Next dates
2027 dates not yet announced — typically around October. We're watching and will update this page when they land.
About 60 marksmen fire a ceremonial salute beneath the Bavaria statue at noon to mark Oktoberfest's symbolic close.
At noon on the final day, roughly 60 riflemen in traditional dress fire a synchronized gun salute from the steps below the Bavaria statue, formally closing out the 16-day festival even though the tents and rides keep running into the evening. It's linked to the Bavarian Sports Shooters' Association's Oktoberfest state championship and is free to watch.
The full story
At noon on Oktoberfest's final day, a ceremonial gun salute at the foot of the Bavaria statue marks the festival's symbolic close. Around 60 participants in traditional dress take part, with brass music and an honoring of Bavaria's state shooting champions as part of the programme. The devices are loaded with gunpowder and produce a genuinely loud report — no bullets are fired, but visitors sensitive to noise should plan for distance or hearing protection.
The ceremony connects to a long-running Bavarian marksmen's tradition and to the Oktoberfestlandesschießen, a state shooting championship held during the festival; in 2022, the championship was added to Bavaria's official Intangible Cultural Heritage register. It's free to watch, with no ticket required — the same as the rest of the main grounds.
Despite the "closing" name, this isn't when Oktoberfest actually shuts down: the tents, rides, and stalls stay open through the evening after the midday salute, so there's still a full afternoon and evening of festival left once it's over.
Back to Oktoberfest.
History
The salute is tied to a long-running Bavarian marksmen's tradition, and connects to the Oktoberfestlandesschießen — a state shooting championship held during the festival and organized by the Bayerischer Sportschützenbund. In 2022, the championship was added to Bavaria's official Intangible Cultural Heritage register.
On Tap
- Local focus
- Closing-day ceremony at the Bavaria statue — tents and beer stands stay open through the evening after the salute.
- What to try
- A final Maß toast beneath the Bavaria statue after the gun salute; last-call energy in every tent.
- Food pairing
- Whatever's left on the menu — closing Sunday is about one last Hendl-and-beer before the rides shut down.
- Best for
- Repeat visitors who want the symbolic close of the 16-day run, not just the last ride.
- Bavaria On Tap take
- Watch the Boellerschiessen at noon, then spend the afternoon on a farewell tent crawl — it beats rushing out Sunday night.
Frequently asked questions
- What happens during the ceremony?
- Around 60 participants in traditional dress fire the salute, with brass music and an honoring of Bavaria's state shooting champions.
- Is the closing salute loud?
- Yes — the ceremonial devices use gunpowder and produce a loud report, though no bullets are fired. Visitors sensitive to loud noise may want extra distance or hearing protection.
- Does Oktoberfest end right after the salute?
- No — tents, rides, and stalls stay open into the evening after the midday ceremony; the salute is a symbolic close, not a shutdown.
More in Munich
Other festivals and markets in Munich — or see the full Munich guide.
- Free entry