You'll want to save this 2023 list of Oktoberfest celebrations in Cincinnati

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·3 min read
Elizabeth Travnik, right, and McKenna Czekajlo dance together during "The World's Largest Chicken Dance" at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Downtown Cincinnati.
Elizabeth Travnik, right, and McKenna Czekajlo dance together during "The World's Largest Chicken Dance" at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Downtown Cincinnati.

Friends, roll out the barrel because Oktoberfest time is here. Polka music reigns supreme, beer sells faster than a Taylor Swift ticket at Paycor Stadium and thousands of otherwise sane Cincinnatians suddenly sport chicken hats and dance throughout the streets. You can be on your wurst behavior and no one gives a schnitzel.

Cincinnati-area Oktoberfest celebrations in 2023

Sept. 14-17: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, 4-10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Fifth Street, Downtown. The nation's largest Oktoberfest returns to Fifth Street this year and you'll find all your favorite events, like the Running of the Wieners, the Gemutlichkeit Games, the World's Largest Chicken Dance, the stein hoist competition and more. oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.

Sept. 15-17: St. Timothy Oktoberfest, 10272 U.S. 42, Union. Rides, games, live music and food. 5K twilight run/walk Saturday evening with top finishers receiving official Oktoberfest mug. Free kids fun run. Sunday is family day, with all-you-can-ride bracelets on sale. Free onsite parking. Saint-timothy.org.

Sept. 22-23: Oktoberfest Loveland, Nisbet Park, 126 Karl Brown Way, Loveland. Enjoy wiener dog races, a biergarten, German food, stein hoist and lederhosen competitions and more. Lmrchamberalliance.org.

Sept. 22-24: Oktoberfest, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-11 p.m. Sunday, Festival Park, Newport. Enjoy live German music, chicken dance, food and beer under the big tent, just like they do at Munich's Oktoberfest. Contests include stein holding, brat tossing and log sawing. Free admission. facebook.com.

Sept. 23: Montgomery Oktoberfest, 12:30 p.m., MPH Brewing, 7880 Remington Road, Montgomery. Enjoy traditional Oktoberfest games and contests, circus performances, beer, food and live music. facebook.com.

Sept. 23: Sonder & Friends Oktoberfest, 9 a.m.-11:45 p.m., Sonder Brewing Co., 8584 Duke Blvd., Deerfield Township. German-Style craft beer from regional breweries, live music, games, food trucks and the Greater Project 5k. Free admission. facebook.com.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Donauschwaben Oktoberfest, 6-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Colerain Township. Enjoy more than 25 imported and domestic beers on draft, authentic German foods including pit-roasted Bavarian pig and chicken, and more. Car show on Sunday. cincydonau.com.

Covington's Oktoberfest runs Sept. 8-10 this year at Goebel Park in Mainstrasse. Pictured: Matt Angerer of Covington with a large mug of Braxton Oktoberfest Fuel.
Covington's Oktoberfest runs Sept. 8-10 this year at Goebel Park in Mainstrasse. Pictured: Matt Angerer of Covington with a large mug of Braxton Oktoberfest Fuel.

Sept. 30: St. Cecilia Oktoberfest, 4:30-10 p.m., St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 3105 Madison Road, Oakley. German-style food, beer, live music, split the pot and more. eastsidefaith.org.

Oct. 7: Rocktoberfest, 4:30-10 p.m., McNicholas High School, 6536 Beechmont Ave., Mount Washington. Sponsored by McNicholas Military Memorial Committee, this festival is adult-only and features 10 craft breweries, a bourbon-tasting bar, wine and food. Young children with adult supervision permitted. $35 door, $30 advance, $20 veterans and active or retired police/fire/EMT, free active military. one-bidpal.net/rocktoberfest2023/welcome.

Oct. 7-8: Walnut Hills Market Oktoberfest, noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Woodburn Brewing, 2800 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills. Shop 40 local and regional makers, dog friendly. Free admission. Eventbrite.com.

Oct. 13-14: Lebanon Oktoberfest, 6-9 p.m. Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Mulberry St., Lebanon. Enjoy German-style food, beer, kid’s zone and more. Live music from the Schnickelfritz Band and The Klaberheads. Lebanonohio.gov.

Oct. 14: OXtoberfest, 1-8 p.m., 2 N. Main St., Oxford. Family-friendly activities and entertainment, live music, German and other craft and domestic beers, special beer garden tent, kids' corner, arts and crafts fair, food and more.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Find an Oktoberfest near you in Cincinnati in 2023