The 34th annual Bockfest takes place in Cincinnati from March 6 to 8, honoring the city's Over-the-Rhine brewing heritage and Bock beer. The festival features a parade, live music, and various events across five halls. Road closures will affect traffic in the area during the parade and a 5K run.
Cincinnati's Bockfest 2026 begins on Friday evening with a parade at 6 p.m., led traditionally by a goat pulling a keg, the reigning Sausage Queen, and the parade marshal. The route starts in front of Arnold's Bar and Grill on Eighth Street, proceeds north on Sycamore Street, turns onto 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine, and continues north on Main Street to Liberty Street. Spectators can view the parade along these streets, with establishments like Rosedale OTR serving as one of the festival halls.
The festival spans five Bockfest Halls: Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, Rhinegeist Brewery, Rosedale OTR, Arnold's Bar & Grill, and Moerlein Lager House. Activities include a children's parade, the annual Sausage Queen pageant, a goat calling competition, historic brewery tours, and a 5K run. Live music performances feature acts such as The Polka Warriors, Cincy Brass, the Zinzinnati Bierband, and the Hot Magnolias.
Bockfest celebrates the dark, malt-forward German lager known as Bock beer and Over-the-Rhine's brewing history. Road closures for the parade start at 4 p.m. on Friday, affecting streets like Eighth Street between Broadway and Main, Sycamore between Central Parkway and Seventh, and others up to 6 p.m. Additional closures occur early Saturday for the 5K at The Banks, beginning at 7 a.m. on Mehring Way and Joe Nuxhall Way, with more streets closing by 9:30 a.m. The city expects roads to reopen around 7 p.m. after the parade, though no specific time is given for the 5K.
