The best time to visit the Oktoberfest
About 6 million people attend the Oktoberfest each year. Although for all days everything is very convivial, there are times when it is a bit quieter and cozier at the biggest Volksfest in the world – and days when there’s particularly lots going on. Our Oktoberfest Barometer gives you an overview.

Lunchtime at the Oktoberfest, “Italian weekend” and family days
The Munich resident who attends Oktoberfest knows his business and knows when one can enjoy a grilled chicken and a fresh beer on site, without a reservation, and take their time over it. For everyone else, we have compiled the empirical data and figures in our Oktoberfest Barometer.
On “Italian weekend” – the weekend in the middle – it is particularly full. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, then it can get pretty busy in the tents. Also on the two Tuesdays – the family days – there’s more people in the afternoon. But that’s less in the tents and more by the stalls and rides for the little ones.
And of course the public holiday, October 3, attracts lots of visitors.
The Oktoberfest Barometer – how busy it is on each day
When it’s green, it’s relatively relaxed and cozy at the Oktoberfest. Yellow means a medium number of visitors and the darker the red gets, the busier it is likely to be in the grounds. In 2023, Oktoberfest will last two days longer, from September 16 to October 3.