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CINCINNATI — Cincinnati taps into its traditional German roots with the return of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.

From Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18, downtown Cincinnati will transform into a colorful Bavarian village.

Over the course of the weekend, tens of thousands of revelers — many of them decked out in traditional dirndl and lederhosen — will make their way to Second and Third streets for the annual celebration of German food, beer, music and traditions.

First held in 1976, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati has grown to be the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States. Organizers expect to attract about 700,000 visitors.

New in 2022, the three-day celebration begins Friday at 11 a.m. To signify the cultural significance of Oktoberfest to the city, Mayor Aftab Pureval proclaimed Friday “a half-day holiday in Cincinnati.” While not an official holiday, Pureval hoped the proclamation encouraged residents from around the region to come downtown early and celebrate on Friday afternoon.

Event hours are Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Nobody else in the country does Oktoberfest as big and as proudly as we do here in Cincinnati,” Pureval said. “And we should continue to recognize its importance to our community and local businesses.”

The main event schedule brings back several fan-favorites, including the Running of the Wieners on Friday at noon.

Arguably Cincinnati’s most adorable Oktoberfest tradition, the race features 100 dachshunds in hot dog costumes racing for the title of the city’s fastest wiener dog. Organizers built a 75-foot track at Second and Elm streets,

On Friday at 2 p.m., local media personalities will compete in the Gemütlichkeit (Goodwill) Games, which features Oktoberfest-centric contests such as beer stein carrying and barrel rolling.

Saturday includes a jam-packed lineup, including the official opening ceremonies at noon. Jim Koch, founder of Samuel Adams Brewery and a Cincinnati native, will be on hand for the ceremonial tapping of the keg.

Later in the day, the cast of the hit show “Hamilton” will serve as Oktoberfest Zinzinnati’s grand marshals, leading thousands of festival-goers in the annual performance of the chicken dance. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati earned the title of world’s largest chicken dance in 1994, with more than 48,000 participants.

The Chicken Dance takes place on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the main stage at Second and Elm streets.

The Samuel Adams Stein Hoist Championship on Saturday afternoon will test competitors’ strength and endurance by forcing them to hold a full one-liter stein, straight out, without bending an elbow or spilling any beer. It starts at 2 p.m.

Following the competition, the stage will reset for an Oktoberfest-centric fashion show aimed at naming the best dressed of the weekend.

Overall, there are eight different stages, tents and performance areas featuring more than 30 musical acts over the course of the weekend.

“We’re opening up the event this year with some of our fan-favorite festivities,” said Maddie Regan, vice president of events and experiences at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, which puts on the event. “We hope the city and region can take advantage of the half-day holiday and make their way down to this amazing Cincinnati tradition.”

While performances and competitions are a part of the fun, the major draws of Oktoberfest for most people are the bevy of food and drink options.

Spencer Mapes, lead event manager for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, said 2022’s beverage lineup features more than 130 different varieties of beer and alcoholic beverages.

“We’re excited to offer a beer list with a variety of options and flavors,” Mapes said. “Along with our official beer, Samuel Adams, local favorites like Madtree, Rhinegeist, and Urban Artifact will be participating in the event.”

Food is a major part of the celebration. During a previous Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber reported guests consuming more than 64,000 sauerkraut balls, 1,875 pounds of German potato salad, more than 23,000 soft pretzels and 702 pounds of Limburger cheese.

This year, there are more than 150 food options. Besides many traditional festival favorites, more than 30% of the vendors this year are new, Mapes said.

“Many of them are local and diverse restaurants that are offering up German-style twists on their menu items,” he said.

Below is a complete entertainment schedule as well as the food, and beverage menus.

Entertainment

Friday, Sept. 16

Turfway Park Main Stage and Bier Garten (Second and Elm streets)

• Noon – Running of the Wieners
• 2 p.m. – Gemutlichkeit Games 
• 3 to 7 p.m. – Festhaus Musig
• 8 to 11 p.m. – The Royal Klobasneks 

Zinzinnati Bier Garten (Third and Race streets)

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Gerhard Albinus Band
• 3 to 6 p.m. – The River City Polkatz
• 7 to 11 p.m. – Vereins Musikanten with Kolping Sängerchor

Urban Artifact Fest Tent (Race Street between Second and Third streets)

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pete Wagner Schnapps Band 
• 3 to 7 p.m. – Jess Lamb & The Factory
• 8 to 11 p.m. – Siri Imani Productions

Spaten Fest Tent (Rosa Parks Street between Second Street and Freedom Way)

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Cincinnati Schnapps Band
• 4 to 7 p.m. – Sally Lukasik Oktoberfest Trio

Radeberger Fest Tent (Vine between Second and Third streets)

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Cincy Brass
• 8 to 11 p.m. – Ein Stein

Weihenstephan Bier Garten (Freedom Plaza at Second and Rosa Parks streets)

• Noon to 3 p.m. – Polka Warriors
• 5 to 9 p.m. – The Bavarians

Sam Adams Bier Garten (Second and Walnut streets) 

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Bier Her Mini Band!
• 2 to 6 p.m. – Smittie’s Schnapps Band
• 7 to 11 p.m. – The Fest Meisters

Braxton Fass Bar (Third and Walnut streets)

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. –  The Whammies
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. – Soul Shadow
• 8 to 11 p.m. – Doghouse
   

Saturday, Sept. 17

Turfway Park Main Stage and Bier Garten

• Noon to 1 p.m. – Opening ceremonies
• 2 p.m. – Stein Hoisting Challenge
• 4 p.m. – Best Dressed Oktoberfest Contest
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. – The Enzian Tanzgruppe and Chicken Dance
• 7 to 11 p.m. – Vereins Musikanten

Zinzinnati Bier Garten

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – The River City Polkatz 
• 4 to 7 p.m. – Festhaus Musig
• 8 to 11 p.m. – Gerhard Albinus Band

Urban Artifact Fest Tent 

• 1 to 5 p.m. – The Bavarians 
• 6 to 8 p.m. – Kyle Hackett
• 9 to 11 p.m. – Siri Imani Productions

Spaten Fest Tent 

• Noon to 2:30 p.m. – Germania Jagdhornbläser Gruppe  
• 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Sally Lukasik Oktoberfest trio

Radeberger Fest Tent

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pete Wagner Schnapps Band 
• 3 to 6 p.m. – Ein Stein 
• 7 to 11 p.m. – The Zinzinnati Bierband

Weihenstephan Bier Garten

• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Kolping Sängerchor
• 6 to 10 p.m. – Cincinnati Schnapps Band

Sam Adams Bier Garten

• Noon to 4 p.m. – Smittie’s Schnapps Band 
• 5 to 11 p.m. – The Fest Meisters

Braxton Fass Bar

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Mike Wade and The Nasty NATI Brass Band
• 3 to 6 p.m. – Kenny Welch Band
• 7 to 11 p.m. – DV8
   

Sunday, Sept. 18

Turfway Park Main Stage and Bier Garten

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Festhaus Musig 
• 3 to 4 p.m. – Donauschwaben Schuhplattlers
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Vereins Musikanten

Zinzinnati Bier Garten

• Noon to 4 p.m. – The Bavarians
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Gerhard Albinus Band

Urban Artifact Fest Tent

• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Kyle Hackett & Matt Walters 
• 1 to 4 p.m. – Polka Warriors 
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Mel Bryant and The Mercy Makers and The Prickly Pair

Spaten Fest Tent

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pete Wagner Schnapps Band
• 4 to 8 p.m. – Cincy Brass

Radeberger Fest Tent 

• Noon to 4 p.m. – The Zinzinnati Bierband
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Cincinnati Schnapps Band

Weihenstephan Bier Garten 

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Matt Tolentino Trio
• 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
• 6 to 9 p.m. – Sally Lukasik Oktoberfest trio

Sam Adams Bier Garten 

• Noon to 4 p.m. – Smittie’s Schnapps Band
• 5 to 9 p.m. – The Fest Meisters

Braxton Fass Bar

• Noon to 1 p.m. – World Brat Eating Contest
• 1:30 to 5 p.m. –  What She Said
• 6 to 9 p.m. – Gee, Your Band Smells Terrific

Beer and beverage menu

50 West

• American Lager
• Coast to Coast
• Doom Pedal

Anheuser-Busch

• Budweiser
• Bud Light
• Bud Zero
• Michelob Ultra
• Bud Light Seltzer Cherry Limeade

Bell’s 

• Two Hearted Ale
• Oberon
• Oktoberfest
• Lager of Lakes

Boston Beer Company

• Samuel Adams Oktoberfest
• Samuel Adams Boston Lager (official beer of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati)
• Angry Orchard
• Truly Wild Berry  
• Truly Strawberry Lemon

Braxton

• Garage Beer
• Garage Beer Light
• Oktoberfuel
• Switch IPA
• Vive
• Scooter
• Labs Hazy Pale Ale
• Saison Say Whaaaaa? 
• Salty Dogg Gose
• Graeter’s Pumpkin Pie Ale
• Labs Imperial Edge of Mystery
• Sparky
• Labs Cherry Turnover
• Birdie 
• Smores Pastry Stout
• Labs Strawberry Kiwi Lager
• Twisted Bit
• Tropic Flare

Breckenridge

• Autumn Ale
• Oktoberfest
• Palisade Peach Wheat
• Strawberry Sky Kolsch

Clubtails

• Bahama Mama
• Sex on the Beach
• Sunny Margarita
• Screwdriver

Constellation

• Modelo Especial Pilsner Style Lager
• Modelo Negra Munich Dunkel-Style Lager
• Corona Extra Pale Lager
• Pacifico Clara Mexican Pilsner 

Dogfish Head

• 60 Min
• Hazy O
• Pumpkin
• Seaquench
• Slighty Mighty

Esoteric

• Dahlia American Brown Ale
• Dunkel German Munich Dunkel
• Kallima American Coffee Cream Ale
• Lotus American IPA
• Luminati German Lager
• Oktoberfest German Festbier Lager

Fretboard

• Rockin’ the Rhein 
• Vlad
• Bootsy
• Reba

Grainworks

• Bavarian Princess
• Helles Real
• My Blue Heaven

Great Lakes

• Haze Craft
• Crushworthy
• Dortmunder Gold
• Oktoberfest
• Tropicoastal IPA

Madtree

• Ziegler
• Legendary Lager
• Psychopathy
• Wootz
• Smithy
• Flux

Moerlein

Molson Coors

• Coors Light
• Miller Lite
• Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Platform

• Brauraiser Lager (Marzen style)
• Haze Jude IPA
• Yammy Yammy Pumpkin Yam
• Sun Surfer Session IPA

Radeberger

• Pilsner 
• Allgäuer Büble Fest Bier 
• Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen 

Rhinegeist

• Truth
• Cheetah
• Franz
• Snazzy
• Peach Dodo
• Breezy
• Geist Tea
• Lemmy Nade
• Sunspun Shandy

Spaten

Taft’s Ale House

• Frischs Pumpkin Pie
• Mango Tree
• Oktoberfest
• Tart Bluberry
• UDF Strawberry IPA

Twisted Tea

Urban Artifact

• Fire Iron
• Teak
• Spyglass
• Bushel

Veltins

• Pilsner 
• Grevensteiner 
• Underberg

Warsteiner

• Brewers Gold
• Dunkel
• Oktoberfest
• Pilsner

Weihenstephan

• Fest Bier
• Hefeweizen
• Original Lager

West 6th

• Amber
• Cerveza
• Fuzzy Fields
• IPA

West Side

• Porter
• Session IPA
• Blood Orange Common Ale
• Oktoberfest
• Hefeweizen

Yuengling

• Traditional Lager
• Flight Light Lager
• Oktoberfest

Food menu items

Alpine Almonds

• German roasted almonds – $5 or $11

Beckhart German American Cuisine

• Goetta Bier Cheese Slammer – $7
• ‘Terminator’ hot mettwurst on a pretzel bun – $7
• Bratwurst or mild mettwurst on a pretzel bun – $7
• Bacon bier cheese tater tots – $7
• Soft pretzel stick with homemade bier cheese – $3

Bessie’s Noodles

• Chicken and noodles – $10
• Beef and noodles – $10
• Cabbage and noodles – $10
• Entree with mashed potatoes –$13
• Mashed potatoes – $7

Better Blend

• ‘Buzzed’ ice cream – $5
• Non-’buzzed’ ice cream – $3
• Bratwurst burrito – $8
• Sushi nacho – $6
• Crab rangoon – $4

Buzzed Bull Creamery

• ‘Buzzed’ ice cream – $5
• Non-’buzzed’ ice cream – $3
• Bratwurst burrito – $8
• Sushi nacho – $6
• Crab rangoon – $4

Deme Kitchen

• General Tso chicken – $12
• Orange chicken – $12
• Sesame chicken – $12
• Hühnernudelsuppe Mit Chinesischer Wurst (chicken noodle soup with sausage) – $8
• Vegetable rolls – $2
• Chicken rolls – $2
• Asiatischer (Asian) donut – $8

Flying Pigtails

• Grilled reuben – $7
• Smoked kielbasa – $6
• Goetta bun link – $6
• Limburger and onion on rye – $7
• Jumbo pretzel – $4

Gee’s Caribbean Style

• Jerk goetta with rice and peas – $8
• Currywurst sausage with mustard sauce – $7
• Oxtail jager sauce with rice and peas – $10
• Jerk chicken spätzle – $10
• Soup with spätzle – $5

Goetta Sweets

• Royal Grill goetta donut sandwich – $10
• Goetta quesadilla – $8
• Grilled goetta donut sandwich – $7
• Giant cream puff with Bavarian cream – $7
• Black Forest cake – $6
• Apple strudel – $4

Izzy’s

• Famous Reuben – $7
• Corned Beef-n-Swiss –  $7
• Brat reuben on a pretzel bun: $7
• Potato pancake – $5
• Pickle-on-a-Stick – $3
• German chocolate cake – $5

Kabobske

• Red wine sausage wrap – $7
• Gyro wraps – $7
• Giant Bavarian cream puff – $7
• Royal Crown Cherry cheese cup – $6

Kinderhaus

• Oktoberfest chicken – $12
• Jager Schnitzel – $10
• Loaded and plain feather fries – $10
• Mettswurst/bratwurst – $9
• Garlic mushrooms – $8
• Goulash mit spaetzles – $8
• Sauerkraut balls – $6

Love Chimney Cakes

• Chimney dog – $9
• Belgium fries – $7
• Chimney cake (traditional) – $6
• Nutella and caramel – $8
• Strawberries with whipped cream – $12
• Strawberries with soft serve ice cream – $14
• Homemade apple strudel with whipped cream – $12
• Apple strudel with soft serve ice cream –  $14

MamaBear’s Mac

• German spaetzle with bacon, gruyere and caramelized onions – $8
• German meatballs – $9
• Pretzels and beer cheese – $6
• Brat N Beer mac and cheese – $10
• Bratwurst grilled cheese – $10 ($6 for half)
• lassic grilled cheese – $7 
• Vermont cheddar mac and cheese – $6

Mecklenburg Gardens

• Pretzel stick – $3
• Currywurst –  $5
• Sausage sampler – $5
• German sausage on a pretzel bun – $5
• Bavarian meatballs – $5

Mick Noll’s Covington Haus

• Super bratwurst – $7
• Currywurst – $7
• Smoked mettwurst – $6
• Goetta balls – $5
• Potato pancakes – $4
• Hot dog – $3

Pennsylvania Dutch Haus

• Schlamager bratwurst and mettwursts – $9
• Reubens –  $9
• Platters – $13
• Pierogies – $8
• Funnel cakes – $8
• Feathered fries – $8
• Loaded fries – $10

Philly Pretzel Factory

• 11-inch pretzel twist – $5
• Mini pretzel dogs (cup of four) – $6
• 2 ounce dip – $1

Pompilio’s Restaurant

• Sauerkraut risotto ball – $6
• Spaetzle with a parmesan limburger cheese cream sauce – $8
• Sauerbraten and noodles – $8
• Peanut butter and German chocolate cannoli – $5

Royal Berlin Chef

• Goetta mac and cheese – $5
• Jumbo goetta mac and cheese – $7
• Funnel Cakes (German chocolate, red velvet, apple pie, original) – $8
• Metts, brats and Wurst burger – $8 (add double meat for $5 more)
• Chicken schnitzel on a stick or bun – $7
• Frankfurther hot dog – $4
• Large Fries (cheese, loaded or chili made to order) – $6 to $8

Sawasdee Thai Cuisine

• Grilled smoked sausage with Thai slaw (original or spicy) – $4
• Grilled bratwurst with Thai slaw – $6
• Extra cheese sauce – $1

Schmidt’s of German Village

• Bahama Mama – $8
• Bratwurst – $8
• Jumbo frankfurter – $5
• German potato salad – $4
• Jumbo cream puff – $7
• Sauerkraut – $2
• Platter (German potato salad and kraut) – $4

Servatii Pastry Shop

• Soft pretzel – $5
• Beer cheese – $1
• Cream puff – $5
• Chocolate sauce – $1
• Decorated cookie – $3
• Apple strudel – $5

The Bavarian Nut Company

• Cinnamon-glazed nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews) – $7
• Buffalo Hot Nuts – $7
• Honey cashews – $7
• Sweet-N-Spicy almonds – $7
• Toffee peanuts – $7

The Cheesecakery

• German chocolate cheesecake cupcake – $4.50
• Black Forest cheesecake cupcake – $4.50
• Apple strudel cheesecake cupcake – $4.50
• Linzer cookie cheesecake cupcake – $4.50
• Salted caramel truffle cheesecake cupcake – $4.50
• White chocolate raspberry cheesecake cupcake – $4.50

The Cincinnati Grill

• Grilled brat or mett – $5 (loaded for $6)
• Chicken schnitzel sandwich – $8
• Sauerkraut balls– $5
• Potato pancakes – $4 (loaded for $6)
• Oktoberfest pretzel – $5

The Original Strudel Factory

• Strudel (apple, cherry or cheese) – $14
• Apricot, almond and pumpkin – $14
• Cinnamon sticks – $5
• Beef Wellington – $8
• Spinach and cheese – $8
• Broccoli and cheese – $8
• Beer bratwurst – $8

Tickle Pickle

• Goetta Van Fleet (goetta and Grippo Mac) – $7
• Hammstein (bacon, kraut, Swiss Burger) – $7
• Twisted Sister (goetta and egg burger with maple dijon – $7
• Squealy Dan (bratwurst with kraut (vegan available)) – $7
• Fry Fighters (cheese fries with goetta) – $7

Woodstock Pretzel Company 

• Hot Pretzel – $6
• PretzelDog – $7
• PretzelBrat – $8

Zoomer II

• Goetta grilled cheese – $7
• Zoomer (cheddar mett) – $8
• Ribbon fries – $8 ($10 with toppings)
• Bratwurst – $8
• Funnel cake – $8
• Deep fried PB&J – $8