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 so 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?
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, America’s largest Oktoberfest, takes place Thursday, September 17-20, 2026.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is sponsored by Samuel Adams and produced by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber.
What Are the Hours for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati This Year (2026)?
Thursday – 4 PM – 10 PM
Friday – 11 AM – 11 PM
Saturday – 10 AM– 11 PM
Sunday – 10 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 2026 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 across 4 days and 5 stages will perform at the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States.
Check the daily schedule for locations and times when bands are playing.
Featured Events Schedule for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2026
*Many games/ contests for the featured events require registration in advance to participate.
- Gemütlichkeit Games Thursday, September 17 | 4:30 PM | River Stage
- Pride Night Thursday, September 17 | 4-10 PM | Festhalle
- Stein Hoist Competition
Friday, September 18 | 6 PM | River Stage - Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 14K/7K Brewery Run Saturday, September 19 | 7:30 AM | Festhalle
- Running of the Wieners (A different day this year)
Sunday, September 20 | 11 AM | River Stage - GACL Oktoberfest Processional
Saturday, September 16 | 11AM – 12:00 PM | - World’s Largest Chicken Dance
Saturday, September 19 | 3 PM | River Stage - Best Dressed Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 21 | 7 – 7:30 PM| - Family Day Sunday, September 20 | 10AM – 7PM | Sawyer Point
- Zinzinnati Zirkus | All Days | Vendor Village
- Glassblowing Workshops | All days Vendor Village
Arrive Early for the Running of the Weiners
The “Running of the Weiners” is always a fan-favorite event.
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
Local businesses offer a variety of German-style food throughout the Bavarian village.
- Potato pancakes
- Soft pretzels
- Bratwurst
- Metts
- Sauerkraut Balls
- Strudel
- Anything with goetta
- Cream puffs
Plenty of other food vendors offer additional menu options and cuisines if you’re not craving German cuisine.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert! Cream 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. There are plenty of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drink options for non-beer lovers, too.
Several types of souvenir mugs are available for purchase. Souvenir mugs also come with a discounted perk: $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.
(New) Oktoberfest Zinzinnati VIP Experience
Location – Riverfront Rink
The new VIP Experience features shaded seating, a dedicated bar, catered German fare from Schmidt’s, and live entertainment within a short walk from the main festival grounds.
VIP tickets start at $50.
- A 2026 Souvenir Mug
- 5 drink tickets: beer, wine, non-alcoholic beer, seltzer, or canned cocktails
- A meal voucher from Schmidt’s
- A shot of Jägermeister
- Live entertainment and an LED board with all your favorite sports
- Reserved seating in the Festhalle tent at Yeatman’s Cove
Kids ages 4+ can join the experience for just $10, while children ages 3 and under are free.
There’s an Alcohol-Free VIP option with the same great experience for a discounted price.
Is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Family-friendly?
Yes, the event is family-friendly. You’ll see many families with children of all ages, 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, keep in mind that walking kids are much shorter than the average crowd height, 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, or hangout with friends, 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.
Thousands of parking spaces are in paid, surface parking lots along Eggleston Avenue, a short walk to the East Entrance of the festival.
Make sure you read the posted signage for each lot. There’s 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.
Wear comfortable shoes to the festival because you’ll be walking a lot and standing most 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.
