BREWTIFUL DAY
Beer? Check.
Pretzels? Check.
Dogs in costumes? Check and check.
This year’s Oktoberfest Zinzinnati® promises to be bigger and better, with a move to Fifth Street and four days of fun.
From Sept. 14–17, the nation’s largest Oktoberfest will convert downtown Cincinnati’s into a vibrant Bavarian village serving up German cuisine, entertainment, and beer.
To zelebrate the return to Fifth Street, festivities will start a day earlier than last year, with expanded entertainment and activities. On Sunday, the party starts an hour earlier, so you can tailgate in the wurst way imaginable.
The new Snyder’s of Hanover Fun Zone introduces a designated area with a wide range of activities and entertainment for all ages. The creation of this space will provide an experience where everyone can come together and celebrate the rich German heritage of southwestern Ohio.
Local artist Daniel Shields and artist collective "The Beefs are gearing up to elevate the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati environment in the Snyder’s Fun Zone, along with the Krombacher and Radeberger Fest Tents. Drawing inspiration from classic Bavarian aesthetics, highlights of their designs include a 6-foot pretzel chandelier and winged wiener dogs welcoming attendees to the space.
And strictly for adults, Jägermeister has signed on as the official shot of Oktoberfest 2023, adding to the extensive selection of beverages available which includes more than 40 types of German beers, German wines, local craft beers, domestic brews, and notably, for the first time at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, an assortment of non-alcoholic beer options. Jägermeister will be served at the new Jägermeister Fest Tent and the Sonder, Grainworks, Fifty West, Urban Artifact, and West Side Brewing booths.
With extra time to zelebrate, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy beloved events like the ‘Running of the Wieners’ and the ‘Chicken Dance’ while also experiencing new entertainment and activities. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is excited to welcome the Bavarian Band, Die Bubis, to the queen city. Featuring rich sounds of brass, electric guitars, drums and vocals, Die Bubis will bring the energy with multiple performances over the four-day event.
It’s About Stein
Thursday, Sept. 14, 4 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies and Gemütlichkeit Games (G-Games)
The Main Stage at Fifth and Sycamore
Gemütlichkeit means goodwill, cordiality or friendliness. The idea of gemütlichkeit began after the Napoleonic war in 1815 and before the revolutionary wars started in 1848. People in Germany were tired of war and politics and decided, instead, to spend their spare time focused on family and friends.
Events will include the beer barrel roll and the beer stein carry, in which participants carry six one-liter steins, filled with Samuel Adams, to the finish line. Scores are based on time and the least amount of beer spillage.
While Oktoberfest Zinzinnati’s Gemütlichkeit Games (or G-Games) are a competition between members of Zinzinnati media, creatig mostly friendly contests.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati's food lineup features many familiar dishes, but also several new twists on tradition. More than 30% of the vendors this year are new to the festival, and many are local and diverse restaurants that are offering up German-Style twists on their menu items.
According to the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, grazing gourmets created the following Statistiken with their gluttonous consumption at a previous Oktoberfest Zinzinnati:
87,542 metts
64,000 sauerkraut balls
24,640 potato pancakes
20,000 cream puffs
6,000 jumbo pickles
1,875 lbs. German potato salad
700 pigtails
80,500 bratwurst
56,250 sausages
23,004 soft pretzels
16,002 strudel
3,600 lbs. sauerkraut
702 lbs. Limburger cheese
400 pickled pigs feet
Check the more than 150 menu items and participating vendors at oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/food.
Friday, Sept. 15,
Running of the Wieners, presented by Nestle Purina
11:30 a.m., Main Stage at Fifth and Sycamore
The Running of the Wieners will feature 100 dachshunds donning costumes while running approximately 75 feet, in heats of ten, to its owner waiting at the finish line. The winners from each heat will compete in a final race to determine Zinzinnati’s fastest wiener dog. New this year, the winner will receive one year of free Beneful Incredibites Dry Dog Food provided by Purina.
Samuel Adams Stein Hoist Championship
4 p.m., Main Stage at Fifth adn Sycamore
The ultimate test of strength and endurance, competitors must hold a one-liter stein of beer, straight out, without bending an elbow or spilling any beer. One male and one female-identifying winner each receive a custom 3ft Sam Adams Stein, a $250 gift card to the Cincinnati Sam Adams Tap Room and other Sam Adams swag.
Oktoberfest Best Dressed Contest
8 p.m., Main stage at Fifth and Sycamore
Guests dressed to impress in their German best will want to enter the Samuel Adams Oktoberfest Best Dressed Contest. Wear a dirndl or lederhosen – be authentic, get creative and you could win fun prizes from Samuel Adams.
Saturday, Sept. 16,
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Offizielle Zeremonien
(Official Ceremonies)
Noon, Main Stage at Fifth and Sycamore
The Oktoberfest Zinzinnati official ceremonies are a great way to experience the region’s rich German heritage. They feature music, beer, dancing, beer, and a procession of local German groups throughout the event. The procession will visit and dedicate each bier garten and fest tent. Co-founder and chairman of Boston Beer, Jim Koch, returns this year to join the zelebration.
The Rich Walburg World’s Largest Chicken Dance
4 p.m., Main Stage at Fifth and Sycamore
Thousands of chicken dancers have congregated every year since 1994 when Zinzinnatians set the Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Chicken Dance! It will be poultry in motion as Oktoberfest guests gather to participate in this Zinzinnati tradition.
The grand marshals are members of the Cincinnati Fire Deprtment, led by Captain Eric Tombragel who has served on the Cincinnati Fire Department for 33 years with the last seven as Fire Captain for special events. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will mark the last big event of his career.
Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.
Orange and Black Tailgate Rally
Sports Zone
Oktoberfest becomes a tailgate party as former Bengal Ickey Woods and DJ Etrayn entertain the crowd with tunes, trivia and the famous Ickey Shuffle. Oktoberfest opens an hour early so you can start your Sunday here before heading down to the Bengals first home game of the season. Or stay and watch the game on the big screens in the Sports Zone.
