The coming of fall means different things to different people. But regardless of what the season signifies to you, there’s a fun festival or event that you’ll probably enjoy. Whether fall means pumpkin and apple picking, spending more time outdoors or that Halloween is on its way, there are plenty of fun events to keep you entertained.
Ohio Renaissance Festival For weekends steeped in magic, chivalry, Arthurian flair and fantasy vibes, don your favorite corset or suit of armor and pick your favorite themed weekend to join in. Cheer on your favorite jouster with a giant turkey leg in hand, then wash it down with ale. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. $23 adult; $21 seniors/military/fire/EMS; $9.50 child. 10542 E State Route 73, Waynesville, renfestival.com. Photo: Adam Doty
Murder on the Menu Spring, 1879: A gunshot rings out near Washington Platform; the body of a young businessman is soon found dead in the alley across from City Hall. It’s Cincinnati’s oldest unsolved murder case, and the night begins with a walking tour of the crime, followed by a four-course dinner, during which the rest of the story unfolds. Dishes are what was common in Cincinnati circa the late 1800s and are paired with local craft beer. 6-9 p.m. Sept. 19; Oct. 17. $50. Washington Platform, 1000 Elm St., Downtown, queencityhistory.com. Photo via Facebook.com/QueenCityHistory
Cincinnati Comic Expo Cincinnati’s largest comic con and pop culture expo is back for its 10th-annual show and features artists, publishers, authors, cosplayers and fans from around the globe including slated guests Morena Baccarin (Deadpool, Gotham), Kathy Najimy (Hocus Pocus), Emmy Raver-Lampman (The Umbrella Academy), Jewel Staite (Firefly), Alan Tudyk (A Knight’s Tale) and Will Wheaton. 3-8 p.m. Sept. 20; 10-7 p.m. Sept. 21; 10-5 p.m. Sept. 22. $25-$55 adult; $5 kids; meet and greets and photo ops cost extra. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, cincinnaticomicexpo.com. Photo via Facebook.com/CincinnatiComicExpo
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Cincinnati is a city steeped in German heritage; celebrate that with North America’s largest Oktoberfest, second only to the OG in Munich. Feast on sauerkraut balls, goetta, cream puffs, bratwurst, pretzels, limburger cheese, etc. There will also be bratwurst-eating contests, the “World’s Largest Chicken Dance,” German music and more. 11 a.m. -11 p.m. Sept. 20; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 21; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 22. Free admission. Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets, Downtown, oktoberfestzinzinnati.com. Photo via Facebook.com/OktoberfestZinzinnati
Fire Up the Night International teams head to Coney Island to compete in a fireworks face-off. All three competitors — Belgium, Vietnam and Russia— go head to head in a pyrotechnic showdown for international bragging rights. The winner will be determined by a panel of judges. Gates open 4 p.m.; fireworks begin at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 21. $25 per carload. Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., California, coneyislandpark.com. Photo via Facebook.com/ConeyIslandAmusementPark
ISH Festival Launched in 2017, this arts and cultural festival explores Jewish and Israeli traditions through art, food, music for all ages. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 22. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, ishfestival.com. Photo via Facebook.com/IshFestival
The Great Pumpkin Fest It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! King’s Island will be a place transformed come October. But, during this fest it’s all treats and no tricks. Check out mazes, trick-or-treating and the park’s Halloween-themed events and décor, suitable for all ages. Noon-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 22-Oct. 27. Tickets start at $34.99. 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, visitkingsisland.com. Photo via Facebook.com/KingsIsland
Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week Become a culinary tourist in your own city during CityBeat’s Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week. Local eateries like Sartre OTR, Salazar, Nicola’s, Taste of Belgium and many others will offer $26 and $36 three-course prix fixe menus (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). Sept. 23-29. $26-$36. Visit greatercincinnatirestaurantweek.com for a full list of participating restaurants. Photo via Facebook.com/GreaterCincinnatiRestaurantWeek
Rhythm Brew Art and Music Fest With autumn comes cozier music fests. Enter: the three-day Rhythm Brew Art and Music Fest. Peruse local art and listen to music from more than 35 bands on three stages including Rumpke Mountain Boys, Young Heirlooms, Sylmar, Frontier Folk Nebraska, Common Center, Hickory Robot and more. 9 p.m. Sept. 27; 2 p.m. Sept. 28; noon Sept. 29. $25 per day; $40 weekend pass; $100 VIP. Riverfront Live, Kellogg Ave., East End, rhythmbrewfest.com. Photo via Facebook.com/RythmBrewFest
Country Applefest Whether you pronounce it caramel or caramel, get ready to get some of the delightful sugary stuff stuck in your teeth. This fall festival is a celebration of all things apple: candy apples, cider, fritters, pies and more. Relish in the apple extravaganza and shop arts and crafts like pottery, jewelry and handmade, possibly apple-scented soaps. 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Sept. 28; 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sept. 29. Free admission. Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway St., Lebanon, countryapplefest.com. Photo via Facebook.com/CountryApplefest
Great Outdoor Weekend Feel that brisk breeze with Green Umbrella’s annual outdoor events sampler. Great Outdoor Weekend presents opportunities for children and adults to try different outdoor recreation and nature awareness programs available in Greater Cincinnati. Each fall there are more than 100 events available. Sept. 28-29. Free. Various locations. greenumbrella.org/gow. Photo via Facebook.com/GreenUmbrella
Haunted Brewery Tour Take this haunted tour along the Cincinnati Brewing Heritage Trail and stop at the Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom to solve a creepy puzzle. In this interactive mystery, you’ll hear five haunted tales and use clues to figure out which story isn’t based on history. The production is a collaboration between Christian Moerlein Brewing, the Brewing Heritage Trail, Cincinnati Escape Room and Cincinnati Landmark Productions. It’s a trip back in time, through a darkened brewery and into an abandoned cellar. They’ve added lights-on tours this year. Starting at 7 p.m. every Friday and 6 p.m. every Saturday in October. $25. Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom, 1621 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine, hauntedbrewerytour.com. Photo via Facebook.com/BrewingHeritageTrail
Kentucky Wool Festival Drive through winding country roads before landing at the Kentucky Wool Fest; be greeted by the wafting scent of fried food, twangy banjos, a petting zoo and vendor booths with handcrafted items selling everything from threads to keep you warm to goat-milk soap and lots and lots of wool. Watch sheep herding and sheep shearing demos as well as artisans turn wool into yarn and fiber works. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6. $5. 48 Concord Caddo Road, Falmouth, kywoolfest.org. Photo via Facebook.com/KentuckyWoolFestival
Donauschwaben Oktoberfest The 27th-annual Donauschwaben Oktoberfest features more than 25 beers on tap, homemade food, live German-style entertainment, a car show and more. Oct. 4-6. $3 adults; free for children 12 and younger. Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society. 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Colerain, cincydonau.com. Photo via Facebook.com/DonauschwabenSociety
AC2 Live Emmy Award-winning host Andy Cohen and award-winning anchor and correspondent Anderson Cooper will host an “intimate evening” interviewing each other and accepting questions from fans. 8 p.m. Oct. 4. $60-$100. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org. Photo via Facebook.com/AronoffCenter
HallZOOween Tricks and treats aren’t just for humans — zoo residents get in on the fun with special pumpkin enrichment activities every weekend in October. Kids can trick-or-treat at stations scattered throughout the grounds, catch a show from Phil Dalton’s Theater of Illusion and even hop on the Hogwarts Express. Costumes are encouraged, as is bringing along your own treat bag to help the zoo go green. Noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 5-27. Free with zoo admission: $15 adults; $9 kids. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org. Photo via Facebook.com/CincinnatiZoo / Erica J. Hill
CliftonFest This annual arts fest takes over Ludlow Avenue for a weekend of art, music and shopping. Enjoy the spirit of the neighborhood with live art drawings on the sidewalk, performances from local bands on two different stages and artisan shopping. Register your four-legged friends for the pet parade (costumes encouraged). 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 5. Free admission. Ludlow Avenue, Clifton, cliftonfest.com. Photo via Facebook.com/CliftonFestonLudlow
Weekend of Fire Calling all spice lovers: Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire presents all things hot, including, salsas, dry rubs, hot sauces and bloody marys. Bring pals who can take the heat and peruse over 50 vendors. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 5; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 6. $10 adults; $2 kids. Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com. Photo via Facebook.com/JungleJim’s
Sunflower Festival The Gorman Heritage Sunflower Festival oozes cuteness. Take a stroll through towering golden sunflowers — and snip a bundle to take home. The fest also includes hayrides, vendors, a sunflower field maze, food trucks, pumpkin picking and a MadTree beer garden. Sunflowers are $1 per stem or $10 per dozen. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 5 and 6. $8 adults; $5 kids 3-17/seniors; free kids under 3. Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Road, Evendale, gormanfarm.org. Photo via Facebook.com/GormanHeritageFarm
Young’s Dairy Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival Slip on your fave sweater and take a road trip to Yellow Springs, Ohio for all things pumpkin at Young’s Jersey Dairy farm’s 43rd-annual Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival. Bowl with ’em, paint ’em, eat ’em donut-style (and cinnamon-encrusted), take a tour of the town’s cheese-making facility and learn how to milk a cow. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 5 and 6. 6880 Springfield-Xenia Road, Yellow Springs, youngsdairy.com. Photo via Facebook.com/YoungsJerseyDairy
BLINK The BLINK 2019 art and light festival will span 30 blocks and cross the Ohio River with large-scale projection mapping, murals, interactive light sculptures, live entertainment and more. This is Cincinnati’s second time putting on BLINK, and after a substantially successful inaugural event in 2017, they are expanding their perimeter from Findlay Market to Covington — making illuminating the Roebling an important focal point of the festival. In addition to parades, food and fun, there will also be live musicals performances, including one from AltPop act Grouplove. Oct. 10-13. Free. Over-the-Rhine’s Findlay Market to Covington, blinkcincinnati.com. Photo via Facebook.com/BLINK
Here Come the Mummies This eight-piece Funk band of bandaged, ancient mummies heads to Bogart’s. 7 p.m. Oct. 12. $25. Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, bogarts.com. Photo via Facebook.com/HereCometheMummies
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival Since 1970, this festival has offered sauerkraut in and on everything from fudge to pizza. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 12; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 13. Free admission. 10 North Main Street, Waynesville, sauerkrautfestival.waynesvilleohio.com. Photo via Facebook.com/OhioSauerkrautFest
Cincinnati Coffee Festival This caffeine-filled festival kicks off the weekend with a trade day on Oct. 11 for those interested in the coffee business. The rest of the weekend is open to the public and fellow coffee-lovers. Featuring local and regional roasters, bakers and latte art competitions. 10 a.m. Oct. 12; 11 a.m. Oct. 13. $12-$15;$20-$25 VIP. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, cincinnaticoffeefestival.com. Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Coffee Festival
Hocus Pocus Halloween Ever since Hocus Pocus hit theaters in 1993, we’ve all been yearning for a sequel to this Halloween cult classic. In the meantime, we’ll have to celebrate the original. Commiserate with other diehards at Hocus Pocus Halloween, a festival in downtown Middletown, Ohio. On Oct. 13, come out with the kiddos in tow for trunk-or-treat, arts and crafts vendors, live music, spooky “sorg” tours and, most importantly, a film screening of Hocus Pocus at dusk. Oct. 26 is for the grown-ups, with a 21+ Halloween dance, tarot card readings, spooky drinks and snacks, live music, a costume contest and more.1 p.m.-dusk Oct. 13; 8 p.m.- midnight Oct. 26. Windamere Event Center, 2 S. Main St., Middletown, Ohio, downtownmiddletown.org. Photo: Film still from Hocus Pocus
Second Sunday on Main Check out what’s poppin’ in OTR at this eclectic monthly street festival. Over 40 shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and other vendors will be open, with a bonus biergarten lounge, food trucks and other themed fun. 6-11 p.m. Oct. 13. Free. Main Street between 12th and Liberty streets, Over-the-Rhine, secondsundayonmain.org. Photo: Mitchell Parton
Zombie Ball: Dance of the UnDead Don your best zombie, vampire or otherwise-undead getup for this annual event. Imbibe beer and wine — including spooky cocktails — and fill up on a horror-themed buffet before embarking on a haunted hayride or heading inside a zombie photo booth. For a few extra bucks, get the VIP treatment: You’ll arrive at the party in an actual hearse and strut down a blood-red carpet. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 19. $30 individual; $50 couple; packages available. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, pyramidhill.org. Photo via pyramidhill.org
The City Flea It’s flea time again. The City Flea takes over Washington Park with tons of tented vendor booths featuring everything from jewelry, artisan eats and dog treats to vintage finds, plant friends and ceramics. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 19. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Autumn Color Walking Tour Take in the colors of changing fall foliage on this walking tour through Spring Grove. The cemetery and arboretum’s horticulture staff will highlight the best views. 1-3 p.m. Oct. 20. Registration opens on Sept. 21. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village, springgrove.org. Photo via springgrove.org
Art on Vine Grab snacks from local food trucks as you browse wares from more than 60 vendors — you’ll find everything from artworks and crafting materials to home goods and jewelry. October’s event is the final outdoor installment of the season; afterward, Art on Vine heads back indoors at Rhinegeist. Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 20. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, artonvinecincy.com. Photo via Facebook.com/ArtonVineCincy
Fall Food Fest at Findlay Celebrate autumn harvest’s bounty with Findlay Market vendors. There will be pumpkin painting, live music, craft cocktails, a “spooky scavenger hunt” and seasonal beers. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20. Free admission. Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, findlaymarket.org. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
An Evening with David Sedaris Best-selling author and “master of satire” David Sedaris tells new stories, hosts an audience Q&A and signs some books. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21. $50-$60. Procter & Gamble Hall at the Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org. Photo: Ingrid Christie / Little, Brown and Company
Night Circus: Witchcraft Woodward Theater will be taken over by a dark carnival during peak Halloween season. Night Circus features “powerful talent and mystical acts,” with a dark cirque theme. Find tarot card readers, vendors and thrilling aerial entertainment. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 25. $20; $75 VIP. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/passionproductionscincy. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Official Halloween Bar Crawl Get extra spooky this season. Put on your coolest, cutest, scariest or sexiest costume and hop from bar to bar in Over-the-Rhine and The Banks. Attendees will get some treats to take home and discounts on drink and food specials. Do the “Monster Mash” all night long. 2-10 p.m. Oct. 26. $20-$30. Check-in TBA. barcrawllive.com. Photo via Bar Crawl Live Facebook
Books by the Banks The weekend will include writer workshops, author signings and plenty of readings. This year’s slated guests include illustrator Zachariah OHora and author Laini Taylor. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26. Free. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, booksbythebanks.org. Photo via Facebook.com/BooksbytheBanks
Hallowqueen Drag Brunch Ring in Halloween with this pop-up drag brunch at Metropole, complete with glitter, fangs and heels galore. Sip specialty themed cocktails and dig into a family-style brunch prepared by chef David Kelsey. Costumes are encouraged — “You better werk, witch.” 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 27. $35. Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com. Photo: Paige Deglow
Northside Record Fair Northside Record Fair sets up shop at Northside’s North Church displaying thousands of records of every genre. The event features merchandise from the likes of Shake It Records and Black Plastic Records, and you can also submit your personal collection and peddle your wares among the other vendors. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 2. $5; $10 early bird entry. North Church, 4222 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsiderecordfair.com. Photo via Facebook.com/NorthsideRecordFair
Rhinegeist Rare Beer Fest Head to Rhinegeist to sample the extraordinary, generally unobtainable and the unexpected. Breweries from across the country will be descending on Cincy with their rarest brews for this craft beer celebration. Because this event is so popular, there are now two sessions. Session 1: 1-5 p.m.; Session 2: 6-10 p.m. Nov. 2. Ticket Prices TBA. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist.com. Photo: Devin Luginbill
Cincinnati Pizza Week Grab your official Cincinnati Pizza Week passport and embark to area pizza joints during this CityBeat event that brings $8 pies to pizza lovers. Go online for updates and participating eateries. Nov. 4-10. $8 pizzas. Various locations. More info cincinnatipizzaweek.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Jungle Jim’s International Wine Festival The 12th-annual Wine Festival features wine from all over the world — more than 400 wines from more than 90 wineries — with bite-sized delicacies, charcuterie and other hors d’oeuvres. Sip and savor. 7-10 p.m. Nov. 8 and 9. $60 grand tasting; $155 connoisseur; $25 non-drinker; $75 connoisseur non-drinker. Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com. Photo via junglejims.com