When is Oktoberfest 2023 in Germany?

Oktoberfest 2023 in Munich, Germany is almost here. This year, an estimated more than 7 million liters of Bavarian beer will be consumed during the festival. It’s time to put on your dirndls and lederhosen, grab your steins, and get ready to celebrate like never before.

However, Oktoberfest is not your typical party. It’s a Bavarian beer festival, complete with crispy schnitzel, juicy bratwurst, soft and salty pretzels 🥨 and much much more..

Every year, Munich, Germany hosts the famous Oktoberfest, which spans from late September to the initial weekend of October (September 16 – October 3). The festival kicks off officially with the mayor of Munich personally tapping the inaugural beer keg. This signifies the start of the celebration and is your cue to raise your glass, exchange “Prost!” – the German equivalent of “Cheers!” – with your fellow revelers.

There are over 60 beer tents at the festival, each serving different types of Bavarian beer in one-liter glasses called Maß.

In 1810, Munich was preparing for a royal wedding. Crown Prince Ludwig was about to marry Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. And so in typical Hapsburgian fashion, they threw a party that was so lavish and epic that they decided to make it an annual event. This original fiesta went down on a field called Theresienwiese (Theresa’s Meadow) and was a wonky mix of horse races, feasting, and good old-fashioned reverly. Fast forward to today, and that royal wedding bash has evolved into the legendary Oktoberfest — the ultimate excuse to eat, drink, and be merry. 

Oktoberfest isn’t just about beer — it’s a feast for your taste buds, with delicious Bavarian food, lively music, and a friendly and festive atmosphere. Rides abound as well. You can hop on a massive 50-meter-high Ferris wheel that gives you amazing views of the festival grounds. For some extra excitement, there’s a cool VR adventure coaster called “Dr. Archibald – Master of Time,” and don’t miss the Olympia Looping rollercoaster that goes upside down five times! And if you’re up for a challenge, test your muscles with the “Hau den Lukas” strongman game, or try your luck at other carvinal-type games.

Hold on to your lederhosen, because here’s the scoop on prices at Oktoberfest. The event itself is free and open to the public. But these pesky Germans still insist on charging for beer. So if you’re in the mood for a Mass Festbier, it might set you back somewhere between €13 and €15. If you think that’s pricey for beer, wait until you see what they charge for non-alcoholic drinks — €11-12 for soft drinks and lemonade! So if you are not a beer drinker, you might want to consider giving Oktoberfest a pass (or B.Y.O.S.)

There is no centralized reservation system for both small and big tents in Oktoberfest 2023. That’s why reservations for tables are always made through the corresponding tent. Reservations are entirely free. However, there’s also an online option available where you can book tables in advance by purchasing vouchers. Voucher prices may differ from tent to tent, the approximate price per person is 5€.

Getting to Oktoberfest is as easy as pretzels are delicious. If you’re journeying from a neighboring country like Poland, say, Krakow, Munich Airport has consistent rail service to the city every 10 minutes, with a trip time of 43 minutes. The cost of a single ticket to Munich Central Station is €14.80.

Alternatively, if you’re arriving at Frankfurt International Airport, you can board a tram heading towards München Hbf. Ticket prices, as indicated by the German train website, can range from €43 to €99. If your starting point is Berlin, you should anticipate ticket costs of around €80.

Getting to Theresienwiese is easy with Munich’s public transportation system. There are many different routes that will take you directly to the festival grounds, whether you take the S-Bahn (suburban train), U-Bahn (subway), bus, or tram. For example, the average ticket price for U-Bahn from Munich Train Station costs €1,75.

So whether you’re taking the train, plane, or your trusty sneakers, getting to Oktoberfest is a breeze.

If you want to be right in the heart of the action, consider booking accommodations close to Theresienwiese, where the festival takes place. Munich’s city center is also a fantastic choice, as it’s well-connected to the festivities by public transportation. According to Airbnb, you can expect the cost of an apartment to be around €145 per night. Just remember to book well in advance, as Oktoberfest is a popular time to visit and accommodations tend to fill up quickly.

A cozy apartment located in a 19th century heritage building, within a 15-minute walk to Theresienwiese.

About 6 million people attend the Oktoberfest each year. For maximum festival hustle and bustle, go wild on the weekends, especially the opener. But if you’re after an easy-breezy vibe, weekdays or sunny times are your jam. The very last day? Everyone is there since it is a holiday. And guess what? Tuesdays turn into kid paradise – family fun galore with exciting stuff for the little ones.