Munich’s Oktoberfest faced unexpected chaos this week when a bomb threat forced the temporary closure of the festival grounds. Police evacuated parts of the site, deployed sniffer dogs inside beer tents and issued alerts via warning apps on smartphones.
For several hours, the world’s biggest folk festival was at a standstill. Many visitors were turned away at the gates or asked to leave the grounds. Munich’s mayor, Dieter Reiter (SPD), explained in a statement on Instagram: “We cannot take the risk of allowing people onto the Oktoberfest under such circumstances.”
By late afternoon, authorities declared the area safe. At 5:30 pm, the festival reopened and festivities resumed.
What about prepaid reservations?
The closure left thousands of guests wondering: What happens to the money already spent on reserved tables and meal vouchers?
In the Fischer-Vroni tent, host Hans Stadtmüller reported that around 2,000 reservations were affected during the lunch hours. He confirmed that disappointed customers will not lose their money: “Guests will get their money back, and unused vouchers will be reimbursed.”
Other festival hosts echoed this approach. Christian Schottenhamel and Peter Inselkammer, speaking on behalf of the Wiesn landlords’ association, emphasized that: Vouchers remain valid and can be redeemed in the coming days.
Lunch reservations may be rebooked for later dates, subject to availability. Guests should contact the office of their respective tent.
Legal perspective: force majeure applies
According to legal expert Professor Ernst Fricke (Landshut), visitors do not automatically have a right to compensation. Because a bomb threat counts as force majeure, festival hosts typically exclude liability in their terms and conditions, or are covered by insurance.
Financial impact: millions lost
The short closure still came at a heavy price. Economists estimate that each large Oktoberfest tent generates €1 to €1.5 million in revenue per day. In total, the Wiesn brings in around €100 million daily, rising to €120 million on weekends. Even a few lost hours mean millions in missed sales.
Former Oktoberfest director Clemens Baumgärtner defended the shutdown: “Closing the festival was the right decision. Safety had to come first.”
Oktoberfest resilience tested
This year’s festival has already faced challenges — from overcrowding and fears of mass panic to now a bomb scare and revenue losses. Yet despite the setbacks, hosts, officials, and visitors alike underline that the Wiesn spirit endures. Safety measures remain a top priority, ensuring that Munich’s beloved Oktoberfest continues as the world’s most famous folk festival.
