New Schedule Information
Munich’s Oktoberfest 2026 is in the books. The festival kicked off on Saturday, September 19, when the mayor tapped the first keg at noon and called out the traditional “O’zapft is!” It wrapped up on Sunday, October 4, closing a sixteen-day run of beer, brass bands, pretzels, and roast chicken on the Theresienwiese fairgrounds.
Despite the name, most of the party happens in September. Organizers moved the dates earlier long ago to catch warmer weather, then kept the closing day tied to the first Sunday of October. That is why the world’s biggest beer festival ends just as autumn settles in.
The story starts in 1810, when Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese. Munich’s citizens were invited to celebrate with horse races in the fields outside the city gates. Those fields were named Theresienwiese in her honor, and the crowd enjoyed the party so much that the city brought it back the following year. Over two centuries later, millions of visitors make the trip to raise a stein, and the tradition is still going strong.
October 18 – The Cigar
Prost, Late: Lighting Up the Quesada Oktoberfest Kaiser Ludwig
Which brings us to the cigar. Ludwig gave the festival its origin, and the Quesada Oktoberfest Kaiser Ludwig carries that royal spirit into a seasonal smoke made for fall. We know Oktoberfest has technically ended, but we are not letting the celebration die with the last keg. On the Meet in the Middle Cigar Show, we are lighting one up to commemorate it properly.
Join us Sunday, October 18, at 7:15 PM Eastern for the full review. We will break down the pre-light draw, the burn, the flavor, and whether this Kaiser earns a spot in your humidor. As always, we will build the new show schedule live on air, so bring your ideas and your opinions.
A complete schedule coming soon: irobusto.com/schedule
Giveaway
There is also a giveaway. Subscribers get a chance to win two Quesada Oktoberfest Kaiser Ludwig cigars. Paid subscribers receive a 10X entry boost, and your support helps keep the show running and growing. If you have been thinking about upgrading, this is a very good week to do it.
So grab a cigar, pour something cold, and join the table. Oktoberfest may be over in Munich, but at MITM it is lasting one more Sunday.
Prost, everyone.