Oktoberfest 2026 Mid-Point: 3.8 Million Visitors, Increased Drug Offenses, and Fake Weapons Incident
Munich, September 27, 2026 – The 191st Oktoberfest in Munich has reached its halfway mark, drawing an impressive 3.8 million visitors to the Theresienwiese. This figure represents a notable increase compared to the 3.5 million guests recorded at the same point last year. The festival, which runs from September 19 to October 4, continues to be a global magnet, attracting millions from around the world.
Visitor Surge and Weekday Strategy
The significant rise in visitor numbers is particularly evident during weekdays, with an 18.5 percent increase compared to 2025. City officials attribute this success, in part, to their “How to Wiesn” campaign, which encouraged attendees to visit the Oktoberfest during off-peak days to manage crowds more effectively.
Police Respond to Fake Weapons Incident
On Sunday, September 27, an incident involving two teenagers carrying realistic-looking fake weapons near the Oktoberfest site prompted a police response. Passersby at the Hackerbrücke alerted federal police after spotting the youths. Upon inspection, officers discovered two imitation firearms. A 15-year-old had one tucked into his waistband, while a 16-year-old was holding the other. Investigations so far indicate that no travelers were threatened. Carrying such items is prohibited in the vicinity of railway facilities during Oktoberfest. The federal police confiscated the weapons and informed the teenagers’ legal guardians.
Increase in Drug-Related Offenses
Munich police reported a concerning increase in drug-related offenses at this year’s Oktoberfest. At the halfway point, 122 violations of the Narcotics Act have been recorded, a nearly 50 percent increase from the 86 cases reported during the first eight days of the festival last year. Most of these incidents were linked to cocaine use. In contrast, the number of physical assaults remains consistent with last year, at 135 cases, with eleven involving a beer stein. Sexual offenses have slightly decreased to 32, down from 34 in 2025. Notably, no rapes have been reported this year, compared to three during the initial eight days of Oktoberfest in 2025.
Maßkrug Theft Attempts and Unwanted Photography
Festival security personnel have intercepted approximately 52,000 beer steins that visitors attempted to take as souvenirs. The total number of registered theft attempts for steins stands at around 105,000, slightly lower than last year’s 112,000. Additionally, there have been reports of individuals attempting to photograph women under their dirndls. One 29-year-old man was arrested for photographing a 20-year-old woman in this manner on the “Kotzhügel” (vomit hill). He was released after paying a security deposit and issued a ban from the festival for the remainder of the day. Another similar incident occurred in a beer tent, where a man attempted to photograph a 22-year-old woman. Although no photo of her was found on his phone, an image of another woman from her group was discovered. Furthermore, a 34-year-old man was arrested for repeatedly touching a female festival-goer inappropriately.
Lufthansa Sees Record Demand
Lufthansa is experiencing a significant boost in passenger numbers at Munich Airport during Oktoberfest, expecting to handle 1.7 million travelers. The strongest demand originates from the USA, followed by Italy and Great Britain. Flights from the London area are particularly popular, leading Lufthansa to double its service to Stansted Airport with 23 additional flights over the 16-day festival period, all of which are fully booked.
Traditional Concert and Other News
The traditional brass band concert on the second Sunday of Oktoberfest commenced punctually at 10 AM, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the Bavaria statue under clear skies. The event was broadcast live on BR television. Meanwhile, the city is also addressing other concerns, including the ongoing discussion about the cost of an Oktoberfest souvenir, priced at 780 Euros, and a recent bus accident involving a coach en route to the festival.
Source: t-online.de
