What to Wear to Oktoberfest

The practical guide: weather, ground, footwear, bag rules and a full packing checklist for 16 days in Munich.

September, 16 daysWhen
18°C / 9°CDay / night
city streetsGround
6,000,000Crowd

What to wear to Oktoberfest: Munich sits at 18°C (64°F) by day and 9°C (48°F) at night in September, on city streets, with a moderate chance of rain. That means a light base with one warm layer you can carry, cushioned trainers or a low boot, and a bag small enough for the gate rules. The crowd leans costume, party and elegant, so a full costume is the norm rather than the exception.

Typical daytime high18°C (64°F)
Typical night low9°C (48°F)
Day–night swing9°C (16°F)
Rain riskModerate
GroundTarmac and pavement
Sun exposureHigh, little natural shade

Everything below follows from those numbers.

What to wear, look by look

Look 01

Full Costume Investment piece

At these festivals the costume is the ticket. Going plain is the wrong call.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (costume), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Nights drop to 9°C (48°F). Add the outer layer to your bag, not your tent.

  • Costumefull themed costume or wings shop
  • Glitterbody gems, glitter and paint shop
  • Bootsboots you can walk kilometres in shop
  • Hatsheadpiece or mask shop
  • Bagshidden belt bag for essentials shop
  • Makeupsweatproof face paint shop
Feather wings
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Feather wings
$15.11
sample
Biodegradable glitter gel
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Biodegradable glitter gel
$88.55
sample
Cowboy ankle boots
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Cowboy ankle boots
$58.31
sample
Ball cap
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Ball cap
$79.91
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Look 02

Carnival Feathers Investment piece

Feathers, sequins, headpiece. The one weekend a year more is more.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (costume), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages. At 18°C (64°F) this needs a real layer underneath. Thermal base, not just a jacket. Nights drop to 9°C (48°F). Add the outer layer to your bag, not your tent.

  • Costumefeather headpiece and wings shop
  • Topssequin bodysuit shop
  • Glitterbody gems and glitter shop
  • Sandalscomfortable dance sandals shop
  • Jewellerystatement earrings shop
  • Makeuplong-wear waterproof makeup shop
Feather wings
Shop now
Feather wings
$15.11
sample
Cut-out bodysuit
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Cut-out bodysuit
$71.27
sample
Biodegradable glitter gel
Shop now
Biodegradable glitter gel
$88.55
sample
Flat leather sandals
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Flat leather sandals
$110.15
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Look 03

Double Denim Budget-friendly

Jacket, shorts, boots: the most reliable outfit in festival history.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (americana), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages. Nights drop to 9°C (48°F). Add the outer layer to your bag, not your tent.

  • Jacketsoversized denim jacket shop
  • Shortsdenim shorts or straight jeans shop
  • Topsplain white tee or bandeau shop
  • Bootscowboy or ankle boots shop
  • Hatscap or cowboy hat shop
  • Bagsbelt bag shop
Cropped faux leather jacket Premium
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Cropped faux leather jacket Premium
$169.55
sample
High-waist rave shorts
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High-waist rave shorts
$123.11
sample
Cut-out bodysuit
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Cut-out bodysuit
$71.27
sample
Cowboy ankle boots
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Cowboy ankle boots
$58.31
sample
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Look 04

All-White Investment piece

The Ibiza and white-party uniform: linen, crochet, zero print.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (elegant), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages. At 18°C (64°F) this needs a real layer underneath. Thermal base, not just a jacket. Nights drop to 9°C (48°F). Add the outer layer to your bag, not your tent.

  • Co-ordswhite linen co-ord shop
  • Dresseswhite crochet or cut-out dress shop
  • Sandalsleather sandals shop
  • Sunglassessculptural sunglasses shop
  • Jewellerygold statement pieces shop
  • Bagsraffia bag shop
Linen co-ord set
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Linen co-ord set
$131.75
sample
Slip dress Premium
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Slip dress Premium
$100.43
sample
Strappy dance sandals
Shop now
Strappy dance sandals
$118.79
sample
Round tinted sunglasses
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Round tinted sunglasses
$19.43$25.70
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Look 05

Linen Minimal Investment piece

Grown-up festival: linen shirt, tailored short, one good sandal.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (elegant), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages. At 18°C (64°F) this needs a real layer underneath. Thermal base, not just a jacket. Nights drop to 9°C (48°F). Add the outer layer to your bag, not your tent.

  • Topslinen camp-collar shirt shop
  • Shortstailored linen shorts shop
  • Sandalsleather sandals shop
  • Sunglassesclassic tortoiseshell shop
  • Hatspanama hat shop
  • Bagscanvas tote shop
Ribbed crop tank
Shop now
Ribbed crop tank
$62.63$86.18
sample
High-waist rave shorts
Shop now
High-waist rave shorts
$123.11
sample
Strappy dance sandals
Shop now
Strappy dance sandals
$118.79
sample
Chrome visor sunglasses
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Chrome visor sunglasses
$28.07
sample
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Look 06

City Elegant Investment piece

For festivals with seating, wine and a dress code that whispers.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (elegant), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages. Nights drop to 9°C (48°F). Add the outer layer to your bag, not your tent.

  • Dressesslip or shirt dress shop
  • Jacketstailored blazer for the evening shop
  • Sandalsblock-heel sandals or loafers shop
  • Bagsstructured mini bag shop
  • Sunglassesclassic frames shop
  • Jewelleryfine gold jewellery shop
Slip dress Premium
Shop now
Slip dress Premium
$100.43
sample
Cropped faux leather jacket Premium
Shop now
Cropped faux leather jacket Premium
$169.55
sample
Flat leather sandals
Shop now
Flat leather sandals
$110.15
sample
Clear stadium bag Premium
Shop now
Clear stadium bag Premium
$147.95
sample
Save this look

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Footwear

Best option here: Cushioned trainers or a low boot. You are on concrete for ten hours.

Avoid: brand-new shoes, heels, and anything you have not walked 10 kilometres in.

You will walk between 15.000 and 30.000 steps a day at a festival of this size, repeated over 16 days. Footwear is the only part of a festival outfit that can genuinely end your weekend, so it is the one place to spend money and break things in beforehand.

Bag, glitter and gate rules

  • Bag size. Most festivals of this size cap bags at roughly A4 or require a clear bag at the main stages. A belt bag plus a small crossbody clears almost every policy. Check the official rules before you buy anything bigger.
  • Chains and studs. Long chains, spikes and metal-heavy accessories are refused at some gates. If a piece is central to the look, have a backup.
  • Glitter. Biodegradable only at a growing number of festivals; plastic glitter is banned outright at several. It is also, practically, the hardest thing to remove from a tent.
  • No camping. You are travelling in and out each day, so the outfit has to survive public transport at both ends, and a cloakroom is not guaranteed.
  • Cultural dress. Several festivals in this category explicitly ban headdresses and other appropriated cultural dress. Check the site's own policy. It is usually stated plainly.

The packing checklist

  • Two tops per day (one gets ruined)
  • One layer for the night
  • Earplugs
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Portable charger
  • Sun cream or SPF stick
  • Baby wipes
  • A bag with a zip
  • Costume repair kit: safety pins, glue, spare elastic

What not to wear

  • Heels of any kind. Grass, gravel and crowd crush. Platform boots give the height with a surface area that works.
  • Brand-new shoes. Ten hours on concrete in unbroken-in soles is the most reliable way to leave early.
  • Your good bag. Beer, mud, being sat on. Take the one you would not mind losing, with a zip.

FAQ

Start with the weather: 18°C (64°F) by day, 9°C (48°F) at night, moderate rain risk, on city streets. That points to a light base with one warm layer you can carry, plus broken-in trainers or boots. Style-wise the crowd leans full costume, party and quiet elegance.

Typical night lows are around 9°C (48°F), a drop of 9 degrees from the daytime high. That is cold enough to end your night early if you have nothing with sleeves.

Cushioned trainers or a low boot; the site is concrete and gravel. Expect 15.000–30.000 steps a day.

Tracht: dirndl or lederhosen. Cheap costume-shop versions are spotted instantly by locals.

Festivals this size usually limit bags to around A4 size, and some require clear bags at main stages. A belt bag plus a small zipped crossbody clears almost every policy. Always check the official rules for the current edition. They change year to year.

The reliable formula here is a tee, a light overshirt and broken-in trainers, with a beanie and a small crossbody bag. See the full list of men's outfits below.

Yes, but bring biodegradable glitter. Plastic glitter is banned at a growing number of festivals and is close to impossible to get out of a tent, a car or your hair. Face gems are the lower-effort alternative and survive sweat better.

Oktoberfest normally takes place in September, running 16 days in Munich. Exact dates are announced by the organisers each year at www.oktoberfest.de. Check there before booking anything.