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CINCINNATI — Cincinnati taps into its traditional German roots with the return of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.

From Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18, downtown Cincinnati will transform into a colorful Bavarian village.

Over the course of the weekend, tens of thousands of revelers — many of them decked out in traditional dirndl and lederhosen — will make their way to Second and Third streets for the annual celebration of German food, beer, music and traditions.

First held in 1976, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati has grown to be the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States. Organizers expect to attract about 700,000 visitors.

New in 2022, the three-day celebration begins Friday at 11 a.m. To signify the cultural significance of Oktoberfest to the city, Mayor Aftab Pureval proclaimed Friday “a half-day holiday in Cincinnati.” While not an official holiday, Pureval hoped the proclamation encouraged residents from around the region to come downtown early and celebrate on Friday afternoon.

Event hours are Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Nobody else in the country does Oktoberfest as big and as proudly as we do here in Cincinnati,” Pureval said. “And we should continue to recognize its importance to our community and local businesses.”

The main event schedule brings back several fan-favorites, including the Running of the Wieners on Friday at noon.

Arguably Cincinnati’s most adorable Oktoberfest tradition, the race features 100 dachshunds in hot dog costumes racing for the title of the city’s fastest wiener dog. Organizers built a 75-foot track at Second and Elm streets,

On Friday at 2 p.m., local media personalities will compete in the Gemütlichkeit (Goodwill) Games, which features Oktoberfest-centric contests such as beer stein carrying and barrel rolling.

Saturday includes a jam-packed lineup, including the official opening ceremonies at noon. Jim Koch, founder of Samuel Adams Brewery and a Cincinnati native, will be on hand for the ceremonial tapping of the keg.

Later in the day, the cast of the hit show “Hamilton” will serve as Oktoberfest Zinzinnati’s grand marshals, leading thousands of festival-goers in the annual performance of the chicken dance. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati earned the title of world’s largest chicken dance in 1994, with more than 48,000 participants.

The Chicken Dance takes place on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the main stage at Second and Elm streets.

The Samuel Adams Stein Hoist Championship on Saturday afternoon will test competitors’ strength and endurance by forcing them to hold a full one-liter stein, straight out, without bending an elbow or spilling any beer. It starts at 2 p.m.

Following the competition, the stage will reset for an Oktoberfest-centric fashion show aimed at naming the best dressed of the weekend.

Overall, there are eight different stages, tents and performance areas featuring more than 30 musical acts over the course of the weekend.

“We’re opening up the event this year with some of our fan-favorite festivities,” said Maddie Regan, vice president of events and experiences at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, which puts on the event. “We hope the city and region can take advantage of the half-day holiday and make their way down to this amazing Cincinnati tradition.”

While performances and competitions are a part of the fun, the major draws of Oktoberfest for most people are the bevy of food and drink options.

Spencer Mapes, lead event manager for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, said 2022’s beverage lineup features more than 130 different varieties of beer and alcoholic beverages.

“We’re excited to offer a beer list with a variety of options and flavors,” Mapes said. “Along with our official beer, Samuel Adams, local favorites like Madtree, Rhinegeist, and Urban Artifact will be participating in the event.”

Food is a major part of the celebration. During a previous Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber reported guests consuming more than 64,000 sauerkraut balls, 1,875 pounds of German potato salad, more than 23,000 soft pretzels and 702 pounds of Limburger cheese.

This year, there are more than 150 food options. Besides many traditional festival favorites, more than 30% of the vendors this year are new, Mapes said.

“Many of them are local and diverse restaurants that are offering up German-style twists on their menu items,” he said.

Below is a complete entertainment schedule as well as the food, and beverage menus.

Turfway Park Main Stage and Bier Garten (Second and Elm streets)

Zinzinnati Bier Garten (Third and Race streets)

Urban Artifact Fest Tent (Race Street between Second and Third streets)

Spaten Fest Tent (Rosa Parks Street between Second Street and Freedom Way)

Radeberger Fest Tent (Vine between Second and Third streets)

Weihenstephan Bier Garten (Freedom Plaza at Second and Rosa Parks streets)

Sam Adams Bier Garten (Second and Walnut streets) 

Braxton Fass Bar (Third and Walnut streets)

Turfway Park Main Stage and Bier Garten

Urban Artifact Fest Tent 

Turfway Park Main Stage and Bier Garten

Sam Adams Bier Garten 

Mick Noll’s Covington Haus