Things to Do in Munich in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Munich
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is September Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + Oktoberfest's first weekend lands in late September, so you catch the opening ceremony in the Schottenhamel tent when the mayor taps the first keg at noon sharp on Saturday - an 8-minute standing ovation that signals Munich's transformation into beer-soaked celebration
- + Hotel rates drop 25-30% after the festival crowds thin out, from September 23rd onward, when rooms that required 6-month advance booking become available with two weeks' notice
- + The Englischer Garten still holds late summer warmth - locals sunbathe on the grass facing the Chinese Tower beer garden at 22°C (72°F), while the Isar River runs cool enough for the brave to swim but warm enough to linger
- + Museums empty out as families return to school routines - you'll have Alte Pinakothek's Rubens collection almost to yourself on weekday mornings, and the Deutsches Museum's interactive exhibits without summer's shoulder-to-shoulder crowds
- − Rain arrives suddenly between 2-4pm most days, turning Marienplatz's cobblestones into mirrors and sending tourists scrambling into souvenir shops while locals pull out compact umbrellas they've been carrying since August
- − Hotel prices spike 200-400% during Oktoberfest weekends, and anything within 3 km (1.9 miles) of Theresienwiese books solid by March - you'll either pay festival premiums or stay in suburban areas connected by U-Bahn
- − Evenings drop to 10°C (50°F) by 9pm, which feels colder after beer garden afternoons - that lightweight jacket you wore at 3pm becomes inadequate when you're stumbling out of Hofbräuhaus at closing time
Best Activities in September
Top things to do during your visit
September is the only month when these tours include the festival setup process - watch brewers tapping 200-liter oak barrels, see the Schottenhamel tent's 10,000-seat capacity being assembled, and learn why each brewery's tent faces a specific direction. The construction begins September 12th, giving you two weeks of behind-the-scenes access before opening day.
September water temperature hovers around 18°C (64°F) - warm enough for comfortable swimming but cool enough that locals call it refreshing rather than cold. The river's flow slows after summer snowmelt, creating perfect conditions for beginner kayaking from Flaucher to the city center, passing beer gardens where you can paddle up and order a beer delivered to your boat.
Early September mornings are golden -, with low sun angling through chestnut trees at 7am when serious cyclists claim the paths. The 78 km (48.5 miles) of dedicated bike lanes stay dry until afternoon showers, and the beer gardens open at 10am with fresh pretzels and wheat beer that tastes like liquid bread.
September brings the last of summer produce - white asparagus season ends mid-month, replaced by early mushrooms and the first pumpkins. The market's beer garden shifts from Helles to the darker Märzen style, served in ceramic steins that feel substantial in cooling evening air.
September light here is photographer's gold - the 229-hectare (566-acre) park catches morning mist over the canal, with swans providing foreground interest against the baroque palace. Late afternoon shadows stretch across manicured gardens in ways that make the palace look like a film set.
September Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
The mayor's keg-tapping at noon on the first Saturday transforms Theresienwiese from construction zone to party central in exactly 12 minutes - the ceremonial first beer costs the same as any other. But requires being in the Schottenhamel tent by 9am to secure space for the 12-gun salute
Starting September 26th, wooden stalls begin appearing in Marienplatz for the Christmas market - a month-long transformation that locals watch like a slow-motion art installation, with each day's progress documented in the Münchner Merkur newspaper
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Book Experiences in Munich
Top-rated things to do in Munich this September
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Munich.
See All Munich Tours on Viator