It’s the last few days of the Wiesn and you still don’t know if you should go? Then here is our guide to the things you can experience at the Oktoberfest.
From the traditional atmosphere at the Oide Wiesn to exciting rides and live music, not to mention the famous festival tents serving up Bavarian delicacies, the Oktoberfest has something for everyone. You can also discover the rousing concerts and magnificent parades that are the heart of the largest folk festival in the world. Here you will find everything you need to know for an unforgettable day at the Wiesn.
Festival Tents
The festival tents are the heart of the Oktoberfest. Each tent has its own charm and style: from traditional tents such as the Hofbräu-Festzelt and the Augustiner-Festhalle, which emphasize Bavarian coziness and tradition, to the Käferzelt, which is known for its exclusive guests and elegant atmosphere. The tents each offer a special selection of Bavarian specialties and the world-famous Oktoberfest beer, brewed by Munich breweries especially for the festival. Live music, rustic decorations and cheerful guests from all over the world make the festival tents an unforgettable highlight of every visit to the Wiesn.
Live Music
Live music is the heart of the festival atmosphere at the Oktoberfest and provides the perfect mix of Bavarian tradition and exuberant partying every day. Various bands play everything from hearty brass music and Wiesn classics like “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” to modern hits and Schlager in the large festival tents. The music encourages singing along, dancing on the benches and swaying in convivial company. The musical diversity at the Wiesn ensures that every visitor can experience a piece of Bavarian joie de vivre up close.
Rides
Some of the most spectacular rides in the world await you at the Oktoberfest. From breathtaking roller coasters like the “Olympia Looping” with its five loops to the classic “Devil’s Wheel,” where brave souls must maintain their balance on the rotating disk, there is something for everyone. Classics like the Toboggan and the Ferris wheel also offer a unique view of the entire festival grounds and Munich. For the extra kick, there is the “Skyfall,” the tallest portable freefall tower, or the “Höllenblitz,” a dark roller coaster that provides surprises.
Food Stands
The food stands at the Oktoberfest offer a huge selection of Bavarian specialties and international delicacies that will make any gourmet’s heart beat faster. From classic Wiesn delicacies such as pretzels, sausages and fish on a stick to hearty dishes such as pork knuckle and cheese spaetzle, there is something for everyone here. For those with a sweet tooth, there is also candy floss, roasted almonds, chocolate-covered fruit and the famous gingerbread hearts with their Bavarian messages. The food stands are scattered all over the festival grounds and invite you to snack.
Concerts
The concerts at the Oktoberfest offer a musical highlight that attracts visitors from all over the world. Every Sunday, the Wiesn bands present themselves in a large formation at the traditional stand concert on the steps in front of the Bavaria statue. The musicians from the various festival tents gather here and play Bavarian classics and Wiesn hits together – an impressive experience with over 400 musicians! Whether brass band music, Schlager or more modern sounds – the concerts at the Oktoberfest offer something for everyone and contribute significantly to the unique atmosphere of the festival.
Parades
The parades impressively showcase tradition and Bavarian culture. The traditional costume and marksmen’s procession, which takes place on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest and winds its way through Munich’s city center to the Theresienwiese, is particularly popular. More than 9,000 participants, accompanied by magnificent horse-drawn carriages, bands and marksmen’s associations from all over Bavaria and beyond, present themselves here. The procession of the Wiesn landlords, which officially opens the Oktoberfest, is also a fascinating sight: the Wiesn landlords symbolically bring the first beer to the festival grounds. These parades are a tribute to Bavarian traditions.
Events
The Oktoberfest offers a variety of unique events that make the festival an unforgettable experience. A special highlight at the end of the Oktoberfest is the traditional gun salute at the Bavaria on the last Sunday of the Wiesn. Gun saluting marksmen gather in front of the Bavaria statue and let the historic gun salutes crack to mark the festive conclusion of the festival. The gun salute offers an impressive backdrop and an unforgettable moment for visitors who want to bid farewell to the Oktoberfest in all its glory.
Oide Wiesn
The Oide Wiesn (Bavarian for “old meadow”) is the nostalgic part of the Oktoberfest, offering a journey back in time to the beginnings of the festival. Here you will find historic rides, authentic Bavarian folk music and a cozy, traditional atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle. Originally launched as an anniversary event, the Oide Wiesn has become an integral part of the Oktoberfest and delights visitors with classic carousels, swings and historic tents. The tents at the Oide Wiesn are smaller and often more family-friendly, allowing you to experience the original flair of the Oktoberfest.
If you want to see what a fun day at the Oktoberfest can be like, check out our short video „Students at Octoberfest“ on Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube vorbei!
