If you’re staring at your calendar trying to figure out when is German Oktoberfest, you aren’t alone. It’s a total trick question. Most people assume a festival called "Oktoberfest" would happen in, well, October. But honestly, if you show up in Munich on October 10th looking for a beer, you’re going to find nothing but empty gravel lots and a few stray seagulls.
The party is usually over by then.
Basically, the "Wiesn" (what the locals call it) is a September event that just happens to end in October. It's a quirk of history and a desire for warmer weather that moved the dates forward. For anyone planning a trip, getting these dates right is the difference between the best trip of your life and a very expensive flight to a quiet park.
The Real Dates: When Is German Oktoberfest in 2026?
The 191st Munich Oktoberfest officially kicks off on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
It runs for 16 days, wrapping up on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Why those specific days? There’s actually a rigid formula. The festival always starts on the first Saturday after September 15th and usually ends on the first Sunday in October. However, there’s a German loophole: if that first Sunday falls on October 1st or 2nd, they sometimes extend the festival to include October 3rd, which is German Unity Day.
In 2026, the calendar is pretty straightforward. You get two full weeks and three weekends of chaos.
Key Timing to Keep in Your Back Pocket
- The Tapping (Sept 19): At exactly 12:00 PM, the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent. You can’t get a beer until he shouts "O’zapft is!" (It’s tapped!).
- The Big Parade (Sept 20): This is the Costume and Riflemen’s Parade. Think 9,000 people in lederhosen and dirndls marching through the streets. It’s incredible.
- Family Days (Tuesdays): If you’ve got kids, Tuesdays are the move. Rides and food are cheaper until 7:00 PM.
- The Gun Salute (Oct 4): This happens at noon under the Bavaria statue to mark the final day. It’s loud, traditional, and a bit bittersweet.
Why the Name Doesn’t Match the Month
You’ve probably wondered why they didn't just rename it "Septemberfest."
It all started back in 1810. Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese, and they invited the whole city of Munich to celebrate on the fields in front of the city gates. That original party started on October 12th and ended with a horse race on October 17th.
People loved it so much they did it again the next year. And the next.
Eventually, the city realized that Bavarian weather in mid-October is, frankly, pretty miserable. It’s rainy, grey, and cold. To make things more enjoyable for the crowds (and to sell more beer in the outdoor gardens), they pushed the start date into September to take advantage of the "Altweibersommer"—the mild Indian summer.
The name stuck because, well, "Oktoberfest" sounds better, and the finale still happens in October anyway.
Picking the Best Time to Go
"When" you go is just as important as "if" you go. Each phase of the festival has a completely different vibe.
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Opening Weekend is for the die-hards. It’s crowded. It’s loud. It’s electric. If you want to see the Mayor tap the keg, you better be at the tent door by 7:00 or 8:00 AM, even though beer isn't served until noon. If you hate crowds, stay far away from this weekend.
The "Italian Weekend" (Middle Weekend). The second weekend is traditionally when thousands of visitors from Italy descend on Munich. The tents get rowdy, the singing gets louder, and the energy is through the roof. It’s arguably the most "party-centric" part of the festival.
Weekdays are the secret weapon. If you actually want to sit down and eat a roasted chicken without fighting for your life, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Most locals go after work, so if you arrive at 11:00 AM on a Tuesday, you’ll actually find an open table in almost any tent.
A Quick Word on Tents and Times
Most tents open their doors at 10:00 AM on weekdays and 9:00 AM on weekends. Beer service stops at 10:30 PM, and they usually start kicking everyone out by 11:30 PM.
There are two exceptions: Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and the Weinzelt (Wine Tent) stay open until 1:00 AM. If you’re not ready for the night to end, those are your only options on the grounds.
Practical Advice for Your 2026 Trip
Don't wait until August to book. That’s the biggest mistake people make. Hotel prices in Munich during Oktoberfest are legendary for being astronomical.
- Book your hotel now. Like, right now. If Munich is too expensive, look at towns like Augsburg or Rosenheim. They are about 45 minutes away by train, and the "Bayernticket" (Bavaria Train Ticket) makes the commute cheap.
- Reservations are a nightmare, but you don't need them. Tents are required by law to keep a huge portion of their tables unreserved for walk-ins. Just show up early.
- The "Oide Wiesn" is worth the extra few Euros. This is the "Old Oktoberfest" section at the south end of the grounds. It costs about 4 Euros to enter, but it's much more relaxed, has historic rides, and serves beer in traditional stone mugs (Keferloher) rather than glass.
Budget-wise, expect to pay around 15 or 16 Euros for a "Maß" (a liter) of beer in 2026. Everything has gotten more expensive, but remember that a liter is basically three standard bottles of beer. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Eat the heavy food—the Schweinebraten (pork roast) or the Hendl (half-chicken)—early in the day. Your stomach will thank you later when the fifth liter of Märzen beer kicks in.
Next Steps for Planning
- Check flight prices for Munich (MUC) or even Memmingen and Nuremberg as cheaper alternatives.
- Order your Tracht (traditional clothing) early. Buying a cheap "costume" in Munich makes you stand out like a sore thumb. Look for real leather lederhosen or a proper dirndl online before you go.
- Download the official Oktoberfest app. It actually shows you in real-time which tents are full and which ones still have open doors.
Regardless of when you go during those 16 days, just remember to stay hydrated and pace yourself. The beer is stronger than what you're used to, and the benches are harder than they look when you're falling off them. Prost!
Actionable Insight: If you want the most authentic experience without the 3-hour lines, aim for the first Monday or Tuesday of the festival. You'll get the full atmosphere, better service, and a much higher chance of actually sitting down with the locals.