Rainer Hernek and the Ludwig-Thoma-Musikanten are returning to the Oktoberfest grounds for 2026, ending an absence from the festival that has lasted since the start of the pandemic. The Dachau-based setup will take over as the official festival band at the Paulaner Festzelt, the tent formerly known as Winzerer Fähndl, marking both a comeback and what organizers are calling the band's 50th Oktoberfest anniversary.
The band itself confirmed the news on their official page and thanked their fans for their continued support, announcing:
“WE ARE BACK AT THE WIESN!!
We, Rainer Hernek & Die Ludwig Thoma Musikanten Oktoberfestkapelle GbR, are the first brass band to return to the Oktoberfest. From Oktoberfest 2026 onwards, we will be the original Oktoberfest band in the Paulaner festival tent at the Stiftl family's inn”.
The band first started playing at the Bräurosl tent around 1972 and stayed until 2019. Because of this long history, both the organizers and the band are marking 2026 as their 50th Oktoberfest anniversary due to their association with the festival.
The Ludwig-Thoma-Musikanten are returning to the festival, but this time they will be playing in a different tent. They are taking over the festival band spot at the Paulaner Festzelt, replacing Nockherberger, who only started in 2024 but couldn’t stand long.