This weekend, there’s truly no excuse to sit around and complain that there’s nothing to do in Cincinnati. After all, BLINK is back this weekend. From Thursday through Sunday, the streets of downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will be illuminated with the sights and sounds of the nation’s largest immersive light and art festival. If immersive art isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other opportunities for fun this weekend, like local makers markets, a Harry Potter-themed bar crawl, adorable fall festivals and more. Keep scrolling for the Greater Cincinnati events worth checking out 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.

BLINK 2024 When: Oct. 17-20 Where: BLINK will take over Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Covington and Newport What: BLINK returns this weekend to illuminate the streets of Cincinnati with murals, light installations, sculptures, projections and more. The BLINK parade kicks off the festivities on Thursday night at 8 p.m. Who: BLINK Cincinnati Why: Need some suggestions for which art installations to see first? Check out CityBeat’s list of the activations we can’t wait to see this year. Photo: blinkcincinnati.com
Mischief & Mayhem: Cincy Con Pop-Up Bar When: Oct. 17-20 Where: Roebling Event Center, The Banks What: The Roebling Event Center will transformed into “a gritty urban nightlife” scene with plenty of photo opportunities, light shows, interactive DJ sets, a dance floor and a chance to interact with Deadpool, Wolverine, the Joker and Harley Quinn. In between dance sessions, guests can also test their knowledge of comic book villains during trivia battles inspired by “a certain Clown Prince of Crime.” Who: Roebling Event Center Why: Be sure to dress up as your favorite comic book villain (or hero) for a chance to win prizes during the costume contest. Photo: Provided by Roebling Event Center
The Circleville Pumpkin Show When: Oct. 16-19 Where: Downtown Circleville, Ohio What: This famous fall festival in Ohio shines a light on one of the main motifs of autumn — the pumpkin. Nearly half a million people are expected to descend upon the small town for giant pumpkins, parades, entertainment, pumpkin-flavored treats and more. Who: The Circleville Pumpkin Show Why: Believe us when we say that the two-hour drive is well worth it. Photo: Justin Masterson/Flickr
Cincinnati Comic Expo When: Oct. 18-20 Where: Sharonville Convention Center, Sharonville What: Cincinnati’s largest comic con and pop culture expo is returning this weekend with guest appearances from comic creators and celebrities, a costume contest, a video game tournament and more. Who: Cincinnati Comic Expo Why: Celebrity guests include Alyson Court from Resident Evil and Beetlejuice and David Wenham from Van Helsing and The Lord of the Rings. Courtesy of Cincinnati Comic Expo
40th Annual Salt Festival When: Oct. 18-20 Where: Big Bone Lick State Park, Boone County What: This historically-inspired fest celebrates pioneer life with hands-on demonstrations and activities, including flint knapping, salt making, weaving, spear throwing, atlatl tossing and more. Who: Big Bone Lick State Park Why: Browse a craft corner for handmade wares, sample snacks from a food court and visit a herd of real bison. Photo: Provided
Queen City Kings: The Blood Ball at The Birdcage When: Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. Where: The Birdcage, Over-the-Rhine What: The second edition of The Birdcage’s Queen City Kings show will be spooky season-themed and hosted by Guad Ala Jara and Johnny Justice, with performances by Jace Blaze, Tormen Ted Soul, Beaux b pins (Lana Blackwood) and Bite Risk. Who: The Birdcage Why: Guests are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costumes (or a simple blood-spattered outfit will do). Photo: Provided by Ignite Entertainment
Halloween Hikes at Caldwell Nature Preserve When: Oct. 18 from 6-8 p.m. and Oct. 19 from 7-9 p.m. Where: Caldwell Nature Preserve, Carthage What: Cincinnati Parks is hosting two family-friendly events this weekend designed to get you off the couch and into nature — Halloween style. The events — “Magic Forest Halloween Hike with Characters” and “Jack O Lantern Hike” — feature trails lined with illuminated pumpkins and all of the (non-spooky) natural ephemera of the season. The trails are not stroller-friendly. Who: Cincinnati Parks Why: Revel in the magic of the season before it’s over. Photo: Facebook.com
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival When: Oct. 14 & 15 at 9 a.m. Where: Main Street, downtown Waynesville What: 53rd annual sauerkraut celebration. How many ways can sauerkraut be served? Find out this weekend. Who: Ohio Sauerkraut Festival Why: It might be an acquired taste, but it’s in our German roots, Cincinnati. Photo: CityBeat archives
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company When: Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. Where: Otto M. Budig Theater, Over-the-Rhine What: The monster awakens at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for its regional premiere of a new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein by David Catlin. Thrills and chills come alive alongside the titular monster in this co-production with Merrimack Repertory Theatre that reframes the classic story through the lens by which it was conceived. Who: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Why: Learn more about the production from CityBeat’s theater writer Noah Moore. Photo: Mikki Schaffner
Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant 11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township Nestled near the edge of the West Side is an idyllic winery surrounded by rows of grapes and rolling hills. VinoKlet is the only working winery in Hamilton County and is home to 12 award-winning wines. Bask in the warmth of a nice day with a glass of vino and enjoy the scenery. And on Fridays and Saturdays, the winery hosts its Grilled to Perfection dinner where you select your entree and grill it yourself while sipping on a half bottle of wine of your choosing. Photo: facebook.com/vinkolet
The Crawl That Must Not Be Named When: Oct. 19 from 3-9 p.m. Where: On the Rhine Eatery, plus five different stops at various locations What: Test your Harry Potter knowledge at this trivia and crawl experience. Each stop on the map will include Harry Potter-themed drink specials and 10 trivia questions that your team must answer before you move on to the next spot. Who: Bar Crawl USA Why: Answer Harry Potter-themed trivia questions for cash prizes (and bragging rights). Photo: Artem Maltsev/Unsplash
The Morrow Market – Morrow’s Largest Artisan Festival When: Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. Where: Morrow Arts Center, Morrow What: Browse over 80 vendors and over 36 studios filled with locally-made food, crafts and art. Who: Morrow Arts Center Why: Here’s your chance to truly shop local. Photo: Kristina Balic, Unsplash
Shop Vintage at the Burlington Antique Market 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, Kentucky For more than 40 years, the Burlington Antique Show has been bringing the best antiques and vintage collectibles to the Boone County Fairgrounds. More than 200 dealers converge on the Boone County Fairgrounds, selling authentic Midcentury Modern, Art Deco, pre-war and Industrial wares. Held the third Sunday of the month through October, the show has both early admission and general admission options. It’s generally pretty crowded, so if you’re a real hunter, aim for early-bird admission (6-8 a.m.; $6). General admission starts at 8 a.m. and costs $4. Kids under 12 are free. Photo: facebook.com/burlingtonantiqueshow