Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is turning 50 and is celebrating in true “go big or go home” style: with a massive, two-story clock tower inspired by a traditional German glockenspiel. The Cincinnati Regional Chamber today unveiled the new festival feature, which will include a biergarten on the ground floor and a performance stage on the second. Rounding out the design is a Cincinnati-themed backdrop and a 31-foot bell tower, complete with a working clock.

The structure will be located at the Schott Amphitheater, near the tennis and pickleball courts, when Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove are transformed into the ultimate Bavarian playground Sept. 17-20, 2026.

“This glockenspiel is exactly the kind of big, joyful addition that makes the festival unforgettable. We hope it will inspire even more visitors to raise a stein, share stories and celebrate our region’s German heritage in a way only Zinzinnati can,” said Chelsea Brown, Vice President of Events and Experiences, Cincinnati Regional Chamber. “We can’t wait for it to ring in the next 50 years.”

Modeled after a traditional German glockenspiel—which combines a carillon of bells and mechanical figures that move through choreographed sequences, often telling a local historical or cultural story—the Queen City ‘spiel puts a Cincinnati twist on the classic. The 31-foot-tall,  56-foot-wide bell tower will feature a working clock and five 3D-printed mechanical bells, which will chime electronically every hour. The background highlights historic and notable Cincinnati landmarks, including the Mt. Adams and Price Hill inclines, the Holy Cross Immaculata parish, the Procter & Gamble headquarters, the original Rookwood Pottery building, and others.

Samuel Adams, the presenting sponsor of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, will bring the bier with its featured Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 50th Anniversary Lager, available only at this year’s festival. Meanwhile, on the second-story stage, hourly comedic and musical performances will encourage attendees to get into the true Oktoberfest spirit. The full performance lineup will be announced later this summer.

Cincinnati-based Kingdom Productions was tapped to design and build the glockenspiel, a process that is already 2 months along. The east-side Cincinnati design-build company is known for its big, bold visual arts installations for clients including Kings Island, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cincinnati Zoo, Newport Aquarium, FC Cincinnati, and many top attractions nationwide.

“The best projects are the ones that create memories, and this glockenspiel will do exactly that. It has been a privilege to work alongside the Chamber to create a centerpiece worthy of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati’s 50th anniversary celebration,” said Hank Pryor, founder and owner, Kingdom Productions.

This year won’t be the only time Cincinnatians will have a chance to see the glockenspiel in action. The stage will become a fixture at the festival during future celebrations.

The first Oktoberfest Zinzinnati was held in 1976 and is now the largest Oktoberfest in the country, welcoming a record 808,000+ attendees in 2025. The four-day celebration of steins, sausages, music and rich German heritage kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 17 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 20. Admission remains free and open to the public all four days:

• Thursday, Sept. 17: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 18: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

• Saturday, Sept. 19: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

• Sunday, Sept. 20: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 

More 50th anniversary announcements will be released throughout the summer. Follow on Instagram and Facebook or sign up for Festival Insider to receive updates straight to your inbox.