Cleveland Oktoberfest—named the top Oktoberfest in the country, according to a 2023 USA Today readers’ choice poll—will start its six-day weekend run at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds this Friday, Aug. 30 and run through Monday, Sept. 2, and again on Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7.

The cultural festival promotes and supports the arts through live music and artistic performances, with a mission of celebrating European heritage in Northeast Ohio while supporting area nonprofits.

Throughout the six days, Cleveland Oktoberfest features authentic German and European foods from more than a dozen vendors—including Hofbräuhaus, Das Schnitzel Haus, Old World Foods, and The Pierogi Lady—and an assortment of more than 15 craft Oktoberfest-style beers, with Great Lakes Brewing Company serving as the event’s craft beer sponsor.

Cleveland Oktoberfest 2023A jam-packed musical lineup includes the return of the German trio Dorfrocker on Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7, as well as three performances by the Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner Band, and performances by The Chardon Polka Band and Fred Ziwich & His International Sound Machine, among others.

Tribute bands include Trippin’ Billies (Dave Matthews Band) on Friday, Sept. 6, Taylor Nation (Taylor Swift sing-along) on Saturday, Sept. 7, and Landsharks Band (Jimmy Buffet) on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Come check out the Cleveland Glockenspiel—at 55 feet, the largest glockenspiel in the country—as well as the Bavarian Shopping Village, an Art Market and crafts fair, a classic car show and the International Pavilion.

There will be Wiener dog races, fireworks, the Miss Oktoberfest contest, Great Lakes 5K Bier Run, and Best Oktoberfest Microbrew competition.

Oktoberfest kicks off at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 and at 12 p.m. Saturday through Sunday and runs until 12 a.m. on all three days. Event is open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, and is open from at 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6 and from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. Oktoberfest is at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 44130.

Tickets to Oktoberfest start at $18; $30 for a two-day pass; and $95 for VIP admission. Tickets to the cover bands start at $30 and include general admission to Oktoberfest. Kids under age 12 are admitted for free. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, is Military Monday and admission is free with a military I.D. Parking is free.

Cleveland Oktoberfest is sponsored by Weihenstephan (the oldest brewery in the world) and Bitburger, to benefit local organizations like Berea Kiwanis, Berea Rotary Club, MCE Boosters, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, St. John’s Westshore Medical Center Rainbow Babies Unit, the Rainey Institute, Camp Imagine, and Achievement Centers for Children.