Oktoberfest in Munich: What It’s Really Like + First-Timer Tips

If you’ve ever wondered what Oktoberfest in Munich is actually like—beyond the beer steins and lederhosen—you’re in the right place!

My boyfriend, Tim, and I visited Oktoberfest for the first time during a 10-day fall trip to Germany with our friends, Abby and Deep.

And, while we didn’t spend every waking hour inside the tents, we did plenty of research beforehand and ended up having an unforgettable experience.

Think: standing on tables, dancing with strangers, singing at the top of our lungs, and eating far more fried food than planned (including a surprising amount of fried squid).

This guide shares what Oktoberfest in Munich is really like, how we approached it as first-timers without reservations, which beer tents we enjoyed most, and what I wish I’d known before going.

If you’re short on time, here is a quick overview of Oktoberfest in Munich:

• 📍 Location: Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany
• 📅 When: Mid-September to early October (exact dates change each year)
• ⏰ Hours: 10:00 am – 10:30 pm
• 🤗 Best for first-timers: Weekdays before 5 pm (easiest seating without reservations)
• 🍺 Beer size: 1 liter (Maß)
• 💳 Payment: Mostly cash; cards accepted in a few tents and around the fairgrounds
• 👗 Dress code: Optional, but dirndls & lederhosen are extra fun!
• 🎡 Other activities: Carnival rides, games, people-watching, Lady Bavaria lookout

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest (people’s festival), held every year in Munich, Germany.

It began in 1810 as a wedding celebration for Bavarian royalty and has since grown into a multi-week festival that attracts millions of visitors from around the world.

While it’s most famous for beer, Oktoberfest is much more than just a drinking event—it’s a massive cultural celebration with traditional Bavarian food, live music, dancing, and even a traveling carnival.

Celebrating at the festival had been on all of our bucket lists for years, and from people standing on tables singing at the top of their lungs to locals dressed head-to-toe in traditional Bavarian outfits, it’s one of those experiences that truly lives up to the hype!

We planned our Germany trip around Oktoberfest, and it worked out perfectly because it was also Tim’s birthday week 🎉.

Despite the name, Oktoberfest usually starts in late September and runs into the first weekend of October.

The exact dates change annually, so if you’re planning a trip, it’s important to check the official schedule before booking flights or hotels.

A Broad Recommendation: If you can swing it, weekdays (the earlier in the week, the better) are much more manageable than weekends—especially if it’s your first time. We visited on a Monday and Thursday, and by Thursday, it was already more difficult to find a table, even for just four people!

Oktoberfest takes place at the Theresienwiese, a large open area just southwest of Munich’s city center.

Getting there is easy via public transportation:

• The U-Bahn (subway) drops you off a short walk away
• Stops like Theresienwiese and Goetheplatz are the most convenient

Once you arrive, you’ll see massive beer tents, carnival rides, food stalls, and thousands (literally thousands) of people all heading in the same direction. You really can’t miss it!

Oktoberfest is loud, lively, chaotic in the best way, and surprisingly communal.

Inside the beer tents, long wooden tables are shared by everyone—meaning you’re almost guaranteed to make friends (we sure did!).

We were seated with strangers, and within minutes we were cheering, clinking massive one-liter beers, and dancing together on benches.

Yes, there is only one size beer—and yes, it’s a liter.

The energy is high but friendly, the music is constant, and the atmosphere feels more like a giant group party than a bar crawl.

It’s festive, not intimidating, especially if you go in with the right mindset.

We were a group of four (two couples) and did not have any tent reservations, which worried me at first, but ended up being totally fine!

Here’s what worked for us:

• We arrived early (close to noon) on a weekday, which made a huge difference
• Smaller groups are much easier to seat than large ones (if you have a group of 10+ you can make a reservation in advance though)
• We walked the fairgrounds first before committing to a tent
• We stayed flexible and followed the energy rather than a strict plan

If you’re visiting Oktoberfest for the first time, this relaxed approach takes a lot of pressure off.

Oktoberfest has 14 main beer tents, each with its own personality. Some are rowdier, others more traditional, and a few are just downright beautiful.

We didn’t visit them all, and you really don’t need to! Here are the ones we experienced:

Easily one of the prettiest tents, Hacker-Pschorr Festzelt was where we spent the most time our first day, and it’s easy to see why.

The ceiling is painted like a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds, giving the space an open, cheerful vibe. 

It’s perfect for singing, dancing, and just soaking in the Oktoberfest energy.

Best for: First-timers, lively vibes, lots of singing and dancing. We arrived around lunchtime and had no problems getting a table.

You’ll recognize the Löwenbräu-Festzelt tent by its yellow roof and blue-and-white striped chandeliers, and the giant roaring lion outside.

The atmosphere is loud, lively, and incredibly fun without being too overwhelming.

Best for: Classic Oktoberfest atmosphere with big-tent energy.

One of the largest and most famous beer tents, Hofbräu-Festzelt is rowdy, social, and especially popular with international visitors.

Just be sure to arrive early—it fills up fast!

Best for: Big groups and high-energy crowds.

Home to the opening ceremony where the mayor taps the first keg, Schottenhamel combines tradition with a festive party vibe.

Best for: History lovers who still want to party.

If beer isn’t your thing, Weinzelt offers wine, radlers, and non-alcoholic options. Plus, the atmosphere is a bit calmer.

If it’s your first time at Oktoberfest, don’t stress about picking “the best” tent—half the fun is wandering around, exploring, and seeing where you end up.

Only six Munich breweries are officially served at Oktoberfest.

The beer is typically stronger than standard German beer and is served almost exclusively in one-liter steins (called a Maß).

If beer isn’t your favorite, don’t worry—you still have options:

• Wine (especially in the Weinzelt tent)
• Radlers (beer mixed with lemonade)
• Non-alcoholic drinks are available too

Though beer is obviously the star of the show, the food still deserves some attention too.

Inside the tents, you’ll find:

• Roasted chicken
• Giant pretzels
• Sausages
• Cheese spreads like Obatzda

And then there was my personal favorite: fried squid, which I ordered on a whim and then ordered again and again throughout our visit. Weird choice? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.

Food stalls outside the tents tend to be a bit cheaper and are great for mixing things up between beers.

You certainly don’t have to spend all day drinking to enjoy Oktoberfest! If you need a break from the beer tents, there’s plenty else to see and do around the fairgrounds.

One of our favorite non-beer activities was climbing inside Lady Bavaria’s head via a spiral staircase.

From the top, you get a unique, panoramic view over the entire Theresienwiese—and it’s a fun, unexpected way to experience Oktoberfest from a completely different perspective.

Beyond the tents, you’ll also find:

• Carnival rides
• Classic festival games
• Food stands and sweet treats
• Open areas that are perfect for people-watching

During the day, Oktoberfest is much more relaxed and family-friendly, with locals bringing kids, enjoying the rides and food stalls, and soaking up the festive atmosphere.

If this is your first Oktoberfest, these tips will save you a lot of stress:

• Bring cash. Most tents don’t accept cards
• Arrive early. Especially on weekends—seats fill up fast!
• Weekdays before 5 pm are gold if you want a table without reservations
• Groups of 4–6 are ideal without reservations
• Food outside the tents is often cheaper than inside
• Try an iconic fish on a stick from Fischer Vroni (or all the fried squid like me!)
• Pace yourself—the beer is stronger than you think
• Traditional outfits (dirndls and lederhosen) are optional but fun—Abby rented a dirndl for the day and loved it!
• Rules and logistics change slightly each year, so always double-check official details before you go

You don’t have to wear traditional Bavarian clothing, but many people do—and it honestly makes the experience even more fun.

• Women typically wear dirndls
• Men usually wear lederhosen

If you don’t own a dirndl or lederhosen, renting is a great option.

Many shops in Munich offer short-term rentals for a day or two, so you don’t have to pack bulky outfits on your trip.

• Lodenfrey – high-quality traditional outfits
• Alpenclassics – good for both men’s and women’s outfits
• Dirndl & Bua – trendy, Instagram-friendly rentals

If you’re skipping traditional outfits, just aim for:

• Comfortable shoes (lots of standing and walking)
• Layers—it can get chilly at night
• Nothing too precious (beer has a way of flying everywhere)

A Broad Recommendation: I wore my Vessi Weekend Chelseas both days. They’re waterproof, comfortable, and perfect for walking around the crowded fairgrounds (and yes, for accidental beer spills 😂). If you want shoes that are stylish and practical for Oktoberfest, I can’t recommend these enough!

Where you stay during Oktoberfest can significantly impact your experience, especially when it comes to crowds and transit.

We stayed at Aparthotel Adagio München City, which worked perfectly for our group of four, and paid about $2,000 total for three nights, which is very typical for Oktoberfest pricing.

The apartment-style setup made it easy to get ready together, and the location was well connected by public transportation—a huge plus during Oktoberfest.

Q: Do you need reservations for Oktoberfest?

No—especially if you’re visiting on a weekday and arrive earlier in the day.

Smaller groups (around 4–6 people) can often find seating without reservations before 5 pm, but reservations are more helpful for large groups or weekend evenings.

Q: Is Oktoberfest only about drinking beer?

Not at all. While beer is a big part of Oktoberfest, there’s also traditional food, live music, carnival rides, games, and iconic attractions like Lady Bavaria.

You can easily enjoy Oktoberfest without drinking all day—or at all!

Q: Is Oktoberfest family-friendly?

Yes, particularly during the daytime.

Families with children are common earlier in the day, especially on weekdays, when the atmosphere is calmer and focused more on food, rides, and entertainment.

Q: How many days do you need for Oktoberfest?

One full day is enough to experience Oktoberfest, but two days gives you more flexibility—especially if you want to explore different tents or avoid crowds by visiting at different times.