New in 2025

Every year we try to provide as much information as possible about the big and small innovations at the Oktoberfest. That's why this article will be continuously updated until the Oktoberfest begins.

Grim Reaper Beats Heart Attack Again

Non licensing the Herzkasperl tent in 2024 caused so much excitement that the application requirements were even adjusted. Surprisingly, it didn't help. With just one point, Boandlkramerei (the gream reaper's place) once again overtakes the Herzkasperl (heart attack) and takes the place of the musicians' tent at Oide Wiesn. Nevertheless, host Josef Bachmaier does not want to give up and will apply again in 2026.

Fewer Reservation-Free Seats

The landlords of the large tents have been pushing for an increase of the reservation capacities for some time. Their main hope is to be able to increase turnover by emptying a larger number of tables - especially on Saturday afternoons - and filling them with a fresh crowd. From now on, 10% of capacity may be reserved for Munich residents without a minimum consumption on weekends and public holidays all day. Previously, only 7.5% was reserved for this purpose before 3 pm.

It will be interesting to see whether this change will also make the regulation relevant for the tents that have so far waived special reservations for Munich residents.

Song Contest

For the first time this year, there will be a music competition to promote Bavarian music at the Oktoberfest. Its aim is worthy of all honor, after all, the beer tent crowd is currently shaking on the beer benches mainly to Anglo-American pop music and mallorca schlager. However, the winner will not be chosen until September 15 and therefore has little chance of finding its way into Munich's ear canals in time.

As a rule, songs suitable for the Oktoberfest crystallize over the summer in other beer tents. Additionally, the “Wiesn hits” that we receive every year are unfortunately of appalling quality. The competition would have to produce songs of a much higher quality to have any chance of success. Hearing more Bavarian music at the Oktoberfest, both old and new, would be a very welcome development.

Interested participants must submit their work to the city by the end of May. After a selection by a jury, a public vote will follow in July. The three most popular songs will be presented at the Brass Wiesn on August 2. The winner will be chosen in a further vote by September 15 and will be presented at the press tour just two days before the Oktoberfest opens.