Strip away the beer tents and Oktoberfest is still one of the largest funfairs on the planet. Between the canvas halls, the Theresienwiese is packed with more than 150 rides and attractions, from gentle carousels for toddlers to white-knuckle coasters that loop high above Munich. For families, sober visitors, and anyone wanting a break from the tents, the fairground is the other half of the festival – and it is absolutely magical after dark. This guide covers the historic rides, the modern thrills, the fun houses, the nostalgic Oide Wiesn, and exactly how to make the most of it in 2026.
The historic rides you must not miss
Some of the attractions are part of Oktoberfest’s very soul. The Riesenrad (giant Ferris wheel) has turned above the festival since the 1880s and rewards you with the single best view of the grounds – ride it at dusk when the lights come on and the whole Wiesn glitters beneath you. The Krinoline, a beautifully ornate platform carousel, is famous for being accompanied by a live brass band that plays right beside the spinning floor. And the Teufelsrad (Devil’s Wheel) is pure old-fashioned theatre: contestants sit on a large spinning wooden disc and try to hang on as it accelerates, while a showman with a microphone teases the crowd and lobs ropes and giant balls at the survivors. You can watch for free from the surrounding benches – it is one of the funniest sights at the festival.
For thrill-seekers
If your stomach is up to it, the big-ticket rides change slightly each year but reliably include towering drop towers, fast spinning machines that fling you sideways at the sky, and the legendary Olympia Looping – the largest transportable roller coaster in the world, with five consecutive loops that draw gasps from the queue. Other regulars include the Höllenblitz indoor coaster and various top-spin and breakdance rides. A quiet but important rule of thumb: ride the intense ones before you visit the beer tents, never after.
The fun houses and classics
Oktoberfest lovingly keeps a collection of traditional attractions alive that you simply will not find at a modern theme park. Wander through mirror mazes and old-school Geisterbahn ghost trains, test your aim at shooting galleries for a paper-rose prize, or take on the Toboggan, a 1930s wooden slide where the real challenge is getting onto the moving conveyor belt at the entrance without falling over – watching everyone else attempt it is half the entertainment. The Schichtl, a historic variety theatre famous for its mock “beheading” act, is another only-at-Oktoberfest curiosity.
The Oide Wiesn
In many years a fenced section of the festival is given over to the Oide Wiesn (“Old Oktoberfest”), a nostalgic, slower-paced area dedicated to the festival’s heritage. Here you will find lovingly restored historic rides and vintage carousels, a museum tent, folk dancing, traditional music and a calmer, more affordable atmosphere. It charges a small entry fee (children usually free), which keeps the crowds thinner, and it is especially lovely for families and for anyone who wants to experience the Wiesn as it felt a century ago. Whether the Oide Wiesn runs depends on the year, as the space is sometimes used for the larger Central Agricultural Festival.
Perfect for families
The fairground is wonderfully child-friendly. Look for the family-friendly Tuesdays, when many rides and food stalls offer reduced prices until early evening, and head for the gentler carousels, the children’s coasters, the merry-go-rounds and the candy stalls. The wide avenues are easy to navigate with a pushchair, and the daytime atmosphere is relaxed and safe. Agree a meeting point as soon as you arrive, because the grounds are vast and busy.
Prices and how payment works
Rides are paid individually in cash at each booth, typically €5–12 per ride depending on size and length, with the big coasters at the top of that range. Games and shooting galleries are a euro or two per go. There is no all-day wristband, so budget a little extra if you plan to ride a lot, and keep small notes and coins handy to avoid fumbling for change in the queue.
Best times to ride
For the spectacle, the fairground is unbeatable at night, when every ride blazes with neon and the whole Wiesn hums with energy. For shorter queues and a calmer experience with children, come in the late morning or early afternoon, ideally on a weekday. Weekends and evenings bring the longest waits for the headline rides.
Tips for the fairground
- Bring cash – booths do not take cards.
- Eat light before the intense rides and save the spinning ones for early in the day.
- Go at night for the photos, but visit in the afternoon if you have small children.
- Agree a meeting point – phone signal can be patchy in the crowds.
- Watch the free attractions like the Teufelsrad and Schichtl for entertainment that costs nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a ticket for the rides? No general ticket – you pay per ride in cash at the booth.
Are the rides suitable for children? Yes – there is a huge range, from toddler carousels to gentle coasters, plus discounted family Tuesdays.
What is the best ride for the view? The Riesenrad (Ferris wheel) at dusk – nothing beats it.
A short history of the funfair
The funfair has been part of Oktoberfest almost from the beginning. The very first festival in 1810 centred on a horse race, and as the event grew, showmen, carousel operators and ride builders set up alongside the beer to entertain the crowds. By the late nineteenth century the first mechanical rides and the original Ferris wheel had arrived, and many of today’s ride-owning families have run their attractions at the Wiesn for generations. That continuity is why the fairground feels so characterful – it is a living piece of fairground history, not a modern theme park.
Accessibility and quieter moments
The wide, flat avenues of the Theresienwiese make the grounds reasonably accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and there are first-aid and information points throughout. If sensory overload is a concern, visit on a weekday morning, when the rides are quieter and the music is gentler, or spend time in the calmer Oide Wiesn area if it is open. Staff at the information points can advise on the most suitable rides.
The rides are best enjoyed as part of a full day. Build your itinerary with our trip planner, find a beer tent for later, and check all the 2026 festival dates. There really is far more to Oktoberfest than the beer.