Donauschwaben Oktoberfest
September 30 – October 2
Donauschwaben Park
4290 Dry Ridge Road, Cincinnati, OH 45252
Friday 6pm-12am, Saturday 2pm-12am, Sunday 10am-8pm
$3 admission
Features continuous live German music and dance performers, wide selection of food and drink including over 25 German and domestic beers, pit-roasted Bavarian pig and chicken and sausage. Convenient shuttle parking.
Luminary Night Hike
October 1
Gatehouse, Glenwood Gardens
10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45215
6:30pm
FREE, a valid Great Parks of Hamilton County Motor Vehicle Permit ($3 daily, $10 annual) is required to enter the park
Take a magical night hike through lantern-lit woods and meet different characters along the way who will introduce you to legends and lore. Guided hikes depart every eight minutes between 7 and 8:30 p.m., with sign-ups beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the gatehouse. Please bring your own stick to toast marshmallows over the fire while you wait for your group to depart.
Devougrass Music & Arts Festival
October 1
Bandshell, Devou Park
Covington, KY 41011
Noon to dusk
FREE
Join a free, daylong music, food and arts festival that features live bluegrass music, children’s activities, gourmet food trucks, arts and crafts, and much more, all to benefit the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky.
Oxford Apple Butter Festival
October 1 & 2
Hueston Woods Pioneer Farm
6924 Brown Road, Oxford, OH 45056
10am-5pm
$4, FREE ages under 12
Apple butter, cider, craft vendors, food vendors and live music from East Fork Junction. Enjoy spinning, blacksmithing, crafts, alpacas, and funnel cakes.
Sunflower Festival
October 1 & 2
Gorman Heritage Farm
10052 Reading Road, Evendale, OH 45241
10am-4pm
$8, $5 children and seniors; FREE on-site parking
Sunflower maze, hayrides, pumpkins, food trucks, local vendors and entertainment.
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Through October 23
10542 E. Ohio 73, Harveysburg, OH 45032
Weekends 10:30am-6pm
$21.95, $9.95 ages 5-12; discounts available online
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.
Miller-Leuser Log House Open House
1st and 3rd Sundays through October 16
Miller-Leuser Log House
6550 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244
1-4pm
FREE
Tour of 1796 historic log house furnished with 18th and 19th century antiques.
Old West Festival
Through October 16
1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg, OH 45176
Weekends 10am-6pm
$12.99-$24.99 Adults; $9.99-$19.99 Kids; FREE 2 and under
Western-themed festival takes the whole family down a historic, dusty road to the times of the Old, Wild West. Guests will be treated to gun fightin’, old medicine and magic shows, a saloon with something to wet everybody’s whistle, live bluegrass entertainment, and so much more. Rain or Shine.
Sweet Cheeks Diaper Dash
October 2
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-1pm
$25, Registration required
Family-friendly, non-competitive fun run. Hosted by Q102’s Mollie Watson. Includes raffles, food and fun. Our goal for 2016 is to provide diapers to 100 kids every month.
Taft Jr: Colors All Around Us
October 6
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11am-12pm
$10 Adults (includes Museum admission, Children are FREE; Registration 513-684-4517
Have fun learning about and making art at Taft Jr. Each program features a story time, a craft, and a close-up encounter with a piece of art. In this session, discover how colors mix together to make new colors, and then try it yourself by making your own colorful creation.
Astronomy Night
October 6 & 7; 13 & 14; 20 & 21; 27 & 28
Cincinnati Observatory Center
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
7:30-9pm
$7, $5 children; Reservations required
Short talk, astro Q&A, tour and stargazing.
Metamora Canal Days Festival
October 7-9
19062 South Main Street, Metamora, IN 47030
10am-5pm
FREE
Get out your walking shoes and your huge vinyl bag because you’ll want to attend one of Indiana’s most popular festival. Canal Days originated over 40 years ago in the autumn of the year following the harvest—farmers and traders gathered in towns to sell and trade the fruits of their labor. Today, this tradition continues with Canal Days when thousands of people flock to Metamora. Along with over 70 shops and eateries found in Metamora, you’ll see hundreds of outside vendors and artists selling antiques, crafts, collectibles and flea market merchandise. Enjoy wandering around looking at all the unique merchandise available and enjoy the special festival eats and treats.
CliftonFest Kid’s Entertainment Zone
October 8
Digg’s Plaza, Clifton on Ludlow
333 Ludlow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
12-6:30pm
FREE
The Kid’s Entertainment zone will feature a variety of ongoing entertainment in the Digg’s Plaza area of Burnet Woods. Featured activities will include life-size games, carnival games, balloon art and craft activities. An inflatable ride will also be included. In addition to these activities, a series of entertainers will perform using Diggs Plaza as a stage. The sidewalk area around the fountain will showcase chalk art creations from area students!
Schedule of Events:
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Wump Mucket Puppets
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Magicians Performance (Cincinnati Circus)
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Zak Morgan…
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Jason and Joanie
Cincinnati Circus provides an Inflatable Slide @12 pm and Stilt Walker and Balloon Animals from 1 pm-4 pm
Crafts including: Tissue Paper Flowers, Coloring Pages, Mask Making, and Hand and Stick Puppets all day!
Family Fallapalooza and Kids Flea Market
October 8
River Village Shoppe
411 Walnut Street, New Richmond, OH 45157
10am-3pm
FREE
Games, prizes, selfie booth, face painting, crafts and more. Kids who register to set up booths ($5) may sell kid items. Sellers must be accompanied by adult. The Kids Flea Market will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the Family Fallapalooza activities will begin at 12:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Mini Maker Faire
October 8 & 9
Hamilton County Fairgrounds
7801 Anthony Wayne Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45216
11am-6pm
FREE
Presented by Cincinnati Museum Center, this fair is a celebration of invention and creativity, featuring cool creations, interactive workshops and more.
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival
October 8 & 9
Downtown Waynesville
Main, High and Miami Streets, Waynesville, OH 45068
Saturday 9am-8pm & Sunday 9am-6pm
FREE
Food, crafts and more. Craft vendors from more than 25 states. Cabbage rolls, ruebens, sauerkraut sundae, brownies, cookies, pies, pizza, cabbage soup and more.
Wildlife Wednesdays: Fall into Fall
October 12
Little Miami Scenic River and Trail Center
211 Railroad Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140
10-11:30am
FREE
Days are getting shorter, nights are getting longer, and weather is getting cooler. Learn how nature adapts to these changes, who hibernates and who braves the cold. Identify trees as you take a colorful, guided hike with your favorite Naturalist, say goodbye to our local wildlife before they scurry off for the winter. Join in on a fun activity and make a beautiful, fall craft!
Salt Festival
October 14-16
Big Bone Lick State Park
3380 Beaver Road, Union, KY 41091
Friday 9am-3pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10:30am-5pm
$5 per person
Journey back in time as Big Bone Lick returns to days long past. There will be numerous hands-on demonstrations and activities for people of all ages, including flint-knapping, pioneer life camps, salt making, weaving, spear throwing, storytelling, music, atlatl tossing and more. Browse the crafter’s corner to see the many hand crafted items for sale; then refresh yourself and your family at the food court. While you are visiting don’t forget to see the bison herd!
The City Flea
October 15
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.
Books by the Banks
October 15
Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-4pm
FREE
An annual celebration of books and reading featuring national, regional, and local authors and illustrators, book signings, panel discussions, and activities for the entire family to enjoy.
Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Alice in Wonderland
October 15 & 16; 21 & 22
Taft Theatre
317 E. Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Various evening and matinee performances
See Website to purchase tickets.
This brand new, world-premiere musical takes you down the rabbit hole with the ever-curious Alice, the White Rabbit, Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, the Mad Hatter, the Caterpillar, the mysterious Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, and all your favorites from Lewis Carroll’s beloved books. Zany characters, mad tea parties, flamingo croquet on the lawn, and tap dancing playing cards, all in a land where nothing is as it seems, make this a madcap and fun musical adventure for the whole family.
3rd Sunday Funday: Fabulous Fall Funday
October 16
Taft Museum of Art
1-4 pm
FREE
Halloween is on its way—start the fun at Fabulous Fall Funday! Make an autumn decoration to take home, meet some live “spooky” animals from Great Parks of Hamilton County, become an art detective at the Art Cart, and, at 2 p.m., enjoy a performance of Madcap’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Madcap Puppets (ideal for kids in grades K–5).
Cincinnati Ballet’s Coppelia
October 21-23
Aronoff Center for The Arts
650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Various evening and matinee performances
See website for ticket information.
Dr. Coppélius’s dream comes true when his latest creation, a doll he named Coppélia, comes to life – or so he thinks! Little does he know, the doll has caused quite a stir among villagers. The entire family will be captivated by the charming doll, the quirky toy maker and the hilarity that ensues over love, infatuation and mistaken identities! Ultimately, love conquers all in this treasured comedic ballet.
Gabriel’s Place Harvest Day Festival
October 22
Gabriel’s Place
3618 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45229
10am-5pm
FREE
Family activities, music, entertainment, bouncy house for kids, arts and craft stations, face painting, chili cook-off, raffles and more.
The Secret Life of Bats
October 22
Seasongood Nature Center, Woodland Mound
8250 Old Kellogg Road, Cincinnati, OH 45255
10am-5pm
FREE; a valid Great Parks of Hamilton County Motor Vehicle Permit ($3 daily, $10 annual) is required to enter the park
The reputation of bats precedes them. The ability of flight sets them apart from other mammals, as do the myths and lore surrounding their behaviors … and intentions. Experience a day in the life of a bat and even meet one up close in this special presentation given by EchoBats, Inc.!
Read for the Record
October 27
Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore
3054 Madison Road, Oakley, OH 45209
10-10:30am
FREE; FREE parking available in an outdoor lot adjacent to the store
Join us for the 11th anniversary of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record®, a global campaign generating public support for high-quality early learning and focuses on the importance of building children’s vocabulary and love for reading. On October 27, 2016 children and adults worldwide will take part in the world’s largest shared reading experience.
Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream
October 27-30
U.S. Bank Arena
100 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Various evening and afternoon performances
Tickets start at $13.
Nothing can stop a princess from a courageous adventure at Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream.
Fall Carnival & Food Truck Rally
October 29
Sands Montessori
11am-4pm
$0.50 per ticket (for games and rides), food and merchandise are cash or credit only
Complete with food trucks, games and prizes for kids, shopping, bouncy obstacle course and more, the Sands Fall Carnival is a fun event for the whole family and community.
Fall Fest Weekend
October 29-30
Washington Park
12-8pm
$6, children 2 and under are FREE, Registration is required
Join us at Washington Park for a weekend of fall family fun!
Weeki Wachee Mermaids
Through October 16
Newport Aquarium
10am-6pm
Aquarium admission prices apply.
See mermaids 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.
Seahorses: Unbridled Fun
Through March 31, 2017
Newport Aquarium
10am-6pm
Aquarium admission prices apply.
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.
Don’t forget the Annual Sayler Park fall festival, live music, food, vendors, kids activities