What is changing at Oktoberfest in 2025?

Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich this weekend. Here's a rundown of the changes coming to the world-famous Bavarian beer festival in 2025.

Changes at Oktoberfest in 2025

The 190th Oktoberfest will begin on the Wiesn in Munich on Saturday, September 19. You can still expect beer everywhere, drunken mayhem, Tracht, Brezeln, Robbie Williams and rollercoasters, but some things are changing this year.

Beer prices change at Oktoberfest every year. At the 2025 festival, a standard litre (Maß) of beer will cost between 14,50 and 15,80 euros, an average of 3,5 percent more than at the 2024 festival.

Oktoberfest organisers and police have announced several additional security measures, including a knife ban on and around the Wiesn. Police also say that they will crack down harder on sexual harassment and voyueristic photography, such as “upskirting”. Reports of sexual harassment have increased at Oktoberfest in recent years, and police estimate that many more cases go unreported.

To prevent drunken accidents, it will also be forbidden to park or rent e-scooters within the immediate festival grounds from 5pm onwards. And to reduce the chance of festivalgoers getting too drunk, more tap water will be available. There are 10 water fountains on the grounds, but organisers warn that glass bottles are still forbidden. It’s best to take a plastic or metal bottle with you.

Those seeking the thrill of vomiting without having to drink 10 litres of beer can head to the new funfair rides. The 70-metre-high Skylift will be one of the latest additions to the 500 rides on the grounds, alongside the Happy Sailor with flying gondolas. The Russenrad ferris wheel will also be running, celebrating its 100th year at Oktoberfest.

More options for digital payment on the Wiesn

Until now, payments at Oktoberfest have been made with cash and vouchers issued by the festival organisers. But in 2025, Oktoberfest is introducing cashless payment options.

But don’t get too excited, contactless payment will only be possible in certain beer tents. It is still best to take cash with you to the festival. It’s also worth withdrawing it in advance, since cashpoints in the Wiesn’s surroundings often have long queues.

More digitisation ahead of the big weekend - the public transport association in Munich, MMV, is testing its digital ticketing system Web2Wallet. Passengers can buy transport tickets online and download them onto their mobile phones. Downloading or registering for the MMV app is not necessary.