Are you looking for our roundup of pumpkin, festivals, and fall family fun? Find it HERE!
Are you looking for our kid-friendly Halloween events post? Find it HERE!
October 1-4
FREE Family First Saturday: Cincinnati Digs, Cincinnati Art Museum
October 3, 11:30-4p
Dig into the past and celebrate the newly reinstalled antiquities gallery at this special archaeology-themed Family First Saturday. Families can unearth a world of fun with hands-on activities and real ancient artifacts! This program is in collaboration with the Cincinnati Society of the Archaeological Institute of America.
Donauschwaben Oktoberfest, Donauschwaben Park
October 2-4
The Donauschwaben Oktoberfest in Colerain Township is certainly not the biggest Oktoberfest in Cincinnati but with live entertainment from Europe, homemade food and desserts, and over 25 beers on draft, the festival strives to bring an authentic experience to the city with a rich German background—a goal that without any doubt they have accomplished over the last 22 years.
Sunflower Festival, Gorman Heritage Farm
October 3-4
Stroll through fields of golden sunflowers while collecting some to take home, pick your favorite pumpkin to launch, take on a hay ride and visit with the animals at Gorman Heritage Farm’s Sunflower Festival. Enjoy delicious food from local food trucks and music and crafts from local artisans all while exploring the beautiful living history of a working farm, founded in 1835.
Adults $8
Kids (ages 3-17) $5.
Kids 2 and under are free.
Weekend of Fire, Jungle Jim’s International Market
October 3-4
The Weekend of Fire is a wild weekend filled with fun, food and contests. Over 55 vendors and over 300 samples will be waiting for you. There will be vendors coming from all over the country ready to sample their wares. They’ll have hot sauces that range from mild to wild, including some of the hottest hot sauces you’ve ever tried. Not only are the sauces wild, but wait until you see the people, costumes and booths! The hot sauce community is outrageous, bodacious and contagious!
$10, $1 children, free ages 5 and under
FREE Naija Fest 2015: 55th Nigerian Independence Festival of Arts and Culture, Fountain Square
October 3, 12-10p
Nigeria is one of the richest nations in culture and arts. As it marks its 55th year as a free country NAGCA invites you to celebrate with an exciting and unique festival at Fountain Square. This event is FREE and open to everyone, so bring your family and friends for a festival never before seen in the city of Cincinnati. The celebration will showcase Nigerian dances, music, food, fashion, and much more. Special commemorative t-shirts which can also be purchased before or during the event as well.
FREE Harvest Praise Music Fest, Keehner Park
October 3, 12-5p
This free concert takes Praise and Worship to a beautiful outdoor setting. Five local contemporary Christian Rock bands will play. Bring friends, a blanket or chairs and enjoy a day of food, fellowship and great music!
Imagination Movers: Licensed to Move Tour, The Southgate House Revival
October 3, 2p
It’s like the Red Hot Chili Peppers meets Blue Man Group for kids. Guaranteed shenanigans.
Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies, Florence Baptist Church at Mount Zion
October 3, 7:30p
$24-$40, half-off ages 18 and under
85 Years after their debut Walt Disney’s original Silly Symphony cartoons return to the big screen to delight audiences of all ages, accompanied for the first time ever by their original musical scores performed live by full orchestra. The thrill of live performance, mixed with the fun of the voiced cartoons (Three Little Pigs, The Skeleton Dance, Music Land and more)! Digitally re-mastered so you experience the original voices with the images, while the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra plays the music live. Local 12/WKRC’s Bob Herzog joins the KSO to narrate.
October 5-11
River Grill Before the Big Chill, Sawyer Point
October 9-10
The River Grill before the Big Chill is a 2-day food and music festival celebrating barbecue, local brews, cooking and hometown music. The headlining act Starship featuring Mickey Thomas wraps up the festival on Saturday night.
Tickets for general admission will be available at the gate for $5 per day. Children 12 and under are FREE with a paid adult. Food from local favorites, beverages (including local beer), and marketplace items will be available for sale throughout the venue.
Admission includes:
Access to the entire venue
Concerts
Entertainment
Vendor marketplace
Competition grounds
Kids Zone with inflatable bouncy houses, children’s games, and more!
The City Flea, Washington Park
October 10, 10a-4p
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.
FREE Harvest Fest, Bourbon and Brew, City of Newport
October 10, 11a
Monmouth Street between Third and 11th streets. Music, bourbon walk, shopping, car show and more. Kids Zone at Newport Intermediate School.
The Bean Bash, Turfway Park
October 10, 11:30a-8p
5K run at 11:30 a.m. Included with 1 p.m. entry: Famous bean soup, cornbread, hot dogs, chip, soft drinks. Cash bar available. Hundreds of silent auction items. Live auction opens 5:30 p.m. Celebrity guests and family fun. $5, free under age 12
FREE Black Walnut Weekend, Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve
October 10-11
Bring the family to celebrate nature’s nuttiest harvest in the Midwest: a rain of walnuts! This fun event has something for the whole family, including games, crafts, tastes and more. Jake Speed & the Freddies will perform on Sunday from 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Milkweed Olympics, Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods
October 10, 1:30-3p
Drop in between 1:30-3 pm to participate in fun challenges revolving around Milkweed and Monarchs!
Free; nonmembers pay daily admission. No registration required.
The Lantern Fest, Kentucky Speedway
October 10, 3p
At The Lantern Fest, thousands of revelers join together armed with lanterns for one unforgettable spectacle. There will be music, dancing, s’mores and, when the time is just right, we will light the sky with our highest hopes, deepest regrets, and fondest dreams.
FREE Free Movie Night: Selma, Washington Park
October 10, 7:30p
The movie is sponsored by Contact Center and the Over-the-Rhine Community Council to honor the 50th Anniversary Year of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 3CDC is generously covering all costs associated with this showing so that this historical movie is made available free of charge to the public.
7:30 – 8:00 p.m. will feature speakers from the Over-the-Rhine Community Council and Contact Center on the importance of voting, along with local music talent. Materials from the League of Women Voters will be available for distribution. Although voter registration will be closed by Oct. 10th to be able to vote in the November 3rd Election, absentee ballot request forms will be available. This event is strictly non-partisan.
The movie will begin at 8:00 p.m. We encourage people to bring their families, especially older children and teenagers, to refresh our collective memories of the struggle for African American voting rights in America. We hope this will be a motivational evening to renew our community’s commitment to civic participation by voting!
Cincinnati Chocolate Festival, Cintas Center, Xavier University
October 10, 12-5p
$10, free ages 12 and under; $7 advance at Kroger. Admission includes five tickets for sample tastings. Chocolate tastings from local vendors, celebrity chef demonstrations, live vendor and amateur competitions, contests, raffle baskets, children’s activities and more.
Customer Appreciation Day, Stricker’s Grove
October 11, 1-8p
$12, free ages 2 and under
Includes: All rides, roller coasters, free parking, free soft drinks, free cotton candy, free popcorn and free sno kones.
Second Sunday Family Showtime: Little Red Riding Hood, Clifton Cultural Arts Center
October 11, 2p
$5, free for children
Little Red has a simple job to do: make it through the woods to her Grandmother’s house. Simple, right? All she has to do is stay on the path and follow directions. But with so many interesting distractions, how can she stay focused? And then there’s the charming Woodsman and that very crafty Wolf… See this enchanting NEW adaptation of the classic Charles Perrault fairy tale, co-written by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s own Jay Goodlett and local playwright Chris Stewart. Recommended for kids grades Pre-K – 3 & families
Family Night, Hofbrauhaus
October 13
The 2nd Tuesday each month at Hofbräuhaus Newport it’s “Family Night!” Kids eat free, face painting, balloon animals, origami art and more! Bring the family out for a great time. Kids eat free with purchase of adult entree.
October 12-18
Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR., Taft Theatre
October 16-25
$7-$25 plus fees
Under-the-sea story of Ariel and her friends comes to life.
FREE Books by the Banks, Duke Energy Convention Center
October 17, 10a-4p
Appearances by authors and book illustrators. Variety of book talks, author panel discussions and activities in Kids’ Corner.
October 19-25
Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR., Taft Theatre
October 16-25
$7-$25 plus fees
Under-the-sea story of Ariel and her friends comes to life.
Count Your Buttons Day, Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore
October 21, 4-5p
Read stories about different types of buttons: Used as clothing accessories or on things to activate something else. Stories are sweet and craft is even sweeter. $2, Registration required.
Cincinnati Art and Antiques Festival, Music Hall
October 23-25
Exhibitors from around country offering 18th, 19th and 20th century art and antiques. Members of Cincinnati Art Dealers Initiative displaying contemporary original works of art. Three day General Admission is $10.
KamiKaze Fireflies, Fairfield Community Arts Center
October 23, 7p
Whether spinning gigantic metal cubes, juggling, stilt-walking, performing daring stunts, breathing fire, or breaking into contortionist backbends, Kamikaze Fireflies incite awe and laughter for the whole family. A two-person vaudeville show, they combine their talents of acrobatic feats and unique tricks in this delightfully energetic and mesmerizing show! $10, $7
October 26-31
Disney On Ice: Treasure Trove, U.S. Bank Arena
October 2-November 1
Disney’s 50th animated show features Rapunzel and Flynn, princesses Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and Snow White. Also Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and others. Ages 2 and up must have ticket. $13-$60; plus fees
Ongoing Events
Old West Festival
September 12-October 18
$12, $6 ages 6-12; free ages 5 and under
Relive days of Wild West in unique entertainment experience. Re-enactments, trick shooting and roping, demonstrations, rides, food and music. Free parking. Rain or shine. Children’s wristband $5 allows kids unlimited train rides, panning for gold, slingshot, bow and arrow and lasso.
Ohio Renaissance Festival
September 5-October 25 (weekends only)
Cheer your favorite knight to victory as he competes for the queen’s honor in the thrilling full-armored joust. The lanes are bustling with storytellers, strolling musicians, singers, dancers and villagers welcoming you to a festive day of living history. Feast like royalty on juicy roasted turkey legs, fresh-baked bread bowl stews, fish ‘n chips, steak-on-a-stake, and a variety of the finest beers and wines. The sprawling landscape is dotted with 12 stages and a unique open-air shopper’s marketplace with more than 130 merchants and demonstrating craftsmen. Visitors of all ages will be amused by the games of skill and human-powered rides. Try your hand at archery and see if you’re a modern-day Robin Hood, or climb the castle tower and rescue the lovely damsel in distress. $21.95, $9.95 ages 5-12; discounts available online
Linton Music’s Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions
October 3, 10, 17
Check website for locations!
All PB&J concerts (except where noted) take place on Saturday mornings at 10:00am and 11:30am, and each concert lasts approximately 35 minutes. Tickets are available at the door or call 513.381.6868 or you can order online. No reservations necessary!
$5.00 for an individual ticket (child or adult)
$15.00 for a Flexible Ticket Book (4 tickets, good at any PB&J concert)
2015-2016 Season
Fall Concerts – Brasstacular1
Winter Concerts – Music Inside Out
Spring Concerts – Madcap Music-Making: The Story of the Frog Prince
Entertrainment Junction
Jack-O-Lantern Junction: September 26-November 1
Halloween fun for the whole family! First walk-thru our trick or treat maze and see kid friendly ghosts, skeletons and more. Stop and color, or see Halloweenville our miniature animated display. Plus come and enjoy the area’s only indoor Pumpkin Patch, where kids get a free mini pumpkin. Also open this year are our two outdoor kid’s train rides themed for the Halloween season. And as always you can experience the world’s largest indoor train display or enjoy hours of fun in our kid’s play area.
FREE Where the Wild Things Play, Washington Park
Sundays in October, 1-3p
“Where The Wild Things Play” returns this fall to Washington Park! Join us for an afternoon of kid-friendly activities designed to enthrall and entertain your little “wild one”.
Cincinnati Zoo
There’s always fun to be had at the zoo! Check out Hallzooween, weekends in October.
Weeki Wachee Mermaids, Newport Aquarium
September 25-October 12
View real-life mermaid, clad in colorful fish-tailed costume, swimming underwater in aquarium’s 60,000-gallon Coral Reef exhibit that features nearly 200 aquatic animals and more than 50 species of fish.
MERMAID & PIRATE BREAKFAST: October 4 & 11, 2015; 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Meet the Mermaids & Cruise with the Pirates: Friday, October 9, 2015
MERMAID & PIRATE FAMILY BALL: Friday, September 25, 2015; 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Museum Center
Current Exibits:
Through October 4 – The Rhythm of Nature: Traditional Chinese Landscapes
Opening October 10 – Big Bone Lick: Birthplace of American Paleontology
Opening October 23 – The Art of the Brick
October 17: Fossil Fest
October 23: Free Friday, 4-8p
October 23 & 24: National Chemistry Weekend
October 24: Batfest
A Bevy of Blossoms and A Flock of Flowers, Krohn Conservatory
September 5-October 25
What do you call a room FULL of chrysanthemums? We call it spectacular. Open Tuesday – Sunday 10a.m. – 5p.m. Adults $7, Youth (5-12years old) $4, Children FREE (1-4years old)
October 11: The Krohn Zone Celebrates Fungus Fest
BB Riverboats Kids Cruises
Historic Cincinnati Sightseeing Cruise
Ice Cream Social Sundays
Pirates of the Ohio Cruise
Super Hero Cruise
Princess Cruise
**BONUS SNEAK PEEK INTO NOVEMBER**
You are going to want to get this on your calendar for next month!
The Cincinnati Holiday Market, Duke Energy Convention CenterGrab the family, the girlfriends or the significant other and head down to the Duke Energy Center for some festive holiday fun that gives the phrase “shop till you drop” a whole new meaning. Aisle upon aisle of unique, one-of-a-kind boutiques and specialty stores from around the greater Cincinnati area – as well as out of state – offering you an unparalleled selection of gourmet food, home décor, specialty clothing, personal accoutrements, and countless other wonderful items for a truly exceptional gift buying experience!
Adults: $9; Children 12 & under are FREE
**Save $3 by purchasing your ticket at Kroger**
