Munich mayor taps keg, officially opening Oktoberfest 2026 festival
Munich’s new mayor, Dominik Krause, tapped the first keg at noon in the Schottenhamel festival tent, signalling the official start of Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest is anticipated to attract approximately 6.5 million visitors, significantly impacting local economies and hospitality sectors in Munich and surrounding areas.
“We welcome all visitors to this year’s Oktoberfest and encourage everyone to enjoy the festivities responsibly,” stated Munich’s new mayor, Dominik Krause, following the keg tapping ceremony.
The keg is tapped: Munich springs to life as Oktoberfest returns
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The Theresienwiese was already filling up earlier in the day. At around 10:35 a.m., the traditional procession of the Wiesn landlords got under way. Around 1,000 participants, including festival hosts, showmen, musicians and waiting staff, made their way through central Munich to the Theresienwiese in decorated carriages and horse-drawn wagons.
Beer only after the keg is tapped
The festival tents had already opened at 9 a.m., initially serving non-alcoholic drinks and light snacks. Beer could only be served after the official tapping of the first keg. The fairground rides also started operating only afterwards.
The big moment finally came at exactly noon in the Schottenhamel festival tent. Munich’s new mayor, Dominik Krause, took the mallet and, for the first time in his term of office, tapped the first keg. After the traditional “O’zapft is!” and the twelve cannon shots fired from the Bavaria, the monumental bronze statue and landmark of the Free State of Bavaria, it was clear: there was no turning back. The beer could flow.
As the first one-litre stein made its way to Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, the most important question of the day on the Theresienwiese was probably already being asked: Where can we still find a seat?
Millions of visitors expected
The Wiesn is one of the largest folk festivals in the world and attracts millions of visitors from Germany and abroad every year. According to Bavarian public broadcaster BR, around 6.5 million people attended the last Oktoberfest.
This year, a Maß of beer costs between €14.80 and €15.90, depending on the tent, meaning visitors once again have to dig a little deeper into their pockets. A large pretzel at the Wiesn costs around €5 to €6.
For getting to the festival, the city recommends using public transport. The Theresienwiese can be reached via several U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations. Anyone travelling by car should be prepared for an extremely difficult search for a parking space around the fairground.