Oktoberfest 2026: Everything You Need to Know

The 191st Oktoberfest in Munich will open on September 19, 2026, with the symbolic tapping of the first barrel of beer. Mayor of Munich will drive a tap into the wooden barrel while shouting "O zapft is," a phrase that means "It's tapped." This will be followed by 12 gunshots, signaling for the festival tents to start serving beer. Over 6 million people are expected to attend the festival, running until October 4.

To manage the large crowds and ensure safety, the city of Munich has implemented expanded security measures. These measures include 26 new cameras, 56 police cameras, an AI system monitoring visitor flows, a new coordination center, and 600 police officers on site. The festival grounds cover 34.5 hectares, equivalent to 48 soccer fields, making it one of the largest Volksfests in the world.

Despite its global fame, most visitors to Oktoberfest are regional. Last year, 41% of attendees came from Munich, 25% from the surrounding area, and 9% from neighboring regions, with three-quarters of the roughly 6.5 million visitors coming from Bavaria. About 4% of visitors, or around 1.35 million people, traveled from abroad, with Americans making up the largest group, accounting for just under 20% of the total, followed by Italians.

Beer prices for the festival are expected to increase again. A traditional 1-liter mug of beer, known as a Mass, will cost between €14.80 and €15.90 ($17-$18.25), slightly higher than last year. A liter of table water costs €11, although there are also several free drinking water fountains. Visitors planning to enjoy the various rides at the festival should stay relatively sober, as tickets for rides cost between €5 and €14.

Traditional Bavarian attire, including dirndls for women and lederhosen for men, is encouraged. While wearing traditional dress is not mandatory, locals may view cheap imitations negatively. Visitors can withdraw money from ATMs on the festival grounds, but many vendors still accept cash only.