Burp Fest at Cleveland Oktoberfest 2026

Cleveland Oktoberfest exists because of one man's determination to honor his grandparents. Bob Haas, whose grandparents both emigrated from Germany, grew up steeped in German heritage, culture, and traditions thanks to his parents' dedication to keeping those roots alive. In 2005, with the help of volunteers from the Berea Kiwanis, Berea Rotary, and the Donauschwaben German-American community, Haas undertook the task of bringing an Oktoberfest celebration back to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea. The early years were anything but easy — financial difficulty, a tough economy, and Cleveland's population drain all threatened to snuff out the festival before it found its footing.

But Haas and his team at Heritage Productions persevered, and the Cleveland Oktoberfest beat the odds to grow into something far larger than anyone anticipated. What started as a local cultural event has become the largest annual outdoor event in Northeast Ohio, spanning two full weekends around Labor Day and drawing visitors from more than 40 states. The festival's mission goes beyond beer steins and bratwurst — it exists to preserve, promote, and perpetuate European heritage within the Cleveland area while fostering cultural education and awareness. That mission resonated nationally in 2023 when USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards named Cleveland Oktoberfest the best Oktoberfest in the entire nation, beating out celebrations in cities with far larger German-American populations.

The festival celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, a milestone that would have seemed impossible during those lean early years. Today, under CEO Adam Roggenburk's leadership at Heritage Productions, Cleveland Oktoberfest features everything from a Weihenstephan Fest Tent and Wiener Dog Races to a 5K run, Strongman Competition, Volkswagen show, and a traditional Glockenspiel clock tower performance. The event partners with Great Lakes Brewing Company as its official craft beer sponsor and hosts a microbrew competition that showcases the region's thriving brewery scene. Free admission for children under 12 and free entry for military members on Labor Day Monday reflect the festival's community-first ethos — a celebration that belongs to all of Cleveland, built by a grandson who wanted to keep his family's traditions alive.