What to know before you head to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. Prost! ????
Break out your lederhosen, Cincinnati! It's that time of year again.
Southwest Ohio's German heritage will be front-and-center at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati this week, the largest Oktoberfest in the United States. Around 700,000 people attend the festival, which features German-inspired food and beer, live music and can't-miss events. This year's festival runs Thursday to Sunday on Fifth Street.
Whether you're an Oktoberfest veteran or new to the festivities, here's what to know about Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2023.
When is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2023?
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati runs Thursday to Sunday. Here are the festival's daily hours:
Thursday, Sept. 14: 4 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 15: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati?
Oktoberfest moved to Fifth Street this year. The festival will stretch along Fifth Street in Downtown and cross Sycamore, Broadway, Sentinel and Pike streets.
See an event map online at oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/location.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati road closures
Several Downtown roads will remain closed until 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18. Find the full list of road closures in our story here.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati daily lineup
Along with food, live music and drinks, there are several events Oktoberfest visitors will want to attend. Here's the daily schedule:
Thursday
Opening ceremony: 4 p.m. at the main stage.
Friday
Running of the Wieners: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main stage.
Stein hoist challenge: 5:30 to 6 p.m. at the main stage.
Best dressed Oktoberfest: 7 to 7:30 p.m. at Festhalle.
Saturday
German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati Oktoberfest Processional: 11 a.m. to noon at the main stage.
World's Largest Chicken Dance: 4 to 4:30 p.m. at the main stage.
Sunday
Bengals pep rally: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the main stage.
Bengals game viewing party: 1 to 4 p.m. in the Sports Zone.
Who will lead the World's Largest Chicken Dance?
Members of the Cincinnati Fire Department will serve as grand marshals for the Rich Walburg World’s Largest Chicken Dance on Saturday.
Where to park for Oktoberfest
Here are some public and private parking lots near the festival:
Fountain Square, 520 Vine St.
Fountain Square South, 416 Vine St.
3CDC Public Parking, 400-434 Race St.
SP+ Parking, 410 Race St.
Ampco System Parking, 418 Main St.
LAZ Parking Garage, 150 E. Third St.
SP+ Parking, 100 E. Third St.
Park Place Lot No. 31, 500 Eggleston Ave.
7th & Culvert Street Lot, 430 New St.
Park Place Lot No. 9, 222 W. Seventh St.
Parking Company of America lot, 902 Eggleston Ave.
Are dogs allowed?
No. If you would like your dog to participate in the Running of the Wieners, registration is open now.
Is the festival cashless?
This year, all beer and Pepsi booths will accept both cash and credit cards as payment. Some food vendors may only accept cash. There are ATMs on the festival grounds.
What do people eat at Oktoberfest?
According to the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati website, each year, visitors order:
87,542 metts.
64,000 sauerkraut balls.
24,640 potato pancakes.
20,000 cream puffs.
6,000 jumbo pickles.
1,875 lbs. of German potato salad.
700 pigtails.
80,500 bratwurst.
56,250 sausages.
23,004 soft pretzels.
16,002 strudel.
3,600 lbs. of sauerkraut.
702 lbs. of Limburger cheese.
400 pickled pigs feet.
See the festival's full list of food vendors at oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/food.
List: 2023 Oktoberfest celebrations schedule
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2023: Dates, parking and what to know
