September is Oktoberfest season in Cincinnati! And boy do we do it BIG around here! In fact, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the largest Oktoberfest celebration in America! Prost!
Where is it?
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati festivities is happening across 2nd and 3rd Streets in downtown Cincinnati.
When is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2022?
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2022 will take place:
• Friday, Sep. 16 – 11 am- 11pm
• Saturday, Sep. 17 – 11 am – 11pm
• Sunday, Sep. 18 – 11 am – 9pm
Do you know why we start celebrating Oktoberfest in September?
Find the answer here.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2022 Highlights:
The 2022 activities and events list is not out yet. We’ll update as soon as we receive more info on 2022.
Here’s what has happened in previous years:
The Sam Adams Stein Hoist Championship: It’s the ultimate test of strength and endurance at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. Competitors will hoist and hold a one-liter stein of beer for as long as they can without spilling a drop or bending an elbow.
We expect to see the competitions happening on the Main Street stage at Second and Elm Streets. Preliminary rounds were held on Friday and Saturday in 2021. The final competition happened Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2pm.
World’s Largest Chicken Dance: Thousands of chicken dancers have congregated every year since 1994 when Zinzinnatians set the Guinness World Record as the largest Chicken Dance in zee world! We hope to, once again, experience poultry in motion Saturday. Watch it or participate on and around the Oktoberfest stages.
The World Brat Eating Championship: We are hoping to see Joey Chestnut, the reigning World Brat Eating Champion, return to the stage to take on new competitors in 2022. His record is 70 brats in 10 minutes! The brat eating competition will take place on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 starting at 12pm.
You might also like: Guide to Cincinnati Area Oktoberfests {2022}
Event Schedule:
The 2022 schedule has not been posted yet but we have filled in the info as we could for 2022. The 2022 events specifically say 2022.
Friday, Sept 16, 2022: (11am – 11pm)
– Get ready for the annual Running of the Weiners starting at noon (registration required)
Saturday, Sep. 17, 2022: (11am – 11pm)
– Official Ceremonies begin at noon on the Main Stage and will feature live music, dancing, a procession of local German groups, and more.
Sunday, Sep. 19, 2022: (11am -9pm)
– The World Brat Eating Championship will happen at the Braxton Stage at 4pm.
Happened in years past but no date for 2022 yet:
– The Gemutlichkeit Games
– Frocktoberfest/Socktoberfest Pagaent
– The Sam Adams Hoisting Event preliminary rounds
Saturday
– The Sam Adams Hoisting Event preliminary rounds will be held at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm at the Sam Adams Bier Garten (registration required).
– The World’s Largest Chicken Dance is at 4pm on multiple stages throughout the grounds.
Sunday
– The Sam Adams Hoisting Event Championship will take place at 2pm.
Need more info? Check out the Oktoberfest site from the Cincinnati Chamber.
When will it be made public as to whether or not Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will be held this year (2020)?
Hi Margaret, As of 8-9, they haven’t made an announcement. I’ve been watching the Facebook page for updates.
Are you still making the pins for 2020
Hi Steve, You’ll need to ask your question to the Oktoberfest team. We just wrote about the event; it’s not our event. Your best bet is probably reaching out to them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/oktoberfestzinzinnati
Saturday, Sep. 26 – World’s Largest Oktoberfest Toast & Prost led by Jim Koch, Founder of Samuel
Where is this going to take place at, so we can attend to it?
Hi Laura, I believe they are doing this as a virtual event this year. You can check out all of the info that’s available at https://www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/
So can I get my 2020 Oktoberfest pin anywhere or not.
I’m not sure about that one, Cory. I’d try reaching out to them on the Oktoberfest Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/oktoberfestzinzinnati
I have attended Octoberfest Zinzinnati for 20+ years and every year I purchase the glass steins.
BUT, this year I have not been able to locate them. Can to help me find the steins so I can keep the tradition going even in this far from normal year.
Thank you
Hi John, I will send an email to a contact I have who might have some insight. I’ll get back to you if I hear anything.