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September is here, Cincinnati, and it finally feels like we can bid farewell to summer and welcome in autumn. There are a ton of fun things to do in Cincinnati this month to celebrate the beginning of fall, like music festivals ranging in genres from experimental to folk and rock and roll, Oktoberfests brimming with beer and German food and music and a variety of food festivals to get your in the pumpkin spice spirit. Keep scrolling to see just a handful of fun events happening throughout Greater Cincinnati this month.
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.
Ohio Renaissance Festival
When: Every Saturday and Sunday through October
Where: Renaissance Park, Waynesville
What: Don your capes and crowns for the ultimate fantasy cosplay experience. The park is modeled after a 16th-century village and the festival offers shows like juggling and jousting, vendors and artisans selling everything from jewelry to swords and plenty of ale and turkey legs to go around.
Who: Ohio Renaissance Festival
Why: The Renaissance Festival is where fantasy and history collide, plus where else are you going to get a turkey leg the size of your forearm? Photo: Aidan MahoneyMamma Mia! at the Aronoff Center for the Arts
When: Now through Sunday, Sept. 15
Where: Aronoff Center for the Arts, Downtown
What: This smash-hit musical is a classic tale of mother-daughter relationships, friendship and identity set to the hits of ABBA with the backdrop of a beautiful Greek island. The night before her wedding, a daughter sets out to find who her dad is among three men from her mother’s past.
Who: Broadway in Cincinnati
Why: Experience family drama that’s not your own for a change. Photo: Cincinnati Arts AssociationVinoklet Art and Wine Festival
When: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 6-8
Where: Vinoklet Winery, Colerain Township
What: This 25th-annual event hosted by Vinoklet Winery features award-winning wine, live music and art and food vendors.
Who: Vinoklet Winery
Why: Spend your weekend indulging in good food and wine. Photo: facebook.com/vinokletBourbon Baron Bash
When: Saturday, Sept. 7
Where: MegaCorp Pavilion
What: A night of bourbon from local distilleries and bluegrass and country music performances, including by award-winning performers Town Mountain and Kelly Willis.
Who: Party Source & The Cure Starts Now
Why: All the proceeds will go toward The Cure Starts Now to benefit pediatric brain cancer research. Photo: Provided by meetNKYOutlaw Music Festival
When: Wednesday, Sept. 11
Where: Riverbend Music Center
What: Music greats Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp take the stage for an unforgettable night of country, rock and folk music.
Who: Blackbird Presents, Live Nation & MEMI
Why: Where else are you going to see some of the most legendary musicians in one place? Photo: Provided by MEMIWhispering Beard Folk Festival
When: Friday-Saturday, Sept. 13-14
Where: Carriage House Farm, North Bend
What: A two-day folk music festival, featuring local folk favorites like Maria Carrelli, The Tillers (pictured) and Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle.
Who: Whispering Beard Folk Festival
Why: Spend the weekend just vibing with great music in the outdoors. Photo: Michael WilsonOktoberfest Newport
When: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 13-15
Where: Newport Festival Park, Newport
What: A festival celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Germany and the German traditions of Cincinnati with food, music and community.
Who: Oktoberfest Newport
Why: You can never have enough Oktoberfest celebrations. Photo: facebook.com/newportoktoberfestNot being near a bathroom at Oktoberfest
It’s all fun and games and Chicken Dances until that beer you rented is ready to be returned. Sure, Porta-Potties are gross no matter how drunk you are, but peeing your pants in public isn’t cool, despite what Billy Madison has told us. Photo: Oktoberfest ZinzinnatiHalloween Haunt
When: Weekends through October, starting Friday, Sept. 20
Where: Kings Island, Mason
What: Kings Island will transform into a spook-tacular wonderland filled with scare mazes and scare zones, plus live entertainment and costumed characters to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Who: Kings Island
Why: Halloween Haunt has been ranked as one of the best Halloween attractions in the United States by USA Today 10Best voters and JeffBet. Photo: Provided by Kings IslandTalk Low Music Festival
When: Tuesday-Sunday, Sept. 24-29
Where: Various locations, including Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine; DSGN CLLCTV, Northside; and Contemporary Arts Center, Downtown
What: A five-day experimental music festival designed to create a unique context for deep listening.
Who: Whited Sepulchre Records
Why: Read CityBeat’s feature on the festival here. Photo: Karl Otto2024 FotoFocus Biennial
When: Opening weekend is Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 26-28, with programming throughout October
Where: Various galleries, museums and other art institutions throughout Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton and Columbus. See the calendar here.
What: A month-long celebration of photography and lens-based art featuring over 100 exhibits and projects across 84 venues throughout the region.
Who: FotoFocus
Why: Each project is centered around the theme “backstories,” which aims to tell the broader story behind each piece of art. Read more about the Biennial in CityBeat’s article. Photo: Chip Thomas/Provided by FotoFocusCincinnati Moon Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Fountain Square, Downtown
What: A family-friendly festival that celebrates Cincinnati’s Asian community, their traditions and the arrival of the autumn harvest moon.
Who: GCCCEA and Vibe Cincinnati
Why: There will plenty of fun activities, delicious food, exhibits and live performances that will feature music and storytelling of Asian American experiences. Photo: facebook.com/queensbakerycincyCountry Applefest
When: Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 28-29
Where: Warren County Fairgrounds, Lebanon
What: A fall festival featuring over 300 arts, crafts and food vendors and live entertainment — not to mention plenty of apples.
Who: Country Applefest Inc.
Why: It’s the perfect place to feel like a protagonist in a romantic fall Hallmark movie. Photo: facebook.com/CountryAppleFestSip, Bite and Stroll at Findlay Market
1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
At more than 150 years old, Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continually operated public market. Go for the farmers market, butcher shops, flower stalls, OTR Biergarten and eclectic eats.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
