I can confidently say I have been to a handful of festivals and celebrations worldwide. And Oktoberfest is one of my top three favorite fests. Attending Oktoberfest is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Over 6 million people from all over the world (with the majority of locals) gather here every year to celebrate everything German.
Unlike the popular opinion that “Oktoberfest is the place to get drunk,” I experienced the fun side of the festival, too. Besides the Munich-brewed beer, the food, carnival rides, music, and parades are also part of the two-week Bavarian Beerfest. The festival is very family-friendly, with all-age-inclusive activities and Tuesdays dedicated to families. In short, the world's largest Volksfest was a treat to the eyes!
I’ve been to three Oktoberfests, and each time feels like stepping into centuries-old German traditions. The festival happens at Theresienwiese, a huge 100-acre field locals call “Wiesn.” The festival ground is filled with life-size beer tents, theme park rides, and the smell of pretzels in the air. It is a place where I befriended a stranger, laughed my heart out, and made lifelong memories.
The heart of Oktoberfest beats in its 14 big beer tents, each one a little world in itself. Families flock to quieter tents like the Weinzelt, which serves wine and kid-friendly drinks, while crazy young ground love the party vibe of the large Hofbräu Festzel.
My favorite is the Hacker-Pschorr tent, with its sky-blue ceiling painted like fluffy clouds. It’s like sipping beer under a sunny sky, even if it’s raining outside!
Another gem is the Schottenhamel tent, where the mayor kicks off the festival by tapping the first keg and shouting, “O’zapft is!”—that means “It’s tapped!” Every tent serves beer from Munich’s six main breweries:
These beers follow a 500-year-old rule called the Reinheitsgebot, using only water, barley, and hops. A one-liter mug, called a “Maß,” costs about €13.75, and beer maids carry up to 18 of them at once—that’s over 40 pounds!
Did You Know? In 2023, folks drank 7.2 million liters of beer, a little less than the highest in 2014, when 7.7 million liters of beer was consumed. That’s like filling three Olympic pools!
Pro Tip: Arrive early, like 9 a.m. on weekends, to grab a seat. Tents get packed fast, and you don’t need a ticket for most. Just show up and enjoy!
Oktoberfest isn’t just for beer lovers. I’m a foodie, and the food at the festival is equally amazing. The experience of biting into a crispy “Hendl” (grilled chicken) or a soft pretzel as big as your face is delightful.
I suggest always saving room for Schweinshaxe, a juicy pork knuckle that melts into the mouth. For sweets, try gingerbread hearts with cute messages like “I mog di” (Bavarian for “I like you”). Apple strudel, Kaiserschmarrn, Black Forrest cake slice, and Dampfnudeln are some popular Oktoberfest desserts.
Besides the Tents, there are carnival rides, booths, and an area dedicated to “Oide Wiesn” to experience the earliest iterations of the festival.
The area, situated at the southern end of the festival ground “Oide Wiesn,” has nostalgic rides, three large beer tents, and historic stalls.
The entry fee to the Historical Oktoberfest is 4 Euros per person. It is free after 9:00 p.m., and children under 14 are also welcome without the entrance fee. The fee is 50% waived for people with special needs and handicapped tickets.
What began as a celebration of the festival's 200th anniversary became a permanent part of it. I personally enjoyed the Kettenflieger Kalb ride, which flashed back all my childhood memories. Here, you can enjoy the rides for a low price compared to the main festival rides.
There’s a Ferris wheel with views of Munich’s twinkling lights, plus roller coasters and games. The rides at the Oktoberfest are no less than the level of Disneyland theme park in Florida. The traditional rides like Toboggan and Teufelsrad are my two personal favorites. I fell multiple times on both but had fits of laughter.
I personally like taking out of the less famous part of any festival to experience every inch of the celebration. The booths at the festival have souvenirs, games, and food at much lower prices than the inside of the tent.
Do try the “Be Marilyn” stall and pick up your own beer stein from one of the souvenir booths instead of getting caught with one.
Fun Fact: In 2011, the security personnel confiscated over 226,000 stolen beer mugs, so keep an eye on yours!
I wore a traditional German dress to Oktoberfest, which made my experience ten times better. Men should wear lederhosen, and women can twirl in dirndl dresses with aprons to blend in Bavarians and fully get into their traditional values.
I bought my dirndl at a Munich shop for €80, and it felt like wearing history. Locals say the bow’s side matters: right means you’re taken, left means you’re single. Every year, the majority of visitors are Bavarians, so you’ll see tons of these outfits.
Pro Tip: Rent a dirndl or lederhosen if you’re short on luggage space. They’re functional and make every photo pop!
Music fills the air at almost every small and large Oktoberfest tent. Brass bands play oompah tunes, and everyone sings along to “Ein Prosit,” a song about cheering good times.
I joined a bench-dancing party in the Löwenbräu tent. Yes!! You can stand on benches and sway! It’s wild but only do it at your own risk, with 6,000 security staff watching out. The festival even has a “Safe Wiesn” app for women, showing nearby help points.
Some important tips to get through the Oktoberfest celebration without any hiccups are:
Oktoberfest is magic, but it’s real. I heard a lot about the festival, especially its historical roots, which always made me wonder how it would be to experience Oktoberfest in real. My real-time experience made me truly believe in why Oktoberfest is one of the largest festivals in the world and why it’s now celebrated worldwide. Be it the Oktoberfest tents, the Bavarian music, the traditional delicacies, or the rides- it has something for both adults and kids. Although you must abide by a few rules and regulations, which makes sense because managing over 6 million people on one ground is no joke, Oktoberfest is all about fun, Bavarian culture, and entertainment. In 2023, only 14% of visitors were from outside Germany, but that doesn’t mean foreigners are not welcome. Respect German culture, traditional clothing, and norms; they’ll welcome you to the festival with open arms and hearts. If Munich Oktoberfest is still on your bucket list and you are indecisive, plan your visit for the upcoming year and make it your next favorite destination.
