Munich Oktoberfest Photo Impressions – 18 days before the festival
We took a tour of the Oktoberfest construction site in Munich: The world's largest folk festival—the 191st Munich Oktoberfest—kicks off in 18 days. The festival tents are getting their finishing touches, and the amusement rides are ready for assembly
... from September 18 to October 4, the festivities will once again take place on the Theresienwiese under the watchful eye of the Bavaria statue. Table reservations can be made via the festival hosts' official booking and resale portal: www.oktoberfest-booking.com/de (ITALIANO, ENGLISH, DEUTSCH, FRANÇAIS)
Munich. Just 18 days remain until the grand 191st Munich Oktoberfest begins on the Theresienwiese. Traditional costume groups are already looking forward to the parade to the "Wiesn," as locals call the festival. The event speaks to the very soul of Munich's residents; every year, people look forward to it, bringing out their *Lederhosen* and *Dirndls* and practicing with their clubs and music bands. On the first Saturday of the festival, the tents open at 9:00 a.m., with non-alcoholic beverages (excluding beer) available from 10:00 a.m. Beer service begins at 12:00 noon, when Munich Mayor Dominik Krause makes the announcement: "Ozapft is!" (It's tapped!). Once the beer starts flowing, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder is presented with the first *Maß* (liter mug of beer).
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| View from the base of the Bavaria statue – in the background, the city's towers (Frauenkirche, Town Hall, Alter Peter, etc.); in the foreground, the towers of the Wiesn: the Löwenbräu and Paulaner towers; Oktoberfest setup in Munich – August 30, 2026 – Photo: Helga Waess |
With the ceremonial tapping of the first keg on September 19 at 12:00 p.m., the festival is officially declared open!
Below are the opening hours for the world's largest fair.
Find out more on the official Munich Oktoberfest website: www.oktoberfest.de
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| Armbrustschützenzelt (Crossbowmen's Tent) viewed from the Schwanthalerhöhe – St. Paul's Church in the background... Oktoberfest setup in Munich – August 30, 2026 – Photo: Helga Waess |
Munich Oktoberfest – Opening Hours
Saturday, September 19, 2026 – Sunday, October 4, 2026
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
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| On the left, the "Oide Wiesn" (Old Oktoberfest) tents – Oktoberfest setup in Munich – August 30, 2026 – Photo: Helga Waess |
Oide Wiesn (Old Oktoberfest):
Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
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| On the left, the "Oide Wiesn" tents and the Bavaria statue in front of the Hall of Fame (Ruhmeshalle) – Oktoberfest setup in Munich – August 30, 2026 – Photo: Helga Waess |
Monday to Friday, the tents open
at 10:00 a.m.
and close at 11:30 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays – Beer service
begins as early as 9:00 a.m.,
closing time is 11:30 p.m.
In the large festival halls
last beer and last music at 10:30 p.m.
Small tents such as chicken rotisseries, snack tents, and café tents
Service and music end at 11:00 p.m.
Exceptions: Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Kuffler's Weinzelt (Wine Tent)
Open until 1:00 a.m.
Last drinks at 12:30 a.m.
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| Kuffler’s Wine Tent and the Löwenbräu Tower – Oktoberfest setup in Munich – August 30, 2026 – Photo: Helga Waess |
Opening hours for sales stalls
Weekdays (except public holidays): Open 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Sundays: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
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| Museum Tent – Oide Wiesn during Oktoberfest setup in Munich – August 30, 2026 – Photo: Helga Waess |
Opening hours:
Rides and showmen
Ferris wheel, Toboggan, high striker, bumper cars, ghost train, Devil’s Wheel, etc.:
Opening day
12:00 noon to midnight
Mondays to Thursdays (except public holidays)
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Fridays
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Saturdays
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Sundays
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Open until 1:00 a.m.
Last drinks at 12:30 a.m.
