Photo courtesy Bockfest
The annual Bockfest is back to celebrate beer, goats, German culture, and the coming of spring. Activities abound during Bockfest weekend and it can be overwhelming to choose what to attend. Not to worry—we’re here to guide you through some of the most notable and unique offerings to get the most out of your weekend.
The Big Events
The famous Bockfest Parade kicks off the weekend’s festivities on Friday. The procession features German Renaissance getups, brewers, the Sausage Queen, goats, goat-themed decorations, the Trojan Goat, and the most original and irreverent costumes outside of BLINK. Step-off is at 6 p.m. outside of Arnold’s Bar and Grill where participants will head down Sycamore and Main to the endpoint at East Liberty. If you get thirsty on the way, you can stop at one of the many official venues on the parade route for a bock beer. Fri, March 7, 6 p.m., Arnold’s Bar and Grill to E. Liberty St., Over-the-Rhine
Those German Guys will host this goat calling contest at Moerlein where competitors must prepare a 30-60 second goat noise to impress the judges. Calls will be judged on accuracy, creativity, enthusiasm, and crowd reaction and the top three will win Moerlein gift cards. Registration is required; costumes and props are encouraged. Fri, March 7, 8-10 p.m., Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, downtown
If you want to get active before spending the weekend drunkenly horizontal, the Bockfest 5k at The Banks is here for you. This race, which is part of the TQL Beer Series, will start outside Moerlein Lager House, go through Smale Riverfront Park, head back around through The Banks, and finish at the starting line. All participants will receive two drink tickets and a cheese coney and all finishers will get a medal that doubles as a bottle opener. Registration is $45. Sat, March 8, 10 a.m., Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, downtown
Cincinnati’s facial hair enthusiasts, the Beard Barons, will come together on Saturday to choose the best beard and crown The Beard Baron of 2025. Judges will pick winners from each of six categories; Whiskerina (ladies creative fake beard,) full beard under five inches, full beard five to ten inches, full beard over ten inches, freestyle, mustache, and partial beard. Best in show will rule over Bockfest alongside the Sausage Queen. Keep an eye out for Beard Baron and national beard champion Garey Faulkner! Sat, March 8, 4-5 p.m., Northern Row Brewery, 111 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine
Competitors have been fighting for the Sausage Queen title since January in this gender-neutral pageant that’s all about personality, presence, and the ability to represent the spirit of sausage. The winner will be named 2025 Sausage Queen and lead next year’s Bockfest Parade carrying the symbolic tray of Bockwurst. This year’s judges are Olympic gold medalist Mary Wineberg, seven-time Food Network champion chef Christian Gill, and RuPaul’s Drag Race alumna Penny Tration. Sat, March 8, 7 p.m., Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Photo courtesy Rhinegeist
More Bockfestivities
The iconic bakery and Bockfest presenting sponsor will be selling its signature Bavarian pretzels all over town this weekend, but on Friday you can find them at the Brewery District beer booth. The stand will be located on Eighth Street across from Arnold’s Bar and Grill so you can munch on your giant soft pretzel and sip your beer while watching the parade take off. If you upload a photo of yourself with a beer and pretzel from the stand on the Bockfest app Friday, you’ll be registered to win a $50 brewery gift card. Fri, March 7, E. Eighth St. by Arnold’s, downtown
Get your beads and monk robes ready for the ultimate combination Mardi Gras/Bockfest bash. Enjoy New Orleans jazz from the Hot Magnolias and a DJ set by OTR Carl on Friday, complimentary brats with any drink purchase and music from the Thumbtack Mechanics on Saturday, and karaoke on Sunday. Beers and well drinks will be five dollars all weekend long. Fri, March 7-Sun, March 9, The Setback, 1150 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
It’s not Bockfest without goats. Cozy up at the Washington Park Porch heaters, grab a Fifty West Maibock, and take your kids to pet some kids. Goats will be on site from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday but the porch will open at 11 a.m. both days and close in the evening. Sat, March 8-Sun, March 9, 2-5 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Bockfest Stein Hoisting Competition
Calling all beer holders! Bockfest’s official Stein Hoisting Competition will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Rosedale. Entry costs $10 and includes a 25 ounce bock beer. The winner will receive a $100 gift card. Participants must arrive no later than 6:15 p.m. to take part. Sat, March 8, 6:30 p.m., Rosedale, 208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
Ohio State Steinholding Championship Qualifying Round
Some hoisters are meant for greater things than small festival competitions. If that’s you, join the qualifying round for the state Steinholding Championship. This single-round qualifier will have a men’s and women’s round where the victors will be able to compete in the state finals held by the US Steinholding Association in the fall. Registration starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Moerlein. Sat, March 8, 4 p.m., Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, downtown
Farmer Rob from Good Green Earth Farm will be bringing his little baby goats to two morning yoga classes at Rhinegeist. Session one is 9:30-10:30 a.m., session two is 10:45-11:45 a.m., and participants must be 21 or older to join. Tickets are $35 and yoga mats are not included. Sun, March 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 10:45-11:45 a.m., Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Even more goat yoga! YoGoat Cincinnati will be bringing its baby goats to Rosedale for a 45-minute yoga session. Tickets are $25 and include the class and a post-workout mimosa or bock beer. Participants must be 21 or older and yoga mats will not be provided. Sun, March 9, 11 a.m., Rosedale, 208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
This fun “run” is pretty much the opposite of the Bockfest 5k—in this “race” you can bring your drink with you and take as long as you want. Registration is $35 and includes a medal, shirt, and beer. Participants must be 21 or older. Sun, March 9, 2 p.m., Northern Row Brewery, 111 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine
This year, Rosedale is putting a tropical twist on the traditional Bockfest Pig Roast. Tickets are $45 and include a lei upon entry, a pig roast buffet, bock beer, live steel drum music, and luau-themed activities and giveaways all night long. Sun, March 9, 4-7 p.m., Rosedale, 208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
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