Home to the world's largest beer festival every September-October. Even outside festival time, the Bavaria Statue and Hall of Fame offer city views. During Oktoberfest, 14 massive beer tents host millions of visitors for traditional Bavarian celebration with beer, food, and rides.
The Theresienwiese — Theresa's Meadow — is a 420,000-square-metre open space in central Munich named after Crown Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, whose 1810 wedding to Crown Prince Ludwig was celebrated here with a public horse race that became the template for Oktoberfest. The festival now runs for 16–18 days each year, ending on the first Sunday of October or on 3 October (German Unity Day) if it falls in that final week, making the name somewhat misleading — the bulk of the festival occurs in September. During the festival, 14 large marquee-style beer tents erected by the major Munich breweries dominate the grounds, with a combined capacity exceeding 100,000 simultaneous visitors. The six main tent operators — Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten — each have a distinct atmosphere and loyal following. One-litre Mass steins of specially brewed Märzen or Festbier cost approximately €15–17 in 2025. Tent reservations for weekend evenings sell out months in advance; weekday mornings have the best chance of walk-in seating. Outside the festival, the Theresienwiese hosts the Spring Festival (Frühlingsfest) in April–May and various flea markets. Year-round, the Bavaria Statue — a 18.5-metre bronze female figure cast between 1844 and 1850 — stands on the western edge, accessible by climbing a 130-step internal staircase for views from the statue's crown over the city. The neoclassical Hall of Fame (Ruhmeshalle) behind the statue displays marble busts of distinguished Bavarians.
Good to know
- Hours
- Grounds open year-round, Oktoberfest Sep-Oct
- Best for
- beer enthusiasts, cultural experience, social travelers, adults
Location
Theresienwiese, 80336 München
48.1314, 11.5498 View on map
Highlights
- 14 Oktoberfest beer tents with combined capacity exceeding 100,000 visitors
- Bavaria Statue — an 18.5-metre bronze figure with interior staircase and crown viewpoint
- Six major Munich breweries serving Märzen and Festbier in one-litre steins
- Hall of Fame (Ruhmeshalle) with marble busts of distinguished Bavarians
- Spring Festival (Frühlingsfest) filling the grounds in April–May outside Oktoberfest season
Tips for visiting
- Arrive early on weekdays to get tent tables without reservation
- Weekends and evenings require advance tent reservations
- Wear traditional Dirndl or Lederhosen for fun
- Try Hendl (roasted chicken) and pretzels with beer
- Bavaria statue climb offers 360-degree Munich views
When to visit
Weekday mornings during the first week of Oktoberfest offer the most relaxed atmosphere, shortest queues for rides, and the best chance of walk-in tent seating. The opening Saturday parade and ceremonial barrel-tapping (around 12 noon) is spectacular but extremely crowded.
Accessibility
The Theresienwiese itself is flat and accessible by wheelchair. The U-Bahn station Theresienwiese (U4/U5) is step-free. Inside the festival tents, accessibility varies by operator; several tents designate accessible areas and can be contacted in advance. The Bavaria Statue interior staircase is not accessible by wheelchair.
Frequently asked questions
Is entry to Oktoberfest free?
Entry to the festival grounds is free. Charges apply for rides, food, and beer. A one-litre Mass of beer in the tents costs approximately €15–17. Some tents charge a small entry fee on evenings and weekends.
How should visitors secure tent seating?
Weekend evening reservations are essential and should be made months in advance directly through each tent operator's website — third-party booking sites exist but are unnecessary. Weekday arrivals before 11 AM typically find open seating without reservations.
What is there to see outside the festival period?
The Bavaria Statue and Hall of Fame are open year-round for a modest fee. The Spring Festival in April–May is a smaller but popular version of Oktoberfest with the same rides and beer tent structure.