By Marta Vallejo, Staff Writer  

From Thursday, Sept. 17 to Sunday, Sept. 20, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, presented by Sam Adams, will be returning for its 50-year anniversary. The event will feature expanded hours, a bigger entertainment lineup and a 300-foot fest tent seating over 1,000 guests.  

First held in 1976, America’s largest Oktoberfest welcomed a record 808,300 attendees last year to celebrate the rich German heritage of southwest Ohio. The tradition continues in 2026 kicking off this Thursday.  

The Oktoberfest Zinzinnati website announced that, “For the first time in the festival’s history, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will offer a dedicated VIP experience — a golden way to celebrate the 50-year anniversary in style. Attendees can expect exclusive access, and curated food and drink offerings.”  

This VIP experience is going to include benefits like meal and drink vouchers, reserved seatings, souvenirs and more.  

Some musicians coming to the event include DJ Polka Cola, Good Bellows, Navy Band and many others. The schedule on the website goes over all of the times that these musicians will be performing at. It also mentions all seven stages that will be hosting these performers.  

The event will also feature a wide variety of food and retail vendors. More than 20 food vendors will be present, including Funnel Cake Island, Izzy’s and Skyline Chili. Retail vendors will include Chicken Hats, Mack Glass and Cincy Shirts.  

A highlight of the event will be Graeter’s ice cream partnering with Oktoberfest Zinzinnati for a special limited-edition Apple Strudel flavor to celebrate the anniversary.  

Zones for the event will include locations such as the Zinzinnati Festhalle Tent, the River Stage, the Radeberger Fest tent, the Glockenspiel and more.  

As for specific events and activities during the festival, some highlights for Thursday will be the Gemütlichkeit Games and Pride Night. For Friday, attendees can participate in the “Stein Hoisting Competition,”. On Saturday there will be a 14K/7K Brewery Run and the “World’s Largest Chicken Dance,”. Lastly on Sunday, there will be events such as “The Running of the Wieners” and a Family Day. Visitors can also expect the Zinzinnati Zirkus and glassblowing workshops for the entire duration of the festival.  

Xavier takes students to the festival on a looping shuttle every year. Some students have gone multiple times already.  

“I would say going to Oktoberfest is a must if you want a complete Cincinnati experience. Given the German heritage, I’d say Cincy’s Oktoberfest shows respect to its culture and history,” junior neuroscience major Deyashi Mukherjee said.  

Other students have never gone before and are excited about attending the festival and all the different things it has to offer.  

“Well I am so excited for the event this weekend, I can’t wait for the music, the food and meeting new people. Festivals are different everywhere and I can’t wait to experience this in a new country,” sophomore health education major Ann-Rachel Mburu said.  

For students attending for the first time, Oktoberfest offers a chance to experience one of Cincinnati’s biggest traditions firsthand. For those who have been before, the festival’s 50-year anniversary brings plenty of new experiences to look forward to.