Octoberfest: Brats, Beer & Bands

The 15th Annual Paulaner Cleveland Oktoberfest – sponsored by Jägermeister— will kick off on Labor Day Weekend at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Road in Middleburg Heights. 

The event features more than 20 Oktoberfest-style beers, 15 German and European restaurants, 20 bands from all over the world, over 100 vendors and local artisans, a daily beer-stein holding contest, the largest Glockenspiel in the country, wiener dog races, a Miss Oktoberfest contest, 5k race and entertainment for all ages. 

Who needs to travel to Germany to enjoy Oktoberfest?

Over 70,000 people are expected to attend this one-stop-shop, wiener-schnitzel-eating and lederhosen-wearing yearly German celebration, produced by Berea Labor Day Oktoberfest, Inc., a not-for-profit organization. 

“This Festival has become a true community staple and city-wide celebration,” says event producer at USA Expo, Adam Roggenburk. “It’s exciting to see the city transform into a giant family-friendly German Festival that captures the true Bavarian culture, with all the beer and traditions in play.” 

Cleveland Oktoberfest is Friday, Aug. 30 (4 p.m.- midnight, Saturday, Aug. 31 (noon-midnight), Sunday, Sept. 1 (noon-midnight) and Monday, Sept. 2 (noon-8 p.m.). 

Tickets are $13 at the box office. Attendees can pre-purchase tickets online at ClevelandOktoberfest.com and save $3. Other ticket packages available online include a four-day pass and VIP Experience pass. Parking is free. On Monday (9/2), Ohio Lottery Day, bring a non-winning Ohio Lottery ticket and receive $3 off your entrance ticket at the box office.

Follow the event on Facebook and Instagram @ClevelandOktoberfest to see updates and for the chance to win free ticket giveaways. For additional information about ticket packages, performance schedules and attraction times, visit clevelandoktoberfest.com.

What to expect at the 2019 Cleveland Oktoberfest: 

• The Food. Restaurant Row features German and European food… Official Oktoberfest Chef, John Roberto will serve up German delicacies, along with Seven Roses, Frank’s Bratwurst, Das Schnitzel Haus of Parma, and the famous Schmidt’s Restaurant & Sausage Haus of Columbus. Five–Star Meats will debut the new Cleveland Oktoberfest Bratwurst (“CLE OKT Brat”). 
• The Entertainment. A full-folk lineup of more than 25 performances from popular local and national artists and dance groups, such as Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner Band, a special Journey Tribute, Dorfrocker (a regular at the Munich Oktoberfest), and the Cleveland Glockenspiel and Original Glockenspiel from Milwaukee. 
• The Beer. Sixteen local craft brewers will compete for the Best Oktoberfest Brew. Official German beer from Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr (two of the most authentic and finest Bavarian Beers) will be available. For non-beer lovers? A full hospitality bar featuring wine and local Western Reserve Distillers offering their organic locally distilled vodka along with gin and rum. 
• The Shopping. The Bavarian Shopping Village & Art Market will feature Bavarian merchandise from collectibles to the purchase of your very own dirndl or lederhosen. 
• Oktoberfest Pre-Party benefitting Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Thursday evening, August 29, the Bier Garten will welcome back 2018 favorite party band “Dorfroker” and acclaimed Beatles tribute, “Hard Day’s Night”. 
• 5k Race. A 5K Charity Run that provides participants (21 and older with valid ID) free same-day admission, a goodie bag and one (1) Paulaner drink ticket. 
• The Kids. Family-friendly activities including an inflatable bouncer (Saturday, Sunday, Monday only), mechanical bull, Otto the Wiener Dog, tattoo artist, face painting and a marionette show.