City of Munich announces Oktoberfest ban

There will be a knife ban on the lawn. In addition, other items are prohibited according to the Oktoberfest regulations.

Munich – The 189th Oktoberfest is just around the corner. On Saturday (September 21), the beer festival will once again be called “O’ zapft is”. A few days before the start of the 2024 Oktoberfest, the police and the city of Munich have presented their security concept for the festival. In addition to controls and the widespread bans, this now also includes a knife ban.

All objects that can injure others are prohibited on the lawn – including knives

District administration officer Dr. Hanna Sammüller-Gradl made this clear on Wednesday (18 September) at a joint press conference with the Munich police. “All objects that can lead to injury to others are prohibited.” This also means a knife ban,” said the district administration officer. The Oktoberfest website states: “Gas spray cans are not permitted. with harmful contents, corrosive or colouring substances and objects that can be used as cutting, stabbing or piercing weapons”.

On Tuesday (September 17th) there was already a stir about knives at the Oktoberfest. The city of Munich was unable to declare the region around the Oktoberfest grounds a knife-free zone because the necessary legal regulation from the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior is not to be issued until after the Oktoberfest has started. However, knives are not tolerated on the festival grounds themselves.

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Safety concept at the Oktoberfest: Glass bottles and drones are also prohibited

In addition to the weapons ban, other objects and substances are also not allowed on the Oktoberfest. These include glass bottles. According to the regulations, these are not allowed to be brought onto the festival grounds. There is also a cannabis ban at the Oktoberfest. Anyone who smokes and is caught risks fines of up to 1,500 euros, explained the head of the police operations department, Christian Huber, at the press conference. Drone flights are also prohibited around and above the festival grounds.

Police on the security situation at the Oktoberfest: “We are very well prepared”

In relation to possible attacks, Huber spoke of a “high abstract risk situation”. However, this does not mean that there are concrete indications of a possible attack. “We currently have no indications of this,” said the head of the operations department. “We are very well prepared,” said Huber about the general police operation at the Oktoberfest. (Juniors)