Oktoberfest 2021
Oktoberfest 2021
Joey "Jaws" Chestnut: brat eating contest winner 2021.
Funnel Cake
Mini gyro
2012 zoomer
2022 zoomer
Pierogies
2020 at home version
New location this year, 2nd and 3rd streets between Walnut and Vine
2020 home version
Joey chestnut and other pro eaters stuffing themselves
2020 home version
2020 home version
From Cincinnati Chamber web site
2020 home version
Nathan L.
Nov 30, 2024
Los geht's!Please stay on the River! America's largest Oktoberfest is rightfully amazing. You won't feel like you are in Munich, but you will know that the same spirit is present. The large Festhall has a stage in the center and enough space for even a busy day. If you want to camp out inside the tent you totally could and have am amazing time. My advice is bring your own picnic and chill on the grass. The beer choices are what you expect, German-wise, with some fun local additions to try. I was a little, just a tad, that Moerlein did NOT show up with a large number of their beers in 2024. They had 2 or 3 of their typical ones, but I was missed their smaller batch varieties I would get when the event was on Vine Street. You could say I like to go just for them, so I was underwhelmed.The event is FREE and parking is around $10. I COULD tell you where close free parking is, but I won't. :) All I'll say is wave to the event as you pass by and you'll soon find a nice spot. You will find many FREE samples from food to drink if you get your steps in. We got free bags of pretzels, t-shirts, and beer samples (very plural). The food is good, but like I said, bring your own and make a day of it. The music was fun and stages were unique river fronts. I think the event space is so spread out now, that dance floors can feel a little empty if that's your thing. I have been going to this event since 2012 off and on. I think they finally found a home on the river.
Read More
Eileen B.
Sep 19, 2021
It's back FINALLY. We have missed this over the top German celebration. The have expanded the hours to Thursday at 5 through Sunday night. The delicious food and beer is aplenty. I got my favorite goetta balls and a Strawberry ale. What a combo. I am so glad that slowly celebrations are returning and we get to experience fantastic food and cheer
Read More
Maggie S.
Feb 21, 2021
if you can't be in Germany, this is where you should be!Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is traditionally the nation's largest Oktoberfest and the second largest in the world to the original Oktoberfest in Munich.The people of Cincinnati never met a reason to party that they didn't like, it's like "festival" is our middle name. And since it's during football season, they usually have it set up where hard core fans can enjoy the game and the festival- so no one has to is out.Definitely put this one on your lost of things to experience at least once. **(2020 Festival was held virtually due to pandemic, some of my photos reflect our celebration of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati at home featuring pretzels from Tuba Baking (check them out!) Prost!
Read More
Arthur L.
Oct 10, 2022
Who doesn't like beer, brats and fun? Oktoberfest has it all and Cincinnati's is America's largest Oktoberfest. So what does that mean for you? Plenty of options for food, drink and entertainment. The hours are great and parking is not hard to find close to the festival. And don't worry about just having a card many booths are equipped to accommodate.Tips to make your visit a success:1) Toilets. There are plenty of porta potties around and available, but if you believe your buns deserve a better less smelly class of toilet, there are better toilets close by that have a/c and other amenities like running water.2) Scan before your buy. Many vendors will be selling the same things but endeavor to look around or scan several booths before purchasing. You wont regret making a decision based on someone else's plate.Eat well and be merry at the Oktoberfest!!
Read More
Meni J.
Sep 21, 2021
This event keeps growing and growing. It was huge this year, lining 3rd and 2nd street on the Banks. It was hot and sweaty, with plenty of beer, food and entertainment!
Read More
Josh W.
Sep 18, 2021
If you truly want to experience Cincinnati's German heritage and love of good beer, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is a must to attend. So much great German food, live music, and all sorts of tasty brews on tap, too many to even remotely name here.My lady and I have gone a few years now and I went by myself a few years before that when it was held on Fountain Square. The newer location of 2nd and 3rd Street makes it much more open and easier to traverse, though with less shaded areas, makes it a bit hotter during the day. Still, it's worth a little sweat to experience it all. Personally, it's not an Oktoberfest experience if I don't have a brat, potato pancakes, and a limburger and onion sandwich (from Reuben's, because theirs is THE best), and ofcourse, some good beer (and at least one pint of Weihenstephan hefe weissbier). All of that is VERY easy to find too. Want some cool souvenirs? Those are easy to find all over too.Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is just all around fun! It's one of those events I always look forward too every year. So much to do, see, eat, drink, and enjoy!
Read More
Jason H.
Sep 22, 2019
How have I not been to the Cincinnati oktoberfest in 30 years (which means ever at the time of writing)??!Talk about an event a city shows up for. Downtown is essentially shut down. German themed booths and decor are everywhere. The beer is good, the food is good, the entertainment is good. Truly, an amazing event that is enjoyable for all ages.Note, cash only, unless I couldn't find the card accepting booths...bring them dollars and get to slinging!
Read More
Kim S.
Sep 25, 2019
This was my first time attending the famous Zinzinnati Oktoberfest. Unfortunately, I was not too impressed. While plenty of beer was flowing, many other aspects were lacking. I was hoping for more varieties of German cuisine (I struggled to find even one stand that sold strudel, and the one I ended up getting wasn't even that great). The music on the stage at the time also was a 70s and 80s rock cover band, not authentic German music. Lastly, there was a definite need for more tables and tents, as it was hot and there was nowhere for people to sit and relax or enjoy their food/drinks.
Read More
Hollyann H.
Oct 2, 2016
Cincinnati is extremely German, so it should be no surprise to you that we host the largest Oktoberfest in America. We do not take our German heritage for advantage in this awesome city, especially when it comes to going all out for Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati. My favorite things that happen at Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati are "The Running Of The Weiners", where lots of Dachshunds are dressed up in hot dog outfits as they run in a race to their other person. It's easily the cutest part of Oktoberfest, and one of the cutest things you will ever see in your life. I also really love that we are host to "The Worlds Largest Chicken Dance". Where whoever was selected has Grand Marshall of Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati leads everyone in doing the chicken dance together. My favorite Grand Marshall, a couple years ago we had George Takei do it. It was glorious. The obvious things about Oktoberfest are that there is lots of great beer and lots of great food. To fully enjoy all of the beer at Oktoberfest I would suggest you buy one of the (usually) $12 Souvenier mug (with a beer in it) and you get to go around to ALL of the beer booths throughout your time there and get it refilled for $8. Way more bang for your buck and you get to take home a badass mug. I'm really not into eating sausages, for the reason not because they don't taste good, but because I have weird texture issues with certain foods. Sausages being one of them. I guess I just didn't get that somehow with all my German heritage. If that's your thing, make sure you get one, loaded with sauerkraut. I've been told it's amazing. I on the other hand really enjoyed smashing on a freshly made huge pretzel. In which before I even got my pretzel, I sat there and watched the girl who was making them from scratch and baking them. Drool worthy. If you're not a fan of drinking, drunk people, loud obnoxious people and large crowds I would not suggest Oktoberfest for you. Dan love beer and food so we went. But I have horrible social anxiety, and we went on Sunday during the evening and it wasn't that packed and I had no issues. So, if you do decide to go and you are everything I just described. Try Sunday evening. It's way more chill and not as crazy. The crowds are minamal compared to the other days.
Read More
Jason S.
Sep 21, 2022
This festival needs to be moved back to the fountain to keep everyone from roasting. There is no shade over the busy highway. It used to be cool and breezy and you could sit down anywhere for a beer. Now if there is not a space under a tent it is unbearable. The festival vendors and entertainment are great though.Do noy order the Zoomer, I have been getting this since I was a boy with my dad when it was Strausse Haus. It used to extend off the plate, now they always run out of peppers and half the size with twice the price. Never again. Look at the picture from 2012 to 2022.
Read More
Rated: 4.6 (12 reviews)