Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest, taking place on Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, 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 2024, 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 29, for special happy hour prices from 4 to 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. 27              6:30 p.m. –midnight (Preview Party)
Saturday, Sep. 28        11:30 a.m. – midnight
Sunday, Sep. 29           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. 27              10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Lederhosen Lunch)
Saturday, Sep. 28        11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sep. 29           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:
The Rheinlanders, 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 Bergstrasse Boys, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Nearly 50 artisans have been selected to bring the art to Oktoberfest in 2024!

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

Ceramics:
Bubba Jones Brew Cups & More
Shae Marie Ceramics
Tipton Art
Tom Radca

Drawing: 
Over the Line Productions
pubsOf

Glass:
Busy Beaver Arts & Crafts
Darryl Berry Glass Studio
Nyminal Glass
Studio 446

Leather:
Paul Aude Leather Handbags & Accessories
Vintageliz

Jewelry:
Danladi Designs
DNA by Daina
Fused Glass Creations LLC
Golden Reign
Heather Smotzer Jewelry
Lisa Inglert Jewelry
Missing Peace Art Space
Jo Anne Vincent – Italiano
Sarah Krisher Studio
Ziegler Designs, LLC

Painting:
Ashley Sullivan
Charlene R Fox
Tarah Trueblood Art
WickieArts
Yuemin Xin

Wearable Art/Fashion: 
Bella Designs

Metal Working:
Jaron Reeser

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
Arabella Chocolate & Turkish Coffee
AWK Bavarian Nuts
Bessie’s Noodles
BlackJack Grill
Bourbon Street Grill and Cafe
Brock Masterson’s Catering & Events
Cosmic Kettle Corn
Crossed Anchors Concessions
DK Diner
Dublin Pub
Eintracht Singing Society
El Diablo Grill

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
Blue Moon
Cider
König Ludwig Weissbier
Leinenkugel’s OKT
MadTree Pumpcan
Miller Lite
Warsteiner
Warsteiner Dunkel
Warsteiner Oktoberfest

Greek & River Gate Beer Trucks – all draft beers $7
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
Blue Moon
BuzzBallz Strawberry ‘Rita
BuzzBallz Tequila ‘Rita
Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest
MadTree Pumpcan
Miller Lite
Warsteiner Oktoberfest

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

Craft Beer Truck #1 – all draft beers $8
Astra Red Crème Soda
Downeast Blackberry Cider
GLBC Midwest IPA
GLBC Strawberry Pineapple
Great Lakes Oktoberfest
Leinenkugel’s Juicy Peach
MadTree Seeing Colors
NBBC Voodoo Ranger 1985
Southern Tier Pumpking

Craft Beer Truck #2 – all draft beers $8
La Chouffe Belgian Blonde
Jackie O’s Mystic Mama
Rothaus Pils Tannenzäpfle
Schöfferhofer Grapefruit
Urban Artifacts Capy Snacks
Weihenstephaner Festbier
Well’s Eagle Banana Bread

Be sure to visit the Weingarten and Cantina during Oktobferfest.

Selections subject to change.

Preview Party Only
Mumm Napa – Sparkling
Chateau Souverain – Chardonnay
Markstone – Cabernet

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

Shades of Blue – Riesling
Hahn – Pinot Noir
LaMarca – Sparkling
Kenwood – Chardonnay
Brancott – Sauvignon Blanc
Charles & Charles – Rosé
Gnarly Head – Red Blend
Coppola – Cabernet