Oktoberfest 2026 ends Sunday: the dates, beer prices and history
Munich's Oktoberfest wraps up Sunday, Oct. 4, after 16 days. Here is why it ends in October, what a liter costs this year and how it began in 1810.
If you have ever wondered why Oktoberfest is mostly in September, this weekend is the answer. Munich's festival opened Saturday, Sept. 19, and closes Sunday, Oct. 4, after 16 days on the Theresienwiese fairgrounds.
The timing is set by tradition. Since 1873, the festival has started on the Saturday after Sept. 15 and ended on the first Sunday in October. The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, and it has been held most years since.
Prices keep rising. A Mass, the one-liter beer, costs between about EUR 14.80 and EUR 15.90 depending on the tent this year, an average of EUR 15.61, which is about 2.4% more than last year. The big tents open at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends, stop serving beer at 10:30 p.m., and close at 11:30 p.m. The final day traditionally includes a riflemen's salute and a sparkler send-off.
Many American towns hold their own Oktoberfest events through October, often with polka music, pretzels and family activities. Check your city's events calendar, since local dates vary.
If you plan to drink at any celebration, arrange a ride home before you go, and keep water and food in the mix. A soft pretzel and a cold lemonade count as joining in too.
Sources
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