also offer reduced prices for these groups
- Who offers this? Look for signs reading "Familientag" (Family Day) or "Kindertag" (Children's Day) to find price discounts!!!
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| Heart-shaped gingerbread cookie at the Munich Oktoberfest – Photo: Helga Waess |
"Wiesn" hearts and giant pretzels at the festival sales stalls
- First Saturday of the festival: Open from 9:00 a.m. until midnight
- Monday through Thursday (except the public holiday): 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Fridays and Monday, Oct. 2: 10:00 a.m. to midnight
- Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to midnight
- Sundays and the public holiday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
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| Giant pretzels available for purchase at the Munich Oktoberfest from 9 a.m. – Photo: Helga Waess |
Oktoberfest opening hours for rides and showmen's attractions
- Opening day: Open from 12 noon until midnight!
- Mondays to Thursdays (except public holidays): 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Fridays and Monday, October 2: 10 a.m. to midnight
- Saturdays: 9 a.m. to midnight
- Sundays and public holidays: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
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| Löwenbräu festival wagon – carriage horses – Photo: Helga Waess |
The "Oide Wiesn" (Old Oktoberfest) on the southern festival grounds
- Festival tents open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Beer service at the Oide Wiesn: Daily from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
When are the showmen's attractions open?
- Opening day: 12 noon to midnight
- Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Friday, Saturday, and Monday, October 2: 10 a.m. to midnight
- Sundays and public holidays: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
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| Paulaner brewery wagon – Photo: Helga Waess |
For those visiting the Munich Oktoberfest in a motorhome, there is now a temporary, fully equipped campsite offering a 20-minute subway ride to the festival grounds
Munich Oktoberfest camping at Messestadt Ost
Text and press archive photos: Helga Waess
