Oktoberfest 2023: Where beer flows like a river

Archive material. Date of change on the old site: 2023-09-26. Prices, dates and conditions are retained from the original and may be out of date.

Every year in Germany, a holiday is celebrated that has won the hearts of millions of people from all over the world - Oktoberfest. This magical event is famous for beer, large beer gardens, traditional German food, music and fun. In 2023, Oktoberfest promises to be brighter and more spectacular than ever before. Let's consider where, when and how much this unique holiday costs.

Where will Oktoberfest 2023 take place?

Of course, Munich is where Oktoberfest begins and ends. It is here that there are large beer gardens, happy visitors in traditional Bavarian costumes, and a real festive atmosphere. The dates of Oktoberfest can vary each year, but usually it is mid-September to the first Sunday of October and the event lasts for 16 days. In 2023, Oktoberfest started on September 16 and will last until October 3.

In Munich, Oktoberfest takes place in beer grounds, which are usually located in municipal parks, the main ones being Theresienwiese.

During the festival, 14 large and 21 small tents are pitched. The big tents at Oktoberfest are the main venues of the festival, where you can taste different brands of beer. It is better to reserve seats in advance. Small tents also offer beer and food, and can be less crowded and more comfortable for smaller groups.

The tents usually open in the morning at 10:00 and stay open until 23:30, and the last beer can be ordered until 22:30. The tents at Oktoberfest fill up quickly, especially in the evenings and on weekends, so it is recommended to make a reservation online through the festival's official website.

Seat reservations in the tent are free, but you must buy food and beer vouchers to at least a specified value. By the way, we recommend trying several different tents to learn more about the varieties of beer and the dishes on offer.

Prices for Oktoberfest 2023

Participants and visitors to the festival, especially waitresses, often dress in traditional Bavarian costumes, which include airship-like skirts (dirndl) for women and lederhosen for men. Girls can carry up to ten glasses at a time.

The average price for a glass of beer (which usually has a volume of 1 liter) is from 13 euros per liter, and somewhere you can find it for 17.40 euros. It is worth noting that beer prices may differ at different venues.

At German Oktoberfest, a term like "Mass beer, please" is commonly used ("Mass" refers to a large glass or mug of beer). Such a voluminous glass of beer is called "Maßkrug" and is one of the icons of Oktoberfest.

For many visitors, buying a beer mug becomes a real souvenir of the festival. To prevent the theft of beer mugs, Oktoberfest organizers introduced a deposit system (Pfand). If you return an empty mug, your deposit will be refunded.

In addition to beer, you can buy a radler in each tent, which is a combination of beer and lemonade, and almost everywhere you can order non-alcoholic beer.

Traditional German foods such as sausages, dumplings, pies and cabbage dishes are also available at Oktoberfest. The cost of lunch is usually between 10 and 20 euros. This year you can also find traditional white Bavarian sausages, served with stewed cabbage and mustard. Such a treat costs 16.50 euros.

This year, places with free drinking water were opened at the festival. They are in the form of fountains.

Entry to Oktoberfest is free. You only pay for what you consume, including beer and food.

What else to do at Oktoberfest?

Beer is, of course, the main event at Oktoberfest, but it's not the only one. Many entertainment events take place at the festival, here you will find attractions, musical performances and much more. Add to that unsurpassed German hospitality and you have an experience that will stay in your memory for a long time.

Prices are usually calculated for each attraction separately. But everyone at this event can feel like they are in paradise - fun company, delicious beer and food, and an unbeatable atmosphere. People from all over the world come together to celebrate and enjoy this great event. In 2023, Oktoberfest promises to amaze you with its atmosphere and unforgettable moments.