„The Wiesn for the season is beer!“; Wiener Kaiser Wiesn 2025
unpaid invitation/press tickets
Yesterday was the day: my first time at the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn in Vienna. And let me tell you – wow. I’ve spent my whole life in this city, but somehow it never happened that I went there. It’s the Viennese Oktoberfest. And now I’m seriously asking myself: why not? Because honestly, I think we can easily keep up with the infamous Munich these days. Maybe even overtake it – but shhh, don’t shout that out loud to the people of Munich.
My husband and my best friend accompanied me – both old Oktoberfest fans, both of whom had been there once or twice before. But what was put on this year was a completely different caliber. Huge, colorful, loud, and boisterous. But before I get too carried away, let me start at the beginning.
The grounds
– first impression of the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn
As is traditional every year, the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn 2025 will be held in Vienna’s Prater. Even as you approach, you can feel the atmosphere: lights, music, people in dirndls and lederhosen. It’s a cordoned-off area, with multiple entrances and security checks everywhere—everything is superbly organized. And best of all: admission to the Wiesn grounds itself is free. You only have to pay if you want to go into one of the tents and only at night! From 11:30 am to 18:00 pm it´s free entry every day.
But before we even thought about sitting down in a tent, I had to pick up my press passes. Yes, you heard right: vanivanity was officially invited. A small moment that made me incredibly proud. With our pretty press wristbands on our wrists, we headed off into the fray.
First, of course, we explored the grounds. There were small stands everywhere offering beer, cocktails, and food. There really was something for everyone. From classic beer to Hugo and Aperol to cocktails like Sex on the Beach – it was all there. They even had a vegan/vegetarian corner this year. (for the first time). We treated ourselves to a Mule and this Sex on the Beach to start. The perfect start.
Strolling along, you get a complete overview: the large tents tower above everything, while people are already waiting in long lines. And I’m not exaggerating: almost an hour before opening, people were already lined up to get the best spots. It’s insane. But luckily, everything was civilized and everyone felt at ease. Anticipation was in the air, clearly for everyone present at the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn.
The tents
– the heart of the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn
Of course, everything at the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn revolves around the tents. Without them, it would simply be a folk festival – with them, it becomes the Wiesn. Each tent has its own unique character and its own atmosphere. All tents are served with Gösser beer.
• Nordic Spirit Kaiser-Zelt: Probably the most elegant of the large tents, this was our destination. Plenty of space, great music, and a fantastic mix of tradition and party.
• Gösserzelt: The name says it all – Gösser beer flows freely here. Huge, loud, and energetic.
• (Nordic Spirit Kaiser-zelt) Wiener Wiesn-Festzelt: Classic and rustic, here you can feel the Austrian coziness.
• And others: like Kaktus Alm and Kaktus Stadl, Unterbergalm, Gasteiner Alm and Schladming Dachstein. More of a mix between a hut and a party zone, modern, young, and packed with people looking to party.
Of course, there are many smaller venues around it, but these large tents are the heart of the festival. Without them, the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn wouldn’t be the Kaiser Wiesn. However, I would like to mention that the small booths were really welcoming. You just wanted to check them all out, and that’s exactly what we did. So you should definitely get to the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn early so you have enough time to see everything.
My outfit
– Dirndl premiere nr.2
But now to something that was almost as important to me as the beer: my outfit. This year, I treated myself to my first real dirndl. And of course, I wore it to the Kaiser Wiesn. You may have seen it in one of my previous blog posts – a green dirndl, classic, but with that certain something. Funnily enough, I spotted it twice on other girls. Definitely a trend piece this year.
Since the weather in Vienna was once again typical—cold, dreary, and rainy—I styled the outfit in a more autumnal way. A long black blouse underneath, sheer tights, and waterproof ballet flats. The combination of black and green was simply perfect.
My husband and my best friend were, of course, dressed appropriately: lederhosen, traditional shirts, and vests. And because it was chilly, they both wore knee-length socks. Traditional and practical—what more could you want?
The Kaiserzelt
– our choice of the evening
After some back and forth—Gösserzelt or the Nordic Spirit Kaiser-Zelt?—the choice fell on the Nordic Spirit Kaiser-Zelt. And let me tell you, it was the best decision. We got in pretty quickly because we were there right at the beginning. That meant plenty of time to enjoy the tent in all its glory and take photos.
We didn’t have a reservation, but that wasn’t a problem. We could sit anywhere that doesn’t say „reserved.“ So we sat in the second row—a perfect view, right in the middle of things instead of just watching. For everyone else: When you buy a ticket you get a table seat, which then is yours. You can only enter with a ticket and the table reservation at night. So you always have a seat at a table, but after some time and maybe some beer people stand up and dance around the tables.
Naturally, we immediately ordered our first liter of beer. For those who don’t know, a maß is liter of beer. And the glasses are so heavy that I always hold them with both hands – just to be on the safe side. I’m more of a fruity, light beer drinker, while my husband loves dark beer. My best friend, on the other hand, doesn’t really like beer at all, but a shandy is fine.
Food & drinks
in the Kaiserzelt
What really surprised me was the huge selection of food and drinks at the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn and specially at the Nordic Spirit Kaiserzelt. Sure, beer is the heart of the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn, but there’s so much more. From classics like a liter of beer—light, dark, and shandy—to spritzers, wine, and non-alcoholic versions, everything is there. Even cocktails are served, which you wouldn’t necessarily expect at an event like this.
When it comes to food, pork knuckle (Stelze) is almost a must, but fried chicken, sausages, a cheese board, and vegetarian dishes like cheese spaetzle are also on the menu. The portions are generous, the quality surprisingly good, and everything is designed to create the perfect foundation for a long night of partying. You can tell that tradition meets a modern event atmosphere here—and that’s precisely what makes it so charming.
The atmosphere
– pure party
And then came the part I was looking forward to most: the atmosphere. The band of the evening was called „Bääm.“ A funny name, yes. But they really delivered. From the very first second, the atmosphere was there – they managed to create a perfect balance between food and party. At first, everyone was sitting comfortably, eating, drinking, and chatting. And then – whoosh – half the hall was on the benches. Later, the whole place was. We all sang, danced, and laughed. Traditionally, on the beer benches, arm in arm, completely relaxed.
I particularly enjoyed the way the celebrations were held across generations. Next to us stood a group of students, behind them a family with adult children, and further ahead, a group of colleagues simply having fun together after work. All differences disappeared in this atmosphere – in the end, all that mattered was celebrating together. For me, this togetherness is precisely the spirit of the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn.
my summary
– Vienna doesn’t need Munich
By the end of the evening, it was clear to me: the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn is an absolute highlight in Vienna. Everything was superbly organized – from the entrance to the drinks to the music. No long waits, a great atmosphere, and friendly people. I really have nothing to complain about.
And the best part? It’s a slice of Viennese life that you just have to experience. For me, the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn has everything you need for a perfect evening: tradition, a lively atmosphere, good food, strong drinks, and unforgettable moments. I went home with a big grin, full of joy, and a firm resolution: I’ll be back next year. Because let’s be honest: who needs Munich when we have an event like this right on our doorstep? Vienna shows here that it can not only keep up, but also bring its very own character to the stage – and that’s exactly what makes the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn so special.
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If you’re in the mood, the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn runs until October 12, 2025. So put on your traditional costume and let’s go. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
We’ll definitely be back next year. Because let’s be honest: who needs Munich when we have an event like this right on our doorstep?
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