Tips for celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich

This year, Munich’s annual Oktoberfest, known locally as “die Wiesn”, will take place from this Saturday (20 September) until 5 October.

The festival is the largest folk festival in the world, and began in 1810 to celebrate Princess Therese’s marriage to Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria.

The festival is famous for its blend of food, drink, music and more. However, it is also known for its chaos and crowds, so here are some planning tips to help you make the most out of your trip.

Admission is free – but it gets busy!

The Oktoberfest festival takes place in the Theresienwiese venue (meaning Therese’s Meadow, named in honour of Princess Therese). On Fridays and Saturdays, the tents are typically closed due to overcrowding, so making a reservation is the only way to guarantee admission.

Accommodation books up fast

Munich has a huge hotel capacity – however, booking accommodation early is vital, as rooms become scarce closer to the event, and prices soar.

While accommodation within walking distance of the event is ideal, transport to the outskirts of the city runs until 1.30 am on weekdays and 2 am on weekends. This gives visitors plenty of time to get back, as last orders are served at 10.30 pm in the tents.

Don’t miss the parades

The first Saturday and Sunday of the festival are the days in which spectacular parades traverse the city. The streets light up with traditional dress, music, horses and carriages and more.

At Emma Latham Travel, I organise luxury travel experiences to a variety of destinations, so that you can immerse yourselves in events without the hassle of juggling the planning yourself. Get in touch to find out more.