Don't miss Toledo's annual German-American Festival, Friday, August 25 - Sunday, August 27, 2023! The German-American Festival has been promoting the German and Swiss cultures and providing a great time for visitors of all ages for over half a century. At this local favorite fest visitors can savor delicious German food and import beer, experience authentic German music, folk dancing and entertainment, as well as participate in traditional German contests and feats. Plus there are lots of fun activities and rides for the kids. Here are the top 7 reasons you should plan your visit to Toledo during German American Festival Weekend.

 

1.  The Venue

We’ve all been to parking lot festivals with minimal seating and atmosphere. Not so at the German-American Festival. Set in Oak Shade Grove, this 94-acre park setting is comfortably shaded by mature oak trees. The park size and festival layout allows guests to find their own space without feeling crowded.

There's over 70 acres of free, lighted parking with shuttles to deliver you to the main entrance gate on Seaman Street. Parking areas can be entered from Starr Avenue, Corduroy Road or Seaman Street.

2. A Wide Assortment of German Beers

Now we’re talking! What’s a German festival without beer? You will find an astonishing selection of German beers with plenty of new ones to try out for the very first time. Enjoy lighter styles like Kolsch and Marzen or if dark lagers are your thing, then Bock and Dunkel are for you. There’s plenty of wheat selections as well. Prost!

Pro Tip: Upgrade your drink in the ultimate GAF souvenir, the boot! This fun glass even has a lanyard to help keep a hand free for all the delicious food.

 

3. The Authentic Food

Potato pancakes are only the start to the ridiculously long list of tasty treats available. Enjoy German favorites like, Schnitzel sandwiches (a German classic), ham shank, bratwurst, homemade potato salad and landjäger. Don’t miss the Swiss Essen Haus bakery featuring many types of European-style and imported cheeses, breads and meats.

Here is the full list of food offerings:

• Indoor/outdoor Swiss Bäckerei featuring many types of European-style and imported cheeses, breads and meats
• Chicken prepared in a maxi-cooker to ensure each chicken is perfectly cooked
• Potato pancakes made the old German way
• Schnitzel sandwiches made in front of you, served on a Kaiser roll
• Plenty of other German options: smoked ham shanks, Bratwurst, jalapeño Wurst, smoked Wurst, Brat patty sandwiches, pretzels, funnel cakes, Leberkäs platters, Leberkässemmel, Sauerkraut, cheddar Wurst, handmade potato salad, Sauerkraut balls, hand cut Pommes Frites, ice cream, cream puffs, pickles, landjäger, sweet corn and freshly popped popcorn! Our signature Swiss Cheese/Mozzarella and mushroom brat is back again!
• Homemade Pastries: Kuchen, strudels, cookies, cakes and a variety of other pastries

 

4. The Weingarten

You’ll want to carve out some time to hang in the Weingarten. Find yourself a picnic table in the shade and enjoy live music and performances by German dancers throughout the weekend. If german beer isn't your thing, this is the spot to sample a variety of easy drinking German wines – including Auslese, Spätlese, Piesporter and Riesling.

 

5. Homemade Desserts

After you’ve walked off some of the German food and beer, it’s time to head to the Swiss Essen Haus for the homemade pastries including Kuchen, strudels, cookies, pies, cakes, brownies, and tarts! Don’t forget the cream puffs, ice cream and funnel cakes located by the VIP Clubhouse. Dessert favorites, like strudel, will run out first. Arrive early and get your treats to go!

 

6. German Activities & Contests

Dust off the lederhosen and bring your appetite for fun. The German-American Festival offers a variety of fun-filled activities and contests to help you celebrate, German-style! Pictured above is the Steinstossen is a centuries-old Swiss stone throwing contest. In this competition, men and women will throw large stones (138 pounds and 75 pounds, respectively) into a designated sand pit and the winner will be the one throwing his or her stone the longest distance. Another fan favorite is Masskrugstemmen, which loosely translates to the “lifting of a liter mug of beer”, is a well-known and a competitive Bavarian sport. The “Masskrug,” a 1 Liter Stein, is held with one arm, completely stretched out and parallel to the floor. There is also a Hummel look a like contest for the kiddos. 

7. Family Friendly! 

There are plenty of activities and rides to entertain and amaze your young ones. Bumper cars, a super slide, funhouse, Ferris wheel and merry-go-round are just a few of the fantastic rides your kids will enjoy.

Pro Tip: Check out the Hummel Look-A-Like Contest for all children between the ages of 2-10 (by pre-application). The contest is the longest running contest of its kind in the U.S.

 

The German-American Festival makes it safe and easy for guests to get to and from the festival.

They offer a $10 GAF Shuttle ticket purchase, as well as free parking and shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations at these Toledo-area locations:

Ye Olde Cock N Bull
Bar 145
La Fiesta (No Sunday Runs)
Shawn's Irish Tavern (No Sunday Runs)
Mayfly Tavern Bar & Grill (No Sunday Runs)

Shuttle hours:
Friday | 5 - 10 p.m.
Saturday | 2 - 10 p.m.
Sunday | 12 - 5 p.m.

Hollywood Casino Toledo (No Sunday Runs)
Friday | 4 - 10 p.m.
Saturday | 2 - 10 p.m.

Interested in more festivals in the Toledo area? Check out this related content:

 Momentum Festival | Glass City JazzFest | Toledo Pride