Oktoberfest 2024: A Guide to the World's Biggest Beer Festival

Visiting Oktoberfest for the first time? Here's what you need to know about the iconic German festival.

Some six million people attend Munich's Oktoberfest each year, including plenty of return visitors. But if you're a first-timer, don't worry — we've got you covered with this Oktoberfest guide. There are just a few things you need to know to maximize your Oktoberfest experience, including must-visit beer tents, top things to do, and more.

The very first Oktoberfest took place in 1810, and it didn't begin as a public holiday. It all started as part of the royal wedding of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The wedding festivities began on Oct. 12 and lasted until Oct. 17, when the newlyweds celebrated their love with a public horse race. And because things went so well, the celebration became an annual event held every October. Hence, Oktoberfest was born, and it was eventually pushed up to September to ensure the weather was pleasant for revelers. The bride is still celebrated to this day at Oktoberfest. As the official Oktoberfest website notes, the field where the event takes place was named "Theresens-Wiese" (now "Theresienwiese") to ensure her name is remembered forever.

Oktoberfest typically runs from mid-September to the first Sunday in October, lasting about two and a half weeks. In 2024, the festival kicks off on Sept. 21 and ends on Oct. 6. The main event is held at Theresienwiese, a large open space in Munich that is easily accessible by public transport.

Planning Your Oktoberfest Trip

Planning ahead is critical for the best — and most cost-effective — Oktoberfest experience. Thanks to those six million attendees, flight and accommodation prices can soar around Oktoberfest weekends, so we spoke to an expert for budget-friendly tips.

"Instead of paying high flight fares to fly directly into Munich — we're talking $600-plus round-trip — grab fares with budget airlines like Norse Atlantic Airways and PLAY to Berlin from $355 round-trip and then grab either a connecting flight to Munich or a train from Berlin to Munich," Sophie Coderre, the editor of the travel deals platform, TravelPirates, who also lived in Germany for some time, shared with Travel + Leisure.

Staying in the city is most convenient, but travelers on a budget may want to look elsewhere to find more affordable places to stay. "Opt to stay outside of Munich to avoid high hotel prices," Coderre said, suggesting nearby spots like Augsburg, Garmisch, Nuremberg, or Tegernsee, which are less than 90 minutes away by train.

It's also important to think about what kind of Oktoberfest experience you want to have. Are you looking for a quieter time where you can sip and savor or a more raucous affair? Either way, you'll find exactly what you're looking for by checking out the Oktoberfest Barometer, which measures each day of the festival on a scale of "quiet" to "very busy" to ensure people can find the right environment for their experience. As you may expect, the busiest times are Saturday evenings, as well as the last Thursday afternoon of the festival.

Oktoberfest Traditions

Oktoberfest, to put it mildly, is a jovial event. After all, it did start as a wedding celebration. Even in the "quiet" times, you can still expect a lively atmosphere as beer tents open around 10 a.m. on the weekdays and 9 a.m. on the weekends. People come here to have a good time, plain and simple. And people really do lean into the Bavarian spirit by dressing up in traditional attire — lederhosen for men and dirndls for women — which is something you should consider, too.

"The dirndl is probably the number one item during the Oktoberfest season," per Coderre. However, as she noted, it's critical to make sure you're wearing the real thing. "Cheap dirndl costumes from the carnival shop have nothing in common with Bavarian costumes," she added. If you're looking for a high-quality costume, try local shops like Moser Trachtenwelt that offer the real deal at affordable prices.

Exploring the Beer Tents

There are more than a dozen large beer tents at Oktoberfest for guests to explore, each offering a unique spirit and special drinks and snacks. "The younger crowd is mainly to be found in the Hacker-Festzelt, where it’s filled with pop and party music and dancing on the beer benches," Coderre explained. She also suggested The Augustiner tent, which "is family-friendly and traditional." Looking for more of a party? Try the Hofbräu or the Löwenbräu tents, and find locals and tourists mingling together at the Paulaner tent. And don't miss the Schottenhamel tent, known for hosting the festival's opening ceremony.

But as Eva Metz-Tolliver, a travel consultant specializing in Germany, adds, you can always test out multiple tents to find the right one.

"I recommend first-time visitors check out a few different beer tents on their first visit before making a decision on where to stay, eat, and drink," Metz-Tolliver said. "A certain number of seats need to be kept open for walk-ins, and groups of two or four should be able to find seats anywhere — they should not be afraid to squeeze in."

Beyond the Beer Tents

We promise there is plenty to see and do outside of the beer tents at Oktoberfest. The festival also includes amusement rides (maybe try those before drinking beer) and even a massive Ferris wheel, which provides a gorgeous view of the festival grounds and the city from above. There are also musical performances, dancing, and even a strongman game to watch or take part in when you need a break from the tents.

For a deeper look at Bavarian culture, make sure to take a bit of time to visit the Oide Wiesn, a smaller section of the festival dedicated to traditional music, costumes, and even old-school rides.

Oktoberfest Tips for a Memorable Experience

Need more? Here are a few ways to maximize the Oktoberfest experience, according to our experts.

"Wearing the traditional dirndl and lederhosen has become increasingly common among locals and visitors alike," Metz-Tolliver shared. "I recommend they carve out a few hours of their time the day before their Oktoberfest visit to go shopping. There are many trachten stores in Munich’s old town, and travelers are bound to find a fitting Octoberfest outfit."

If you're traveling with a larger group of 10 or more, our experts recommend reserving a table ahead of time so you won't be disappointed when the waitstaff can't seat you. This way, you all know exactly where to meet during the chaotic festival.

While some places accept cards, cash is the preferred payment method in the tents and at many food stalls. Additionally, the waitstaff are all independent contractors, so having a little cash on hand to tip is always nice.

This one may be stating the obvious, but it's key to try and pace yourself as much as possible to ensure you have a great time throughout your stay. Make sure to order a few glasses of water in between those steins.

"Oktoberfest is more than just a festival; it’s an experience," Olena Grabova, a world culture specialist at Promova, added. "Knowing just a handful of key phrases in German can help you make friends, order like a pro, and get the full Bavarian experience connecting with the culture and the people. After a few tankards of brew, you might catch yourself chatting away in German like a local — or at least feeling like one."

To help you feel like a local, Grabova gave us a list of words and phrases to learn. Memorize them (or keep this page bookmarked) so you can experience Oktoberfest like a pro.

Celebrating Oktoberfest Around the World

Oktoberfest is now one of the most popular festivals in Europe, attracting millions of guests per year and inspiring events across the world. It’s also super popular here in the U.S., and Southwest Ohio has quite a few.

You can find either a citywide celebration or an individual venue Oktober celebration in lots of U.S. cities. I'm a bit surprised at how modest beer-centric Milwaukee's is (milwaukeeoktoberfest.com), Oct. 4 to 6, largely supplied by one restaurant. An online posting (www.funtober.com/ oktoberfest/us) lists at least one "German festival" in all 50 states — even Alaska, Hawaii and Mississippi. Check Funtober for locations and dates of an Oktoberfest near you or where you're going; you will find something of interest no more than a day trip from most of the U.S. and certainly a place for a happy weekend.

You can't discuss Oktoberfest without starting at the real deal in Munich. But if you don't mind missing some of the hokey entertainment, huge crowds and high prices, Munich off ers much of the Oktoberfest features all year, with great wurst, sauerbraten, schnitzel and oompah music. And you never need to worry that Munich will run out of beer. But you can also enjoy great beer, wurst and gemutlichkeit at a much lower cost in New Braunfels, Cincinnati, Kitchener or a German festival near you.

Your Guide to Oktoberfest Celebrations in Southwest Ohio

If you're looking for an ex-cuse to overindulge in hot wurst and cold beer, head for an Oktoberfest. Yes, the "real deal" is in Munich, but dozens of U.S. and Canadian cities make a big deal out of Oktoberfest — some extended, some just a day or two, with varying dates. Here's an update on the Oktoberfest season for 2024. It's already too late to beat the crowd for hotel accommodations and event tickets, but if you have a fall hankering for a pint or two of cold beer and a hot wurst, you can still make it.

Oktoberfest in Munich

The epicenter of Oktoberfest is, of course, Munich, where this year's festivities run Sept. 21 through Oct. 6. The details are posted on the off cial portal (www.oktoberfest.de/en). There are links to purchase tickets to the various tents and events. This year a liter of beer will cost between $15 and $17. Stiff but not out of line with U.S. microbrew prices.

I see airfares from the U.S. to Munich available at about the same level as earlier September, but hotel prices are up sharply. If you're looking for a deal, your best bet now is to wait and see if demand doesn't meet expectations and hotels cut prices. Keep in mind also that, unless you really want to be there for the hoopla, Munich will not run out of beer earlier or later.

Oktoberfest in the U.S.

Of course, you don't have to schlep thousands of miles for a cold beer and a hot wurst. You can also find Oktoberfest celebrations of varying authenticity much closer to home.

If you want as big a deal as you can find, three different centers in North America claim to be the "biggest outside of Munich:"

Several sources cite Cincinnati's Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (oktoberfestzinzinnati.com) as the largest in the U.S., operating this year the weekend of Sept. 19 to 22.
New Braunfels, Texas, between Austin and San Antonio, makes a strong claim to German heritage. But its Nov. 1 to 10 bash is called "Wurstfest" (wurstfest.com), scheduled this year for Nov. 2 to 11. The festival runs a full eight days in dedicated festival grounds and features what you'd expect.
In Canada, the top-rated Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest (oktoberfest.ca), about 70 miles west of Toronto and 90 miles northwest of Niagara Falls, runs Sept. 27 to Oct. 19 this year. The festival features six Festhallen in the city center, with the expected German food and drink.

Oktoberfest Celebrations in Southwest Ohio

Raise a glass to the following:

When: Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Location: Liberty Home Association, 2361 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton
Description: For 58 years, German heritage club the Liberty Home Association has hosted an Oktoberfest. This year, the festival will include authentic German food like bratwurst and sauerkraut, a large selection of German beers, a car show and more.
When: 6 p.m.-midnight Sept. 6 and 11 a.m.-midnight Sept. 7
Location: 5 W. Mill St., Springboro
Description: Springboro United Church of Christ’s Oktoberfest will feature a variety of German drinks and food, a wiener dog race, a 5K and more.
When: Sept. 19-22
Location: Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati
Description: Hosted along the Ohio River, this popular event features a number of food and craft vendors, a stein hoisting competition, glassblowing, German beer and more.
When: 1-8 p.m. Sept. 21
Location: Oxford Memorial Park, 1 N. Main St., Oxford
Description: Described as “Oxford’s very own take on a German themed, fall festival,” Oxtoberfest will feature various German beers, craft beers and ciders. There will also be live music, craft vendors, family friendly activities and more.
When: 4-11 p.m. Sept. 28
Location: 82 W. Columbia St., Springfield
Description: Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company in Springfield is hosting its 9th Oktoberfest. More details will be revealed at a later date.
When: Sept. 28-29
Location: The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton
Description: DAI’s Oktoberfest is one of the state’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebration. It is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser and includes artisans, various foods, domestic, international and craft beers, international wines, kid-friendly art activities, live music and more.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 6
Location: 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana
Description: The 52nd annual Oktoberfest at the Champaign County Historical Society Museum will feature craft vendors selling pottery, candles, soap, woodcraft and more. There will also be food and beer stalls selling kettlecorn, bourbon chicken, tacos and other food.

Don’t see your Oktoberfest on the list? Email [email protected] to get it added.

Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in 2024

The primary authenticity deficiency of Oktoberfest in the U.S. is that what they call "wiener schnitzel" is most likely to be either pork or chicken rather than the authentic veal, overpounded and overbreaded. But pork-based "schwein schnitzel" is a perfectly good dish, and getting decent veal for true wiener schnitzel is almost impossible in most of the U.S.