Cincinnati Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest Events in Cincinnati Not To Miss

Oktoberfest Celebrations in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

Wilkommen to the Cincinnati region, land of Oktoberfests! See updates below regarding potential events in 2020.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (photo: Brian Douglas Stills)

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 gigantic beer steins!).

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 the Cincinnati region this fall. Prost!

Germania Society Oktoberfest

Germania Society Oktoberfest (photo: James Czar)

The Germania Society Oktoberfest kicks off the season with live entertainment, games, drinks and food to honor its tradition as the first Oktoberfest celebration held in the Cincinnati region back in 1971. 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. And don't miss the annual Tug-of-War contest on Sunday. NO EVENT IN 2020

Covington Oktoberfest

Goebel Park (photo: CincinnatiUSA.com)

Head to Goebel Park in the German-inspired MainStrasse Village to raise a stein to German heritage and culture with beer, food, music and local artists and Covington Oktoberfest. NO EVENT IN 2020

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Running of the weiners at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (photo: Brian Douglas Stills)

Four words: World's Largest Chicken Dance and you'll find it at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. 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 that takes place Thursday, September 19, in which 100 dachsunds (dressed in hot dog costumes) race to be crowned the winner. Need I say more? 2020 EVENT TBD

Newport Oktoberfest

Newport Oktoberfest is set up like the original in Munich with large fest tents full of food, drinks and music. Festival-goers can also enjoy shopping wares in the Bluegrass Marketplace and partake in a beer-stein-holding competition. With a location at the Newport Riverfront you can also enjoy breathtaking views of the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline. SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2020 (TENTATIVE)

Donauschwaben Oktoberfest

Donauschwaben Oktoberfest (photo: @cksbender)

While it's sad that Oktoberfest season has to end, the annual Donauschwaben Oktoberfest 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. NO EVENT IN 2020

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.