The festival
Oktoberfest is Munich’s great public fair: huge beer tents, brass bands, traditional food, and a full amusement park on the Theresienwiese. Locals rarely say “Oktoberfest” in conversation—they call it die Wiesn. This page is a compact overview of what that means when you visit in 2026.
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From royal wedding to Volksfest
The festival began in 1810 as a horse race and public celebration for the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The field was named Theresienwiese—“Therese’s meadow”—and the name stuck. Over two centuries it grew into the world’s largest Volksfest: part beer festival, part fair, part Bavarian folk culture on a grand scale.
What you’ll find on the Wiesn
Today the site blends several worlds in one place:
- Large beer tents (Festzelte) — The famous heart of the Wiesn: long tables, live music, and beer from Munich breweries served by the litre (Maß).
- Smaller tents and stalls — Wine, champagne, specialty food, and quieter corners alongside the big names.
- Rides and games — Roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and classic fairground attractions ring the grounds.
- Oide Wiesn — A separate, more traditional area with historic rides, museum tents, and an older-fashioned pace. We cover it in our Oide Wiesn guide.
Beer on the Wiesn
Only beer brewed within the city of Munich according to strict rules may be served in the large festival tents—a long-standing tradition visitors often notice in the taste and atmosphere. You do not need a ticket to enter the festival grounds; tents may fill up or require reservations at busy times, especially on weekends.
Music, dress, and atmosphere
Brass bands and sing-alongs define the sound of the tents. Many guests wear Tracht—dirndls and lederhosen—not as a costume requirement but as part of the festive culture. Outside the tents, the fair lights and crowds carry the same energy across the whole meadow.
Planning your visit
For dates and daily rhythms, see opening times. For parades and special days, see events. Use our festival map and attractions section to build a route before you go.