Get ready to hoist a stein (or two) of beer honoring Greater Cincinnati's German heritage – Oktoberfest season is upon us.
There will be German dancers, lederhosen and dirndls, sausages and a LOT of German bier nearly every weekend through early October across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Need help tracking them all? Here’s our roundup of Oktoberfest celebrations to mark on your calendar.
Germania Society Oktoberfest: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 2 p.m.-midnight Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Germania Park, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Colerain Township. $5 admission; ages 12 and under free; free parking. This year marks the 49th annual Germania Society Oktoberfest, which the Germania Society boasts as the “official kickoff of the Oktoberfest season in Cincinnati." www.germaniasociety.com
Sayler Park Oktoberfest: 2-11 p.m. Saturday. Nelson Sayler Memorial Park, 6600 Gracely Drive, Sayler Park. Free. This is the third year for Sayler Park’s take on Oktoberfest. The neighborhood event will feature local vendors, music and locally crafted beer. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Covington Oktoberfest: 5-11 p.m. Sept. 6; noon-11 p.m. Sept. 7; noon-8 p.m. Sept. 8. Goebel Park, 501 Philadelphia St., Covington. Free. Many feared last year’s Oktoberfest in Mainstrasse Village was Covington’s last after the festival’s organizing association filed for bankruptcy. Worry no more and lift a stein to Braxton Brewing Co. The Covington-based brewery stepped up and agreed to sponsor a modified version of Covington’s Oktoberfest this year. There will be beer, music and food as always, but unlike years past it will take place primarily at Goebel Park instead of the streets that run through Mainstrasse Village. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cellar Dweller Oktoberfest: 5-11 p.m. Sept. 13; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 14. Valley Vineyards, 2276 East U.S. 22 & 3, Morrow. Cellar Dweller plans to do Oktoberfest just right with live music, plenty of Cellar Dweller craft beer, pretzels, sausages, weiner dog races, beer stein races and and a legit German toast. www.valleyvineyards.com
St. Timothy's Oktoberfest: 6-11 p.m. Sept. 20; 5:30 p.m.-midnight Sept. 21; 12:30-6 p.m. Sept. 22. St. Timothy Parish, 10272 U.S. 42, Union. Free admission. St. Timothy Parish’s Oktoberfest will feature the Sly Band, duck races and rides, along with beer, food and fun. www.saint-timothy.org
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati USA: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 20-21; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 22. Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets, Downtown. Free admission. The biggest Oktoberfest in the Queen City will return with its Chicken Dance, crowds and fun. www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com
Newport Oktoberfest: 5-11 p.m. Sept. 27; noon-11 p.m. Sept. 28; noon-9 p.m. Sept. 29. Riverboat Row, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Free admission. Continue your Oktoberfest fun near the Ohio River with Newport’s annual German-inspired festival. www.newportky.gov
St. Leon Oktoberfest: 4 p.m.-midnight Oct. 4; 3 p.m.-midnight Oct. 5. St. Joseph American Legion Post 464, 28866 Post 464 Road, St. Leon, Indiana. Free admission. The St. Leon Oktoberfest will feature live German music, beer, food, games, a pie auction and its famous pork chop dinner. www.visitsoutheastindiana.com
Donauschwaben Oktoberfest: 6 p.m.-midnight Oct. 4; 2 p.m.-midnight Oct. 5; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 6. Donauschwaben Park, 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Colerain Township. Admission: $3; children under age 12 free. This Oktoberfest will feature performances by the Donauschwaben Dance groups. www.cincydonau.com
Barktoberfest: 2-6 p.m. Oct. 12. Harry Whiting Brown Community Center, 44 E. Sharon Road, Glendale. Free. Barktoberfest is back with a bark. This year pup owners can purchase a swag bag for $10 that includes a small beer stein, cookie, photo ticket, poop bag and a quiz to win raffle tickets. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Lebanon Oktoberfest: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Downtown Lebanon, Mulberry Street. Free admission. Supporters of Miller Park say prost to those who attend the annual Oktoberfest in Lebanon. Proceeds from the sale of beer and food at the event will benefit the Miller Park Fund. For more details, go to the event Facebook page.
