Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest, taking place on Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, 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!

Oktoberfest includes a fully covered Main Stage area and Food Court, plus a TV Tent with four big-screen TVs for all the weekend sports action. Live music is featured on two stages throughout the weekend: traditional German music in the Food Court and a variety of bands on the Main Stage. The Oktoberfest Artisans will return in 2025, offering a wide range of unique items for sale. The ACCO Brands FamilyFest, taking place from noon–5 p.m. each day, features special activities for all ages on the festival grounds.

Get the details about:

> Shuttles & Parking
> Entertainment Schedule 
> Artisans
> Food
> Beer
> Wine

Check back often for more Oktoberfest updates!

Sunday Funday Happy Hour
Make it a Sunday Funday and visit Oktoberfest on Sunday, September 28, for special happy hour prices from 4–6 p.m. All draft beer and wine will be discounted. Boozy Bodega beverages are excluded from happy hour prices.

ACCO Brands FamilyFest
Noon–5 p.m. each day! FREE and fun art activities for the whole family. Start the fun in ACCO Brands FamilyFest tent, located in front of the museum building.

SHUTTLES & PARKING

We strongly encourage using one of the Oktoberfest shuttle options highlighted below. Parking is available but very limited in the neighborhood surrounding the DAI. Bicycle racks will also be available near the River Gate entrance to Oktoberfest.

Important Parking Note: There is no parking on the levy across from the museum or in McKinley Park during any Oktoberfest events. Please park only in approved locations.

First Student Shuttle (from University of Dayton parking lot):
Park for free at the University of Dayton parking lot on River Park Drive, between Patterson Blvd. & Main St., behind the University of Dayton Marriott. From the lot, catch the free Oktoberfest shuttle directly to the event. The shuttle runs Friday evening for Preview Party and all day Saturday and Sunday for Oktoberfest. 
Full Schedule: 
Friday, Sep. 26              6:30 p.m. –midnight (Preview Party)
Saturday, Sep. 27        11:30 a.m. – midnight
Sunday, Sep. 28           11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Greater Dayton RTA Shuttle:
Lederhosen Lunch: RTA provides free shuttle service from downtown Dayton during the Lederhosen Lunch on Friday. Shuttles run from 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Look for shuttle stop locations along Monument Avenue, Wilkinson Street, Second Street, Main Street and Fifth Street.

Oktoberfest – Saturday & Sunday: You may park downtown and catch a free RTA shuttle to and from Oktoberfest on Saturday and Sunday. RTA shuttles run directly to the event from stops along Monument Avenue, Wilkinson Street, Second Street, Main Street and Fourth Street. Look for the RTA shuttles with Oktoberfest destination signs and board at any stop along this route. There is no charge for the RTA shuttle ride. RTA shuttles will run from 11:00 a.m.–midnight on Saturday and 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on Sunday. 
Full Schedule: 
Friday, Sep. 26              10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Lederhosen Lunch)
Saturday, Sep. 27        11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sep. 28           11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Oktoberfest features live music throughout the weekend! The Main Stage offers a wide range of rock, pop and more on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, while the Food Tent Stage provides traditional German music on Saturday and Sunday.

Lederhosen Lunch:
Charlie Campbell Accordion, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Preview Party, Friday, September 27:

Main Stage:
Mojoflo, 8–11 p.m.

Food Tent: 
Schnickelfritz, 7–10 pm

Saturday, September 28

Main Stage:
KC & The Moonlighters, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Dave’d and Confused, 4-7 p.m.
Party Punch, 8-11 p.m.

Food Tent:
Mary’s Turbo Accordion Express, 12-3 p.m.
Schnickelfritz 3:30-6 p.m.
The Polka Pirates, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Nearly 50 artisans have been selected to bring the art to Oktoberfest in 2025!

Representing 11 disciplines and 10 states, both old favorites and exciting new wares are available in two tents during the festival! 

Ceramics:
CBennettCeramics
Luvkt

Drawing: 
Over the Line Productions
pubsOf

Fiber:
Urban Reclaimed

Glass:
Nyminal Glass
Studio 446

Leather:
Paul Aude Leather Handbags & Accessories
Vintageliz

Jewelry:
Danladi Designs
DNA by Daina
Fused Glass Creations LLC
Lisa Inglert Jewelry
Jo Anne Vincent – Italiano
Sarah Krisher Studio
Ziegler Designs, LLC
Trittello
RB2 Designs

Painting:
WickieArts, LLC
Carol a Farley multimedia artist
Megen Leigh Fine Art
Charlene R Fox
A Weekday’s Canvas
Enrique Gonzalez Art
RW2 Gallery

Other: 
CELIStial art

Something for every palate at Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest food options range from traditional German foods to Greek, Caribbean, Lebanese, and other ethnic specialties, as well as American fare. Many Midwest food concessionaires and Dayton-area caterers will offer a wide variety of delicious foods.

Vendors subject to change

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
AWK Bavarian Nuts
Bessie’s Noodles
BlackJack Grill
Bourbon Street Grill and Cafe
Brock Masterson’s Catering & Events
Cosmic Kettle Corn
Crossed Anchors Concessions
Cupzilla
Dayton Eintracht
DK Diner
Dirty Chicken
El Diablo Grill
Fatty Daddy’z Finger Foods
Feel The Burn Hot Sauce
The Forking Pierogi
Frios Gourmet Pops
Frontline Coffee Co.
Hamburger Wagon
Hey Hey

It wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without beer! The festival offers more than 50 different traditional, craft and international beers, on draft, as well as in bottles and cans!

Selections subject to change

Main Beer Truck – all draft beers $7
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
Strongbow Cider
Warsteiner Oktoberfest
Miller Lite
Leinenkugel Oktoberfest
Blue Moon Belgian White
Warsteiner Dunkel
MadTree Pumpcan
Warsteiner Premium Pilsener
König Ludwig Weissbier

Greek & River Gate Beer Trucks – all draft beers $7
Miller Lite
Leinenkugel Oktoberfest
Blue Moon Belgian White
Bell’s Two Hearted IPA
MadTree Pumpcan
Warsteiner Oktoberfest

Warsteiner Truck – all draft beers $7
König Ludwig Weissbier
Warsteiner Premium Pilsener
Warsteiner Dunkel
Warsteiner Oktoberfest

Craft Beer Truck #1 – all draft beers $8
Great Lakes Oktoberfest
Southern Tier Pumking
MadTree Seeing Colors Hazy IPA
Bell’s Oberon Eclipse 
Leinenkugel Juicy Peach
Founders Porter
Columbus Brewing Company IPA
VooDoo Ranger 1985 Mango IPA
Downeast Blackberry Cider

Craft Beer Truck #2 – all draft beers $8
Trotwood Lager
Lagerstadt Oktoberfest Lager
Gamma Bomb IPA
Lemonade Lager
Plane ol’ Pils
Ermal’s Hefeweizen

Be sure to visit the Weingarten and Cantina during Oktobferfest.

Selections subject to change.

Lederhosen Lunch Only
Ecco Domani – Pinot Grigio
Movento – Moscato
Acrobat – Pinot Nior

Preview Party Only
Santa Margherita – Prosecco
Whitehaven – Sauvignon Blanc
Davis Bynum – Pinot Nior
Louis Martini – Cabernet
Relax – Riesling
Franciscan Estate – Chardonnay

Saturday & Sunday – all wines $7/glass & $25/bottle

Relax – Riesling
Franciscan Estate – Chardonnay
Maschio – Prosecco
Ecco Domani – Pinot Grigio
Movento – Moscato 
Protea – Rosé
Bread & Butter – Red Blend
Acrobat – Pinot Noir
Smith & Hook – Cabernet