Oktoberfest times and calendar

Find out what's going when on the Oktoberfest

times and calendar page

When am I allowed into the Oktoberfest tents? Is there anything special afoot on the days I’m going?

On what days can I see people in funny costumes and cannon shooting?
Patience, young grasshopper, here you’ll find what you seek.
It's the temporal guide to the 2011 Oktoberfest.

DRINKY, DRINKY: A crazy Austrian girl I met last year at the fest.

During the week the beer tents open at 10am and on weekends and public holidays at 9am.

The tents close at 11.30pm, with the last drinks served at 10.30pm. Käfer's Wiesnschänke und das Weinzelt are the exceptions, they stay open until 1am with last drinks called at 12.15am.

- Oktoberfest day by day -

17 September, Saturday

Opening parade

The traditional prelude to the fest is the parade of carneys and beer-wenches officially called the Grand entry of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries (Einzug der Festwirte).

This is when the festival’s workers, tent host families and the lord mayor rock up to kick things off.

Time: 10.45am to 11.45am

17 September, Saturday

Let there be beer!

Following the parade comes the Anstich, when Munich's lord mayor beats a tap into the first wooden keg of Oktoberfest beer.

It's done in the Schottenhamel tent.
When the tap is in position (usually after two or three good wacks) the mayor shouts out "O'zapft is!" (It’s tapped!).

There's no beer served anywhere
on the Wiesn until this happens. Then there’s a 12-gun salute and the party's on for young and old.
Time: 12pm

18 September, Sunday

All dressed up...

The Costume und Riflemen's Procession (Trachten- und Schützenumzug) winds its way through the streets of Munich’s Old Town to the Wiesn. Over 7,000 people march in costumes that span Central Europe and go back to the Middle Ages.

Worth a look, but watch out for the big piles of poo-poo the horses leave all over the road.

Time: 10am to 12.30pm

18 September, Sunday

A gay old time

GAY OKTOBERFEST: Two guys kissing in Munich at Oktoberfest time. ©DDP

Munich gay group the Münchner Löwen Club (Munich Lions’ Club) reserves the back of the Bräurosl Festzelt tent for their Gay Sunday event.

Time: 12pm

20 September, Tuesday

Familientag (Family Day)

This is the first of two supposedly more family friendly days at the Wiesn, with reduced prices on rides and food from 12pm to 6pm.

22 September, Thursday

Let us praise this mug of beer

The Oktoberfest service (Oktoberfest- und Gedenksgottesdienst). The Oktoberfest has hosted a token religious service for its travelling showfolk and workers for the past 50 years. It takes place in the Hippodrom, ironically one of the more sinful tents on the Wiesn. The general public is, of course, welcome.
Time: 10am

23 September, Friday

DALL'ITALIA: A couple of Italian lads I met one year at the Oktoberfest. I drew them very fundamental map of Munich's highlights.

They come, they see, they conquer

This marks the beginning of the unofficial “Italian Weekend”, three days of rampant south-of-the-border shenanigans when the Latin hoards stream north to the city they call “Monaco di Baviera”.

Despite a rowdy/grabby reputation, they’re mostly harmless, friendly and make great drinking buddies. Viva Italia!

25 September, Sunday

Musicians do it outside

About 400 musicians blow out their spit-valves and symphonize their strings in preparation for an outdoor concert on the steps of the big, bronze Bavaria Statue. If the weather is declared Sheiße, it’ll be put off until October 4.

Time: 11am

26 September, Monday

Gay Day

A gay and lesbian gathering takes place in the Fischer-Vroni tent in the name of “Rosa Montag”.
Time: 6pm

27 September , Tuesday

Familientag (Family Day)

The second of two supposedly more family friendly days at the Wiesn, with reduced prices on rides and food from 12pm to 6pm.

3 October, Monday

Final day!

Oktoberfest will run a day longer this year, finishing on Monday instead of the usual Sunday. It's thanks to the (Tag der deutschen Einheit) Day of German Unity, which is a public holiday.
Organisers promise it’ll be easier than normal to get seated in the beer tents as most of them aren’t taking reservations for this day.

THAT SAYS IT ALL: "Aus is!" - the traditional Oktoberfest closing proclamation, written on a lady’s cleavage on the final day of the festival. ©DPA

The last day of Oktoberfest is marked by the Böllerschießen event around the steps of Bavaria Statue at 12pm.

It invloves dozens of old lederhosen lads shooting hand cannons and ancient rifles, an address by the lord mayor and more gussied up brass musicians than you can poke a stick at.

In the dying moments of the festival the tents go dark and everyone lights up sparklers, magic! Then the fest winds up for another year at 11.30pm. Aus is!

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