One of Southwest Ohio’s biggest events of the year is almost here again! Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, a festival of Bavarian culture featuring German food, music, beer, and more, takes over the banks of the Ohio River for four days this September. Here’s your guide to Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest celebration.
When is Oktoberfest?
The 2024 edition of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is Thursday-Sunday, September 19-22.
Where is Oktoberfest?
After many years of taking over various city streets, this year’s Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will be held downtown at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove.
How much does Oktoberfest cost?
That depends on how many Bavarian cream puffs it takes to fill you up. Food and drink prices will vary, but admission to the fest (and all the music, dancing, and people-watching that entails) is free.
Is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati really the largest outside Munich?
We can say definitively that the Cincy celebration is the biggest Oktoberfest in the United States, with more than 700,000 attendees! However, Oktoberfest events in Canada and Brazil draw similar crowds, so it’s difficult to know for sure which is the second largest worldwide. (The original fest in Munich lasts for two weeks and draws 6 million people.)
What and when are the main events in Oktoberfest Zinzinnati?
Here are a few highlights:
- Kickoff and keg tapping: 4 p.m. Thursday, Festhalle Stage
- Running of the Wieners: 11 a.m. Friday, River Stage
- Stein hoisting competition: 6 p.m. Friday, River Stage
- World’s Largest Chicken Dance: 4 p.m. Saturday, River Stage
Who is leading the World’s Largest Chicken Dance this year?
The Cincinnati Oktoberfest chicken dance in is always led by a national or local celebrity. This year, Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard will lead thousands of flapping, squawking, and wiggling dancers.
Why is Oktoberfest held in September?
The earliest Oktoberfest celebrations were held in October—the tradition began as a celebration of the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, which occurred on October 12, 1810. The fest was eventually moved a few weeks earlier to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days.
What are some German foods I can get at Oktoberfest?
Here’s a partial list of the delicacies people chow down on at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati:
- Bratwurst, mettwurst, and other sausages
- Cream puffs
- German potato salad
- Potato pancakes
- Sauerkraut
- Soft pretzels
- Strudel
What are some German words I should know for Oktoberfest?
- Wiesn: meadow where the Munich Oktoberfest is held
- Dirndl: traditional Bavarian dress for women
- Lederhosen: traditional Bavarian clothing for men
- Wurst: sausage
- Windbeutel: cream puff
- Gemütlichkeit: good times
- Prost: cheers!
I can’t wait until Oktoberfest! How can I start the celebration now?
If some tasty beer will tide you over until the fest, head to your neighborhood craft brewery! Many Greater Cincinnati breweries create an Oktoberfest variety during this time of year. How many can you try before the first kegs are tapped at Yeatman’s Cove?
If your wish to begin Oktoberfest early extends to the food, music, and fest-tent camaraderie, get yourself to Hofbräuhaus! With traditional Bavarian food and atmosphere (plus beer, of course), the Hofbräuhaus restaurant and biergarten in Newport offers a taste of Oktoberfest all year round!