Dust off your dirndl because Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is back in 2021 and it’s bigger than ever.
After last year’s giant public party was canceled due to the pandemic, organizers are making up for it this year by adding an extra day (with festivities starting on Thursday) and extra hours.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will run 5 p.m.-midnight Sept. 16; 11 a.m.-midnight Sept. 17 and 18; and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 19.
“Cincinnati’s sister city, Munich, is the original and the world’s largest Oktoberfest. As that tradition is not happening in 2021, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is going to borrow the title of ‘Biggest Oktoberfest on the Planet,’” said Cynthia Oxley, director of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, in a release. “With an extra night of reveling and extended hours each evening, the party is going to be even bigger.”
The party will take place on Second and Third streets downtown between Elm and Walnut streets.
Not all associated events — like the Running of the Wieners and World’s Largest Chicken Dance — have been announced, but considering they went on in some iteration last year despite COVID, we are expecting to see a slew of dashing dachshunds come September.
“Our community is roaring back, and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is making its return in a big way,” said Jill P. Meyer, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, producer of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. “Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is one of our region’s best loved traditions and we’re excited — for our all of us — to eat, drink and dance together again.” 
The Cincinnati USA Chamber also announced that Asian Food Fest (Oct. 9-10), Bengals home game tailgate zones and Taste of Cincinnati (Memorial Day weekend 2022) are all slated to return.
For more information, visit oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.
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This article appears in Jul 21 – Aug 4, 2021.