Oktoberfest in Germany - and other German folk festivals

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Who doesn't want to experience Oktoberfest in Germany? We've gathered everything you need to know to experience Oktoberfest in Munich and also give you tips on some other folk festivals in Germany that you don't want to miss.

Who doesn't want to experience Oktoberfest in Germany?

We have never experienced a real Oktoberfest in Germany. The closest we have come is probably the Oktoberfest at the Elmia fair, and although it was fun, it can of course not compare to the original. In this report we have collected tips for those who want to visit the big Oktoberfest in Munich. We also offer tips on several other German folk festivals.

What is Oktoberfest in Germany?

Oktoberfest, or Wiesn as it may also be called, is a traditional German beer festival held in late September and early October in Munich, Bavaria. The festival was first organised in 1810, and today it is considered to be the the world's biggest folk festival. The celebration has also become contagious and many smaller versions of 'Oktoberfest' are held in many places, both in Germany and abroad.

How is Oktoberfest celebrated in Germany?

The festivities take place over sixteen days on the Theresienwiese in Munich and include parades, concerts, food and beer tents, and various amusements. During the festival, a special Oktoberfest beer is brewed and served in special one-litre jugs called Maß. Women prefer to wear the traditional Dirndl dress and men like to wear Lederhosen.

Five great folk festivals in Germany

So, what do you do if you want to experience Oktoberfest in Germany, or perhaps one of Germany's other festivals? We recommend five wonderful folk festivals in Germany that you don't want to miss.

1. Oktoberfest (Wiesn) in Munich

Oktoberfest in Munich is the largest beer festival in Germany and starts in September. The festival features colorful parades, a brass band concert, beer tents (of course) and a variety of funfair and rides. One of the things you don't want to miss is the parade of folk costumes, "Trachten- und Schützenzug", which starts on Maximilianstraße (Maximilian Street).

Other things you might not want to miss are the world's largest portable roller coaster, the Olympia Looping, and the nostalgic "Oide Wiesn" (Old Wiesn). The Oide Wiesn was first organised in 2010 to celebrate the festival's 200th anniversary, but now no one can imagine an Oktoberfest without this part of the festival, which includes a time travel experience with historical rides.

Every year, Munich's breweries apply to participate in the Oktoberfest with own beer tents. You can book the beer tents from March each year, and it is good to book well in advance if you want one in the evening. There are both large and small beer tents, and it is easiest to book online in the large tents. The following tents are recommended by the German Tourist Board:

• Schottenhammel Festival Hall - with the Oktoberfest opening ceremony and the pouring of the first pint of beer by the Mayor.
• Löwenbräu marquee - Löwenbräu one of the most famous beers in Munich
• Hofbräu marquee - another of the most famous beers in Munich.
• Oktoberfest tent Tradition (Oide Wiesn) - a classic
• Käfer Wies'n Schänke - a little more luxurious

• Read more: Oktoberfest.de
• Good to know: The slit on the right side of the women's dirndl means she is busy, while the slit on the left means she is single.
• Campsites: Wies'n camp and Campsites in Munich

2nd Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart

In Stuttgart, the Cannstatter Volksfest (Cannstatt Folk Festival), which starts at the end of September, is like a 'little sister' to the Oktoberfest in Munich. The festival includes a horse-drawn beer cart parade, a family day with activities for children and fireworks by world champion Joachim Berner, accompanied by music. For those who wish, there is also the possibility of a guided tour. Here are the German Tourist Board's suggestions for beer tents during the festival, with links for booking:

• Dinkelacker marquee Klauss & Klauss - one of the best-known beers in Stuttgart, with a brewery in the centre of the city.
• Wilhelmer's Swabia – wooden interior on two floors and the Schwabenbräu beer, which is bottled in a traditional bottle with a hoop
• Göckelesmaier - The speciality is roast chicken, the Stuttgarter Hofbräu beer served in this tent was the official supplier of the Royal House of Württemberg in the 20th century.

• Read more: Cannstatter-volksfest.de
• Good to know: Diesel cars need an exemption to drive in the city.
• Camping: The Cannstatter Wasen campsite is located right next to the festival.

3rd Hannover shooting festival

I Hanover The largest shooting festival in the world is organised every year, and has been since 1529. The tradition of shooting at parrots is even older than the festival, dating back to the 15th century. "The 'Star Wars parade' is a more recent addition to the festivities.

Of course, they also drink beer. In particular, there is the 'Lüttje Lage' - a drink of beer and grain brandy traditionally drunk in two glasses. Another tradition associated with the festival is the appointment of four 'bruchmeisters' who perform various representative tasks. Tips on beer tents from the German Tourist Board:

• Oil-covered round section – in the heart of the festival site, with the motto ”something for everyone and the right thing for everyone”.
• The mill (the mill) – the wing can be seen from afar and cocktails are also served here.
• Marris Festival Hall – here the mayor opens the public festival.

• Read more: Schuetzenfest-hannover.de
• Camping: In motorhome/caravan parking are located next to the fair. In addition, the campsites are Lake Arnum and Parskee Lohne.

4. free market in Bremen

The Bremen Free Market is the largest folk festival in northern Germany and has been organised regularly since 1035 (!). Many Swedish bus tour operators organise trips here every year, and the festival is often referred to as the 'Bremen Oktoberfest'.

For seventeen days there is a healthy celebration in Bremen with beer tents, a funfair and a market with a medieval atmosphere. Here you shouldn't miss the parade, which takes place on the second Saturday of the festival. Also don't miss the regional beer Haake Beck, which incidentally has its own song!

• Read more: Freimarkt.de
• Good to know: "Ischa Freimaak!" is the festival's traditional exclamation.
• Camping: Hansecamping at Stadtwaldsee

5th Rostock Oktoberfest

The Rostock Oktoberfest is the largest Oktoberfest (named 'Oktoberfest') in northern Germany, and it's also easily accessible by TT-Lines or Scandlines ferries from Trelleborg or Gedser. The Rostock Oktoberfest may only have one beer tent, but the festival is popular!

This year's festival is the sixth of its kind and promises Bavarian cuisine, speciality beers and live music. If you want to go 'all in', you can hire traditional costumes and dirndl dresses at the Costume hire Klamoettchen.

• Read more: Rostock Oktoberfest
• Campsites: Baltic Sea Camp Rostocker Heide, Camp & holiday parkmarkgrafenheide and Holiday Camp Börgerende

Have you experienced Oktoberfest in Germany?

After reading up on all the German celebrations, a bunch of festivals have appeared on our bucket list! Have you experienced Oktoberfest in Germany, maybe even in Munich? Or any other German folk festival? Tell us about it!

All photos in the post, except those labelled, are borrowed from Pixabay.