Oktoberfest
DAYTON’S FAVORITE FALL FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 27-29!
Raise your glass for the return of Oktoberfest, presented by Miller Lite, taking place September 27-29 on the museum grounds.
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 Dayton Art Institute.
NEW FOR 2024! Oktoberfest Steinholding Competition
We are excited to bring the longstanding sport of Masskrugstemmen, or beer Steinholding, to the Dayton Art Institute’s Oktoberfest as an official U.S. Steinholding Association qualifying event! Register to compete today!
Oktoberfest Needs Volunteers!
Oktoberfest wouldn’t be possible without the support of more than 2,000 volunteers. Many different volunteer opportunities are available at Oktoberfest, including selling mugs, t-shirts, soft drinks and water, as well as staffing admission gates.
Those interested in volunteering must register through our Oktoberfest Volunteer Hub. Follow the link below and either sign-in to your existing Volunteer Hub account (returning volunteers) or create an account (first-time volunteers) to view volunteer opportunities.
The 2024 Volunteer positions are available! Sign up below. For questions or concerns, contact Amber Todd at atodd@daytonart.org
About Oktoberfest
The DAI Oktoberfest features all the things the community has come to love about the festival, as well as some new additions for 2024! The celebration kicks off on Friday, September 27, with the Lederhosen Lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the Preview Party from 7 to 11 p.m., followed by two full days of Oktoberfest fun, from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 28 and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 29.
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.
Get Your Tickets Early & Save!
Preview Party (Sept. 27) and Oktoberfest General Admission (Sept. 28 & 29) tickets will go on sale August 1 . Check back often for updates!
Preview Party
Reserve your spot for the event of the year – purchase your tickets early & save! Advance tickets are $55 for museum members and $75 for non-members. All tickets purchased after 4 p.m. on September 27 are $95. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the museum during regular hours.
Saturday/Sunday General Admission
Advance Tickets: $8 adults; $5 seniors (60+) & youth (7-18)
Weekend Pass: $15
Tickets at the Gate: $10 adults; $7 seniors (60+) & youth (7-18)
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.
Tickets for Oktoberfest go on sale on August 1st. Please check back to purchase.
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.
Photo Galleries
Did we spot you at the 53rd anniversary Oktoberfest? Take a look and find out!
Artisan and Food Vendor Applications
The DAI is pleased to announce an open call for artisans and food vendors for its annual Oktoberfest. Looking to apply? Please see below!
Artisan Application
Applications for 2024 are now closed. Questions? Contact Audrey Starr, at astarr@daytonart.org.
Food Vendor Application
Applications for 2024 are now closed. Questions? Contact Audrey Starr, at astarr@daytonart.org.
How To Go
Festival Hours
Lederhosen Lunch – Friday: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Preview Party – Friday: 7-11 p.m.
Oktoberfest – Saturday: Noon-11:00 p.m.
Oktoberfest – Sunday: Noon-7 p.m.
Shuttles & Parking
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.
Greater Dayton RTA will also provide free shuttles from downtown Dayton to Oktoberfest on Saturday and Sunday, as well as to Friday’s Lederhosen Lunch.
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.
Admission
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
Oktoberfest General Admission (Saturday & Sunday):
Advance Tickets: $8 adults; $5 seniors (60+) & youth (7-18)
Weekend Pass: $15
At the Gate: $10 adults; $7 seniors & youth
Children 6 and under admitted free
Tickets for Oktoberfest go on sale on August 1. Presale General Admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday are available online or at the Dayton Art Institute during regular museum hours.
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.
*Oktoberfest is held rain or shine. No refunds. No rain checks.*
Tag It, Tweet It, Post It!
Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for photos, videos and updates from Oktoberfest. Tag your posts and photos with #OktoberfestDayton & #OKTDAI to join the celebration!
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.
Thank You to Our Generous 2024 Oktoberfest Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Preview Party
PNC
Craft Beer
Cavalier Distributing
Vehicle Sponsor
White-Allen Family of Dealerships
Benefactor Sponsor
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Patron Sponsor
Dayton Children’s Hospital
NRG Home
Supporting
Bladecutters Inc.
Enterprise Roofing & Sheet Metal
Greater Dayton RTA
Messer Construction
RGBSI Aerospace & Defense
Rumpke Waste & Recycling
Surdyk Dowd & Turner Co
Media Partners
ABC 22 & FOX45
Dayton Local
Discover Classical
iHeartMedia Dayton
Key-Ads, Inc.
Family Art
ACCO Brands
Mugs & Tees
Fully Promoted of Centerville
Sponsors as of July 25, 2024