Dirndl, lederhosen, festival tents, and lots of music: Today, Thursday, September 24, 2026, the Kaiser Wiesn kicks off at the Kaiserwiese near the Vienna Ferris Wheel. Celebrations will take place in the Prater over a total of 18 days until October 11.

The scale is large: According to ORF, around 380,000 visitors attended in recent years. This year, approximately 150 concerts, nearly 2,000 musicians, and around 700 hours of programming are announced.

New in 2026 is primarily the security concept. For the first time, dedicated awareness teams will be permanently deployed on the grounds.

The topic of security is receiving additional attention at this year’s Kaiser Wiesn. The background includes so-called „upskirting“ incidents at the Oktoberfest in Munich, where women were photographed or filmed under their dirndls without permission.

At the Kaiser Wiesn, eight people will now be permanently on duty as an awareness team. They can be recognized by their pink vests and buttons.

Additionally, according to ORF, another 30 to 40 employees have received appropriate training. This scope of offering is new at the event.

Anyone who needs help and cannot find a contact person or does not want to contact someone directly can also reach out via a dedicated phone number.

A new point of contact is being created not only for visitors. An ombudsman’s office will specifically address concerns and complaints from residents.

With this, the organizers aim to address potential conflicts with the neighborhood around the Kaiserwiese as early as possible.

Traditionally, the Kaiser Wiesn begins with a parade through the Vienna Prater. This is followed by the beer tapping.

The grounds open daily during the Wiesn from midday. Celebrations can continue until 1 AM, with the music program ending at midnight.

Entry to the festival grounds is generally free. However, tickets are required for the larger locations in the evening.

The organizers are also responding to the expected influx of visitors with more space.

The large festival tent has been expanded and is expected to offer more than 3,000 seats this year. In addition, there are seven more tents and „alpine huts.“

According to the organizers, many seats were already booked for the first weekend. Last-minute tickets were still being offered for the opening day on Thursday.

Musically, the program ranges from folk music and Schlager to brass music and DJ sets.

Announced are, among others, Jazz Gitti, the Lauser, Mountain Crew, the Edlseer, and Wiener Wahnsinn. On the open-air grounds, Schuhplattler and dance performances are also on the program.

A total of nearly 2,000 musicians are expected to perform. The organizers speak of around 150 concerts and 700 hours of programming.

As traditional as the staging appears, the event itself is quite young. Since 2009, there has been an Oktoberfest on the Kaiserwiese in the Prater modeled after Munich’s.

Initially, the event ran under the name „Wiener Wiesn.“ After a change of operators, it became the „Kaiser Wiesn“ five years ago.

In 2026, the festival will run from September 24 to October 11 inclusive – for the first time accompanied by a permanent awareness team.

(Red)

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