Oktoberfest Returns With Tradition, Crowds and Higher Costs

Oktoberfest 2026 will begin at noon on Saturday, September 19, when Munich’s mayor ceremonially taps the first beer keg and declares “O’zapft is.” The festival will run through October 4 and is expected to attract more than 6 million visitors to Munich’s Theresienwiese. The opening ceremony is followed by 12 gunshots signaling that the beer tents may begin serving. The article highlights expanded security measures introduced after severe overcrowding at the 2025 festival. Munich will deploy 26 additional cameras alongside 56 police cameras, use artificial intelligence to monitor visitor flows, and operate a new coordination center for security agencies and organizers. Authorities have also prepared a plan to respond to drones, and approximately 600 police officers will be stationed at the festival. Despite Oktoberfest’s international reputation, most visitors are from Munich, Bavaria, or elsewhere in Germany. In 2025, 41% came from Munich, 25% from the surrounding area, and 9% from elsewhere in the region. About 21% traveled from abroad, with Americans forming the largest international group, followed by Italians. A one-liter Maß of beer will cost between €14.80 and €15.90, while a liter of table water costs €11, although free drinking fountains are available. Cannabis is prohibited, and ride tickets range from just under €5 to €14. The festival retains strong traditional features: much of its fairground culture has been recognized by UNESCO, and around 90% of the fairground operators reportedly have roots extending to the 19th century. Cash remains important because many vendors do not accept cards. Traditional clothing is optional. Bavarians commonly wear dirndls and lederhosen, but visitors can dress casually. Organizers advise avoiding cheap costume versions and suggest jeans and a checkered shirt as a more appropriate alternative.

Munich’s 191st Oktoberfest officially opened at noon on Saturday after newly elected Munich Mayor Dominik Krause successfully tapped the festival’s first beer barrel with two strikes of the mallet. The Green Party politician then presented the first one-liter mug to Bavarian Premier Markus Söder of the conservative Christian Social Union, marking the first time Söder has received the ceremonial beer from a Green mayor. Cannon fire signaled that beer could be served across the festival grounds. Thousands of visitors had already gathered outside the Theresienwiese, with gates opening at 9 a.m. Some attendees ran to secure seats in the beer tents after waiting overnight, arriving with camping chairs, sleeping bags and emergency blankets. Organizers controlled the crowds by allowing visitors onto the grounds in stages to prevent a dangerous rush. More than six million people are expected to attend the 16-day festival, which runs through October 4. Known locally as the Wiesn, Oktoberfest includes large beer tents, fairground rides, traditional Bavarian food and live music. Opening-day conditions were expected to be favorable, with blue skies and temperatures reaching 24 degrees Celsius. Beer prices continue to rise. A one-liter mug costs between €14.80 and €15.90 this year, with an average price of €15.61—2.38% higher than last year. The average price has nearly quintupled since 1985, when a liter cost about 6.25 deutschmarks, equivalent to roughly €3.20 after conversion. Over the same period, consumer prices have increased by about 120%.

Munich’s Oktoberfest has officially returned, bringing the Bavarian capital’s 16-day celebration back to the Theresienwiese. The opening day combined traditional dress, decorated horse-drawn carriages, brass bands, festival tents, fairground rides and large crowds, with warm, sunny weather adding to the festive atmosphere. The traditional procession of the Wiesn landlords began at around 10:35 a.m. and included approximately 1,000 participants, including festival hosts, showmen, musicians and waiting staff. They travelled through central Munich in decorated carriages and wagons before arriving at the festival grounds. The tents opened at 9 a.m., but initially served only non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. Beer sales and fairground rides began after the ceremonial tapping of the first keg. At noon, Munich Mayor Dominik Krause tapped the keg in the Schottenhamel tent for the first time during his term. Following the traditional cry of “O’zapft is!” and twelve cannon shots fired from the Bavaria statue, the festival officially began. Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder received the first one-litre stein, while visitors began competing for seats in the busy tents. Oktoberfest is one of the world’s largest folk festivals and attracted about 6.5 million visitors at its previous edition, according to Bavarian public broadcaster BR. Beer prices this year range from €14.80 to €15.90 per litre, while large pretzels cost approximately €5 to €6. Munich authorities recommend public transport because parking near the Theresienwiese is expected to be extremely difficult.