Oktoberfest 2027 is expected to run from Saturday 18 September 2027 to Sunday 3 October 2027 in Munich, on the Theresienwiese. Munich’s beer festival follows a fixed rule: it opens on the Saturday after 15 September and ends on the first Sunday in October. We applied this rule to calculate the dates up to 2035, then set those dates against the official Munich weather normals to help you choose your days.
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Oktoberfest 2027: key facts
- 2027: 18 September to 3 October 2027 (calculated dates, to be confirmed by the City of Munich).
- 2026: 19 September to 4 October (official dates, muenchen.de).
- Opening: on Saturday the first keg is tapped at noon (« O’zapft is! »); no beer is served before then.
- Seats in the big tents are reserved with each tent; without a reservation, it is better to come on a weekday.
- Late September in Munich: on average 19.6 °C (67 °F) in the afternoon and 10.4 °C (51 °F) at night (1991-2020 normals).
- Weekends and 3 October (German Unity Day) are the busiest days.
Oktoberfest dates from 2027 to 2035
The rule: opening on the Saturday after 15 September, closing on the first Sunday in October. If 3 October (Tag der Deutschen Einheit, a public holiday) falls on a Monday, the festival is extended to the Monday; if it falls on a Tuesday, a two-day extension has to be voted by the city council the year before. The festival therefore lasts 16 to 18 days.
| Year | Opening (Saturday) | Closing | Length | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Saturday 18 September 2027 | Sunday 3 October 2027 | 16 days | — |
| 2028 | Saturday 16 September 2028 | Sunday 1 October 2028 | 16 days | possible extension to Tuesday 3 October, subject to a city council decision |
| 2029 | Saturday 22 September 2029 | Sunday 7 October 2029 | 16 days | — |
| 2030 | Saturday 21 September 2030 | Sunday 6 October 2030 | 16 days | — |
| 2031 | Saturday 20 September 2031 | Sunday 5 October 2031 | 16 days | — |
| 2032 | Saturday 18 September 2032 | Sunday 3 October 2032 | 16 days | — |
| 2033 | Saturday 17 September 2033 | Monday 3 October 2033 | 17 days | extended to Monday 3 October (public holiday) |
| 2034 | Saturday 16 September 2034 | Sunday 1 October 2034 | 16 days | possible extension to Tuesday 3 October, subject to a city council decision |
| 2035 | Saturday 22 September 2035 | Sunday 7 October 2035 | 16 days | — |
Destination de Voyage calculation: with this rule, the opening always falls between 16 and 22 September. Most of the festival therefore takes place in September, despite its name.
What is the weather in Munich during Oktoberfest?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rain days | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 19.6 °C (67 °F) | 10.4 °C (51 °F) | 78.1 mm (3.1 in) | 14.2 | 169.7 h |
| October | 14.5 °C (58 °F) | 6.5 °C (44 °F) | 66.9 mm (2.6 in) | 14.2 | 123.3 h |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on these normals: September has rain on slightly fewer than one day in two on average (14.2 days out of 30), and the gap between afternoon and night is about 9 °C (16 °F). In practice, a warm jacket is useful in the evening, especially for the last weekend in early October, when average highs lose about 5 °C (9 °F) compared with September.
- During the day: light clothing is possible if the sun is out, but pack a layer.
- In the evening, leaving the tents: count on 10 °C (50 °F) or less, hence the jacket.
- Rain: a light rain jacket; large umbrellas are impractical in the crowd.
Oktoberfest opening hours
| Area | Hours (2026 edition) |
|---|---|
| Festival grounds | Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m.-midnight; Sat 9 a.m.-midnight; Sun and 3 Oct. 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. |
| Large tents | 10 a.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. at weekends and on public holidays; beer served until 10:30 p.m., closing around 11:30 p.m. |
| Small and medium tents | Drinks and music until 11 p.m. |
| Rides | Opening day noon-midnight; then as the grounds |
On opening day the tents open at 9 a.m., but no beer is served until the mayor taps the first keg at noon.
Which days to choose
- For the atmosphere and the parade: the first weekend, with the first keg tapped on Saturday at noon, but it is also one of the busiest.
- To find a seat without a reservation: a weekday, arriving early.
- For the weather: the first days, still in September, are on average milder than the end in early October.
- To avoid if you dislike crowds: Saturdays and 3 October.
Getting to Munich
Munich has an international airport and is well connected by rail. Book accommodation as early as you can, since demand is high during the festival. For everything about the city, see our Munich guide, and our page on when to go to Germany for the rest of the year.
Practical tips before you go
- The Oide Wiesn (the historic section, with old-fashioned rides and a more family-friendly feel, in the south of the grounds) has its own entrance, free after 9 p.m. according to muenchen.de.
- Seats in the big tents are reserved directly with each tent, months ahead for evenings and weekends.
- Without a reservation there are still free seats, especially on weekdays and during the day.
- Traditional dress (Dirndl, Lederhosen) is not compulsory.
- Take out travel insurance that covers medical care abroad.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Oktoberfest 2027 dates?
According to the date-setting rule, from Saturday 18 September 2027 to Sunday 3 October 2027. Final dates are published by the City of Munich.
Why does Oktoberfest start in September?
Under the rule, it opens on the Saturday after 15 September, so most of the festival falls in September; only the last weekend falls in October.
Do I need to book for Oktoberfest?
Table reservations are made with each tent, often months ahead for evenings and weekends. Without a reservation there are still seats, especially on weekdays and during the day.
What time does Oktoberfest start?
On opening day the tents open at 9 a.m., but beer is only served after the first keg is tapped at noon.
What is the weather like in Munich in late September?
On average 19.6 °C (67 °F) in the afternoon and 10.4 °C (51 °F) at night in September (1991-2020 normals), with about 14 rain days in the month.
How many days does Oktoberfest last?
16 to 18 days depending on the year, depending on which day 3 October falls.
Our sources
- City of Munich (muenchen.de), Oktoberfest 2026 dates and opening hours, checked 14 October 2026.
- Wikipedia (German), « Oktoberfest » article: date-setting rule and municipal references, checked 14 October 2026.
- World Meteorological Organization / Deutscher Wetterdienst: Munich 1991-2020 normals, checked 14 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.