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This weekend, Greater Cincinnati is chock-full of events to help you bid farewell to the summer season. From music festivals to Disney-themed dance parties, we’ve included just a sampling of fun events set to take place across Greater Cincinnati this Labor Day weekend. Keep scrolling to get a little bit of inspiration for your last-minute Labor Day weekend plans.
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.
Cincinnati’s skyline Photo: Francisco HuertaThe Tyler Davidson Fountain at Fountain Square
Wear something bronze-ish, hold blue streamers and call it a day. Photo: Hailey BollingerNowhere Else Festival
When: Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Where: 190 Townsend Road, Martinsville
What: Local band Over the Rhine curates this annual music festival, which takes place on a farm in Martinsville, located about an hour outside of Cincinnati.
Who: Over the Rhine
Why: Valerie June, Chris Smither, Lily & Madeleine, Over the Rhine and more acts will perform during this music festival that feels like coming home. Photo: Darrin BallmanCrosstown Comedy Festival Finals
When: Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Commonwealth Sanctuary, Dayton, Ky.
What: Comedian Daniel Van Kirk (you might recognize him from Bob’s Burgers) will be headlining the last show of the Crosstown Comedy Festival.
Who: Crosstown Comedy Festival
Why: The finals of the Crosstown Comedy Festival will also take place during this event, so there will be plenty of opportunities for laughs all night long. Photo: Elliot Sloman, UnsplashCage the Elephant at Riverbend Music Center
When: Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Riverbend Music Center, California
What: Indie rock band Cage the Elephant stops by Riverbend on Friday night as part of their “Neon Pill” tour that supports their new album of the same name.
Who: Cage the Elephant
Why: Read CityBeat’s story for what to expect during their live show. Photo: Neil KrugOpening Reception for Wearing Red: Ignite the Fire at Ombré Gallery
When: Aug. 30 from 5-7 p.m.
Where: Ombré Gallery, Over-the-Rhine
What: The opening reception for Ombré Gallery’s Wearing Red: Ignite the Fire, a group exhibition featuring over 60 world-renowned jewelry artists using the color red as a catalyst for their jewelry art.
Who: Ombré Gallery
Why: The exhibition’s curator, Charon Kransen, will also be at the opening reception. Photo: Ombre GalleryCincinnati Waits: A Tom Waits Tribute
When: Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Where: Northside Tavern, Northside
What: This annual Ohio Valley tradition returns with performances by burlesque dancers, comedians and musicians — all honoring Tom Waits — at Northside Tavern.
Who: Cincinnati Waits
Why: Artists from all over the Ohio Valley region will bring Tom Waits’ lyrics to life in this annual show. Photo: Michael O'Brien // tomwaits.com/pressBop to the Top Presents: Best of Both Worlds – Hannah Montana Night
When: Aug. 30 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Bogart’s, Corryville
What: Relive your Disney Channel glory days at this Hannah Montana-themed dance party.
Who: Bop To The Top
Why: You’ll get the best of both worlds at this event — a longing for the simpler times while also acknowledging how much your music taste has improved over the years. Photo: Mike Schmid, Wikimedia CommonsDisney Drag Brunch at 16 Lots Southern Outpost
When: Aug. 31 from noon-2:30 p.m.
Where: 16 Lots Southern Outpost, Newport
What: 16 Lots Brewing Co. will be hosting their very first Disney-themed drag brunch this weekend. Drag princesses (and Prince Charmings) will conjure up a magical afternoon for Disney enthusiasts.
Who: 16 Lots Brewing Co.
Why: As the event description states, “don’t sleep on this, my beauties.” Photo: Pan Xiaozhen, UnsplashINK presents: Zinecinnati 2024
When:Aug. 31 from noon-5 p.m.
Where: Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Clifton
What: A zine is a magazine, but smaller and often focused on a particular subject and typically produced in DIY fashion. Visit the Clifton Cultural Arts Center for a day of exploring the Cincinnati zine community. Local art, alternative comics and zines will be available for browsing and purchase. The event is free.
Who: Zinecinnati
Why: We’re making analog cool again. Photo: Provided by ZinecinnatiSungaze Album Release w/ Fern Murphy and Ascension Day
When: Aug. 31 from 8-11 p.m.
Where: Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine
What: Local indie pop band Sungaze is celebrating the release of their third full-length effort, a self-titled “coming of age” album. Fern Murphy and Ascension Day will also be performing at this album release show.
Who: Sungaze
Why: Pre-order Sungaze’s new album here. Photo: Provided by SungazeThe Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s Boogie Nights
7:30-9:30 p.m. July 8
Dance to the music of the Bee Gees, KC & the Sunshine Band, Donna Summer, The Village People, ABBA and many more at the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s Boogie Nights event. Food trucks will be available throughout the night. Bring blankets or lawn chairs if you get tired of dancing during this blast to the past. Picnics are welcome. Admission is free, though registration and $5-per-person donations are encouraged.
7:30-9:30 p.m. July 8. Devou Park Bandshell, 1 Bandshell Blvd., Covington, kyso.org. Photo: facebook.comTri-State Antique Market
6 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 3
Indiana’s largest antique and vintage market is back for its monthly event. The open-air market features more than 200 vendors selling a variety of vintage, antique and retro goods. The event includes free parking and concessions. Tickets are $5.
6 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 3. Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway, Lawrenceburg, lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com. Photo: Provided by Amos PickensWatch a Dazzling Display of Fireworks on the Fourth of July or Camp Out for the WEBN / Western & Southern’s Fireworks
It wouldn’t be summer if you didn’t take the time to watch at least one fireworks show. Cincinnati’s skies will be decked out in all kinds of colors as Fourth of July celebrations take place. Some of the most popular include Red, White & Blue Ash (also featuring concert headliner Collective Soul); Coney Island’s Balloon Glow; Fourth of July at Kings Island; Red, White and BOOM with Cincinnati Pops at Riverbend and numerous community events. And if you just can’t get enough fireworks, don’t forget about Cincinnati’s big end-of-summer bash Riverfest and the WEBN / Western & Southern Fireworks. Just make sure you grab your spot early and respect the blanket-claiming process. Photo: purplepeoplebridge.com/boomregistration