Dates and General FAQs

When will Oktoberfest 2009 take place?

On Saturday, September 19th, the Schottenhamel tent is the place to be, if you want to catch the official opening ceremonies. At noontime, 12pm, the lord mayor of Munich will have the honor of tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. Once the barrel has been tapped, all visitors will then be allowed to quench their thirst. It pays to arrive early in order to experience the festivities up close and personal and it's quite common for visitors to come around 9am to secure good seats. The festival will last until October 4th, 2009.

What are the opening hours?

Beer Serving Hours
Weekdays: 10am - 10:30pm
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 9am - 10:30pm

Daily Tent Closing Time: 11:30pm
The "Käfer Wiesn-Schänke" and the "Weinzelt" are open until 1am. Last call for alcohol: 12:15am.

More about the tents

Sales Booths (souveniors, cigarettes, etc.)
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 11:30pm
Friday: 10am - 12am (midnight)
Saturday: 9am - 12am
Sundays and holidays:9am - 11:30pm

Carnival and Rides
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 11:30pm
Friday, Saturday: 10am - 12am
Sundays and holidays: 10am - 11:30pm

Family Days
Every tuesday from 12pm until 6pm
Discounted ride, entrance, and sales prices!

When is Oktoberfest scheduled for the next years?

2010: September 18 - October 3
2011: September 17 - October 3
2012: September 22 - October 7

Why is Oktoberfest called "Oktober"-fest when it actually begins in September?

The historical background: the first Oktoberfest was held in the year 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended on October 17th with a horse race. In the following years, the celebrations were repeated and, later, the festival was prolonged and moved forward into September.

By moving the festivities up, it allowed for better weather conditions. Because the September nights were warmer, the visitors were able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and the stroll over "die Wiesen" or the fields much longer without feeling chilly. Historically, the last Oktoberfest weekend was in October and this tradition continues into present times.

Learn more about Oktoberfest’s history

How much will a liter of beer (the "Maß" Oktoberfest Beer) cost this year?

The beer price will range between 7.80 and 8.30 Euros per liter - varying in every beer tent. (Previous year: 7.30 to 7.90 Euros)

Are children allowed to visit the beer tents?

It depends on the age: Children under the age of six must leave the tents at 8pm even if they are in the company of their parents. A crowded tent wouldn’t be much fun for either the childern or the parents. For more information, please click on Wiesn tips for families.

What is "Die Wiesn"?

The locals in Munich fondly refer to Oktoberfest as "die Wiesn" because of its location, Theresienwiese, which was named after Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. To find out more about her, click on Wiesn history.

Is there a program of events to observe during this folk's festival?

The main highlight of the Wiesn events and an important must-see is the Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen’s Parade. The parade happens every year on the first Wiesn Sunday.

Other important events are the Parade of Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, the Official Tapping of the Keg, the Oktoberfest Mass , "Böllerschießen" (handheld canon salute) in front of the Bavaria statue and - this year- an agricultural festival.