Oktoberfest 2025 Guide for First Timers to Enjoy Munich Event
Planning your first trip to the world’s largest beer festival – Oktoberfest? Then, you will need an Oktoberfest 2025 Guide that will help you explore the entire event like a local!
The Oktoberfest is not just about the beer – although you will love it a lot. However, it is also a delightful celebration of the Bavarian culture, food, music and the traditions. All of this incredible German culture dates back to more than 200 years!
This curated guide will walk you through everything about the festival. This includes the festival dates, beer tent reservations and all the important information. So, go through this guide and secure your Germany Schengen Visa UK to get ready for the biggest beer festival in the world!
Oktoberfest 2025 Guide for First-Time Visitors – Everything to Know!
The Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world attracting close to 6 million visitors each year!
Did you know? Oktoberfest is also the world’s largest Volksfest – a combination of beer festival and the travelling funfair!
Interestingly, the festival started as a royal wedding celebration around 200 years ago. This is when , the Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese on 12th October, 1810. The citizens of the Munich were invited to attend the festivities on the fields that are outside the city. The celebrations also included a large horse race that was held in the honour of the princess.
What started as a wedding party quickly evolved into one of the most cherished celebrations of Germany. Out of all the attendees, a whopping 85% are made up of Germans alone!
Get ready to witness some amazing things that beautifully represent the Bavarian culture, cuisine and, of course, the beer. All you need is a Germany Visa from UK to get started!
Oktoberfest 2025 Dates – When is it?
Mark your calendars! The Oktoberfest 2025 will start on 20th September, 2025, Saturday. It will go on for about 16-days and end on 5th October 2025, Sunday.
The festival’s opening day will have beer tents open by 9 am. Beers will start being served by 12 noon with the official tapping of the first beer barrel.
During the weekdays (Monday to Thursday), beers will be served from 10 am to 10.30 pm.
During the weekends i.e., Friday, Beer tents remain open from 10 am to midnight!
As for the fairground stalls, they will usually open from 10 am 11.30 pm or midnight. Make sure to remember these timings while reading the Oktoberfest 2025 guide so that you can have a smooth visit to the venue and the attractions of the festival.
Interesting Fact – In 2025, the Oktoberfest will be hosting its 190th edition featuring delicious beer, food and culture!
Where is the Oktoberfest in 2025?
The Oktober 2025 will take place at the historic Theresienwiese. Many locals also call this place as Wiesn. The venue is essentially a large open space in the Munich, Germany.
It is the same place where the first festival i.e., the marriage celebration was first held in 1810.
You will find this venue just southwest of the city center of Munich. This makes it easy for the visitors to access the venue.
Get this – Theresienwiese was named after the Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. She is the wife of King Ludwig I.
Within the venue, you will find some distinct areas such as the Oide Wiesn (Old Oktoberfest). This place offers a more traditional experience with the historical rides and the authentic Bavarian music.
Oktoberfest 2025 for First-time Visitors – Tips You Must Know
- Try to arrive early in the day, especially during the weekends. This will help you avoid the crowds and find a good spot in the beer tents.
- Carry cash everywhere as you will quickly realize that credit cards are not widely accepted. Try to budget a minimum of 100 euros per day and have that in cash.
- Try to visit the smaller tents as the major ones might get extremely crowded. This way, you will have the chance to enjoy better foods, have more seating availability and indulge in the authentic festival atmosphere.
- Download the official Oktoberfest app to have up-to-date information, maps and alerts about the festival
Have you heard? Oktoberfest is expected to attract approximately 6.7 million visitors in 2025!
Is 2 Days at Oktoberfest Enough?
Yes, spending two days at the Oktoberfest 2025 is more than enough for most of the visitors.
Even the locals attend the festival for a day or two to have fun. After that, they head back home. It is the tourists who typically experience the festival for longer durations.
What are the Major Highlights of Oktoberfest 2025 in Munich?
1). Grand Parade of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries
The first day of the festival i.e., 20th September 2025, begins with a grand parade lasting for 45 minutes. In this parade, close to 1,000 participants will take part. These include the families of the Beer Tent Landlords, Horse-Drawn Carriages decorated with flowers and the magnificent drays of the six traditional breweries of Munich.
Apart from this, you will also get to witness waitresses in the traditional costumes riding the decorated floats. The parade proceeds through the central Munich streets (Sonnenstraße, Schwanthalerstraße) before arriving at the Oktoberfest venue (Theresienwiese).
2). The Official Tapping Ceremony (“O’zapft is!”)
On the opening day, the Mayor of the Munich taps the first beer barrel at noon in the Schottenhamel Festhalle . He then shouts the traditional phrase – “O’zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”) .
This is essentially a ceremonial tapping that signals the official start of the Oktoberfest 2025!
Fun Fact – On an average, about 7 million liters of beer are consumed during Oktoberfest.
3). Traditional Costume and Riflemen’s Parade (Trachten- und Schützenzug)
On the first Sunday of the festival, 21st September 2025, get ready to witness the world-famous Trachten- und Schützenzug parade . A whopping 9,000 participants dressed in the traditional costumes arrive from different parts of the Germany. These include Bavaria, Franconia, Swabia, other German regions, and neighboring countries. They march for close to 7 kms from the Max II Memorial to the Oktoberfest grounds.
The Goal – To showcase the diversity and the beauty of the Bavarian and the regional folk costumes, historic uniforms and the traditional riflemen’s groups.
4). Indulge in Mouth-Watering Bavarian Food & Beer from Munich Breweries
The Oktoberfest is famous for its traditional Bavarian cuisine. So, expect to relish some delicious foods like the Weißwurst (white sausages), Bratwurst, Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), giant pretzels (Brezn), and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel). You will also get the opportunity to relish the only beer brewed within the Munich City Limits by six official breweries – Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten. Please note that these beers will have higher alcohol content – so consume accordingly!
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5). Does Oktoberfest 2025 Have Amusement Rides or Attractions?
Yes, the Theresienwiese will host close to 100 rides and the stalls. These comprise the roller coasters, Ferris wheels, haunted houses and the carnival games. These attractions provide entertainment beyond the beer tents which cater to the families and visitors of all the ages.
Worried about “Is Oktoberfest 2025 good for families?” Then, these attractions should put you at ease!
6). Open-Air Oktoberfest Music Concert 2025
On 28th September 2025, Sunday, the Oktoberfest will host an open-air concert. It will take place on the steps of the Bavaria statue. This concert features all the Oktoberfest bands which have about 400 musicians!
Witness the Mayor of Munich traditionally conduct the concert. This helps create a grand musical highlight that celebrates the Bavarian folk music and the festive spirit of the Oktoberfest.
7). Firecracker Shooting – Closing Ceremony of Oktoberfest 2025
On the last day of the festival, 5th October 2025, you get to witness a spectacular firecracker shooting ceremony. This will also take place on the steps of the Bavaria statue. Close to 60 men and women fire salutes with the black powder which creates the loud bangs and the dense white smoke resulting in an impressive display!
How to Make Oktoberfest Beer Tent Reservations 2025?
Here are some simple steps you can follow to make a reservation at the Beer Tents of Oktoberfest 2025:
- Visit the official website of the Oktoberfest or find out the contact points of the individual beer tents.
- Book online by filling the form with all the relevant details or connect with the tent representatives. Make sure that you should have a group of around 8-10 people to make the booking.
- Simply make the payment to get your table booked in the beer tents booked at Oktoberfest 2025.
Please note: The tables also have a minimum consumption requirement. This usually includes two litres of the beer, half a roast chicken per individual or a voucher of €18 in some tents. We have included this information in the Oktoberfest 2025 guide to make sure that you know about the requirements of the beer tent reservation!
Pro Tip – About 25-40% of the seats in the large tents remain unreserved. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis, especially during weekdays and the lunchtime. You can use this time to access the tents and have a gala time enjoying beer or making conversations!
Do I Need to Book Oktoberfest 2025 Tickets?
No, you do not have to book tickets to enter the Oktoberfest 2025. This is because, access to the festival grounds and the beer tents is completely free for everyone. You only need to book a ticket/make a reservation, if you want a guaranteed seat inside the popular beer tents.
If you haven’t heard – The largest beer tent of Oktoberfest is The Hofbräu-Festzelt. It has a seating capacity of about 10,000 people!
Where to Stay at Oktoberfest 2025?
Many often search for the ideal accommodations so that they can have a delightful stay during the festival. This Oktoberfest 2025 guide will share about some popular areas and hotels to stay that, will cater to all your needs.
1). Popular Areas to Stay Near Oktoberfest Venue
- Ludwigsvorstadt and Schwanthalerhöhe: These are essentially the neighbourhoods which are located about 1 km of the festival venue. This means, if you book your stay here, you can easily walk to the venue of Oktoberfest!
- City Center (Altstadt-Lehel): The Munich’s central areas usually feature the lively ambience. Here, you will find many of the hotels and the hassle-free public transport.
- Near Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof): This is another place which is quite close to the Oktoberfest venue. From here, you can easily go to the venue in about 5 to 10 minutes of walk or take a quick public transport option for more convenience.
2). Recommended Hotels for Convenient Oktoberfest Stay Experience
Here are some of the hotels, where you can consider booking your stay!
- Marc Munich – It is a modern 4-star hotel which is about 1.1 km from the Oktoberfest venue. This place features great rooms, wonderful amenities and is close to the Munich Central Station.
- Platzl Hotel – Boasting a rating of 4.5/5, this hotel is located near the English Garden and the City Center. This place has wonderful rooms and great gym facilities.
Apart from these, you can also go for budget accommodations. These include Super 8 by Wyndham Munich City West, Meininger Hotel Munich City Center, and A&O München Hauptbahnhof.
Conclusion
As we wrap our Oktoberfest 2025 guide, remember that this world-famous beer extravaganza is more than just beer . This event also celebrates the fascinating culture of Bavaria, the lip-smacking local cuisine and the community that has thrived for over two centuries.
Whether you a raising a toast in the popular beer tents or relishing the traditional delicacies, the Oktoberfest offers some amazing experiences for every visitor.
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Oktoberfest 2025 awaits your arrival! Get ready to dive into a magical celebration in Munich with your loved ones!
FAQs
Yes, you do not need any tickets or reservations to visit the Oktoberfest or its tents. However, if you want a table for a group in the tents, you will need to make a reservation separately.
Absolutely! While beer is central to the Oktoberfest celebrations, you can also relish many of the non-alcohol options. Many tents serve the non-alcoholic beer, sodas, water and juices. You can also enjoy many attractions like the amusement rides and connecting with people from around the world!
On the weekdays, try to arrive before 2.30 pm. On the weekends or the holidays, you should aim to be at the venue at least by 9 am. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances of grabbing a seat in the tent to savour lip-smacking beer!
No, you do not need to speak German to enjoy the Oktoberfest. Although, learning a few phrases like the “Prost!” (Cheers!) and “Danke” (Thank you) will improve your overall experience. On the other hand, Munich serves speak English, so you shouldn’t have any problem in the popular tents where tourists usually come.
First-timers should try to wear the traditional Bavarian attire, the Lederhosen for men, Dirndls for women. This will enable you to have a richer experience of the festival while the locals notice and appreciate your respect for the culture.
