About Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2025
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, held annually in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States. It began in 1976 and has grown significantly, now attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Typically taking place over a weekend in mid to late September, the festival celebrates Cincinnati's rich German heritage.
Event Highlights
- Food and Drink: The festival is known for its extensive selection of German foods, including bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, schnitzels, and strudel. Numerous beer booths offer traditional German beers as well as local brews, making it a haven for beer enthusiasts
- Entertainment: Live music is a staple of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, with multiple stages featuring German bands, polka music, and other entertainment. The festival also includes performances by traditional German dance groups and other cultural showcases
- The World's Largest Chicken Dance: One of the most iconic events at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the World's Largest Chicken Dance. Thousands of participants gather to perform this dance, often led by a local celebrity or notable figure.
- Games and Activities: Visitors can participate in various games and competitions, such as the beer stein race, bratwurst-eating contests, and the Running of the Wieners, where dachshunds race in hot dog costumes.
- Family-Friendly Fun: The festival also includes activities for families and children, ensuring that people of all ages can enjoy the celebration.
Additional Info
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2024 will take place the third weekend in September:
- Thursday, September 18 – 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Friday, September 19 – 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Saturday, September 20 – 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Sunday, September 21 – 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
The new location will better accommodate the hundreds of thousands of visitors who attend Oktoberfest each year and give it a fun-by-the-river feel for families and people of all ages.
Visitors can enjoy park amenities, such as the playground and sand volleyball courts, alongside festival vendors, entertainment, and traditional Oktoberfest Zinzinnati main events, including the keg tapping, The Rich Walburg World’s Largest Chicken Dance, the annual Running of the Weiners, and stein-holding contest.
First held in 1976, the nation’s largest Oktoberfest grew even bigger as a record 818,532 attendees celebrated the rich German heritage of Southwest Ohio last year.
