München – Oktoberfest (Wiesn) – Attractions, Hours, Prices & Crowds

DE Fun Fairs

München - Oktoberfest (Wiesn)

München · Bayern · Germany

3.02 (28)

Attractions: 65
Check-ins in the app: 120
Photos in the app: 56

About the Park

The in Munich, affectionately known as the ‘’ by locals, is the largest folk festival in the world and a global symbol of Bavarian culture and joie de vivre. Its origins date back to 1810, when it was first celebrated on the occasion of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese, after whom the venue, the Theresienwiese, is named. What once began as a private horse race has developed over the centuries into a gigantic spectacle that attracts millions of people from all continents every year, mastering the balancing act between deep-rooted tradition and modern amusement park.

The atmosphere on the approximately 34-hectare festival grounds is unique and is significantly influenced by the impressive festival tents. There are a total of around 14 to 17 large tents and numerous smaller catering establishments, which together offer space for well over 100,000 guests at a time. Each tent has its own character, from the more traditional Bräurosl to the Käfer tent, known for its celebrity density, to the Schottenhamel, where the festive opening takes place every year. The traditional tapping of the first beer barrel by the Mayor of Munich and the cry of ‘O'zapft is!’ officially marks the start of the two-week celebration, which usually begins at the end of September and ends on the first weekend in October.

The statistical dimensions of the are just as impressive as the festival itself. In an average season, around 6 million visitors flock to the Theresienwiese, with record years seeing over 7 million guests. This enormous crowd consumes huge quantities of Bavarian specialities: on average, over 7 million litres of beer are served, which is brewed especially for this occasion with a higher original wort content. In terms of cuisine, around 500,000 roast chickens, also known as ‘Hendl’, as well as tens of thousands of pork knuckles and countless oxen on skewers are consumed. To manage this logistical feat, around 13,000 employees are on duty during the , several thousand of whom are involved in catering and service alone.

In addition to the gastronomic offerings, the features one of the world's largest and most diverse amusement parks. Over 150 showmen provide entertainment, with a selection ranging from historical classics such as the ‘Teufelsrad’ (Devil's Wheel) or the ‘Krinoline’ (Crinoline) to adrenaline-pumping rides that are unique in the world. A special highlight for technology fans is the ‘Olympia ’, the world's largest transportable five-loop roller coaster. Those who prefer a quieter pace will find historic rides and traditional brass band music at the ‘Oidn ’, a separately enclosed area reminiscent of the cosy folk festivals of decades past.

However, is not only a place of entertainment, but also a significant economic factor for the state capital of Munich and the surrounding area. The total economic value of the is estimated at over 1 billion euros, which underlines its enormous importance for the hotel industry, retail trade and transport companies. Despite its commercial size, the festival remains at its core a celebration of community, where people in traditional dress – whether in classic dirndls or lederhosen – come together to celebrate Bavarian conviviality with brass band music and a mug of beer, leaving everyday life behind for a short time.

Travel information:

By public transport:

- By train: Munich Central Station (distance 1.3 km)

- By S-Bahn: Hackerbrücke stop (all lines)

- By underground: Theresienwiese or Schwanthalerhöhe stop (lines U4, U5)

By car:

- Venue: Theresienwiese

Parking options:

- Forum Schwanthalerhöhe car park (Gollierstraße 6)

- Sonnenhof underground car park (Landwehrstraße 10)

- CONTIPARK Stachus underground car park (Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße 11)