Loveland Oktoberfest Returns Sept. 25–26
All photos courtesy of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance
Downtown Loveland will take on a German-inspired atmosphere Sept. 25–26 as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance presents the 2026 Loveland Oktoberfest.
Presented by Wolterman Law, the annual celebration will bring German food, drinks, live music, games and family activities to the heart of downtown. Local businesses, restaurants, food trucks and vendors will participate throughout the weekend.
Among the returning attractions are the Big 6 wheel game, beer puppeteer and stein slide. The event will also feature a Biergarten, the Warsteiner Emporium, live German music and activities for children.
“Oktoberfest has truly become one of Loveland’s premier celebrations, and we hope to see the community come out—lederhosen and dirndls included—to join in the festivities,” Mayor Kathy Bailey said.
CeeCee Collins, president of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, said the organization appreciates having a fall event that gives visitors another opportunity to enjoy downtown Loveland.
“We have a lot of festivals and fun activities in late spring and summer,” Collins said. “We love having a fall event that our visitors can enjoy.”
Friday, September 25
The festival will run from 4–10 p.m. Friday, with the Biergarten, food trucks, vendors and games opening at 4 p.m.
Beer options will include Warsteiner and DVD Brewery beer on tap, along with domestic beer, wine and seltzers. The stein slide, Big 6 wheel and beer puppeteer will also be available.
The Kids Zone will operate from 4–8 p.m. A $5 wristband includes unlimited play on inflatable carnival games, a tall climb and slide, and a Who Dey Tiger jump and slide. Face painting will also be available.
Friday entertainment
4–6 p.m.: KRP in Zinzinnati at the Gazebo
6–10 p.m.: Polka Cola at the Gazebo
6:30–8 p.m.: Stein Hoist competition preliminaries
The stein hoist preliminaries will begin at participating local restaurants and bars during the week leading up to Oktoberfest. Registration is available through the event's online registration form .
Saturday, September 26
Saturday's festivities will run from noon–10 p.m., with the Biergarten, food trucks, vendors and games opening at noon.
The Kids Zone will be open from noon–8 p.m., with the same $5 wristband offering unlimited play. Face painting will also be available.
Saturday entertainment and events
Noon–3 p.m.: Ein Stein at the Gazebo
2 p.m.: Adult and children's costume contest at the Conservancy Patio
4 p.m.: Wiener dog race at Hops & Berry Taproom
5:30 p.m.: Ceremonial keg procession to Nisbet Park, followed by the keg tapping
5:45–6 p.m.: Stein Hoist finals at the Conservancy Patio
6–10 p.m.: Polka Warriors at the Gazebo
Costume contest participants should meet at Bishop's Quarter's back patio. Registration is available through the costume contest registration form .
The wiener dog race will be held at a new location this year, Hops & Berry Taproom. Owners interested in entering their dogs can register through the wiener dog race registration form .
The keg procession will begin with participants lining up at Hops & Berry Taproom before making its way to Nisbet Park. The chamber says the community is welcome to attend the procession and keg tapping.
German food and festival offerings
Food will be available from restaurants, food trucks and vendors throughout the event.
Food in the Biergarten is expected to include:
All the Ingredients: Fried sauerkraut balls, brat burgers on pretzel buns, and apple or cherry Kuchen bars
Bishop's Quarter: Pretzels and beer cheese dip
Knights of Columbus: Goetta burgers, brats and metts
Servatii's: Pretzels and pastries
Food trucks on site will include:
Schmidt's Sausage Truck
Glier's Meats
50 West, featuring a German twist
Funnel Vision Food Truck
Kona Ice
German-themed merchandise will also be available for purchase for attendees looking to add some Oktoberfest flair to their outfits.
Shuttle service and sponsors
A shuttle will operate from the Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC) parking lot from 5–10 p.m. each evening. The shuttle will make a continuous loop and drop attendees off near the fire station.
The chamber thanked the event's sponsors, including:
Wolterman Law Office (Presenting Sponsor), City of Loveland, Oasis Turf and Tree, Professional Cabling Services, Warsteiner, DVD Brew, East Hills Veterinary, Lesley Folan-Comey & Shepherd, Pam Farmer/Coldwell Banker, Plaid Room Records, Brian Rigby-Titan Wealth, College Hunks, Ace Hardware, Advantage Signs, Wicked Pickle and Bishop's Quarter.
For more information, residents can contact CeeCee Collins at ceecee@lmrchamberalliance.org or 513-683-1544.
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