Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival and is held annually in Munich, Germany. It is a 16-day festival running from late September to the first weekend in October. Oktoberfest is a time for celebration, laughter, and of course, drinking beer. It’s also a time for wearing traditional Bavarian clothes, eating lots of food, and dancing to traditional German music. oktoberfest tips and tricks
Oktoberfest 2025 will be here before you know it! Are you ready? In this article, we will provide you with useful tips and tricks so you can get ready for the next Oktoberfest.
With over six million guests a year, Oktoberfest is the largest public festival in the world. No wonder: The Oktoberfest celebrates Bavarian tradition with delicious food, Munich beer, and countless rides and attractions on the festival grounds and in the tents.
The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festival concluded five days later with a horse race held in an open area that came to be called Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Green”). The following year the race was combined with a state agricultural fair, and in 1818 booths serving food and drink were introduced. By the late 20th century the booths had developed into large beer halls made of plywood, with interior balconies and bandstands. Each of the Munich brewers erects one of the temporary structures, with seating capacities of some 6,000.
Experience highlights such as the Grand entry of the Oktoberfest landlords and breweries, the ceremonial opening of the beer tapping or the traditional costume parade on the first Sunday of Oktoberfest.
In addition, the whole world comes together to celebrate in a total of 17 large and 21 small festival tents. Total beer consumption during Oktoberfest is upwards of 75,800 hectoliters (about 2 million gallons). The breweries are also represented in parades that feature beer wagons and floats, along with people in folk costumes. Other entertainment includes games, amusement rides, music, and dancing. Oktoberfest draws more than six million people each year, many of them tourists. Find out here what you can do in Munich besides visiting Oktoberfest.
The Oktoberfest starts with the traditional tapping of the first keg of beer by the Mayor of Munich on October 12th, followed by two weeks of festivities.
1) Get a ticket in advance to avoid long lines
2) Drink lots of water throughout the day
3) Eat light, healthy food before you go so you’re not starving at a giant buffet table
4) Wear comfortable shoes that won’t be ruined by spilled beer or rain
5) Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun glare or bright lights
6) Eat traditional Bavarian food before you get drunk.
How to reserve a place in the beer tent at Oktoberfest tips and tricks
Especially for visits to the Oktoberfest at the weekends or in the evening, it is worth reserving a table in the festival tents in advance.
How to reserve
Only the landlords of the beer tents are allowed to accept Oktoberfest reservation requests, usually online. The landlords try their best to grant special requests for seats in certain spots, but cannot guarantee them. Since one table fits up to ten people, reservations usually come in groups of ten.
The best time to reserve
You have to wait until the reservation offices open. When exactly, the tents usually announced online. Late reservations can still be made a few weeks before Oktoberfest starts.
The vouchers
For most beer tents, the vouchers have to be collected some weeks before the event kicks off – at the landlord’s offices. Vouchers can also be mailed to any part of the world, for a small fee.
In the tent
The vouchers can be redeemed at an Oktoberfest table inside the beer tent. Of course, every visitor is free to eat and drink more than the amount that has been paid in advance. The reservation is not for a whole day but only for a certain time. This is to allow more groups of people to access tables inside the beer tent.
Some of the beer tents on the Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest tips and tricks
Armbrustschützen-Festzelt
Decorated in the unmistakable style of the Alpine foothills, the German crossbow championships are traditionally held here every year during the Oktoberfest. The meat for several Bavarian delicacies comes entirely from their own livestock.
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1910
- Seats inside: 5,820
- Seats outside: 1,600
- Beer: Paulaner
Hacker Festzelt
The Hacker marquee truly is the heaven of the Bavarians. With its famous white and blue ceiling, designed by Oscar winner Rolf Zehetbauer, it can even be opened upwards depending on the weather. The place is one of the most famous tents of the Okotberfest. The Hacker tent remains firmly in Munich city’s hands and is a major attraction for young visitors.
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1894
- Seats inside: 6,838
- Seats outside: 2,540
- Beer: Hacker-Pschorr
Augustiner-Festhalle
For a cozy and traditional festival experience, head for the Augustiner Festhalle. The beer served here comes from Munich’s oldest brewery and is still tapped from classic wooden kegs. The regional delicacies and the friendly waiters and waitresses are what makes the Augustiner tent one of the most rustic of them all. More information (in German)
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1898
- Seats inside: 6,000
- Seats outside: 2.500
- Beer: Augustiner Bräu
For a cozy and traditional festival experience, head for the Augustiner Festhalle. The beer served here comes from Munich’s oldest brewery and is still tapped from classic wooden kegs. The regional delicacies and the friendly waiters and waitresses are what makes the Augustiner tent one of the most rustic of them all.
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1898
- Seats inside: 6,000
- Seats outside: 2.500
- Beer: Augustiner Bräu
Herzkasperlzelt
The smaller of the 2 main beer tents on the “Oide Wiesn”, the Herzkasperl Festzelt’s focus is on traditional fun atmosphere with comedians, music, dancing and more bavarian entertainment. Of course, an Oktoberfest visit is never complete without food and beer, that’s why Herzkasperl Festzelt delivers typical bavarian dishes and Pschorr-brewed beer.
At the Oktoberfest since: 2010
- Seats inside: 1,748
- Seats outside: 1,100
- Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr
Online reservation here:
info@herzkasperlzelt.de
Festzelt Tradition
This rustic beer tent, one of the two big tents on the site of the historic Oktoberfest (“Oide Wiesn”), really deserves its name. Visitors are invited to celebrate like in the old days, with beer being served in mugs made of stone. Traditional bavarian folklore, music and dance, is the order of the day. People who come to this beer tent usually enjoy a more laid-back and calm version of Oktoberfest
- At the Oktoberfest since: 2010
- Seats inside: 5,000
- Seats outside: 3,050
- Beer: Augustiner Bräu
Hofbräu-Festzelt
The Hofbräuhaus is known worldwide, and so is the Hofbräu festival tent. The ceiling is decorated every year with 16 tonnes of hops, in the middle of which the statue of angel Aloisius sings his grumpy hosanna.
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1952
- Seating capacity inside: 6,098
- Standing room inside: 1,000
- Seating outside: 3,022
- Beer: Hofbräu
The Hofbräuhaus is known worldwide, and so is the Hofbräu festival tent. The ceiling is decorated every year with 16 tonnes of hops, in the middle of which the statue of angel Aloisius sings his grumpy hosanna. More information
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1952
- Seating capacity inside: 6,098
- Standing room inside: 1,000
- Seating outside: 3,022
- Beer: Hofbräu
Fischer-Vroni
If you feel like sampling other delicacies than the traditional roast chicken and pretzels, the highly traditional tent of Fischer-Vroni is just the place to be. Asides the usual Oktoberfest delights, the menu includes numerous fish dishes and, of course, the original Bavarian Steckerlfisch (fish on a stick). This modest and cozy tent is not quite as loud as the big beer tents.
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1904
- Seats inside: 3,162
- Seats outside: 700
- Beer: Augustiner Bräu
Löwenbräu-Festzelt
Although it’s pretty hard not to spot the Löwenbräu-Festzelt with its 37-meter high tower, you certainly will hear the sweet melodies coming from it. Above the entrance, sits a mighty lion which roars its unmistakable “Lööööwenbräu” every minute for all to hear. It therefore comes as no surprise that the players of TSV 1860, better known as ‘die Löwen’ (the lions), are regular guests here.
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1910
- Seats inside: 5,700
- Seats outside: 2,800
- Beer: Löwenbräu
Opening hours: oktoberfest tips and tricks
- Beer is served in the big festival tents until 10:30 p.m. in the small tents until 11 p.m. — closing everywhere at 11:30 p.m. (Käfer Wies’n-Schänke and Kufflers Weinzelt: Beer serving until 0:30 a.m. — closing at 1 a.m.).
- The stalls and rides open at 9 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. or midnight, depending on the day of the week.
- The historic Oktoberfest “Oide Wiesn” is open daily from 10 a.m. until 10:30 p.m
- Special times on Opening Day (Beer is served from 12 a.m.)
Which tent is where on the Wiesn? Where is the nearest kids’ ride? Get a complete overview of the grounds, find out which tents feature special lunch discounts, search for specific locations, and much, much in Oktoberfest’s official app. For visitors from abroad, the most important content on the app is also available in English, Italian, French, and Spanish. Download the App here: For iPhone and iPad or For Android devices.