Your Essential Oktoberfest Guide: What to Wear, Where to Sit, and Top Tips
Oktoberfest is one of those bucket list events that everyone should experience at least once. It’s wild, it’s festive, and it’s unlike anything else in the world. When my husband and I decided to jet off to Oktoberfest, we built an entire two-week Germany itinerary around it. We spent a few days in Munich, and one unforgettable day at Oktoberfest itself.
We happened to be there for opening weekend, which made the atmosphere even more electric. While I’m content with having done Oktoberfest once, I’ll never forget the energy, the music, the food, and the steins of beer that seemed to magically refill themselves. After a full day of celebrating in my dirndl, I came away with some tips to make your experience smoother, easier, and even more fun.
Here’s my essential Oktoberfest guide!
A Quick History of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest dates back to 1810, when crown prince Ludwig married Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The people of Munich were invited to celebrate in what became known as Theresienwiese (Therese’s Meadow). What began as horse races evolved into a beer-fueled festival that now draws millions of people from around the globe every fall.
What to Wear to Oktoberfest
One of the best parts of Oktoberfest is dressing the part. Traditional outfits are:
Men: Lederhosen (leather shorts with suspenders)
Women: Dirndl (dress with apron)
Sure, you’ll see people in jeans and t-shirts, but wearing traditional Bavarian attire makes the experience so much more fun. Plus, it helps you blend in with locals who take their Oktoberfest fashion seriously.
If you don’t want to buy an outfit, no worries. You can rent lederhosen or dirndls in Munich at Bavarian Outfitters. They offer advance reservations, multiple pickup locations, and easy drop boxes after the festival, super convenient if you’re short on luggage space.
Oktoberfest Beer Tents
Oktoberfest takes place in Theresienwiese, where you’ll find 14 main beer tents and over 20 smaller ones. Each tent has its own atmosphere, some are traditional and family-friendly, others are rowdier and packed with live music.
Not sure which tent to choose? Check out the official Oktoberfest tent guide to see which vibe matches your group or read below for my brief summary of the biggest tents.
And don’t forget, you don’t have to sit inside, many tents have outdoor seating where you can soak up the fresh air and sunshine.
Where to Sit at Oktoberfest
Seating at Oktoberfest depends a lot on the size of your group:
Small groups (1–4 people): Wander around, pop into different tents, and don’t be afraid to ask if you can share a table. It’s a great way to meet new people.
Large groups (6+ people): Make a table reservation in advance. Reservations come with food and beer minimums, usually around €50–60 per person. For a full table of 8–10 people, expect to spend €500 or more.
Pro tip: Some tents only accept reservations by phone, email, or even fax (yes, really). If you have your heart set on a particular tent, plan ahead.
Essential Oktoberfest Tips
Here are my best lessons from a full day at Oktoberfest:
Pace yourself. Just because a server comes around with another stein doesn’t mean you need to grab one every time. Sip slowly and skip a round when you need to.
Bring cash. It makes paying and tipping much easier.
Eat real food. Pretzels, sausages, roast chicken, trust me, it’ll help balance all that beer.
Stay hydrated. Alternate between beer and water to make it through the day. I mention it because I didn’t take my own advice!
Opening weekend bonus: Check out the parade that marches right through Theresienwiese. It’s the perfect kickoff to the festival.
My hot take? If your tummy full of beer can handle it, go on the rides ! I had a blast, solo riding a few rides at the end of the night. Not only was it unforgettable (and maybe even more fun after a day of drinking?) but I also saw some incredible sunset views from the top of the rides, overlooking Munich. Priceless.
Oktoberfest Big Tents at a Glance
1. Paulaner Festzelt
Vibe: Bright, lively tent with excellent sunny outdoor seating and top-speed beer via an underground pipeline, up to 15 pours/minute !
Highlights: Great views of the band, fast service, mixed crowd including locals and VIPs.
2. Festzelt Tradition (Oide Wiesn)
Vibe: Nostalgic and cozy, family-friendly with brass music, dance floors, folk performers and stoneware mugs.
Cuisine: Traditional dishes from schnitzel to Steckerlfisch; serves Augustiner beer from wooden barrels.
3. Herzkasperl-Festzelt (Oide Wiesn)
Vibe: Creative and eclectic—perfect for live, largely unplugged folk music and cultural performances.
Menu: Classic Oktoberfest fare, including vegetarian and vegan options, plus Hacker-Pschorr beer.
4. Pschorr-Festzelt Bräurosl
Vibe: Elegant, tall tent with a green-themed interior; hosts Gay Sunday, an LGBTQ+ highlight.
Food: Hearty Bavarian specialties—ox roast, duck, tomahawk steak, and veggie selections.
5. Schützen-Festzelt
Vibe: One of the oldest, under the Bavaria statue, draws locals, nobility, and celebrities. Seriously, Arnold Schwarzenegger has stopped by multiple times!
6. Käfer Wiesn-Schänke
Vibe: A rustic log-cabin vibe known for haute cuisine and high-profile guests.
Details: Smaller (1,500 seats inside, larger outdoors), stays open until 00:30, serves champagne, gourmet dishes.
7. Augustiner Festhalle
Vibe: Warm, family-friendly, with smooth beer drawn directly from traditional wooden barrels, less fizzy, more mellow.
8. Löwenbräu-Festzelt
Vibe: Lively tent blending locals ("Sechzger") and tourists, eco-conscious with water recycling and LED lighting.
Menu: Traditional Bavarian dishes; offers vegan options.
Vibe: Art-nouveau, horse-themed décor in a family-oriented tent with ample amenities (changing tables, varied seating).
Menu: From veal to large prawns; organic, vegetarian, vegan options included.
10. Ochsenbraterei
Vibe: For serious carnivores, roasted ox is the main draw. Visitor engagement via name plaques for each ox on-site.
11. Hofbräu-Festzelt
Vibe: Party central—crowded international tent, singing, stage standing area, rowdy and celebratory atmosphere.
Menu: Traditional fare plus affordable lunch specials.
12. Hacker-Festzelt
Vibe: Sunny, welcoming tent—blends traditional and rock vibes (“Heaven of the Bavarians”), and hosts an emotional grand finale of sparklers on the last Sunday.
Menu: Regional, high-quality ingredients with vegetarian options.
Final Thoughts
Oktoberfest is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and whether you go for one day or a whole week, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. Dress the part, pick your tent wisely, and take your time soaking it all in. With the right mix of planning and spontaneity, you’ll leave with memories (and maybe a few funny stories) that last a lifetime.
