Oktoberfest 2026 in Munich: Dates, Where to Stay and What to Know
Oktoberfest 2026 runs September 19 to October 4 in Munich. Plan hotels, transport, tents, food and the best days to visit with this current guide.
Updated: August 22, 2026
Munich is about to become one of the most exciting places in Europe. Oktoberfest 2026 opens on September 19 and runs through October 4, which means September 7 is a particularly good moment to finish the practical parts of the trip before the city gets much busier.
The 2026 dates are official
The City of Munich confirms Oktoberfest 2026 will take place on the Theresienwiese from September 19 through October 4. The opening ceremony and first keg tapping are at noon on September 19. If you want the atmosphere without making every day feel like a mission, consider arriving a day or two before the opening weekend or visiting on a weekday.
You do not need a ticket just to enter
- General access to the Oktoberfest grounds is free.
- Large tents can fill, especially evenings and weekends, so a reservation can still be useful for groups.
- The historic Oide Wiesn has a separate admission charge.
- Keep bags small because security restrictions apply at the entrances.
Stay near transport, not necessarily beside the festival
The prettiest hotel choice is not always the closest one. Areas around Sendlinger Tor, Hauptbahnhof, Goetheplatz, Harras and parts of Maxvorstadt can make the festival easy to reach while giving you more restaurant and sightseeing options. A short U-Bahn ride can be much nicer than paying a huge premium to sleep directly beside Theresienwiese.
Leave room for Munich itself
Oktoberfest can take over the itinerary, but Munich is lovely in early autumn. Save time for Viktualienmarkt, the English Garden, the old town and a long lunch away from the festival grounds. That little bit of balance often turns a festival trip into a city trip you actually remember.
Quick questions
When is Oktoberfest 2026?
September 19 through October 4, 2026.
Is entry free?
General entry to the festival grounds is free, although the Oide Wiesn and some reserved experiences can cost extra.
The lovely part
The sweet spot is to plan enough that the busy parts feel easy, then leave a little space for Munich to surprise you.
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