July Family Fun in Cincinnati & NKY {2018}

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This events post is presented in partnership with Panera Bread. We are grateful for their partnership in helping us provide this resource to local families.

If you are looking specifically for 4th of July events, check out that roundup HERE.

This summer, take Panera Bread poolside! Panera offers #rapidpickup (even delivery at select locations), which makes it the perfect solution for eating well while enjoying a nice afternoon or evening at the pool. Simply place your order and grab it on the way or even better, find out if your local pool is within the delivery range and have them bring it to you. Spend less time cooking this summer and more time as a family with Panera! 

Take a look at what is COMING IN JULY to your neighborhood Panera!

We will be waiting in line on July 1st to grab ours.
Nothing says summer like Agave Frozen Lemonade goodness!

July 1 – September 3

In-café only; ONLY Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky



Island Wheel at Coney Island

Through July 8
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45228
Sunday-Thursday: 11am-8pm, Fridays & Saturdays: 11am-9pm
$5; $2.50 for Season Passholders

Take a ride on the largest Ferris wheel-style ride in North America at Coney Island. Enjoy a breathtaking view 155 feet above the Ohio River, both during the day, and at night.

Shakespeare in the Park  

June 24 – September 1
Communities across the tri-state area
Varying times
FREE

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues its tradition for over a decade of performing Shakespeare in the Park in communities across the tri-state area with Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and  Romeo and Juliet this summer!  

Sunday Sun-Day Sundae 

July 1
Cincinnati Observatory
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
1-4pm
FREE; No reservations needed

The Sun is the star attraction and you can learn all about our nearest stellar neighbor. Sunday Sun-day Sundae includes short talks about the Sun, tours of our historic buildings, and safe viewing of sunspots and solar flares from our 1845 telescope (weather permitting).
As a special treat, we will also have free sundaes for those in attendance.



LaRosa’s Balloon Glow  

July 3
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45228
6pm
Parking $9 until 2pm; $12 after 2pm; There is no charge other than parking to view the balloons and fireworks. Normal rates apply for Sunlite Adventure and Coney’s Classic Rides.

There’s nothing else like it in the Cincinnati area! Along with music, entertainment, and rides, we add a few special attractions to make LaRosa’s Balloon Glow a memorable night for all ages. The evening sky will illuminate when hot air balloons of every color “glow” for all to see. The grand finale for the event is a spectacular Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks display over the banks of Lake Como. This an event you do not want to miss.



Northside Rock ‘N Roll Carnival 

July 3 & 4
Hoffner Park
Blue Rock and Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45223
Tuesday: 3pm-12am; Wednesday: 10am-12am
FREE

Local and national music and sideshow and burlesque acts, plus food, vendors and beer.

Twilight Tuesdays at the Zoo

July 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220
5-8pm
Half-off  Admission

Enjoy the zoo after hours with half-off admission starting at 5pm.

Erlanger Depot Days!  

Tuesdays & Thursdays – July 3-26
Erlanger Train Depot Park
3313 Crescent Avenue, Erlanger, KY 41018
10:30am-12pm
FREE

Come to the Erlanger Depot Park this summer for outdoor fun – different theme every day! Museum and Caboose will be open following the program as staffing allows. Lunch provided free by staff of Erlanger/Elsmere schools for those under 18, at nominal cost for adults.

Jolly Thursdays 

July 5, 12, 19, & 26
A.J. Jolly Park
1565 Race Track Road, Alexandria, KY 41011
10-11am
FREE

Fun activities for kids – different theme every Thursday! 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 Friday 

July 6, 13, & 20
Cincinnati Observatory Center
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
8:30-10pm
$7, $5 ages under 18; FREE for Observatory members; Please call 513.321.5186 for reservations

In awe with the beauty of the night sky? Have questions about the Universe? This is where you can get the answers. Astronomy Fridays include short presentations on a wide variety of topics and plenty of time for your astro questions. Tour of the Cincinnati Observatory, which as a National Historic Landmark played an important role in the history of Cincinnati and our nation. Once dark, we will view the Moon, planets and deep space treasures through the historic 1845 telescope. (The program is held rain or shine; telescope viewing if clear skies). The topics and the night sky change week-to-week/month-to-month so you can visit often to hear and see something new.

Pirates of the Ohio Cruise  

July 6 & 20
BB Riverboats
101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071
3-4:30pm
$25 for Adults & $20 for Children

Ahoy Mateys! Board the Captain’s boat for an afternoon cruise full of fun and games for the entire family. The kids will pick up their free pirate hat and eye patch before boarding this popular cruise on the Ohio River. Get your pirate tattoo or participate in one of our pirate games to see if anyone will have to “Walk the Plank”. See if you can use your treasure map to collect your bounty before the cruise pulls back into the dock. Ever wonder why BB Riverboats flies the “Jolly Roger”? Listen to the Captain’s commentary as you cruise by all of the sights!

Princess Cruise  

July 7 & 21
BB Riverboats
101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071
12-2pm
$25 for Adults & $20 for Children

We respectfully request that all Royal Princesses join us for an enchanting afternoon aboard our Princess Cruise. Enjoy a unique cruise featuring a DJ, dancing and appearances by some of your favorite fairy tale princesses that we all love. Bring your “Little Princess” onboard and enjoy an afternoon that will truly be a “Royal” experience.

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra 

July 7
Devou Park
1344 Audubon Road, Covington, KY 41011
7:30 pm
FREE, $5 suggested donation

Join us under the stars again this summer as the KSO presents another spectucular series of family-friendly performances in the beautiful, natural setting of Devou Park Bandshell. The series, sponsored by Toyota, has become a family tradition for thousands of Greater Cincinnatians from both sides of the river. Come on down, bring a picnic basket, sit back and make some memories that will last a lifetime.

Second Sunday on Main: PRIDE on Main

July 8
Main Street
14th & Main Streets, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-5pm
FREE admission

Street fair on Main featuring craft and food vendors, entertainment, demonstrations and more.

Wednesdays in the Woods: Concert Series  

July 11, 18, & 25
Burnet Woods – historic bandstand
3251 Brookline Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
7-9pm
FREE, contributions encouraged

Come celebrate everything great about summer at our spirited series of 10 free weekly concerts. Good friends, good tunes, good food, good times with a variety of hands-on art-making activities for the kids!

Party on the Purple

July 11, 18, & 25
Purple People Bridge
Access via Newport on the Levee in KY via Sawyer Point in Cincinnati
6-11pm
FREE

Weekly party on bridge with live bands, food from local food trucks, and drinks to raise money for bridge maintenance.

Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival 

July 12-15
Festival Park Newport
Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071
Thursday & Friday: 5-11pm; Saturday: 12-12am; Sunday: 12-9pm
FREE admission

The Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival is dedicated to the area’s rich history and connections to the brewing and pork industries as well as our region’s long ties to the bourbon industry. Each of the festival food vendors will feature creative bacon dishes including freshly prepared items sure to delight every bacon lover. Live music, games and more are part of the family fun.

Mt. Adams Cinema in the City: Elf in Eden Park with Sound Body Jazz Orchestra

July 13
Seasongood Pavilion
950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
7-11pm (Music starts at 7pm; Movie starts at dusk)
FREE

You don’t smell like Santa. You smell like beef and cheese.
Join the Mt. Adams Civic Association for a FREE showing of Elf at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park, with pre-film music from Sound Body Jazz Orchestra.
Fireside Pizza Walnut Hills and Streetpops will be on site! There will also be concessions, raffles, and activities for the kiddos. All ages! Free!
Laugh along to this holiday classic on a summer night in Eden Park!

Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo

July 13
Winton Woods
10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
9:30am-3pm
FREE

Head to Winton Harbor for the largest free outdoor environmental education event for children in the Midwest! This unique opportunity will encourage kids’ interest in the great outdoors and recreational activities. Come out and discover more than 50 exhibitors and interactive activities.

Breyerfest 2018 

July 13-15
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511
9 am
Single day tickets start at $17; FREE for children 6 and under

BreyerFest is the place to have fun with horses and model horses! Whether you have horse experience or not, BreyerFest has plenty of activities for you to enjoy. New to horses and the model horse hobby? BreyerFest is a great way to learn more about them from experts in both the real horse world and the model horse world! So, join us at BreyerFest for a family vacation that you will never forget!

O.F.F. Market  

July 14
MadTree Taproom
3301 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
10am-4pm
FREE admission

The O.F.F. Market is setting up shop inside MadTree Brewing! Artists, bakers, chefs, scavengers, mobile boutiques, and everything in between will be converging on MadTree Brewing for an exciting indoor market in the Barrel Warehouse.

Chuck Wagon Dinner Rides 

July 14, 21, & 28
Bonnybrook Farms
3779 Ohio 132, Clarksville, OH 45113
5-9 pm
$40, $28 ages 5-12, FREE ages 4 and under; Reservations required

Climb aboard for a ride down an abandoned country road to the old chuck wagon at Todd Fork creek.  Enjoy fresh-baked desserts and  sip tin cup coffee and soft drinks, then gather ’round the campfire where kids of all ages can roast s’mores.

Bastille Day Celebration! 

July 14
Downtown Montgomery
Between Remington and Cooper Roads, Montgomery, OH 45242
12-11 pm
FREE

French-American celebration. Food, entertainment (Naked Karate Girls), games, stilt walking balloon artists, pony rides, face painting, putt-putt, youth art project, and walking tours.

3rd Sunday Fundays: Wild West 

July 15
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-4pm
FREE

Saddle up for this Funday! Explore the West by visiting our exhibition Ansel Adams: A Photographer’s Evolution, learn about photography at the Art Cart, and make a work of art to take home. Meet a mini horse and his friends from Honey Hill Farm, 1–2 p.m. Join the gang from Wump Mucket Puppets at 2 p.m. for their new Western show, “Tales from Bucket Gulch.”

FC Cincinnati Day at The Zoo  

July 15
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220
2-2:30pm
General Admission Rates apply

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and Cincinnati’s professional soccer team, FC Cincinnati, are partnered up to host a fun-filled FC Cincinnati Day at the Zoo on Sunday, July 15. Visitors are encouraged to sport their best blue & orange FC Cincinnati gear as they spend the day on wild adventures around the Zoo with familiar faces from the field. Fans will experience an exclusive Player Q & A 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Great Parks Free Entry Days   

July 17
ALL Great Parks of Hamilton County
8am-8pm
FREE entry

Great Parks is celebrating special days with free entry for all into Great Parks! Guests can experience 78 miles of trails, over 17,500 acres of natural habitat and wildlife, lakes and river access, playgrounds, dog parks, golf courses and so much more.

The City Flea

July 21
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-4pm
FREE admission

The City Flea is Cincinnati’s original curated, urban flea market that takes place once a month at Washington Park and various other locations throughout the year. 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. Our vendors range from vintage dealers to artisan pizza makers to plant studios. We have something for everyone.

Greater Anderson Days

July 27-29
Beech Acres Park
6910 Salem Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
Friday & Saturday: 5-11 pm; Sunday: 5-10 pm
FREE

Since 1999, Greater Anderson Days has become THE place to be for both businesses and festival goers. This popular event hosts thousands of people over the three-day weekend, and features live music, games, rides, delicious food, “Anderson’s Got Talent” competition, and an amazing fireworks display by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks, courtesy of the Beechmont Automotive Group. The fireworks display is a perfect finale to this grand community weekend!

Family Festival: CAC Circus 

July 28
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-3pm
FREE

Stop by the CAC for a giant block party inspired by the UnMuseum’s interactive artwork!

Mission Aerospace  

Open Now through September 9
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Mondays-Saturdays: 10am-5pm; Sundays: 11am-6pm
FREE for Members! $10.50 Adult, $9.50 Senior, $8.50 Children (3-12), Toddlers (ages 1-2) $5.50

Mission Aerospace is your chance to prove you have the right stuff to lead the future of space exploration. Over a dozen experiments, puzzles and activities are packed into an a-maze-ing journey of twists and turns. Learn about the history of rockets and flight, explore the technology that supports modern-day aeronautics and test the laws of aerodynamics by creating advanced paper airplanes and rockets.

REC Reads 

Wednesdays
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11:30am-12pm
FREE

Bring your toddlers or preschoolers to the Rosenthal Education Center for a morning of art-themed storybooks, songs, and sensory activities. This 30-minute program will get your little one excited about art in a fun and interactive way.

 

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Lisa Springer
I am a native Cincinnatian, born and raised on the West Side and currently settled across the river in Northern Kentucky. I’m a former Highlander, Bearcat, Falcon, and Fulbright Scholar. My greatest challenge hitherto is the one I love the most: being a Mom to an energetic eight-year-old boy. When not working full-time at one of the city’s great hospitals, I’m trying to fit in all there is to do in this wonderful city – and there is certainly A LOT to do! As one who loves to read, I am an advocate for the public library and go multiple times a week. You can often find me at Music Hall enjoying the ballet, opera, and orchestra. I am an introvert, a bit of a foodie, an NPR listener, a pessimist who likes to think she’s a realist, a middle child, an ex-wife and amicable co-parent, a fiancée, and much, much more. I feel lucky to have grown up in Cincinnati and to be raising my own child in this wonderful city.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks much for the information!! Living down in Sparta Ky we don’t get a lot of Cincinnati news any more so it’s nice to have access to good info on festivals and happenings around the city.

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