Cincinnati is jam-packed this weekend with plenty of activities to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of fall weather. So bust out your comfy sweater or best costume and keep scrolling to find fall festivals, Halloween bar crawls, local art exhibitions and more events in Greater Cincinnati 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.

West Side/East Side Rivalry Transplants may not get it and Cincinnatians living in central and northern neighborhoods don’t care, but there’s a longstanding, all-in-good-fun “feud” between Cincinnati’s West Side and East Side. West Side, best side, amirite? But the East Side has Zip’s Cafe, so we’re torn. Just don’t forget to get your passport stamped at the border between the two (which is either I-75 or Vine Street, depending on who you ask). Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Rooftop Fall Festival Drag Show When: Oct. 4 from 7-9:30 p.m. Where: BrewDog Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine What: Celebrate fall with drag performances, tarot and palm readings and more on BrewDog’s rooftop overlooking the Cincinnati skyline. Who: BrewDog Cincinnati Why: Tickets are still available at eventbrite.com. Photo: Adam Doty
7th Annual Black Alphabet Film Festival When: Oct. 4 and 5 from 5:30-10 p.m. Where: Artsville, Madisonville What: The film festival returns this weekend to explore Black LGBTQ+ storytelling through films that tell stories of resilience, love and community. The film fest will also host an exclusive talk with director Prince Shakur. Who: Cincinnati Black Pride Why: The Black Alphabet Film Festival is free and open to the public. Check out the festival’s film lineup at cincinnatiblackpride.com. Photo: Provided by Samantha O'Neil
2024 FotoFocus Biennial Events When: Oct. 4-6 Where: Various participating locations What: Visit one of the 107 exhibitions showcasing the FotoFocus Biennial photography and lens-based projects across 86 participating venues in Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Northern Kentucky. Who: FotoFocus Why: Check out the FotoFocus schedule to find an exhibition near you. Photo: Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum Facebook
Ohio Fresh Hop Festival When: Oct. 5 from noon-6 p.m. Where: HighGrain Brewery and Kitchen, Silverton What: A tour for your tastebuds of Ohio’s finest craft breweries, with over 15 participating breweries. Who: HighGrain Brewing Co. Why: Show off your hops knowledge and find a new local favorite. Photo: Sean M. Peters
Nightmare on Gay Street LGBTQ+ Halloween Bar Crawl When: Oct. 5 from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Where: Various bars across Over-the-Rhine What: Walk, crawl, run — whatever you’re feeling — across nine bars throughout OTR featuring drink specials, music and more. Who: Midwestern Lesbian Why: Don’t miss the End of Crawl Dance Party with DJ Boywife from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Photo: Caitlin Chrisenée Photo + Video
2024 Forest Park Harvest Festival When: Oct. 5 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Central Park, Forest Park What: This family-friendly event is packed full of activities, including a petting zoo, face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon animals and more. Who: The Voice of Black Cincinnati Why: Spend the day enjoying quality time and the first bit of fall weather. Photo: Provided by Dana Ghanem
Golf Manor Fall Festival When: Oct. 5 from 4-10 p.m. Where: Volunteer Park, Golf Manor What: This fall festival features live music from Josh Lawson and The Kokotto Comeback, craft vendors, food and fall festivities. Who: The Village of Golf Manor Why: Celebrate the long-awaited arrival of fall weather with family and friends. Photo: facebook.com/golfmanoroh
A Happening with Pablo at the Cincinnati Art Museum 6-11p.m. June 23 Be one of the first to experience the brand new exhibit Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds. Take in this exciting new piece while enjoying an immersive experience that includes music from the Bluewater Kings Band, cocktails and rare menu items, both inside and outside in the Alice Bimel Courtyard. Proceeds will go to youth and family programs and thousands of free public programs both in the museum and the Greater Cincinnati area. 6-11p.m. June 23. 953 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills. cincinnatiartmuseum.org. Photo: facebook.com/cincinnatiartmuseum
Photo: Aidan Mahoney
Appalachian Flow Homecoming When: Oct. 6 from 12:30-8:30 p.m. Where: The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum What: A free celebration of Appalachian culture featuring live music, square dancing, a pie contest, story gathering and more. Who: The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum and the Urban Appalachian Community Coalition Why: Tickets are still available at thecarnegiecenterofcolumbiatus.regfox.com to show off your square dancing skills. Photo: Provided by Urban Appalachian Community Coalition.
Hyde Park Square Art Show When: Oct. 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Hyde Park Square What: The 57th annual Hyde Park Square Art Show. Who: 200-plus fine artists from around the Tri-State. Why: The annual event draws over 3,000 visitors each year, according to its website. Photo: facebook.com/hydeparksquareartshow
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens When: Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. Where: Paycor Stadium, Downtown What: Tap into your true Cincinnatian and spend your Sunday cheering on the Bengals at Paycor Stadium, or head to your local dive bar to watch. Who: Cincinnati Bengals Why: Gather your closest friends to experience anxiety, excitement and potential heartbreak. Photo: Aidan Mahoney