Oktoberfest
Details
Looking for the Oktoberfest Munich schedule? Known as the world’s largest folk festival, Oktoberfest takes place annually in Munich, Germany, drawing millions of visitors from around the globe. This iconic event spans over two weeks, featuring traditional Bavarian beer tents, lively parades, authentic German cuisine, music, and thrilling fairground rides.
Stay up to date with the full Oktoberfest calendar — from the grand opening parade and the ceremonial tapping of the first keg to themed days and closing festivities. Whether you're planning to join the fun at the Theresienwiese grounds or simply want to follow the events, our Oktoberfest schedule keeps you informed.
Sync the Oktoberfest Munich calendar to your own and never miss a moment of the celebrations. Prost!
Schedule
Oktoberfest: Opening Day Parade
The opening day parade of Oktoberfest journeys through the town, beginning at Josephspitalstraße and concluding at Theresienwiese.
Beer tent owners and landlords (quick, get on their good side!) make a magnificent entrance on ornate horse-drawn beer carriages. Approximately 1,000 individuals take part in this parade, which is led by the Münchner Kindl, Munich’s unexpectedly lovely blonde monk mascot. Well done, Germany.
Photo Source: RAW, Moritz Röder
Oktoberfest: Opening Day! 🍻
Well... sort of. You won’t be able to score a beer until the opening day ceremony at noon, but the tents are open and waiting for you (and you and you and…) to fill them up. I hope you wore your running shoes today–it will be a mad dash to the bash.
Other Important Oktoberfest 2025 Schedule Things to Know:
- Oktoberfest Beer Serving Hours
- Opening day: noon – 10:30 p.m.
- Weekdays: 10 a.m.– 10:30 p.m.
- Saturdays, Sundays & holidays: 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Oktoberfest closes 12:30 a.m. (‘Käfers Wiesnschänke’ and ‘Weinzelt’ open until 1 a.m.)
- Open Hours of Theresienwiese Stalls
- Opening day: 10 a.m. – midnight
- Mondays – Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Fridays: 10 a.m. – midnight
- Saturdays: 9 a.m. – midnight
- Sundays: 9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Oktoberfest Fairground Attractions & Shows
- Opening day: 12 p.m – 11:59 p.m.
- Mondays – Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Fridays, Saturdays: 10 a.m. – midnight
- Sundays: 10 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Oktoberfest: Inaugural Keg Tapping: O’Zapft is!
Oktoberfest begins at noon when the Lord Mayor of Munich taps the inaugural keg inside the Schottenhamel tent and proclaims, “O’Zapft is!” (It is tapped!). Beer can only be served after this moment, and now that it has, what are we waiting for for!?
Other Important Oktoberfest 2025 Schedule Things to Know:
- Oktoberfest Beer Serving Hours
- Opening day: noon – 10:30 p.m.
- Weekdays: 10 a.m.– 10:30 p.m.
- Saturdays, Sundays & holidays: 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Oktoberfest closes 12:30 a.m. (‘Käfers Wiesnschänke’ and ‘Weinzelt’ open until 1 a.m.)
- Open Hours of Theresienwiese Stalls
- Opening day: 10 a.m. – midnight
- Mondays – Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Fridays: 10 a.m. – midnight
- Saturdays: 9 a.m. – midnight
- Sundays: 9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Oktoberfest Fairground Attractions & Shows
- Opening day: 12 p.m – 11:59 p.m.
- Mondays – Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Fridays, Saturdays: 10 a.m. – midnight
- Sundays: 10 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Photo Source: Michael Nagy/Presseamt München
Oktoberfest: Gay Sunday 🌈
Oktoberfest aims to cater to all! With that in mind, the first Sunday of Oktoberfest has an unofficial Gay Sunday event hotsed in the Pschorr-Bräusol beer tent! If you're part of or supportive of the LGBTQI+ community, this tent is for you - come enjoy the extremely festive atmosphere!
Oktoberfest is always very LGTBQI+ friendly, but this Sunday is an extra special celebration!
Image Source: Pschorr Bräurosl
Oktoberfest: Costume and Riflemen's Parade
If you're very familiar with Oktoberfest, then you'll know that the second and much bigger parade is the traditional costume parade. Similar to the day before, this parade is led by the Münchner Kindl and features flag bearers, marching bands, traditional costumes and dancing, and horse-drawn carriages.
The Costume and Riflemen's Parade starts at the Max II monument on Maximilianstraße and ends at the Theresienwiese.
Photo Source: RAW, Jan Saurer
Oktoberfest: Family Day 1
The first of the Oktoberfest family days when you (and your kids if you packed them) can ride all the rides on the Wiesn at a discount until 7:00 p.m. local time!
Key Rules to keep in mind for children and adolescents:
- Children under the age of 6 - even when accompanied by adults - are not allowed in beer tents after 8:00 p.m local time.
- Children under the age of 16 are only permitted to be present on the Festwiese (and beer tents) after 8:00 pm local time when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Adolescents over 16 years of age may remain on the festival grounds until the end event, even without an adult, but in the tents, only until 24:00 p.m local time.
Photo Source: Anette Göttlicher
Oktoberfest: Ecumenical Church Service
The service, occurring annually in the Marstall Tent, is primarily intended for Wiesn employees and to commemorate showmen, market sellers, and Oktoberfest hosts who have passed away. Anyone and everyone is open to attending as attendees honor those who have passed and pray for a peaceful Oktoberfest.
Location Fact: Between 1956 and 2013, it was held at the Hippodrome, with a one-year stint in 2014 at Fischer Vroni. Since 2015 however, it's been held at the Marstall tent.
Photo Credit: RAW, Jan Saurer
Oktoberfest: Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Mayor Dieter Reiter will honor the 200 victims of violence, 12 of whom were fatally shot, of the 1980 attack at Oktoberfest with a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony.
This ceremony will take place at the memorial in front of the main entrance to Oktoberfest. The 1980 attack marked the most serious right-wing terrorist attack in German history, and this year will mark the 45th anniversary of this attack.
For the 45th anniversary, in addition to Mayor Dieter Reiter, relatives of survivors will speak during this ceremony.
Photo Credit: RAW, Moritz Röder
Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest Landlord's Concert (Outdoor Concert)
On the second Sunday of Oktoberfest, the hosts hold a massive concert at the foot of the Bavaria status. Bringing together the bands of all the festival tents and the Mayor of Munich, the bands will play together at 11:00 a.m. sharp to give visitors a most unique concert experience.
Typically, this concert will consist of about 300 musicians and highlight traditional music associated with Oktoberfest. They will play famous and popular Bavarian songs and marches and will have guest appearances from dance troupes.
Photo Credit: RAW, Moritz Röder
Oktoberfest: Family Day 2
The last of two Oktoberfest family days when you (and your kids if you packed them) can ride all the rides on the Wiesn at a discount until 7:00 p.m. local time!
Tips for families planning to attend Oktoberfest:
- Take advantage of Family Days
- Morning and early afternoon are the ideal hours for children requiring strollers
- Avoid peak hours
- Consider earplugs for children as there is loud music and sounds
- Always carry sunscreen, even though Oktoberfest is in September and October, the sun is still strong during this time of year.
Photo Source: Anette Göttlicher
Oktoberfest: Traditional Gun Salute - Annual Closing Ceremony
Every year, at 12:00 p.m sharp., Oktoberfest's traditional gun salute marks the end of the festival - even if celebrations continues late into the evening. Hosted at the foot of the Bavaria statue, male and female gunners, in traditional costume, fire their salute to mark the end of the festival. The closing tradition is accompanied by not just loud bangs and smoke, but also by a brass band and the Bavarian anthem.
Photo Credit: RAW, Stefan Doh