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Oktoberfest Reopens After Hourlong Entry Halt as Holiday Crowds Overwhelm Grounds

Authorities maintain the festival is safe following midweek bomb‑threat searches that found no danger.

Overview

  • Access to the Theresienwiese was stopped for roughly an hour from about 17:00 to 18:00 on October 3 due to overcrowding, according to the Wiesn press office, police and fire department.
  • Festival tents and beer gardens closed to walk‑ins earlier in the afternoon, and the main entrances at the Theresienwiese U‑Bahn station were temporarily shut to manage flows.
  • Conditions eased later in the evening and the grounds reopened, with the Wiesn chief reporting very good festival atmosphere once restrictions were lifted.
  • A written bomb threat on Wednesday prompted a multi‑hour shutdown and extensive searches with nearly 30 explosive‑detection dogs and more than 500 officers, after which officials reported finding nothing dangerous.
  • Hosts estimate about a 50% revenue hit on Wednesday and are offering rebooking, voucher redemption at tents or partner restaurants, or refunds with original receipts, while rejecting calls to extend the festival.