answrsnow
Events · Top 10

The 10 Best Beer Festivals in the World in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Oktoberfest Munich
Direct answer

Munich’s Oktoberfest is the best beer festival in the world, with Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest at #2 and Straubing’s Gäubodenvolksfest at #3. The order is based on published visitor numbers first, then history and how long each festival runs.

At a glance

#PickWhenBest for
1Oktoberfest MunichSeptember 18 to October 3, 2027 (the 192nd Oktoberfest)The biggest beer festival on the calendar
2Cannstatter VolksfestOpens September 24, 2027 (the 180th edition); 2026 ran September 25 to October 11A 17-day beer-tent festival in Stuttgart
3Gäubodenvolksfest StraubingAugust 13-23, 2027A Bavarian beer festival in August
4Erlangen BergkirchweihMay 13-24, 2027 (the 272nd Bergkirchweih)Beer cellars and a shady open-air beer garden in spring
5Qingdao International Beer Festival2027 dates not yet announced; the 36th festival ran July 17 to Aug 15, 2026A month-long summer beer festival in China
6Belgian Beer Weekend2027 dates not yet announced; the 26th edition in 2026 ran 10 daysBelgian beer on Brussels’ Grand-Place
7Great American Beer Festival2027 dates not yet announced; 2026 ran October 10-11Tasting American craft beer from all over the country
8Pilsner Fest2027 dates not yet announcedDrinking pilsner at the Pilsner Urquell Brewery
9Mondial de la BièreComing back in 2027; dates not yet announcedA big international beer show in Montreal
10Stockholm Beer & Whisky FestivalNext: October 23-24, 2026; 2027 dates not yet announcedBeer and whisky tasting under one roof

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Oktoberfest Munich
Oldest
Erlangen Bergkirchweih
Best in Asia
Qingdao International Beer Festival
Best in the US
Great American Beer Festival
Free entry
Pilsner Fest

The ranking

1

Oktoberfest Munich

Oktoberfest Munich
Answrs VerdictThe world’s largest folk festival.
When: September 18 to October 3, 2027 (the 192nd Oktoberfest)Where: Theresienwiese, Munich, GermanyVisitors: About 7.4 million in 2026, the most in its historyBeer poured: About 6.7 million Maß in 2026

The 192nd Oktoberfest fills Munich’s Theresienwiese from September 18 to October 3, 2027. The 2026 edition drew about 7.4 million visitors, the most in its history, who drank about 6.7 million Maß of beer.

Go ifThe biggest beer festival on the calendar
Skip ifYou want a small, quiet beer garden
Why #1 over #2: About 7.4 million visitors in 2026 beat the Cannstatter Volksfest’s 4,000,000 average.
2

Cannstatter Volksfest

Cannstatter Volksfest
Photo: Giftzwerg 88 / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictStuttgart’s big Volksfest, since 1818.
When: Opens September 24, 2027 (the 180th edition); 2026 ran September 25 to October 11Where: Cannstatter Wasen, Stuttgart, GermanyVisitors: 4,000,000 on averageFounded: 1818Length: 17 days

Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest, founded in 1818, opens its 180th edition on the Cannstatter Wasen on September 24, 2027. It runs 17 days and draws 4,000,000 visitors on average.

Go ifA 17-day beer-tent festival in Stuttgart
Skip ifYou only have a weekend in Munich
Why #2 over #3: Its 4,000,000 average visitors top the Gäubodenvolksfest’s expected 1.3 million.
3

Gäubodenvolksfest Straubing

Gäubodenvolksfest Straubing
Photo: de:Benutzer:Donaulustig / Copyrighted free use via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictBavaria’s second-largest Volksfest.
When: August 13-23, 2027Where: Straubing, Bavaria, GermanyVisitors: About 1.3 million expectedBeer tents: 7 festival tents with about 27,500 seatsHistory: Approved in 1812 by Bavarian King Maximilian I. Joseph

Straubing’s Gäubodenvolksfest runs August 13-23, 2027, with 7 festival tents and about 27,500 seats for an expected 1.3 million visitors. King Maximilian I. Joseph approved it in 1812.

Go ifA Bavarian beer festival in August
Skip ifYou can only travel in the fall
Why #3 over #4: Its expected 1.3 million visitors edge the Bergkirchweih’s roughly a million.
4

Erlangen Bergkirchweih

Erlangen Bergkirchweih
Answrs VerdictThe oldest beer festival on this list.
When: May 13-24, 2027 (the 272nd Bergkirchweih)Where: The Burgberg (“Berg”), Erlangen, GermanyVisitors: Roughly a millionSince: 21 April 1755, 55 years older than OktoberfestSeats: More than 11,000 seats under elm, chestnut and oak trees

Erlangen’s Bergkirchweih has run on the Burgberg since 21 April 1755, 55 years older than Oktoberfest. The 272nd edition runs May 13-24, 2027, with more than 11,000 seats under the trees.

Go ifBeer cellars and a shady open-air beer garden in spring
Skip ifYou want a festival in the fall
Why #4 over #5: Held since 1755, it is far older than Qingdao’s festival, first held in 1991.
5

Qingdao International Beer Festival

Qingdao International Beer Festival
Photo: Sprt98 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictChina’s international beer festival.
When: 2027 dates not yet announced; the 36th festival ran July 17 to Aug 15, 2026Where: Golden Beach Beer City, Qingdao West Coast New Area, plus Laoshan and Qingdao Old Town venues, ChinaBeers: More than 2,300 varieties from around the worldEvents: More than 2,000, including tastings and cultural performancesFirst held: 1991

The 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival ran July 17 to Aug 15, 2026, centered on Golden Beach Beer City, with more than 2,300 beer varieties and more than 2,000 events. 2027 dates are not yet announced.

Go ifA month-long summer beer festival in China
Skip ifYou want a short trip
Why #5 over #6: Its 2026 run from July 17 to Aug 15 lasted far longer than the Belgian Beer Weekend’s 10 days.
6

Belgian Beer Weekend

Belgian Beer Weekend
Answrs VerdictBelgian beer culture on the Grand-Place.
When: 2027 dates not yet announced; the 26th edition in 2026 ran 10 daysWhere: Grand-Place and Place de la Bourse, Brussels, BelgiumGrand-Place weekend: September 4-6, 2026Entry: Free; tastings are paid with coins

The Belgian Beer Weekend’s 26th edition in 2026 ran 10 days on the Grand-Place and Place de la Bourse in Brussels. Entry is free and tastings are paid with coins; 2027 dates are not yet announced.

Go ifBelgian beer on Brussels’ Grand-Place
Skip ifYou want a German-style beer tent
Why #6 over #7: Its 10-day 2026 edition outlasted GABF’s October 10-11 weekend.
7

Great American Beer Festival

Great American Beer Festival
Answrs VerdictAmerica’s premier beer competition and festival.
When: 2027 dates not yet announced; 2026 ran October 10-11Where: Levitt Pavilion, Denver, Colorado (2026)Founded: 1982, by brewer Charlie PapazianSize: 273 breweries and 40,000 attendees (2024)Competition: Medals in over 100 beer and cider styles

Founded in 1982 by brewer Charlie Papazian, GABF brought 273 breweries and 40,000 attendees in 2024 and awards medals in over 100 beer and cider styles. The 2026 festival ran October 10-11 at Denver’s Levitt Pavilion; 2027 dates are not yet announced.

Go ifTasting American craft beer from all over the country
Skip ifYou want a week-long festival
Why #7 over #8: Its 273 breweries (2024) give far more choice than Pilsner Fest, which is held at the Pilsner Urquell Brewery.
8

Pilsner Fest

Pilsner Fest
Photo: Benreis / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictPilsner Urquell’s anniversary party.
When: 2027 dates not yet announcedWhere: Pilsner Urquell Brewery, U Prazdroje 64/7, Plzeň, Czech RepublicCelebrates: The 184th anniversary of Pilsner Urquell beer (2026)Entry: Free admission

Pilsner Fest is held at the Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Plzeň with free admission. 2027 dates are not yet announced.

Go ifDrinking pilsner at the Pilsner Urquell Brewery
Skip ifYou want many breweries in one place
Why #8 over #9: It is held at the Pilsner Urquell Brewery itself, with free admission.
9

Mondial de la Bière

Mondial de la Bière
Answrs VerdictMontreal’s world beer festival.
When: Coming back in 2027; dates not yet announcedWhere: Montreal, Quebec, CanadaSize: 400 products from more than 90 breweries, cideries, wineries and moreVisitors: Around 80,000 peopleLength: 3 days

Montreal’s Mondial de la Bière says it is coming back in 2027, with 400 products from more than 90 breweries, cideries, wineries and more over 3 days. It draws around 80,000 people.

Go ifA big international beer show in Montreal
Skip ifYou need confirmed dates now
Why #9 over #10: Around 80,000 visitors make it bigger than Stockholm’s festival, which draws thousands.
10

Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival

Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival
Answrs VerdictStockholm’s original beer and whisky show.
When: Next: October 23-24, 2026; 2027 dates not yet announcedWhere: Nacka Strandsmässan, Nacka Strand, Stockholm area, SwedenSince: 1992 (“the original since 1992”)Exhibitors: 100+Visitors: Thousands of beer and whisky fans

The Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival, the original since 1992, brings 100+ exhibitors to Nacka Strandsmässan on October 23-24, 2026. 2027 dates are not yet announced.

Go ifBeer and whisky tasting under one roof
Skip ifYou only drink beer

How we ranked these

We ranked each festival on published visitor numbers first, then on history and how long it runs. Dates come from each festival’s own site; where 2027 dates are not out yet, we say so and give the 2026 dates. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

When is Oktoberfest 2027?

The 192nd Oktoberfest runs from September 18 to October 3, 2027, on the Theresienwiese in Munich.

What is the biggest beer festival in the world?

Munich’s Oktoberfest. It drew about 7.4 million visitors in 2026, the most in its history.

What is the oldest beer festival on this list?

Erlangen’s Bergkirchweih, held since 21 April 1755, 55 years older than Oktoberfest. In 2027 it runs May 13-24.

When is the Gäubodenvolksfest 2027?

August 13-23, 2027, in Straubing, with 7 festival tents and about 27,500 seats.

Visitors (latest published figure) at a glance

Great American Beer Festival40,000 visitors
Mondial de la Bière80,000 visitors
Gäubodenvolksfest Straubing1,300,000 visitors
Cannstatter Volksfest4,000,000 visitors
Oktoberfest Munich7,400,000 visitors
Visitors (latest published figure), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.