PROST! It’s officially Oktoberfest season! Here are the best celebrations near Dayton

One of the best things about fall in Dayton, Ohio? Festivals, festivals, festivals.

Even better? Oktoberfests, Oktoberfests, Oktoberfests!

Dayton is lucky enough to be surrounded by some great Oktoberfest events every year.

And even though it’s not October, Oktoberfest season is in full swing.

Here is a list of upcoming Oktoberfest celebrations we can’t wait to enjoy:

🍺VANDALIA OKTOBERFEST

Vandalia Sister Cities’ celebration has been a 40-year tradition. The two-day event will include homemade potato salad, cabbage rolls, giant German brats, sauerkraut, baked goods, popcorn and pretzels. There will also be arts and craft vendors on site. Both days will feature live music, including Todd Moore on Friday and DJ Rich Hopkins and The Menus on Saturday.

WHEN: Sept. 6-7, 2019. The event runs 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, and noon to midnight on Saturday.

WHERE: Vandalia Sports Complex, 1111 Stonequarry Road.

COST: Admission is $5 each day. Children under 12 are free. No pets (except service dogs).

MORE INFO: Website | Facebook

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

🍺SPRINGBORO OKTOBERFEST

This Oktoberfest just keeps growing and growing. It’s one of the newer Oktoberfests on the block. This festival, now in its seventh year, offers hearty helpings of German food and possibly the best selection of wursts in a 50-mile radius. The menu will also include chicken goulash, schnitzel, jagerschnitzel, cabbage rolls, pretzels, semmelknoedel, käsespätzle, German potato salad, German wurst, apple strudel,  cream puffs, German chocolate cupcakes and more. More than a dozen beers, ciders and wine will be available to help you wash all that food down. Oh, did we mention there are dachschund races, a kids zone, a hot-dog eating contest AND a beard contest? Musical entertainment includes polka, a stein-holding contest, dancers and The Klaberheads.

>> PHOTOS: Did we spot you at Springboro Oktoberfest?

WHEN: Sept. 6-7, 2019. Friday 6 p.m. to midnight. Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight

WHERE: Springboro United Church of Christ, 5 W. Mill St.

COST: Admission is $3 and proceeds go to help a number of charities including the Franklin Food Pantry and The Springboro Community Assistance Center. Admission is free to active military with an ID and kids age 12 and younger.

MORE INFO: Website | Facebook

>> Celebrate Oktoberfest at one of the region’s best up-and-coming celebrations this weekend

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

🍺DAYTON ART INSTITUTE OKTOBERFEST

Nothing says Dayton fall like the Dayton Art Institute’s Oktoberfest. Things kick off on 11 a.m. Friday with the Lederhosen Lunch. Food is available for purchase, and admission is free. That will be followed by a Preview Party at 7 p.m., with the ticket price including complimentary draft beer, wine and soft drinks and a cash bar for premium beverages. Admission in advance is $55 for members and $75 for non-members. Tickets cost $95 at the gate.

The main event (Sept. 28-29) features domestic, international and craft beers, international wines, food, kid-friendly art activities and more, with live music on two stages throughout the weekend. Admission in advance: $8 (adults), $5 (seniors and youth). Admission at gate: $10 (adults) $7 (seniors and youth). Children 6 and under are free.

WHEN: Sept. 27-29, 2019. Friday Lederhosen Lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Preview Party (7-11 p.m.). Saturday (noon to 11:30 p.m.). Sunday (noon to 7 p.m.)

WHERE: Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton

COST: Lederhosen Lunch (Free admission; food & drink available for purchase); Preview Party (Advance Tickets are $55 for members and $75 for non-members and $95 at the gate); Main festival (Advance tickets are $8 adults, $5 seniors and youth ages 7-18 and tickets at the door are $10 for adults and $7 seniors and youth)

MORE INFO: WebsiteFacebook

🍺MINSTER OKTOBERFEST

Organizers say more than 80,000 people flock to the Auglaize County village each year for this festival emphasizing the community's German heritage. Music, food, and, of course, beer are the stars of the event that has been a part of Minster since 1975. However, Minster's Oktoberfest offers unique twists like beer tray relays, a jug hoist, a car show, parade and a 10k run to help clear space for all those calories. Live music, German mass and pageants will also take place. See the event schedule for details.

WHEN: Oct. 4-6, 2019. Friday 6 p.m. to midnight. Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight. Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Oktoberfest is located one block west of the intersection of SR-119 and SR-66 in Minster.

MORE INFO: WebsiteFacebook

🚗WORTH THE DRIVE

Columbus Oktoberfest 2019 — Sept. 6-8

Perhaps the oldest Oktoberfest celebration on the list, the Columbus Oktoberfest celebrates its 53rd year this year.  Three 100-year-old historic covered pavilions at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair provide the perfect backdrop for two stages and dance floors for lots of polkas. Expect live music, food, bier, crafts and more. Admission is free. Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Food and beverages are sold by tickets only. Tickets are sold in strips of 10 for $10. Parking is $10 per car. For more information, visit the website or  event Facebook page.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2019 — Sept. 20-22

It's been said that this Oktoberfest is "America's Oktoberfest." This huge event celebrating Cincinnati's German heritage has a reputation as one of the best Oktoberfests around. Some of the highlights beyond the wide variety of craft beer, limited release beers and regular 'ole beer: Wiener dog races, the world's largest chicken dance, a brat eating contest, barrel rolls, beer stein races and stein hoist competitions and more. The event takes place along Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets downtown. More info: Facebook

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