The world's biggest folk festival kicks off in Munich in just over a week, and around six million people will pour onto the Theresienwiese. Whether it's your first Wiesn or your fifth, here's the practical, no-fluff guide for anyone living in Germany — dates, real beer prices, how to get a table, and the smart times to go.
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⏱️ The 30-second version
When: Sat 19 September – Sun 4 October 2026. Tapping at noon on opening day.
Where: Theresienwiese, Munich (U4/U5 to Theresienwiese).
Entry: Free. You only pay for food, drink and rides.
A Maß (1L beer): €14.80–€18.40 this year.
Pro move: go on a weekday before 3pm — no reservation needed, tables are open.
📅 The basics
Oktoberfest 2026 runs Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October on Munich's Theresienwiese. It opens when the Mayor taps the first keg and shouts "O'zapft is!" at noon on the opening Saturday — beer only flows after that.
Tent hours: Mon–Thu 10:00–23:30, Fri 10:00–24:00, Sat 09:00–24:00, Sun 09:00–23:30. Getting in is completely free — you pay only for what you eat, drink and ride.
🍺 What a beer actually costs in 2026
A Maß (one full litre) runs from €14.80 at the cheapest tent (Museumszelt) up to €18.40 at the priciest (Kufflers Weinzelt), averaging about €15.35 — up from €14.50–€15.80 last year. Add a ~€1–2 tip per Maß; the servers remember generous tables.
Good to know: the big tents only serve beer and non-alcoholic drinks by the litre, and you pay the server in cash (though nearly half of vendors now take card). Water and soft drinks are sold too, and there are 10 free drinking-water fountains on the grounds this year.
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🎟️ Tables & reservations
Entry is free and you don't need a reservation to get into a tent — but a reserved table is a different story. Reservations go in blocks (usually 8–10 people) and include food + beer vouchers; for 2026 most are long gone. The workaround: show up in the morning or on a weekday and grab an unreserved table. Tents legally have to keep space open for walk-ins, and a table is only "reserved" from a set time (often 3pm or later).
⏰ The smart times to go
To skip the crush: aim for weekday mornings and early afternoons. Weekends and evenings after 3pm are packed and hard to get into. Two insider picks:
Family days (Familientag): Tuesdays until 6pm have reduced prices on rides and treats — great if you're bringing kids.
Oide Wiesn: a fenced-off "old-school" section with historic rides, brass bands and a calmer, more traditional feel (small entry fee, kids free).
👗 What to wear
You absolutely don't have to dress up — but most people wear Tracht (Dirndl for women, Lederhosen for men), and it's genuinely more fun when you do. One tip that trips up newcomers: the bow on a Dirndl sends a signal — tied on the left means single, on the right means taken, in the front-centre traditionally means virgin/undecided, and at the back means widowed (or it's the waitress).
🚇 Getting there & the rules
Take the U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese, or any train to München Hbf and walk ~15 minutes. If you're coming from elsewhere in Germany, book your DB tickets now — trains to Munich fill up fast over these two weeks.
Security is tight: bags larger than 3 litres are banned (that includes most backpacks), and bags are checked at the entrances. Travel light, bring cash, and wear comfortable shoes.
🆕 New for 2026
A few upgrades this year: 10 free water fountains across the grounds, more card-friendly vendors (about half now accept cards), improved wheelchair accessibility on the main routes, and the Lost & Found has moved to the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum (open daily 13:00–20:00) — handy when someone misplaces a phone after their third Maß.
That's everything you need for a great Wiesn. Going this year — and are you a Tracht person or strictly jeans? Hit reply and tell us, and forward this to whoever you're dragging to Munich.
Prost! 🍻