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 $6; bottles of wine will be available for $18. 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, including an art project led by Brixilated and several make-and-take projects focused on German castles. Start the fun in ACCO Brands FamilyFest tent, located in front of the museum building and complete your art kit anywhere on the festival grounds or at-home.
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.
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.