Next dates
2027 dates not yet announced — typically around September. We're watching and will update this page when they land.
300 musicians from every Oktoberfest tent band play together on the Bavaria statue steps on the festival's second Sunday.
On the second Sunday of Oktoberfest, all the individual tent orchestras combine into one 300-piece ensemble for a free open-air concert on the steps beneath the Bavaria monument. Costume groups and Schuhplattler dancers perform alongside, and guest conductors lead a set list of Bavarian and Alpine brass classics. No tickets needed, but arrive by mid-morning for a clear view.
The full story
On the second Sunday of Oktoberfest — this year, September 27, ahead of the festival's October 4 close — the individual tent bands combine into a single 300-piece ensemble for a free open-air performance at the foot of the Bavaria statue on Theresienwiese. The tradition began in 1985 as a one-off idea by Willy Heide, then-spokesman of the Wiesn tent and tavern operators, and has run every year since. Schuhplattler dance groups and costume groups often join, and the program traditionally leans on well-known Bavarian marches and songs, closing with the Bavarian anthem.
There's no ticket and no reservation — just a good pair of shoes and an early arrival, since the best viewing spots near the statue steps fill up fast. For anyone who can't make it to Munich, the concert has traditionally aired on Bavarian television, though check closer to the date for the 2026 broadcast details.
Back to Oktoberfest.
History
The concert began in 1985 as a one-off idea by Willy Heide, then-spokesman of the Wiesn tent and tavern operators, and became an annual fixture. Around 300 musicians from every tent band now combine for a single open-air performance at the Bavaria statue on the festival's second Sunday, traditionally closing with the Bavarian anthem.
On Tap
- Local focus
- Free brass on the Bavaria steps — every Oktoberfest tent band combined into one 300-piece ensemble.
- What to try
- Bring a Maß from a nearby stand or duck into an open tent afterward; the concert itself is alcohol-free on the steps.
- Food pairing
- Grab food from a Straße-side stall while you listen, then celebrate inside once the massed bands finish.
- Best for
- Music lovers who want a rare all-tent-band performance without paying for a reserved table.
- Bavaria On Tap take
- Mid-morning arrival for a clear view, then migrate to your favorite tent when the oompah set ends.
Practical tips
The English-language details German fest pages usually skip.
- Nearest station
- Theresienwiese (U4/U5), or Goetheplatz/Poccistraße (U3/U6) followed by a walk across the grounds.
Frequently asked questions
- How many musicians play?
- Around 300, drawn from every festival tent band.
- Do I need to arrive early?
- Yes — the official Oktoberfest event listing advises arriving early, since the best viewing spots near the Bavaria statue fill up quickly.
- Can I watch if I'm not in Munich?
- The concert is traditionally broadcast on Bavarian television, though the 2026 broadcast schedule isn't set yet — check closer to the date.
More in Munich
Other festivals and markets in Munich — or see the full Munich guide.
- Free entry