Downtown Loveland's annual Oktoberfest returns Sept. 25–26 with two days of German food, live polka, a wiener dog race and a ceremonial keg procession through the streets.
The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance is organizing the festival. Wolterman Law Office is the presenting sponsor, according to Loveland Daily News. Friday, Sept. 25, runs 4–10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, opens at noon and goes until 10 p.m.
"We have a lot of festivals and fun activities in late spring and summer," CeeCee Collins, president of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, said. "We love having a fall event that our visitors can enjoy."
What to eat and drink
Five food trucks will line the festival grounds: Schmidt's Sausage Truck, Glier's Meats, 50 West with a German twist, Funnel Vision Food Truck and Kona Ice.
Inside the Biergarten, All the Ingredients will serve fried sauerkraut balls and brat burgers on pretzel buns. Bishop's Quarter offers pretzels and beer cheese dip, Knights of Columbus has goetta burgers and brats, and Servatii's sells pretzels and pastries. Warsteiner and DVD Brewery beer will be on tap alongside domestic beer, wine and seltzers.
Saturday highlights
Saturday's schedule packs in the signature events:
- Noon–3 p.m. Ein Stein at the Gazebo
- 2 p.m. Adult and children's costume contest at the Conservancy Patio (meet at Bishop's Quarter's back patio to register)
- 4 p.m. Wiener dog race at Hops & Berry Taproom, a new venue for 2026
- 5:30 p.m. Ceremonial keg procession from Hops & Berry Taproom 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
The keg procession is open to the public. Participants line up at Hops & Berry Taproom before marching to Nisbet Park for the tapping.
Stein hoist preliminaries begin at participating local bars and restaurants during the week of Sept. 21. Registration for the costume contest, wiener dog race and stein hoist is available online through the event's website.
Kids Zone and shuttle
A Kids Zone operates 4–8 p.m. Friday and noon–8 p.m. Saturday. A $5 wristband covers unlimited play on inflatable carnival games, a tall climb and slide, a Who Dey Tiger jump and slide, and face painting.
A free shuttle runs 5–10 p.m. both evenings from the Loveland Early Childhood Center parking lot, looping continuously and dropping riders near the fire station.
Mayor Kathy Bailey called Oktoberfest "one of Loveland's premier celebrations" and encouraged residents to show up in lederhosen and dirndls. German-themed merchandise will also be for sale on the festival grounds.
Upcoming community events
- Sept. 15–18 — Pawpaw Palooza brings free guided hikes to Clermont County parks
- Sept. 24 — Dry Run Road closes for Miami Township bridge work
- Sept. 25–26 — Loveland Oktoberfest, downtown Loveland
