Oktoberfest 2026 Dates & Schedule

Oktoberfest 2026 will take place from Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany. The festival runs for 16 days, opening with the traditional keg tapping ceremony and closing with a gun salute at the Bavaria statue.

Several fixed dates in between carry their own traditions, from parades to family discounts to a public holiday that falls right in the middle of the run. This guide breaks down the schedule so you can see what happens on each key date and choose the dates that fit your trip.

When Is Oktoberfest 2026?

Oktoberfest 2026 begins Saturday, September 19 and ends Sunday, October 4, running 16 days on the Theresienwiese. The opening weekend brings the arrival parade and tapping ceremony, and the closing weekend includes German Unity Day on October 3 followed by the final day on October 4.

Despite the name, most of Oktoberfest happens in September. Only the last four days of the 2026 festival fall in October. That’s because the festival’s dates shifted earlier over the 1800s to take advantage of warmer, longer September evenings. Today the rule is fixed: Oktoberfest starts on a Saturday in September and ends on the first Sunday of October.

Oktoberfest 2026 Important Dates & Events

September 19, Opening Day

The grounds open at 9:00 a.m., though beer isn’t served yet. Around 11:00 a.m., the Parade of the Landlords and Breweries travels from Josephspitalstraße to the Theresienwiese, with tent owners and breweries arriving on decorated horse drawn carriages.

At noon, the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent and declares “O’zapft is!”, officially starting beer service across the grounds. This is the biggest atmosphere of the whole festival, and also the busiest. Tables fill fast, so arrive early if you want to see the parade and tapping. See our complete Oktoberfest 2026 Opening Day guide for the full route and timing.

September 20, Costume and Hunters’ Parade

Thousands of participants in traditional Bavarian and international folk dress, plus marching bands and riflemen’s associations, parade through the city center to the Theresienwiese. It’s one of the largest folklore parades in the world and draws a big crowd of spectators along the route, separate from the festival grounds themselves.

September 22 and 29, Family Days

These two Tuesdays offer reduced pricing on many rides and food stalls for part of the day, and Tuesdays generally feel calmer than weekends. Families visiting later in the festival often prefer September 29 over the first date. See our Oktoberfest With Kids guide for more.

September 24, Church Service

A smaller, quieter tradition: an ecumenical service held in the Marstall tent, reflecting Oktoberfest’s roots as a civic event, not just a beer festival.

September 27, Landlords’ Concert

Tent bands from across the Theresienwiese gather for an open air concert near the Bavaria statue, giving visitors a rare chance to hear several bands at once. Expect a strong crowd for this one.

October 3, German Unity Day

Germany’s national holiday falls on a Saturday in 2026, right in the festival’s closing weekend. With many Germans off work and the day already being a Saturday, visitors should expect strong demand across the festival, city, and public transportation. Book accommodation and any table reservations well ahead if you’re targeting this date.

October 4, Closing Day

The final day carries a mix of celebration and farewell. At noon, the traditional gun salute, the Böllerschießen, takes place beneath the Bavaria statue, marking the ceremonial end of the festival. Arrive earlier rather than later, since this day tends to be busy from the morning on. See our Oktoberfest 2026 Closing Day guide for details.

What Is the Best Date to Visit Oktoberfest 2026?

There’s no single best date. It depends on whether you want the ceremonial highlights, a family friendly day, the biggest atmosphere, or an easier visit with less pressure.

First-time visitors often default to opening day, but it also brings the heaviest crowds and least predictable table access. A weekday during the first week gives a more manageable introduction while still delivering the full experience.

Families are best served by the two Family Days, both Tuesdays, both generally calmer than weekends. Arriving earlier in the day helps before the grounds fill up in the evening.

Biggest atmosphere comes from opening weekend, the Landlords’ Concert weekend, and closing weekend, each in a different way. Bigger atmosphere generally means bigger crowds, not a quieter visit.

Avoiding crowds isn’t fully possible at Oktoberfest, since it draws millions of visitors over 16 days. Weekday daytime hours, especially during the first week, tend to be the most manageable option, and arriving before midday improves your odds further.

Beer tent hours run slightly earlier than the grounds themselves close. In large tents, last beer and music generally finish around 10:30 p.m.; smaller tents often go until around 11:00 p.m. A couple of tents, including Käfer Wiesn Schänke and Kufflers Weinzelt, stay open later, until around 1:00 a.m.

Opening day runs on a special schedule: tents open at 9:00 a.m., non-alcoholic drinks are available from 10:00 a.m., and beer service starts only after the noon tapping. Rides and the separate Oide Wiesn area follow their own hours. See our Complete Oktoberfest 2026 Opening Hours guide for the full tent by tent breakdown.

How Long Does Oktoberfest 2026 Last, and How Many Days Should You Spend There?

Oktoberfest 2026 lasts 16 days, from September 19 through October 4, giving visitors three distinct weekends and two full weeks of weekdays to choose from.

How much time to budget for your own visit is a separate question. One day covers a basic experience: time in a tent, a walk through the fairground, and a feel for the atmosphere.

Two days gives first-time visitors more breathing room to try a different tent or time of day. Three days suits a slower pace, pairing a special event date with quieter days. Four or more days makes sense if you’re combining Oktoberfest with broader Munich sightseeing or day trips.

There’s no need to stay longer purely to “do it justice,” a single well-planned day still delivers a genuine experience.

Planning Your Trip Around Oktoberfest 2026 Dates

Book accommodation early, especially around opening weekend, the Landlords’ Concert weekend, and the German Unity Day closing weekend. See our Best Hotels Near Oktoberfest 2026 guide.

Consider a table reservation if you’re visiting in a group, in the evening, or on a busier weekend date. Our Oktoberfest Table Reservations guide explains the process.

Choose your arrival day carefully. Landing the same morning as an event you want to attend leaves no room for delays.

Plan transportation ahead of time. Munich Airport and the Hauptbahnhof both connect to the Theresienwiese by public transportation; see Getting to Oktoberfest in Munich.

Recheck the schedule before you travel, since event details can shift slightly closer to the festival. Confirm pricing and entry details on our Oktoberfest 2026 Tickets page if you plan to reserve anything.

FAQ’s