Cincinnati Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest Events in Cincinnati Not To Miss

5 Oktoberfest Celebrations in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

Wilkommen to Cincinnati USA, land of Oktoberfests!

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Some like fall for the football and foliage, but here in the Cincinnati region, we get excited about the official start of OKTOBERFEST season! Our river region is steeped in German heritage. The proof is in historic German neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine and MainStrasse Village and the much-loved Hofbrauhaus Newport, America’s first authentic hofbrauhaus (and home to the biggest beer steins ever!).

And that, my friends, is why we can’t settle for just one Oktoberfest celebration. We need multiple opportunities to eat, drink, dance and play the German way. So grab your lederhosen, polish your polka moves and come to Cincinnati USA this fall. Prost!

Germania Society Oktoberfest

The Germania Society kicks off Oktoberfest season with live entertainment, drinks and food. Sip German and domestic beer from 60 taps and chow down on German food like sauerkraut, goetta and rotisserie chicken grilled over an open fire pit. August 24-26, 2018.

MainStrasse Village festival

MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest

This Oktoberfest celebration is held in the restored German neighborhood of MainStrasse Village in Northern Kentucky. This area grew by leaps and bounds in the 1840s as an influx of German and Irish immigrants flocked to the United States. Between 1840 and 1845 Covington's population doubled and at one point was welcoming two-hundred German immigrants per day! In honor of this history, the village celebrates every year with tasty German food, beer and live music as well as arts and crafts by artisans from all over the country. And the young’uns will love Kinderplatz, an area full of fun and rides for kids! September 7-9, 2018.

Running of the weiners at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Four words: World's Largest Chicken Dance. That's reason enough to visit North America’s largest Oktoberfest celebration, second in the world only to the original in Munich. Munch on sauerkraut balls and cream puffs, enjoy steins of German drink, and dance around with friends to German music all along Second Street and Third Street in downtown Cincinnnati. Also, there's an event called the Running of the Wieners. Need I say more? September 21-23, 2018.

Newport Oktoberfest

This event is set up like the original in Munich with large fest tents full of food, drinks and music. With a location at the Newport Riverfront you can also enjoy breathtaking views of the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline. September 22-24, 2017.

Donauschwaben Oktoberfest

While it's sad that Oktoberfest season has to end, this annual celebration helps ease the pain with pit-roasted Bavarian pig and chicken, an Opening Ceremony Trachten Parade on Friday and the Car Show on Sunday with classic American and European automobiles. October 6-8, 2017.

So there you have it. Oktoberfest season in Cincinnati USA gives you so many reasons to visit in the fall!

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Amber Potter

Amber was born and raised in Cincinnati USA. She loves hot dogs and beer at Cincinnati Reds games, riding the Banshee at Kings Island and trying out all the new restaurants around town.