Cover The tents at Oktoberfest are where the action is. Reservations are made a year in advance (Image source: Kent Wang/Creative Commons)
The tents at Oktoberfest are where the action is. Reservations are made a year in advance (Image source: Kent Wang/Creative Commons)
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From hoppy beers to Bavarian sausages, when it comes to celebrating Oktoberfest, Munich knows how to pack a punch. Here’s what you should know before heading to Germany’s most popular beer festival. Prost!
There’s more to Oktoberfest in its home city of Munich than steins and sausages. First held in 1810 to celebrate the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese, the festivities lasted several days and proved so successful that the Bavarians decided to make it an annual tradition. Today, Oktoberfest remains deeply woven into Munich’s cultural fabric.
Seasoned attendees arrive in their own dirndls and lederhosen; business meetings take place in the beer tents; and tables are often booked a year in advance. Beyond the tents, Oktoberfest is full of atmosphere: attendees stroll the grounds in traditional dress, the scent of cinnamon fills the air, live bands play crowd favourites and fairground lights flicker in the background.
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Book now for the 2026 Oktoberfest
The 2025 Oktoberfest in the Bavarian capital began on September 20. Why the early start? Simply because Munich in October can get too cold, while late September offers milder weather. Planning should begin even earlier—tents are often booked out a year in advance—so it’s worth securing travel arrangements early. Cathay Pacific introduced direct flights from Hong Kong to Munich this June 2025. “Our service to Munich not only marks our debut in this vibrant city steeped in history and culture, but also underscores the strong potential we see in expanding our presence in Germany,” says Andy Wong, Cathay Pacific’s general manager of corporate affairs.
Walk-in tables are available without prior bookings, but you’ll need to arrive early—around 9 to 10am on weekdays, and even earlier on weekends or public holidays.
Only certain beers are served—and they’re strong
At Oktoberfest, only beers from six official Munich-based breweries are poured: Paulaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu and Spaten. Each must be located within the city limits.
We were hosted at a table at Paulaner Festzelt (“festival tent”). Established in 1634 and one of Munich’s most prestigious breweries, Paulaner creates the Oktoberfest Bier for the festival—a medium-bodied brew with a smooth finish. Its slight sweetness and subtle biscuit notes are balanced by a gentle hoppiness. It’s a bottom-fermented beer (or lager) with a distinctly crisp taste.
We were warned to pace ourselves—the Oktoberfest pours pack a punch with an ABV of around 6 per cent.
Above Paulaner is one of the six official Munich-based breweries that serve beer during Oktoberfest in Munich (Image source: Ritesh Mishra/Unsplash)
Paulaner is one of the six official Munich-based breweries that serve beer during Oktoberfest in Munich (Image source: Ritesh Mishra/Unsplash)
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The food is excellent
Much of Oktoberfest’s menu is rooted in centuries-old Bavarian food traditions—but it’s far from rustic. The obatzda, a crowd favourite among first-time attendees, isn’t just any cheese spread. This Bavarian classic blends aged soft cheese, butter and a splash of beer, seasoned with paprika and onions.
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Sausages vary from smoky to herbaceous. Weißwurst, or white sausage, is made with finely minced veal and pork and flavoured with parsley, lemon, onions, ginger, cardamom and mace—a spice derived from the nutmeg seed. The casing isn’t eaten: to remove it, slice the sausage lengthwise. Meanwhile, the pork knuckle arrives with a crisp crackling that rivals any fine roast, and even the humble pretzel is made with care—chewy, golden and sprinkled with coarse salt.
Above Dirndl and lederhosen rental are available for visitors. Be prepared to queue at a Lederhosenverleih (Image source: Walter Martin/Unsplash)
Dirndl and lederhosen rental are available for visitors. Be prepared to queue at a Lederhosenverleih (Image source: Walter Martin/Unsplash)
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Don the outfit
Dirndls and lederhosen aren’t gimmicks—they’re part of the cultural fabric. At the traditional Lederhosenverleih in Munich, we joined a long queue for fittings and chose our outfits to rent for Oktoberfest. The dirndl originated in the 18th century as workwear for rural maids in the German-speaking Alps, while lederhosen date back to the Middle Ages and later became practical attire for riders and hunters.
Today, many locals who attend regularly have their own. A wide range of colours and sizes is available, and taking the time to try on different pieces adds to the experience.
You’ll want a sanctuary (when the party lasts several days)
After hours of beer, food and live music, the calm elegance of our stay in Rosewood Munich offered the perfect retreat. Set within the former State Bank of Bavaria and the grand Palais Neuhaus-Preysing, the hotel sits in the heart of the Old Town—close enough to the festivities, yet worlds away in atmosphere.
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Hotel rooms across Munich fill up fast during Oktoberfest, with rates often doubling and many properties booked months in advance. Around 60 hotels lie within walking distance of the festival grounds, but those seeking comfort and space tend to secure rooms well ahead of time.
Oktoberfest in Munich is worth it
Above Oktoberfest is full of atmosphere: attendees stroll the grounds in traditional dress, live bands play crowd favourites and fairground lights flicker in the background (Image source: Shutter Speed/Unsplash)
Oktoberfest is full of atmosphere: attendees stroll the grounds in traditional dress, live bands play crowd favourites and fairground lights flicker in the background (Image source: Shutter Speed/Unsplash)
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Oktoberfest delivered on its reputation—but it also surprised with its level of sophistication. The festival is thoughtfully organised, feels secure and offers a cultural experience far richer than beer alone. It’s an event worth the advance planning, fitting queues and travelling for.
Travel notes:
Cathay Pacific flies direct from Hong Kong to Munich four times weekly.
Rosewood Munich is situated in Munich’s Altstadt-Lehel district, approximately two kilometres away from Theresienwiese where the Oktoberfest festivities are held.
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Andrea Lo was the Executive Editor of Tatler Hong Kong and Editor of Tatler Macau.
Born in Canada and raised in Hong Kong and England, she started her career in journalism in 2012.
Follow her on Instagram @andreastephenielo.
