Thursday, Oct. 6
Hocus Pocus at Covington Plaza
In case you’re wondering why this 30-year-old spooky children’s film is firmly entrenched in the public zeitgeist once again, it’s because Hocus Pocus is finally getting a sequel. For the uninitiated, Hocus Pocus is the tale of witchy sisters (played by the hilarious Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker) in search of immortality. Three children join forces with a magical cat and a decomposing zombie to thwart the evil coven’s plot in this Halloween classic. This screening is for 21+, presented by Nightlife513. Refreshments will be available courtesy of local breweries and food trucks. 6:30 p.m.. Oct. 6. Covington Plaza, 1 Madison Ave., Covington, nightlight513.com.
Friday, Oct. 7
Land of Illusion's Haunted Scream ParkWhy only have one haunted house when you can have six? Land of Illusion has multiple themed frights to choose from, including: Killer Klowns, Temple of Terror, Phobia, Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate, Dysphoria and the Middletown Haunted Trail — a “terror trek of unspeakable dread.” They also have a full bar — the Voodoo Lounge — plus the Creepy Cafe, and live music/DJs or comedy acts on weekends.8762 Thomas Rd., Middletown. Fridays and Saturdays and select Thursdays and Sundays through Oct. 30, landofillusion.com.
Cincinnati Pickleball Club Third-Annual Monster Smash Tournament
Want to play some pickleball? Cincinnati has its own club for that. If you’ve never played, it’s basically a combination of tennis, ping-pong and badminton.The Cincinnati Pickleball Club is hosting their third-annual Monster Smash, a three-day Halloween-themed tournament. The event will take place at the Sawyer Point Pickleplex courts, revamped earlier this year to accommodate the emerging pickleball scene in Cincinnati. According to the CPC website, the tournament will include men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, senior's singles and doubles and the first-ever collegiate division. Those who participate will receive either a boxed lunch or a food truck voucher as well as a drink ticket. The Friday and Saturday night games will also feature live music, food trucks on site and open play after the tournament ends.Oct. 7-9. Sawyer Point Pickleplex, 815 East Pete Rose Way, The Banks, cincinnatipickleballclub.com.
Kentucky Wool Festival
Wool’s back in style now that there’s a chill in the air, so head to Falmouth, KY for the Kentucky Wool Fest Oct. 7-9. There, you can celebrate all things wool, including your new favorite knit sweater, the cute sheep who were shorn to make it and more than 100 craft booths selling all sorts of items, wool and otherwise. A festival’s not a fest without a feast, and there’s plenty of options from more than 30 different food and drink vendors. Expect live music all weekend with plenty of country, bluegrass and even clogging. Learn how to shear and herd sheep from a resident expert and browse the wool tent, filled with fleeces from sheep, alpacas, goats, llamas and even rabbits. Bring cash, as ticket sales at the door and many vendors do not accept card. Oct. 7-9.48 Concord Caddo Rd., Falmouth, KY, kywoolfest.org.
Essex Studios ArtWalk
Essex Studios artists will open their workspace to the public, morphing it into a gallery. The event takes guests through spaces filled with oil paintings, photography, sculptures, blown glass, wood carvings, ceramics and more, all splayed out in 150,000 square feet. The walk will feature live music, poetry readings, local food and debuts by local artists. Oct. 7 and Oct. 8, 6-10 p.m. 2511 Essex Pl., Walnut Hills, essexstudioscincinnati.com.
Saturday, Oct. 8
Viking Weekend at the Ohio Renaissance Festival
Vikings will descend upon the grounds of the Renaissance Park in Waynesville on Oct. 8 and 9 for the Ohio Renaissance Festival's special Viking-themed weekend. Open through Oct. 30, the fest brings beloved favorites — including full-armored jousting displays and giant turkey legs — to the 35-acre recreated Elizabethan village. And this year offers 18 different performance areas and stages. Oct. 8 and 9, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Renaissance Park, 10542 OH-73, Waynesville, renfestival.com.
The City Flea at Washington Park
The City Flea curated pop-up market returns to Washington Park. Vendors will be spread across the grounds offering everything from vintage finds and hand-crafted jewelry to artisan eats, plenty of plants and apothecary items. Look for food trucks parked along the perimeter of the park as well. Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com.
Wizard Pub Crawl in OTR
Looking for a magical night out? Consider this your acceptance letter from Hogwarts, because Over-the-Rhine is about to transform into an all-out wizarding madhouse. Are you a Slytherin, or more of a Gryffindor? It doesn't matter as long as you're buying the next round. Registering for this bar crawl will net you a new wand, drink specials at participating bars, the chance to play wizard-themed trivia, participate in a costume contest (prize to the winner) and, most importantly, a chance to connect with other wizards. Just don’t overdo it on the butterbeer. Oct. 8, 2-8 p.m. Over-the-Rhine, eventbrite.com.
Sunday, Oct. 9
Inaugural Northern Kentucky Cocktail Classic
If you missed National Bourbon Heritage Month in September, there's no need to fret — the Inaugural Northern Kentucky Cocktail Classic will give bourbon enthusiasts a chance to sip and savor one of Kentucky's most prized exports. The Northern Kentucky Cocktail Classic is the finale of a month-long competition between bartenders on the B-Line, Northern Kentucky's bourbon trail.Bartenders will be tasked with creating cocktails "leveraging TAO Bitters from a small, Cincinnati-based business and Kentucky bourbon," according to a press release. Attendees of the Northern Kentucky Cocktail Classic will pick their top four favorite bartenders who will then go on to the finals to earn a chance to be crowned "Best Bartender on the B-Line." The event will also feature food from local restaurants and live entertainment. Oct. 9, 2-9 p.m. Three Spirits Tavern, 209 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue. meetnky.com.
Final Performance of Sweat at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Sweat, a 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage, is a socially conscious drama set in a working-class bar where factory layoffs and picket lines are tearing apart friends and colleagues who’ve worked together for years. The show was commissioned by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2017, had a successful run at New York’s Public Theater and then transferred to Broadway. This production concludes the play’s regional premiere, continuing ETC’s long tradition of debuting important theatrical works. 2 p.m. Oct. 9. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, ensemblecincinnati.org.
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