Though some of us are already looking forward to sipping pumpkin spice lattes and watching scary movies in the dark, the rest of us are still trying to soak in the last few weekends of summer. There are plenty of events taking place this weekend throughout Greater Cincinnati to help you begin your farewell summer tour, including the 36th Annual Black Family Reunion, Great Inland Seafood Festival, Norwood Comedy Festival and more. Keep scrolling for just a handful of Greater Cincinnati events to keep you occupied this weekend.

If you’re looking for even more to do every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to CityBeat readers.

Midwest Black Family Reunion When: Aug. 15-18 Where: Various locations throughout the city What: Founded by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, the Midwest Black Family Reunion is a weekend-long event “to celebrate and recognize the strength of the African American family,” according to an event description. Who: Midwest Black Family Reunion Why: The large roster of events features fun for everyone. Photo: facebook.com/2018-Midwest-Black-Family-Reunion-156996714713419/
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at The Carnegie When: Aug. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. Where: The Carnegie, Covington What: This popular jukebox musical chronicles Carole King’s path from a breathless but modest teenaged wannabe through her initial creative success, often challenged by a difficult marriage to Gerry Goffin, another creative but erratic songwriter. In the early ’70s, she was convinced to become a performer, and the result was Tapestry, a winner of multiple Grammys and one of the best-selling albums of all time. Who: The Carnegie Why: Read CityBeat’s review of the musical here. Photo: Mikki Schaffner
Great Inland Seafood Festival When: Aug. 16 from 5-11 p.m., Aug. 17 from noon-11 p.m. and Aug. 18 from noon-9 p.m. Where: Newport Festival Park, Newport What: Despite the fact that we live hundreds of miles from any ocean, Cincinnatians will be able to enjoy a wide array of seafood at the Great Inland Seafood Festival, including whole Maine lobsters, shrimp, crab legs and crabcakes. Who: Great Inland Seafood Festival Why: If you’re feeling extra adventurous (or rather, your stomach is), the festival also features a raw bar and other unique dishes that include shark and alligator. Photo: Holden Mathis
Immersive Opera Event: The Thinker When: Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park What: This immersive art experience from the Cincinnati Art Museum is an experimental opera that takes place throughout various galleries in the museum. The opera, entitled The Thinker, explores the life and work of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Who: Cincinnati Art Museum Why: Read CityBeat’s article about the opera to learn more about the unique vision behind The Thinker from its creator, Nathan Felix. Photo: Courtesy of Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, Photo by Addison Doty
No. 2 Best Overall Bar/Club: Northside Yacht Club 4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside Photo: Catie Viox
Taste of Tibet and Open House When: Aug. 17 from 3-6 p.m. Where: Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery, Colerain Township What: This is a unique experience to try traditional Tibetan food prepared by monks. Guests will also be able to tour the monastery. Who: Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery Why: Featured dishes at the event include momos, pingsha, alu khatsa and more. Photo: Gaden Samdrupling Monastery Facebook
Norwood Comedy Festival When: Aug. 17 from 4-9 p.m. Where: Victory Park, Norwood What: The inaugural Norwood Comedy Festival, billed as the largest one-day comedy festival in the Greater Cincinnati area, is happening Saturday, Aug. 17 on Mills Avenue, next to Victory Park. Produced by Bombs Away! Comedy, the festival will feature over 20 of the best comedians in the region, including Gabe Kea, Karrine Turnbow, Chris Weir, Phil Pointer and Allison Stapp, who was also named the Funniest Person in Cincinnati in 2023. Who: Bombs Away! Comedy Why: It’s free to attend. Photo: facebook.com/GoBananasComedyClub
Books by The Banks Festival When: Nov. 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Duke Energy Convention Center, Downtown What: Book signing and promotion event featuring local, national and regional authors. Who: Books by the Banks Why: Writing panels, contests and opportunities to meet writers. Photo: Tom Hermans via Unsplash
Burlington Antique Show When: Aug. 18 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, Burlington, Ky What: Browse rows upon rows of antiques and vintage collectibles from over 200 vendors. Who: Burlington Antique Show Why: Find your new favorite haunted doll (or maybe a nice vintage vase). Photo: facebook.com/burlingtonantiqueshow
Cincifatty SPLASH Pool Party When: Aug.18 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Waterworks Pool, Norwood What: The fifth annual Cincifatty SPLASH Pool Party is back with all of the body positivity to get you through the dog days of summer. Celebrate your bikini body and relax in the pool to help keep the Sunday Scaries at bay. Who: Cincifatty Why: Body liberation at its coolest. Photo: The Buckeye Flame