Happy Halloween! The haunting hour is upon us, so it’s time to dress in costume and wreak havoc, you little devils. Here are a few Halloween happenings in town to attend. (And here is a list of local haunted houses.)
Photos by Provided
Christian Moerlein Haunted Brewery Tour 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October Step into Christian Moerlein’s brewery and peek through the lens of time to meet historical characters in Cincinnati brewing history; each has a doomed fate laid out before them. Of the five ghoulish tales told on the tour, one is fiction — the rest are true. Make like Scooby-Doo: clues and hands-on puzzles will be scattered along the way to help you solve this case of falsity. Before delving into chilling antics, guests can cozy up in Moerlein Tap Room and enjoy a sudzy draft. $25. Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom, 1621 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine, hauntedbrewerytour.com. Provided
Rhinegeist Halloween Party 8 p.m. Oct. 26 Let your competitive spirit shine like a haunted full moon as the Halloween weekend festivities begin. Show up in your best costumes and get ready to dance to monster mash-ups by DJs “Macabre” Matty Joy and “Wicked” Will Ross at the Rhinegeist Halloween party. Of course, there will be costume contests for best couple costume, group costume, scariest costume and character costume. Costumes had to be submitted online by Oct. 19 to qualify for the contest, but you can still watch the wardrobe wonders show off for prizes. Free. Rhinegeist. 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/rhinegeist. Provided
Hocus Pocus in Tower Park 8:30-11:30 p.m. Oct. 26 There will be more than 1,000 luminaries, over 200 Jack-o-Lanterns along the park’s wooded walking trails. Take a stroll and then enjoy Disney’s Hocus Pocus. The trail is open from 6-9 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Tower Park, 950 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, Ky. More info here. Provided
Underground Halloween: Royals and Paupers at Felsenhaus 9:30 p.m.-1:45 a.m. Oct. 26 Dress like a royal or a pauper and dance the night away featuring musical performances and a Deathly Dance performance by the Beyond Ballet. There’s an open bar for the Royal ticket ($40); a cash bar for the Pauper ticket ($20). Prizes will be awarded for the best costume in each category. Here’s what the event says about the interpretation of the theme: “We require some form of costume, but interpretation of the theme is very liberal. Beyonce and Simba are as much royals as Queen Elizabeth and King George. Tarzan and King Kong are king of the jungle, and drag is its own version of Queendom. Meanwhile, it’s often difficult to tell the difference between a modern pauper and urban hipster. So come one, come all and delight in the evening’s glories!” Felsenbrau Building, 242 W. McMicken, West End. More info here. Provided
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly at 3 Points Urban Brewery 10 p.m. Oct. 26; 10 p.m. Oct. 27; 11 a.m. Oct. 28 A three-party Halloween party for the good, the bad and the ugly. According to 3 Points, “Friday is The Good: DJ Chanell SoFetch Karr will have her melodic playlist to set the mood under our sky lights. Best ‘good’ costume wins prizes. Saturday is The Bad: DJ LPete will have his devious playlist to set the mood under our red lights. Best ‘bad’ costume wins prizes. Sunday is The Ugly: Pajama party for brunch with loaded bloody marys and mimosas to scare away all the ugly.” 3 Points Urban Brewery, 331 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine. More info here. Provided
Cincy Brass Halloween at Woodward Theater 7 p.m.-midnight Oct. 26 Cincy Brass brings New Orleans Soul and Cincinnati Funk to the Woodward Theater for a Halloween “spooktacular.” Come in costume and get ready to dance. The Cincy Brass takes the stage at 9 p.m. $10 advance; $15 door. The Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. More info here. Provided
Chris from Space Album Release Party with Dead Man String 8 p.m. Oct. 26 Band Chris From Space releases Vector, a new LP, with a special performance from Dead Man String Band, ZZ Bottom (All Seeing Eyes) and Crates (spinning party music). Costumes recommended. 18 and older. There will be a photobooth and beer bar. The Lodge, 231 Sixth Ave., Dayton, Ky. More info here. Provided
Queen City Murderinos: Murder Ball 8 p.m. Oct. 26 Fans of the podcast My Favorite Murder are hosting a murderino meet-up and Halloween party that is part masquerade and part hometown murder live show in one of Cincinnati’s first (possibly haunted) vaudeville theaters. Costumes will be given for best dressed and for the best hometown story. Liberty Exhibition Hall, 3938 Spring Grove Ave., Northside. More info here. Provided
21c Museum Hotel Secret Garden Redux: Creatures of the Night 9 p.m. Oct. 27 This dance party — “inspired by other-worldly animalia” — will feature a mystical garden theme with music from DJs Planet Venus and CJ Wood and pop-up dance performances by Pones and DANCEFIX, as well as performances from Elevated Aerials aerial artists. There will be a photobooth and free costumey makeup touch-ups from local makeup professionals. Costumes are highly encouraged and the winner(s) of the costume contest will receive a prize. Party is 21 and up. Free; $10 donation suggestion. 21c Museum Hotel, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, facebook.com/21ccincinnati. Provided
Japp’s Becomes the Star Wars Cantina 6-9 p.m. Oct. 27 Japp’s transforms into Star Wars Cantina complete with Mark Hamill impersonator Fluke Skywalker, who will be hosting a costume contest with prizes. Dress as your favorite Star Wars character and enjoy craft cocktails in a galaxy far, far away. Japp’s Since 1879, 1134 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. More info here. Provided
Halloween at Rosedale Manor 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 27 OTR bar Rosedale transforms into Kenton County infirmary Rosedale Manor from the early 1900s. A roaming photographer will capture the evening. There will be $5 Lobotomy Punch and $3 Trick or Treat shots all night, plus fire performers from the Cincinnati Circus. The 10 best costumes will receive a gift card. The Rosedale, 208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. More info here. Provided
Official Halloween Bar Crawl 2-9 p.m. Oct. 27 Get extra spooky this season. Put on your coolest, cutest, scariest or sexiest costume and hop from bar to bar in Over-the-Rhine and The Banks. Attendees will get some treats to take home and discounts on drink and food specials. Do the “Monster Mash” all night long. $20-$40, check-in starts at Nicholson’s, 625 Walnut, Downtown. More info here. Provided
Spooky Brunch at The National Exemplar 9:30 or 11:30 a.m. Oct. 27-28 This family-friendly brunch features adult and kid costume contests, trick-or-treating and a Halloween-themed brunch buffet. RSVP to 513-271-2103. $15 child; $20 adult. The National Exemplar, 6880 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, nationalexemplar.com. Provided
Zombie Ball Glow Dance Party at Mixwells 8 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Oct. 27 Glow your “Zombie asses off” under the black lights at Mixwells. All costumes are welcome. Music will be provided by DJs Dro Corona and Kyle Cannon. Mixwells Northside, 4169 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook.com/mixwellsbar. Provided
Buried Secrets Ghost Tour 6:30-8:30 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. Friday. Tour dates through Nov. 10. Who you gonna call? Er, yourself actually. On this ethereal tour of downtown Cincinnati’s most haunted sites, you’re the ghost hunter. Don’t fret: You’ll be armed with all the paranormal tools you’ll need to catch Casper and his comrades. Scour sites like Memorial Hall, Music Hall and more for fiendish ghouls. But beware: It’s an outdoor tour, so dress warm and cozy or you might just catch a cold (uber spooky). $22.95. Tour starts at the gazebo in Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. More info here. Provided
Queen City Exchange Two-Year Anniversary Halloween Party 8 p.m. Oct. 27 QCE turns 2 with a themed Halloween party. Wear a costume, enjoy themed drinks and anticipate a market crash from 8-9 p.m. Queen City Exchange, 32 W. Court St., Downtown. More info here. Provided
Sacred Beast Halloween Costume Extravaganza 10:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 27 Head to the Sacred Beast diner for a Halloween costume party with raffle prizes and specialty beers all day. Free admission. Sacred Beast, 1437 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. Provided
Nightmare on Madison Street Halloween Bash 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 27 Head to Hotel Covington for this spooky Halloween party. Wear your scariest or cutest costume to compete in a singles and couples contest with music from DJ Drewski. $15; $25 door. Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington, hotelcovington.com. Provided
Arnold’s Voodoo Ball 8 p.m. Oct. 27 Arnold’s has teamed up with The Hot Magnolias for a New Orleans-themed Voodoo Ball. There will be a special Cajun-themed special menu, $5 Hurricanes and NOLA music. People are encouraged to come in costume, especially as zombies. Arnold’s Bar and Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, arnoldsbarandgrill.com. Provided
Halloween Street Party at The Banks 4-11 p.m. Oct. 27 The street in front of the Tin Roof will be closed for a Halloween block party. Dress in your best to compete to win a $1,500 voucher to a vacation from Elite Travel. Evening includes live music from Tyler Moore Band, Flip Cup Allstars and DJ Etryan. 21 and up. Tin Roof Cincy, 160 E. Freedom Way, The Bank, Downtown. More info here. Provided
Pleasant Ridge Halloween Pub Crawl 4-10 p.m. Oct. 27 Head to Pleasant Ridge for a themed Halloween pub crawl to a handful of bars and restaurants. Grab a $5 wristband and punchcard at any participating location and then wind your way through an evening of drink specials (look for themed spooky sippers) and costume contests. Fill the card by making a purchase at each stop and be entered into a raffle. Crawl stops include Overlook Lodge, Nine Giant, Share: Cheesebar, Revolution Rotisserie and more. Enter the costume contest by checking in to Revolution on social media by posting a photo of yourself and/or yourself and your friends with the hashtag #PRPubCrawl2018. The winner will be announced at 10 p.m. Revolution Rotisserie, 6063 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, facebook.com/revolutionrotisseriepr. Provided
Hallowqueen Drag Brunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 28 Ring in Halloween with this pop-up drag brunch at Metropole, complete with glitter, fangs and heels galore. Sip specialty themed cocktails and dig into a family-style brunch prepared by chef Jared Bennett. Costumes are encouraged — “You better werk, witch.” $35. Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com. Photo: Jessica W Photography Provided
Hocus Pocus Trivia at West Side Brewing 7 p.m. Oct. 29 Think you know about virgins lighting black-flame candles, immortal cats and the Sanderson Sisters? Test your knowledge at West Side Brewing’s Hocus Pocus trivia. Teams max out at six players. Free to play. West Side Brewing, 3044 Harrison Ave., Westwood. More info here. Provided
Longfellow is Titanic 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 31 Over-the-Rhine bar Longfellow is dressing up as the movie Titanic for Halloween. There will be karaoke on the bow of the ship, a costume contest, an iceberg with booze and a possible appearance by Billy Zane (not really). Longfellow, 1233 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine. More info here. Provided