Oktoberfest Munich 2026: Dates, Tickets, & What to Wear

If you're heading to Munich, Germany during the Chuseok holiday, one thing you absolutely must add to your itinerary is Oktoberfest.

While Oktoberfest's name might lead you to believe it takes place in October, it actually kicks off after mid-September and runs for about two weeks.

Admission itself is free, but seats in popular beer tents may require reservations, and there are other helpful tips to know in advance, such as restrictions on large bags and preparing traditional attire.

Based on my firsthand experience, I've put together everything you need to know about the 2026 Munich Oktoberfest dates and location, how to book tickets and seats, and what to wear.

Germany Munich Oktoberfest Review Beer Festival Dates Location Ticket Booking Attire Venue

1️⃣Oktoberfest Dates

2️⃣Location

3️⃣How to Book Tickets, Beer Prices

4️⃣What to Wear

1. Oktoberfest Dates

Oktoberfest is a festival whose dates change every year.

Because it runs from the first Saturday after September 15th until the first Sunday in October, you should always check the exact dates for your travel year before your trip.

The dates for Munich Oktoberfest 2026 are as follows:

✔️Dates: 2026.09.19-10.04

✔️Location: Theresienwiese

I went on the very first day of the festival, and it was incredibly crowded. According to a friend living in Munich, it seems that crowds tend to flock to the festival during its early days.

Since it's renowned as one of the world's top three festivals, the sight of people in traditional attire all moving in one direction, right from the moment we stepped off the tram, was truly impressive.

Operating hours and event schedules vary by day, so I recommend checking the official Oktoberfest website before your visit.

Official Munich Oktoberfest Website

#GermanBeerFestival #GermanOktoberfest

2. Location

Oktoberfest takes place at a massive festival grounds in Munich called Theresienwiese.

From Munich's central tourist attractions, take U-Bahn U3 or U6 and get off at Goetheplatz, then walk for about 10 minutes to reach the festival grounds.

When we got off the tram, there were signs on the ground pointing the way to the festival, and with so many people heading to the German Beer Festival Oktoberfest, it was easy to find our way.

We visited on the first day of the festival, and there were a significant number of people on the way to the entrance.

A simple security check is conducted upon entry, and large bags are not allowed inside, so you'll need to leave them at the luggage storage facility before entering the main area.

German Beer Festival Oktoberfest Luggage Storage

Cash 5 Euros

The luggage storage closes at 00:30 (half past midnight), so you must retrieve your belongings before then.

#MunichBeerFestival #MunichOktoberfest

3. How to Book Tickets, Beer Prices

Oktoberfest isn't a festival where you need to buy a separate admission ticket; entry itself is free.

Once inside, you'll find large tents run by famous beer companies, as well as outdoor seating areas dotted throughout the grounds.

Outdoor seating can be occupied without a separate reservation if there's an empty spot, but when it's crowded, finding an empty seat can feel like trying to catch a star from the sky.

Popular seats inside the large beer tents must be reserved in advance.

How to Reserve Tent Seats

👉🏻Official Oktoberfest Website

👉🏻Use a travel agency's guided tour package

Reservations on the official website often fill up months in advance, so it might be difficult to book now.

Unlike typical draft beer, the beer sold at Oktoberfest, Germany's beer festival, has an alcohol content of approximately 5.8-6.3%.

Beer prices vary slightly by booth, but a 1L glass was around 15 Euros.

4. Clothing

When you go to Oktoberfest, you'll find surprisingly many people wearing traditional Bavarian clothing.

Many women wear Dirndls, and men wear Lederhosen. Tourists often join in by wearing traditional attire to enjoy the festival, so it's a great idea to get one ready to fully soak in the atmosphere.

Dirndls are sold all over Munich during the festival, but the prices are quite steep.

We went to Resales, a second-hand clothing store where you can buy them relatively cheaply, and a Dirndl dress alone was about 60 Euros.

If you buy the blouse and apron separately, the cost goes up even more.

The Dirndl I'm wearing was pre-purchased online for about ~$27 before my trip. It was a direct import from China, so delivery took a while, but it was much cheaper than buying it locally.

Oktoberfest is more than just a beer-drinking event; it's a German beer festival where you can wear traditional costumes and enjoy the massive beer tents and festive atmosphere all together.

They also sell a wide variety of souvenirs, such as magnets, cups, and decorations.

They sell various foods like rotisserie chicken, pretzels, and sausages, but the taste is unfortunately poor for the price.

They also sell rotisserie chicken hats, which are quite expensive, but the woman sitting at our table lent me hers so I could wear it for a quick photo!

I absolutely loved the festival atmosphere where even strangers become friends.

Everyone is dancing and full of excitement, and the age range is incredibly diverse, truly feeling like a global festival. There are also various amusement park-like rides for children to enjoy.