Oktoberfest 2026: Lederhosen Lunch
The Oktoberfest celebration begins with the annual Lederhosen Lunch.
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Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest Presented by Miller Lite
DAYTON'S FAVORITE FALL FESTIVAL | SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2026
Held annually during the fourth full weekend of September, Oktoberfest is one of the region's favorite fall traditions. The festival features live music, delicious food, family-friendly activities, a festive Weingarten, an outstanding selection of more than 50 craft and international beers and one of its signature attractions, a curated marketplace of exceptional artisans!
Guests can enjoy a fully covered Main Stage and Food Court, along with a TV Tent featuring four big-screen TVs for catching all the weekend sports action. Live entertainment takes place throughout the festival, with traditional German music in the Food Court and a diverse lineup of bands on the Main Stage.
Whether you're passionate about discovering exceptional art, savoring diverse food and drink, enjoying top-tier live entertainment, shopping handcrafted goods or making memories with family and friends, Oktoberfest has something for everyone. Join us for an unforgettable weekend celebrating community, culture and creativity.
Buy Tickets
Tickets for Oktoberfest and all Oktoberfest-related events go on sale July 31, 2026. Event held rain or shine. All sales final. No refunds and no rain checks for any reason. Ohio liquor laws require us to wristband all patrons over the age of 21, regardless of their intended beverage consumption. No exceptions will be made.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE & ACTIVITIES
Oktoberfest is held annually on the museum grounds during the fourth full weekend of September. The celebration kicks off on Friday with the Lederhosen Lunch from 11 AM–1:30 PM and the Preview Party from 7–11 PM, followed by two full days of Oktoberfest fun: noon to 11 PM on Saturday and noon to 7 PM on Sunday.
The ACCO Brands Family Fest tent offers free and fun activities from noon to 5 PM each day! FREE and fun art activities for the whole family. Start the fun in ACCO Brands
Be sure to stop by on Sunday for our Annual Steinholding Competition and special happy-hour drink prices from 4–6 PM.
WAYS TO SUPPORT OKTOBERFEST
SPONSORSHIP
Sponsorship plays a vital role in making Oktoberfest possible and impactful. Sponsors directly support art experiences, education and opportunities that bring our community together while gaining meaningful visibility for your organization and aligning your brand with a cause that matters. Together, we can ensure art is available and accessible to all, all year long. Thank you! To sponsor the event, please contact Mike Griest at mgriest@daytonart.org or 937-223-5277 ext.108.
Sponsor Oktoberfest
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are the heart of our events and your time, energy and passion make a meaningful difference at every level. By volunteering, you help create a welcoming, well-organized and memorable experience for everyone involved while supporting key fundraisers that bring our mission to life. Together, we can make an impact that lasts far beyond event day. Please check back for more information when we get closer to the event date. Thank you!
OKTOBERFEST EVENT POLICIES
Please Note These Oktoberfest Policies:
Remember to bring your ID with you to check in at the gate. Ohio liquor laws require us to wristband all patrons over the age of 21, regardless of their intended beverage consumption. No exceptions will be made. Thank you for helping us stay in compliance with these important state regulations.
Event held rain or shine. No refunds and no rain checks.
The Dayton Art Institute does not allow the following at Oktoberfest: pets (except service dogs), backpacks and large bags, firearms or other weapons.
Guests attending Oktoberfest and the Oktoberfest Preview Party will be subject to reasonable searches, including metal detectors, wanding and/or bag searches.
For health & safety reasons, we no longer fill mugs directly from taps.
No outside food or drink permitted.
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. In the interest of your personal safety and community health, we ask that anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever, cough, chills, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or loss of taste) please refrain from attending Oktoberfest. By attending Oktoberfest, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with exposure to COVID-19 and all other communicable illnesses.
For the safety of our art, the museum will not be open during Oktoberfest.
For questions, please call Guest Services at 937-223-4278.
OKTOBERFEST CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION TAX INFORMATION
A portion of your purchase may be considered tax-deductible; consult your tax professional for guidance. Deductibility amounts are included in ticket purchase receipts.
Upcoming Events
View Calendar
25
September 25, 2026
Friday
11:00 am — 1:30 pm
25
September 25, 2026
Friday
7:00 pm — 11:00 pm
Oktoberfest 2026: Preview Party
The annual Oktoberfest Preview Party takes place on the Friday of Oktoberfest weekend, 7-11 PM Oktoberfest includes a fully covered Main Stage area and Food Court, plus a TV Tent.
26
September 26, 2026
Saturday
12:00 pm — 11:00 pm
Oktoberfest 2026: Saturday
A Dayton tradition established in 1971, DAI’s Oktoberfest is southwest Ohio’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebration and the museum’s largest annual fundraiser.
27
September 27, 2026
Sunday
12:00 pm — 11:00 pm
Oktoberfest 2026: Sunday
A Dayton tradition established in 1971, DAI’s Oktoberfest is southwest Ohio’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebration and the museum’s largest annual fundraiser.
27
September 27, 2026
Sunday
2:00 pm — 3:00 pm
Oktoberfest 2026: Steinholding Competition
Test Your Strength in the Oktoberfest Steinholding Competition, presented by Pella Windows & Doors of Dayton!
Additional Information
Explore Oktoberfest 2026
Explore the DAI's Oktoberfest from Entertainment Schedules to Food Vendors to Beers, Wine and More!
Tickets
Planning to attend the Dayton Art Institute Oktoberfest? Find ticket information, admission details, event hours and how to go.
Parking & Shuttles
Learn parking tips and shuttle information for Oktoberfest.
Lederhosen Lunch
Kick off Oktoberfest at Lederhosen Lunch, hosted by DAI’s Former Associate Board
Preview Party
Preview Party allows guests to enjoy great socializing in a casual, less-crowded atmosphere, with complimentary draft beer, wine and soft drinks.
Steinholding Competition
Test Your Strength in the Oktoberfest Steinholding Competition!
Volunteer
The fun wouldn’t be possible without the support of our volunteers. Learn more about volunteering at Oktoberfest!
Vendor Applications
Apply to be a food vendor or artisan at Oktoberfest.
Photo Galleries
See pictures from DAI's annual Oktoberfest throughout the years!
Thank You to Our Generous 2026 Oktoberfest Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Miller Lite
Preview Party Sponsor
PNC
FamilyFest Tent Sponsor
ACCO Brands
Official Vehicle Sponsor
White-Allen Family Companies
Steinholding Competition Sponsor
Pella Windows & Doors of Dayton
Patron Sponsors
Bladecutter's Inc.
NRG Home
Mugs & Tees
Fully Promoted of Centerville
Craft Beer Sponsor
Warped Wing Brewing Company
Cigar Tent
Wright Dunbar Cigar Shoppe & Lounge
Transportation
RTA
Supporting
Akima
Messer Construction
Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling
Surdyk Dowd & Turner
Additional Support
Progressive Printers
Event History
A Dayton tradition established in 1971, DAI’s Oktoberfest is southwest Ohio’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebration, and the museum’s largest annual fundraiser. Money raised by Oktoberfest helps support everything we do at the DAI. Oktoberfest features live music, family activities, outstanding artisans, delicious food, a Weingarten and, of course, an amazing selection of more than 50 craft and international beers. It is held on the fourth full weekend in September each year.
DAI’s Oktoberfest (lovingly referred to as OKT) was founded by the Associate Board, who, after the success of Art Ball, wanted to host a second event that would be very different in function from a gala, but would also ensure financial sustainability for the museum and provide a unique way to raise funds. The event was so successful in its first year that it quickly grew to encompass an entire weekend and all of the museum grounds. The first Oktoberfest was held October 7–8, 1972, and was chaired by Francine & Ludolph van der Hoeven. 7,000 people attended and beer was 10 cents each!
While the festival has changed over the years (beers no longer cost 10 cents, unfortunately), the common thread of supporting the museum while coming together as a community for fun and festivities has remained constant. With an average attendance of 20,000 and volunteer support of nearly 1,000 people, the event provides more than $15 million in critical museum support and introduces countless people to the museum’s offerings each year.