Each year, over 700,000 people look forward to attending Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the largest Oktoberfest in the nation. Last year, the festival drew 808,300 attendees!
The outdoor festival celebrates German culture with great food and live entertainment, a Cincinnati tradition since 1976.
I’m sharing tips for attending Oktoberfest Zinzinnati before you go to help you have a great time and make the most of your time in the vibrant Bavarian village.
This article may contain affiliate links.
When is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati, OH?
The days of celebration for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, America’s largest Oktoberfest, are Thursday, September 18-21, 2025.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is sponsored by Samuel Adams and produced by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber.
What Are the Hours for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati This Year (2025)?
Thursday – 4 PM – 10 PM
Friday – 11 AM – 11 PM
Saturday – 11 AM– 11 PM
Sunday – 11 AM – 7 PM
How Much is Admission to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati?
There is no general admission fee for the four-day festival.
Where is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati?
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is in downtown Cincinnati at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove along the Ohio River.
*This is a different location from previous years on Fifth Street in downtown Cincinnati.
Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove offer more expanded space, entertainment, and a colossal 300-foot fest tent that seats over 1,000 people!
You can download the 2025 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati festival map here.
What Are Your Payment Options at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati?
Credit cards and cash are typically accepted by most vendors. Some individual food vendors may only accept cash, so be prepared.
Check the Schedule For Daily Entertainment and Featured Events at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
30+ live acts will perform at the largest Obtokerfest Celebration in the United States.
Check the daily schedule for locations and times when bands are playing.
Featured Events Schedule for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2025
*Many games/ contests for the featured events require registration in advance to participate.
- Gemütlichkeit Games Thursday, September 18 | 4– 4:30 PM | River Stage
- Pride Night Thursday, September 18 | 4-10 PM | Festhalle
- Running of the Wieners
Friday, September 19 | 12 – 2 PM | River Stage - Stein Hoist Competition
Friday, September 19 | 6 – 6:30 PM | River Stage - Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 14K/7K Brewery Run Saturday, September 20 | 7:30 AM | Festhalle
- Best Dressed Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 21 | 7 – 7:30 PM| - GACL Oktoberfest Processional
Saturday, September 16 | 11AM – 12:00 PM | - World’s Largest Chicken Dance
Saturday, September 20 | 2 – 2:30 PM | River Stage - Family Day Sunday, September 21| 11AM – 7PM | Sawyer Point
Arrive Early for the Running of the Weiners
The “Running of the Weiners” is one of the fan-favorite events.
Dachshund pups are dressed in a hot dog costume in a race for the coveted title of fastest wiener dog.
Entertainment & Activities at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Be on the lookout for live music and special events in the following entertainment areas and beer gardens:
- Zinzinnati Festhalle Stage
- River Stage
- Kkrombacher Fest Tent
- Radeberger Fest Tent
- Amphitheater Stage
- Zinzinnati Zirkus
- Sports Zone
Book Your Hotel in Downtown Cincinnati in Advance
If you want to stay within walking distance of North America’s Largest Oktoberfest, you’ll want to book a hotel in advance.
You can compare prices on hotels and vacation rentals in Cincinnati.
- Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza – 35 W 5th St, Cincinnati, OH
- Hyatt Regency Cincinnati – 151 W 5th St, Cincinnati, OH
- Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel – 36 E 4th St, Cincinnati, OH
- The Westin Cincinnati – 21 E 5th St, Cincinnati, OH
- 21c Museum Hotel – 609 Walnut St, Cincinnati, OH
- The Lytle Park Hotel – 311 Pike St, Cincinnati, OH
German-Style Food to Try at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
There are a variety of options for German-style food from local businesses throughout the Bavarian village.
- Potato pancakes
- Soft pretzels
- Bratwurst
- Metts
- Sauerkraut Balls
- Strudel
- Anything with goetta
- Cream puffs
There are plenty of other food vendors offering additional menu options and cuisines if you’re not craving German cuisine.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert! Creme puffs and roasted German nuts are popular treats.
Here is the complete list of food vendors and their menus at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.
Beer at the Largest Oktoberfest Celebration in the US
The Oktoberfest festival features local, national, and international beers to choose from. There are plenty of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drink options for non-beer lovers, too.
There are a few styles of souvenir mugs available for purchase. Souvenir mugs also come with a discount perk of $1 off future drink purchases during the festival.
I would also recommend bringing a bottle of water to help stay hydrated.
*Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove Park have multiple access points for free drinking water at the festival.
You can find the complete list of beer vendors at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati here.
Is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Family-friendly?
Yes, the event is family-friendly. You’ll see many families with children of all ages at the event, from newborns and up.
If you plan on bringing kids, I recommend coming during the day when the crowds are a little lighter. Kids will enjoy the Snack and Play Zone activities with a playground nearby.
The crowds are LARGE in the evening, which can make navigating a stroller more of a challenge.
Also, walking kids are way shorter than the height of the crowd, which can be a bit overwhelming.
There will be plenty of areas to spread out near the beer gardens and near the stages with seating.
Many of the kids also really enjoy dancing to the music. If my kids were still little, I would’ve tried to get a sitter as my first preference.
I think the event is more fun as an adults-only/ date night/evening out with friends experience, but it can still be a good time with your family.
Parking at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati
The garages closest to the event will likely have higher special event parking prices.
There are thousands of parking spaces in the paid, surface parking lots along Eggleston Avenue, a short walk to the East Entrance of the festival.
Make sure that you read the posted signage for each lot. There is metered and free parking along Riverside Drive.
Other parking options in downtown Cincinnati:
*The main parking lot at Sawyer Point will be closed for event vehicles.
- The Banks, including Central Riverfront Garage (171 Joe Nuxhall Way) and East Parking Garage (443 E Pete Rose Way)
- Public Landing Parking Lot, 435 E Mehring Way
- Friendship Park Lot, 1135 Riverside Drive
- Eggleston Garage, 301 Eggleston Ave
- Newport on the Levee in Kentucky
Save on Parking in Cincinnati With These Apps
- ParkWhiz ( You can book parking in advance with the app)
- ParkMe (This app also shows how full the lot is)
- Spot Angels (This site tells you the cheapest/ closest parking and the max limit on the meter)
- Parkopedia ( This site includes the walk time to the venue from the parking location and payment options)
If you’re parking at a meter, download the following apps to speed up the process and monitor your metered time from your phone.
- Cincy EZPark (Cincinnati)
- Passport Parking (Covington, KY)
If you have extra time, I recommend parking farther away from the event and using the free streetcar downtown.
A streetcar stop is located at The Banks, about a block from the festival.
Drop off/ Pick Up Locations for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
- Rideshare East: East Pete Rose Way from Purple People Bridge to Eggleston Ave. South curb lane only.
- Rideshare West: East Mehring Way from Old Broadway to the Public Landing Entrance. South curb lane only.
What Do People Wear to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati?
People at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati dress in whatever they’re comfortable with.
Many festival attendees wear lederhosen and dirndls, quirky Oktoberfest t-shirts, and other quirky Bavarian-themed hats and accessories.
My fun Oktoberfest-themed leather earrings were made by a friend.
You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes to the festival because you’ll be walking a lot and standing for the majority of the time.
Don’t Let the Big Crowds Keep You Away
This is a FUN event! Take your time and enjoy the great music, food, and drinks, and step away from the big crowds when needed.
