The fall season officially starts on Sept. 22, but pumpkin spice is already back on the menu, which means it’s time for sweater weather, apple cider and other autumnal activities. Think of this as a starting point for all your cozy, creepy and cute fall fun.
SATURDAY 13-SUNDAY 14 EVENT: Ohio Renaissance Festival For weekends steeped in magic, chivalry, Arthurian flair and fantasy vibes, don your favorite corset or suit of armor and pick your favorite themed weekend to join in. Cheer on your favorite jouster with a giant turkey leg in hand, then wash it down with ale. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29. $23 adult; $9.50 child. 10542 E State Route 73, Waynesville, renfestival.com. Photo: Checkmate Photography
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Cincinnati is a city steeped in German heritage; celebrate that with North America’s largest Oktoberfest, second only to the OG in Munich. Feast on sauerkraut balls, goetta, cream puffs, bratwurst, pretzels, limburger cheese, etc. Cheer on your fave dachshund in the “Running of the Wieners” — they’ll race to the finish line wearing hot dog costumes. There will also be bratwurst-eating contests, the “World’s Largest Chicken Dance,” German music and more. 5 -11 p.m. Sept. 21; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 22; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 23. Free admission. Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets, Downtown, oktoberfestzinzinnati.com. Photo: Brian Douglas
Fifty Fest Cincinnati has almost too many breweries for one beer lover to sample, but Fifty West Brewing Co. is helping out by putting over 20 local breweries under one roof. There will also be three stages of live music — featuring acts including Bad Veins, Darlene and Part-Time Gentleman — and food vendors from across the city. All ages welcome. Noon-midnight Sept. 15. $10. Fifty West Brewing Company, 7668 Wooster Pike, Mariemont/Columbia Township, fiftywestbrew.com. Photo: Provided
Kentucky Wool Festival Drive through winding country roads before landing at the Kentucky Wool Fest; be greeted by the wafting scent of fried food, twangy banjos, a petting zoo and vendor booths with handcrafted items selling everything from threads to keep you warm to goat-milk soap and lots and lots of wool. Watch sheep herding and sheep shearing demos as well as artisans turn wool into yarn and fiber works. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 5-6; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 7. $5. 48 Concord Caddo Road, Falmouth, Ky., kywoolfest.org. Photo: Provided
Sunflower Festival Possibly the most aesthetically pleasing on this list, the Gorman Heritage Sunflower Festival oozes cuteness. Take a stroll through towering golden sunflowers — and snip a bundle to take home. The fest also includes hayrides, vendors, a sunflower field maze, food trucks and pumpkin picking. Sunflowers are $1 per stem or $10 per dozen. New this year is a MadTree beer booth. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6-7. $8 adults; $5 kids 3-17/seniors; free kids under 3. Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Road, Evendale, gormanfarm.org. Photo: Gorman Heritage Farm
HallZOOween Tricks and treats aren’t just for humans — zoo residents get in on the fun with special pumpkin enrichment activities every weekend in October. Kids can trick-or-treat at stations scattered throughout the grounds, catch a show from Phil Dalton’s Theater of Illusion and even hop on the Hogwarts Express. Costumes are encouraged, as is bringing along your own treat bag to help the zoo go green. Noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 6-28. Free with zoo admission: $19 adults; $13 kids. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org. Photo: Provided
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival Since 1970, this festival has offered sauerkraut in and on everything from fudge to pizza. It also includes a ton of arts and crafts vendors — more than 460 from over 25 states. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 13; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 14. Free admission. North Main Street, Waynesville, sauerkrautfestival.waynesvilleohio.com. Photo: Provided
Country Applefest Whether you pronounce it caramel or caramel, get ready to get some of the delightful sugary stuff stuck in your teeth. This fall festival is a celebration of all things apple: candy apples, cider, fritters, pies and more. Relish in the apple extravaganza and shop arts and crafts like pottery, jewelry and handmade, possibly apple-scented soaps. 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Sept. 29. Free admission. Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway St., Lebanon, countryapplefest.com. Photo: Provided
Salt Festival Take a trip back in time at Big Bone Lick. 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. Browse a crafters corner for handmade wares, sample snacks from a food court and visit a herd of real bison. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 19. Free admission. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, 3380 Beaver Road, Union, Ky., friendsofbigbone.org. Photo: Provided
Weekend of Fire Calling all spice lovers: Weekend of Fire presents all things hot, including, salsas, dry rubs, hot sauces and bloody marys. Bring pals who can take the heat and peruse over 55 vendors. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 6; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 7. $8; $14 two-day. Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com. Photo: Provided
Donauschwaben Oktoberfest The 26th-annual Donauschwaben Oktoberfest features more than 25 beers on tap, homemade food, live German-style entertainment, a car show and more. 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Oct. 5; 1 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Oct. 6; noon-8 p.m. Oct. 7. $3 adults; free for children 12 and younger. 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Colerain, cincydonau.com. Photo: Provided
Fall-O-Ween Fest Launch some pumpkins, navigate a hay maze and watch a not-so-spooky choreographed light show at Coney Island’s kid-centric Halloween bash. In addition to Coney’s classic rides, Fall-O-Ween features a trick-or-treat trail, a host of farmyard friends and a Halloween magic show. Visit the s’mores-making station or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around Lake Como (with ample Pumpkin Launch viewing). 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21. $12; children 2 and under free; $5 parking. Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., California, coneyislandpark.com. Photo: Provided
Books by the Banks The weekend will include writer workshops, author signings and plenty of readings. This year features Alice McDermott, New York Times bestselling author of The Ninth Hour, and Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Sunny and Long Way Down. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20. Free. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, booksbythebanks.org. Photo: Courttney Cooper
Jungle Jim’s International Wine Festival The 10th-annual Wine Festival features wine from all over the world — more than 400 wines from more than 90 wineries — with bite-sized delicacies, charcuterie and other hors d’oeuvres. Sip and savor. 7-10 p.m. Nov. 9-10 $63.90-$122.48 per day; $26.63-$79.88 non-drinker. Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com. Photo: Provided
Wizard Fest The wizarding world comes to Corryville for a night of magic, music and cosplay. Wizard Fest, a touring Harry Potter-themed club party, features trivia, special drinks, magicians, a costume contest, Quidditch Pong, dancing and DJs. For ages 18 and up. 8-11 p.m. Oct. 17. $15-$35. Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, bogarts.com. Photo: Wizard Fest Facebook