Tips For Visiting Oktoberfest With Kids in Munich, Germany
Are you planning a trip to Oktoberfest with Kids? You are in the right place! We received all kinds of looks when we told people we were heading to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, with a 10-month-old and a 5-year-old. Which I can understand if you aren’t familiar with the Oktoberfest experience, but I am here to tell you- it was amazing! The Oktoberfest celebrations can easily be enjoyed by any age group and even those who opt not to drink! I hope this guide will give you the answers you need and the confidence to plan and amazing trip to Germany.
During our visit, we noticed many families and even school-age children on field trips, enjoying the German beer festival. If you are prepared and know what to expect, you will be able to have one of the ultimate Oktoberfest experiences. Hopefully, this is a helpful guide to show you how amazing the largest Oktoberfest can be for families and kids of all ages. With a little planning ahead, you will be sure to have a great time. It’s a very unique experience and something I am sure my daughter will remember forever- but even if she won’t I know I will.
What Is Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is not just a beer festival, it’s the world’s largest Volksfest, a celebration deeply rooted in Bavarian culture and heritage. Held annually in Munich, Germany, the annual festival usually takes place from late September to the first weekend in early October, running for around 16-18 days. It began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Over the years, the event has evolved to become a significant part of Bavarian culture and a major tourist attraction, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the festival every year.
Oktoberfest in Muinich is the biggest Oktoberfest you will find since it’s the original. It is celebrated with numerous attractions, such as amusement rides, food stalls, and games, but the main highlight is the consumption of traditional Bavarian foods and, of course, beer. The festival also features parades, live music, and traditional Bavarian costumes. The festival takes place in the city of Munich and is easy to get to with public transportation.
The festival’s main objective is to showcase Bavarian culture and heritage, and it has grown to become a celebration of German customs, traditions, and, most notably, beer. It serves as a time for friends and families to come together, enjoy the lively atmosphere, and celebrate Bavarian traditions.
If you are looking for the traditional experience, I highly recommend Munich’s Oktoberfest – and I will explain why and how to make it a great event!
How Long Do You Need in Oktoberfest?
The Wiesn takes place across multiple city blocks, so it can take a bit of time to explore and see most of it. Due to this, I suggest 1.5 days at a minimum. We spent around 4 hours walking around the festival grounds with the only goal of getting 1 beer, understanding the layout, and exploring the amusements. I’m very thankful we took this time to soak it all up because the second day was a busy one!
On our second day, our only full day at Oktoberfest, we were in line 30 minutes before the gates opened at 10 a.m. We were let into the festival grounds exactly on time and were able to see the sights with lower crowds. Around 10:30, the major beer tents started opening their doors for guests to grab seats, and our beer order was placed just before 11 a.m., so we had a liter in hand at 11!
We were able to experience multiple beer tents, ride several rides, eat great traditional german food, dance on the benches and sing at the top of our lungs to Sweet Caroline throughout the day. We didn’t have reservations for anything (more on this below) and had a great experience.
It’s recommended that children begin to exit the festival grounds around 6 pm, so after one more ride, we were on our way to leave. Overall, 7 hours in Oktoberfest was perfect for our group!
Tips for Oktoberfest With Kids
– Get there early. We arrived around 9:30 am and the line was maybe 50 people deep, by 10 am when the gates opened, there were hundreds of people. That 30-minute difference was great for us.
– Oktoberfest welcomes children until 8 pm in the beer tents, though we had been informed that 6 pm is the sweet spot for starting to leave. We found this to be true! The tents started getting very busy and quite wild by then.
– Leave the stroller at home if you have a child who can sit/stand on their own. The grounds get busy and the tents are even busier. While you are permitted to bring strollers in on weekdays (not weekends!), if it’s possible to bring a baby carrier instead, I would recommend it. If you have a younger baby, bring the most compact travel stroller you can. This one is a great option!
– Look into the bag policy before you arrive! Most bags are prohibited on the property. If you have a bag larger than the allowed size, you will be asked to pay for a storage locker. The current bag size allowed is a maximum of 20 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm.
– Oktoberfest in Munich has free entry! Don’t like the articles or ticket sites fool you. It’s free for everyone!
– Visit on a Tuesday to save money! Amusements and some food stalls are discounted for family days on Tuesdays.
– Visit on a weekday to see as much as possible! Weekends get very busy, quickly.
– Look into the special events like the Grand Entrance on the Oktoberfest (the first day!), the costume parade, and live music schedule.
– You do not need a reservation to enjoy the beer halls! This was confusing to me before our arrival; it seemed like everyone needed a reservation, but we didn’t have trouble finding free tables until 5pm, and even then, we only waited a few minutes for a table. In most cases, you walk into a festival tent, look for either a full open table or open seats, check for a “reserved” sign and then take a seat.
– Hop around between the massive beer tents from well-known breweries (like Löwenbrau or Pauliner) and also see some of the smaller tents (like Nymphenburg Sekt) it’s very cool to see the variety of decorations in each tent. There are 17 major tents and 21 smaller tents.
– Dress up! Don’t feel like you must do this if you aren’t interested, but many of the guests are going to be donning their traditional costumes/attire dirndl or lederhosen. No matter what- do not buy a Halloween costume! Look into buying a more authentic style outfit.
– Bring cash! Tents are cash only and while there are several ATMs onsite, the fees are expensive. Be prepared and bring cash for the tents, souvenirs, various amusement rides, and food.
– Be prepared to tip in restrooms within the tents. There are usually bathroom attendants in each WC.
– Pace yourself throughout the day (this one is for the parents!). Most tents offer half-liters and liters; pay attention to when you need a half-liter instead. You can also order a Radler, which is half beer and half lemonade or lemon soda. Don’t forget to drink water!
– If you want alternative beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) you can usually order non-alcoholic “beer” in each tent (it’s a strong apple cider type drink), head to the Weinzelt if you want wine or the Kafer if you are looking for cocktails.
– Bring a reusable water bottle! You can fill water bottles (not glass) at 5 stations throughout the festival grounds. If you order water from the tents (even “tap” or “flat”) you will likely be charged.
– Try the traditional food options offered on-site! Bretzein pretzels, pork knuckle, bratwurst, potato salad, currywurst, and schnitzel to name a few!
– Check the Oktoberfest dates in advance! They change each year, and the first day of Oktoberfest is usually one of the busiest, especially after 12pm when the first keg is tapped. Large crowds tend to head to Oktoberfest towards the end of September, so going earlier in the season should help with seeing more of the sights!
– Have a plan. It’s not necessary to map out every minute of your Oktoberfest adventure, but it will be helpful to have an idea of what you want to see, what you want to do and if there are specific Oktoberfest beer tents you want to visit.
General Notes
- You are going to consume lots of beer, as mentioned above, have a plan for eating and drinking water.
- If you are looking for a traditional Bavarian atmosphere, I highly recommend you enjoy everything Germany has to offer before or after your Munich Oktoberfest experience. Four days total, with 1.5 spent in Oktoberfest, will be perfect for your first time in Munich. I outlined the perfect itinerary for a group based on our experiences.
- When buying beer outside of Oktoberfest, in most beer gardens, you will likely pay a deposit for the beer steins. If you return the stein, you will receive your deposit back. This is to help keep the area clean, not so you can have a souvenir.
- You will be expected to tip at restrooms all over Europe. It’s usually €1 or less, so keep coins on you.
- Everyone is there to have a great time. You are all there to experience the largest Oktoberfest experience- don’t be afraid to chat with you neighbor at the table, sing drinking songs along with the tent and enjoy yourself to the fullest!
- If you didn’t get enough beer tastings while at the festival, there are many Munich breweries to get a similar beer garden experience. We loved Chinessischer Turm in the English Garden, and the Augustiner-Keller which is the oldest beer garden in Munich.
I hope this guide has provided you with valuable insight and practical tips for planning a memorable trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany with your family. From understanding the festival’s cultural significance to navigating the grounds with children, we’ve aimed to offer a comprehensive resource to enhance your experience. By following these suggestions, such as arriving early, being aware of the festival’s bag policy, and taking advantage of family days, we believe you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your time at Oktoberfest. Cheers to a wonderful Oktoberfest experience in Munich!
