For a complete list of Fourth of July Celebrations and Events, check out our guide HERE!
Camp OTR
Through August 5
Washington Park
Daily Monday-Friday, 10-11 am
FREE
Enjoy creative fun with your kiddos!
Monday: Reading with the Cincinnati Public Library
Tuesday: Creativity Day with Happen Inc
Wednesday (10-10:30): Kids Yoga with The Yoga Bar
Thursday: Fine Arts with CCM Prep
Friday: Games with the Play Library
Christmas in July
June 27- July 31
EnterTrainment Junction
The Journey to the North Pole themed walk-through experience features a snowy winter wonderland, reindeer stables, elves’ workshop, Mrs. Claus’ kitchen and, of course, Santa himself (so kids can get a mid-year check-up on their naughty/nice evaluation.)
Paradise on the Point
July 1 & 2
Sawyer Point
Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Friday 4 pm & Saturday 11 am
FREE
The 2-day event, a celebration of Cincinnati’s blossoming music and beer industries, will feature live music from local and national acts as well as a variety of local craft beers. For those with little ones, fear not! This event is kid-friendly, with a designated family zone offering fun activities for all ages.
Summer Cinema
Through August 31
Washington Park
Wednesdays, 9-11 pm
FREE
Summer Cinema features a free movie screening every Wednesday at the Park! Dust off those lawn chairs, grab a picnic basket, and join us for a fun, relaxing evening over on our civic lawn.
Northside Rock ‘n’ Roll Carnival
July 1-4
Hoffner Park
Blue Rock and Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45223
6 pm – 1 am
FREE
Just past the park entrance the pavilion at Hoffner Park will be transformed into a festive Beer Garden. A step beyond festival goers will emerge into a captivating playground of great original music, Fire Breathers, a carnival side show featuring Sword Swallowers and a Bed of Nails! Anticipation will build as a bona fide rock ‘n roll concert unfolds inducing the flow of nightlife activity between Hoffner park and Northside’s dynamic and historic business district.
Great Parks Days
July 2
Miami Whitewater Forest
7:30am-8:30 pm
FREE, no motor vehicle permit required
Presented by the Great Parks Foundation. Come out and play in your Great Park! Activities, live entertainment.
Honey Bees in the Summer Breeze
July 2 – August 21
Krohn Conservatory
11 am- 5 pm
$4 adults, $2 children, FREE ages 4 and under
Featuring cheerful yellow and orange flowers with honeycomb inspired designs.
Curiosity Saturdays
Through September 3
Washington Park
Saturdays 11 am- 1pm
FREE
Interactive programs designed to foster children’s creativity, feed their curiosity and expose them to many wonders of nature in a unique, urban setting.
Chuck Wagon Dinner Rides
Saturdays June 25 – September 24
Bonnybrook Farms
3779 Ohio 132, Clarksville, OH 45113
5-9 pm
$40, $28 ages 5-12, FREE ages 4 and under; Reservations required
Food and fun at historic 370-acre working farm. Activities, made from scratch dinner, wagon ride to old chuck wagon at Todd Fork Creek for dessert and s’mores.
LaRosa’s Balloon Glow
July 3
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45228
5-11 pm
Parking is $9 until 2:00pm; $12 after 2:00pm; Walk-In: $5 per person
There is no charge (other than parking) to view the balloons and fireworks. Normal rates apply for Sunlite Pool and Coney’s Classic Rides.
Coney Island comes alive at the 15th Annual LaRosas Balloon Glow! Live music, family entertainment and Classic Rides make for a fun-filled evening. Later, the evening sky illuminates when hot air balloons of every color glow for all to see. The grand finale for the event is a spectacular Rozzi Fireworks display over the banks of Lake Como.
Jolly Thursdays
Thursdays through July 28
A.J. Jolly Park
100 Lakeview Drive, Alexandria, KY 41015
10 am
FREE
Fun activities for kids! The Campbell County Public Library partnered with the Campbell County Parks & Recreations Department and the Campbell County Cooperative Extension to bring fun educational programming to the southern part of the county.
Astronomy Night
Thursdays through July 28
Cincinnati Observatory Center
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
8:30-10 pm
$5 suggested donation
Short talk, astronomy Q&A, tour and stargazing.
Family-Friendly Fridays
July 8-29
Behringer-Crawford Museum
1600 Montague Road, Covington, KY 41011
7-8 pm
$5, $3 ages 3-12
July 8: Circus Mojo
July 15: Joel Caitamer, The Singing Librarian
July 22: MadCap Puppets Perform Aesop’s Fables
July 29: Mad Science of Cincinnati
Oakley After Hours
July 8
Oakley Square
Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
6:30-10 pm; 7-7:30 pm After Hours Story Time at Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore
FREE
Join us the second Friday of every month for live music, kids entertainment, guest vendors, local businesses and MadTree beer!
Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival
July 8-10
Festival Park Newport
Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071
Friday 5pm-1am; Saturday 12-11pm; Sunday 12-9pm
FREE admission
Features bacon and other pork products, Kentucky bourbon and beers from local breweries. Live music, games and activities.
Civil War Weekend
July 9-10
Heritage Village Museum
11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 10 am – 3 pm
$8, $5 ages 5-11, FREE ages 4 and under; Weekend pass available
Come to meet Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, learn about early war scenarios form 1861, take a turn drilling with soldiers, enjoy tours of the historic buildings, and hands-on activities, and check out a daily battle influenced by the battle of Ball’s Bluff. Civilian re-enactors demonstrate Civil War fashion, games, entertainment and more.
Second Saturday Street Faire
July 9
Downtown Waynesville
Main, High and Miami Streets, Waynesville, OH 45068
10 am – 5 pm
FREE
Artists, crafters and authors display and sell creations. Musicians, face painters, and tasty treats.
OTR Performs
Sundays through September 4
Washington Park
7-9 pm
FREE
Recurring arts programming for the whole family. The performance for July 31st will be Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presenting A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Summer Series
July 9
Devou Park
1344 Audubon Road, Covington, KY 41011
7:30 pm
FREE, $5 suggested donation
The KSO kicks off its 22nd summer in Devou Park with a multi-generational family affair – Pop Fitty – featuring 5 decades of popular songs- from The Beatles to Bruno Mars. Concessions and restroom available. Bring seating, picnics welcome. TANK Shuttle transports from Covington Catholic High School, 1600 Dixie Highway, Park Hills, 6-7:30 p.m., $1 each way. Free limited parking.
Blue Stone Ivory & Fireworks
July 9
Thomas J Wiethorn Beach Park
100 Ward Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
7-10 pm
FREE
Blue Stone Ivory’s musical style inspiration is derived from the great horn bands such as: Chicago, Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire; The Memphis Horns, Blood Sweat & Tears, The Blues Brothers and others. Join us and bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the show. Fireworks to follow!!
Wildlife Wednesday
July 13
Little Miami Scenic River and Trial Center
211 Railroad Ave., Loveland, OH 45140
10-11 am
FREE
Learn about fossils, reptiles, composting, bird migration and more with naturalists from Clermont County Park District.
CMB Summer Park Playdate Series
July 14
Smale Riverfront Park
West Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10 am- 12 pm
FREE
The Cincinnati Moms Blog is hosting a three part playdate series this summer and we hope you will join us for one or all three events! The events will be free (except for the third one which has a minimal fee from the park itself) and the CMB team will work to get some fun adds for those who are there. Join this event page to stay up to date on all details, plan to meet-up with friends at the events and day of announcements about how to find us. We are SO excited about summer!!
Bastille Day Celebration
July 16
City of Montgomery
Montgomery Road, Montgomery, OH 45242
12-11 pm
FREE
French-American celebration. Food, entertainment, games, stilt walkers, pony rides, face painting, putt-putt, walking tours.
The City Flea
July 16
Washington Park
10am-4pm
FREE
The City Flea is Cincinnati’s original curated, urban flea market that takes place once a month at Washington Park. Since its conception in 2011 The Flea has seen dozens of vendors grow from hobby to full time business and it is with much pride that we consider ourselves not only a monthly market, but a small business incubator, community organization, and city advocate. The Flea is a place to keep your dollars local, support small business and experience YOUR city in a unique and engaging way.
Castle Days
July 16
Loveland Castle
12025 Shore Drive, Loveland, OH 45140
11 am – 5 pm
$8 per person
Join us on the 3rd Saturday of every month April thru August. For a Medieval day filled with Mirth, Music and Mayhem! Shop our Craft Market Place for one of a kind treasures. There is NO PARKING at the castle on the event date. This includes the street below the castle! There is FREE PARKING at Meijer on Fields Ertle Road with FREE shuttle to the castle on the day of the event.
Vivian’s Victory 5K
July 16
Summit Park
4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242
7:30 am
$10-$40, Registration required
Vivian’s Victory will celebrate its 5th annual 5K this year by adding a new 1.1-mile Family Victory Lap! Join others to support this non-profit that assists families who experience a prolonged hospital stay or transitional period due to a child with an illness. Fun is planned for all ages including raffles, clowns and a cookout!
Vibrancy 2016
July 16
Anderson Center
7850 Five Mile Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
5:30-10 pm
$20; Reservations required
Evening of music, dance and visual art featuring accomplished as well as budding artists.
3rd Sunday Funday: Magic in the Air
July 17
Taft Museum of Art
1-4 pm
FREE
Join us for a magical day at the Taft! You can create your own magic wand to take home. Learn some card tricks that will leave your family astounded. At 2:30 p.m., magician Brett Sears will dazzle the crowds with his amazing feats of magic.
Grilled Cheese Wednesdays
July 20
Beech Acres Park
6910 Salem Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
11 am- 12:30 pm
Cash only; Grilled cheese $1 each; additional items vary
Head over to the Beech Acres Park playground for lunch in the park after Summer Shazaam, free children’s entertainment at the amphitheater. Water play area.
Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo
July 22
Harbor, Winton Woods
10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
9:30 am -3 pm
FREE
The Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo, presented by Great Parks of Hamilton County and Green Umbrella, is the largest free outdoor water safety and environmental education event for children in the Midwest! It is a unique opportunity to encourage kids’ interest in the great outdoors and recreational activities. Come out and spend the day discovering the outdoors with more than 60 exhibitors and interactive activities.
Breyerfest 2016
July 22-24
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511
9 am
Single day tickets start at $15
This year’s theme is A Carnival of Horses and features live and model horses, and loads of activities for all ages. Check out Jeff Wilson with Birds of Prey, and meet the stars of the upcoming film Albion: The Enchanted Stallion (including the horses!). Families also won’t want to miss the Splash Dogs Eastern Regional Championships, pony rides, a petting zoo, the Tonka Truck Zone, craft zones, a marketplace and much more.
Festival 513
July 22-23
Paul Brown Stadium
One Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Friday 6 pm – 2 am, Saturday 10 am – 2 am
FREE
Merchandise vendors, food booths and entertainment. In conjunction with Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G.
Purchase tickets here: (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kirkpatricks-kids-kamp-tickets-26025580211?aff=es2) or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Hurry! Spots are filling up fast!
Kirkpatrick Kids Camp, featuring Dre Kirkpatrick, presented by 21 Kids Foundation
July 23
Taft Information Technology High School (on Ezzard Charles Drive)
9am-1pm
$25 per child
A SUPER fun, STAR-STUDDED football and cheer camp for your kiddo this weekend! For just $25 per child they receive coaching and instruction on football or cheer, team-building, lunch, a camp shirt, and fun (and they get to interact with Dre and his teammates!). Purchase tickets HERE
or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Macy’s Family Festival: Unravel, Unwind, Reinvent!
July 23
Contemporary Arts Center
12-3 pm
FREE
The artists shown in the exhibition Unraveled often reconstruct used objects to give them a new life. Join us as we take recycled materials and collaborate on a large scale weaving project with hula hoops and pvc pipe. We’ll also create life sized self-portraits using found objects that focus on each young artist’s own personality. Don’t forget to check out our inventors station filled with recycled electronics just waiting to be taken apart, tinkered with and turned into something new!
Fundraiser for Nothing But Nets with Mayhem
July 24
9am-2p
The Play Library
1805 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
FREE
Join local kid celebrity, Fashion by Mayhem, and create potholders to sell to raise money for Nothing But Nets, a charity saving lives of children in areas affected by malaria. All materials will be provided, and refreshments will be served!
Greater Anderson Days
July 29-31
Beech Acres Park
6910 Salem Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
Friday & Saturday 5-11 pm, Sunday 5-10 pm
FREE
Features live music, games, rides, delicious food, Anderson’s Got Talent competition, and fireworks display by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks (Sunday at 9:45 p.m.).
O.F.F. Market
July 30
Oakley Fancy Flea Market
2890 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
10 am- 4 pm
FREE
Small businesses, entrepreneurs, farmers, scavengers, bakers, chefs, artisans, fashionistas, food vendors, music and beer.
Harry Potter MuggleFest Release Party
July 30
Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore
3054 Madison Road, Oakley, OH 45209
10:30 pm- 12 am
FREE; Call store to reserve book and release party ticket today!
Release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Cincinnati Baby & Beyond Expo
July 30-31
Sharonville Convention Center
$8 adults ($5 at Kroger); Kids are FREE; Parking is FREE
Whether you’re expecting your first child or adding to a growing home, the Cincinnati Baby & Beyond ExpoSM is your guide to everything family. Mom, dad, brothers, sisters, grandparents and extended family and friends can all enjoy discovering new products from approximately 200 baby and children’s boutiques specializing in the latest and greatest new products, clothing and accessories!
Da Vinci: The Genius
Through September 25
Cincinnati Museum Center
$19.50, $17.50 seniors, $12.50 child; $12.50 members, $8.50 member child
This exhibit features 17 themed galleries with over 200 pieces, including life-size reproductions of over 70 machine inventions, educational animations of da Vinci’s most notable works and an eye-opening, in-depth analysis of his most famous work, the “Mona Lisa.” Push, pull, crank and interact with many of these exhibits for a hands-on understanding of the scientific principles behind them. The interactive, hands-on exhibit presents the timeless blend of science, technology, engineering, art and culture in a way that will challenge you to pursue knowledge and dare to dream.
Seahorses: Unbridled Fun
Through September 30
Newport Aquarium
10am-6pm
A new, interactive exhibit where guests can discover 10 species of seahorses, sea dragons, trumpetfish, shrimpfish and pipefish. With a head like a horse, snout like an aardvark and belly pouch like a kangaroo- seahorses are anything but ordinary. The way the exhibit is designed; guests will be completely immersed in the world of seahorses with something new to experience around every corner.
