Let’s Go to the Oktoberfest 2025-the world famous Taste of Bavaria !
Report Posted by Axel Ritenis reporting from Munich Monday 15 september, 2025
Dust off your dirndls and lederhosen, Sydney! The world’s largest folk festival, Munich’s Oktoberfest, is returning for its 190th edition, and it’s gearing up to be the most exciting one yet. From September 20 to October 5, the Theresienwiese fairgrounds will be buzzing with sixteen days of Bavarian celebration, and we’ve got the inside scoop on all the thrilling new details.
Munich Tourist Board
Photo credit Munich Tourist Board
A Festival of Firsts
This year’s Oktoberfest is all about innovation and tradition. For the first time ever, the festival has launched an official music competition, “A Liad für d’Wiesn” (A Song for the Wiesn). Out of 115 submissions from musicians across Bavaria, a panel of experts and the public have narrowed it down to a winner. The grand prize includes a live performance and promotion during the official press tour, ensuring the new song will be a certified hit across the festival grounds.
The festival also continues its commitment to accessibility. Following the success of providing barrier-free maps for large tents, 2025 will see the addition of maps for small festival tents, detailing accessible entrances, seating, and restrooms. The use of the what3words location system for key entrances will also help visitors and emergency services find precise locations with ease. It’s an initiative that highlights the festival’s dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
Photo credit Munich Tourist Board
Rides That Will Take Your Breath Away
Photo credit .M.Grundl
Photo Credit M.Grundl in Munich
Get ready for some serious thrills! The new Sky Lift is set to be the festival’s showstopper, soaring to a height of 71 meters with panoramic windows and glass-bottomed floors for a truly exhilarating view of the sprawling fairgrounds. For those who love a classic, the Happy Sailor offers high-speed, wave-like thrills in its 20 rotating gondolas. The kiddie ride Montgolfiere brings a touch of nostalgic flair with its hot air balloon theme, gently lifting riders to a height of 8.5 meters. And for some good old-fashioned spooky fun, head to the Oide Wiesn to experience the vintage haunted house, Geisterhöhle, a family-friendly favorite since 1965.
Digital Innovation and Culinary Delights
The festival is stepping into the future with new digital services. The Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (MVV), Munich’s transport authority, is launching its new “Web2Wallet” system, allowing visitors to buy public transport tickets online and save them directly to their smartphone wallet—no app download required. Many vendors and rides now accept cashless payment, and the Münchner Stubn festive tent is going a step further by accepting card and smartphone payments only.
Der Viktualienmarkt/ The Viktualienmarkt is a permanent market for food in the old town of Munich. It has taken place every day since 1807, except on Sundays and public holidays. The appearance of the over two hectare site is characterized by fixed stalls, some with large displays. There are also some seasonally different flying stands. The market stalls are arranged in several departments around a beer garden.
Of course, the heart of Oktoberfest is the food and drink. You’ll find ten fountains with free drinking water, making it easy to stay hydrated. A new pretzel bakery will be serving up freshly baked pretzels, including topped and oven-baked varieties. And for those looking for a picturesque spot to enjoy their beer, the new Isarschänke Weissbiergarten offers a traditional Bavarian beer garden with a charming fountain and a unique spectacle: a monk on a tightrope!
The festival offers a culinary journey through traditional Bavarian cuisine. Indulge in classic dishes like Schweinshaxe (crispy pork knuckle), Hendl (roast chicken), and Ochsenbraten (roast ox). For a cheesy, comforting treat, try Käsespätzle, Bavaria’s answer to mac and cheese. Don’t forget to grab a giant, salty Brezn (pretzel) or a Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick). And for dessert, the iconic Lebkuchenherz (gingerbread hearts) and a warm portion of Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) are a must.
This year, a special partnership with the Austrian cult lemonade Almdudler brings a limited-edition drink to the festival, perfect for a non-alcoholic treat. And for beer lovers, you can toast with the new “scheene Wiesn Masskrug,” a beautifully crafted, salt-glazed collector’s mug, combining traditional craftsmanship with a modern design.
Oktoberfest 2025 is a masterful blend of tradition and modernity, promising something for everyone. From new rides and innovative technology to timeless Bavarian charm and delicious food, it’s a festival that truly has it all. Start planning your trip to Munich now and prepare for a journey into the heart of a world-famous celebration. Prost!
