Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest, taking place on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, 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 2026, offering a wide range of unique items for sale. The ACCO Brands FamilyFest, taking place from noon–5 pm 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, for special happy hour prices from 4–6 pm. All draft beer and wine will be discounted. Boozy Bodega beverages are excluded from happy hour prices.
ACCO Brands FamilyFest
Noon–5 pm 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.
HOW TO GO
Lederhosen Lunch: 11 am–1:30 pm
Preview Party: 7–11 pm
Saturday, September 26: Noon–11 pm
Sunday, September 27: Noon–7 pm
Lederhosen Lunch
Free admission; food & drink available for purchase
Preview Party, presented by PNC:
Advance Tickets: $55 members, $75 non-members
At the Gate: $95
Saturday/Sunday General Admission
Advance Tickets: $12 adults; $8 seniors (60+) & youth (7-18); Weekend Pass: $20
Tickets at the Gate: $15 adults; $10 seniors (60+) & youth (7-18); Weekend Pass: $25
Children 6 & under admitted free
Keep the party going by purchasing a Weekend Pass! The Weekend Pass allows you access to the festival all day Saturday and all day Sunday! *Preview Party not included in the price of a Weekend Pass.
Please Note: When purchasing online, the advance ticket discounts are applied at checkout. You must create a user account, or login to your existing user account, on our ticketing site in order to receive applicable discounts. If you need assistance creating a user account, please click here to download instructions.
Tickets for Oktoberfest will go on sale later this year. Presale General Admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday are available online or at the Dayton Art Institute during regular museum hours.
Return to the main Oktoberfest page
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. 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 or 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.