This story originally appeared in our August 5-18 print edition. Check out the edition online here and find where you can get a print edition near you here.

Greater Cincinnati has a rich arts history, evidenced by hundreds of galleries, dance, music and performance groups, and theaters in every neighborhood. Did you know that ArtsWave, Cincinnati’s united arts fund, is the oldest and largest in the United States? Think about it: we have a larger arts fund here in Cincinnati than they do in New York City or Chicago. We are one of the only cities that has full-time professional resident companies for all three major performing arts: ballet, orchestra and opera. If you aren’t experiencing one of these many arts experiences, this is your sign to start exploring.

The typical theater “season” starts around August, so now is the perfect time to start planning your fall arts activities. I’m sure everyone is ready to escape this relentless summer heat and lean into cozier weather, pumpkin spices and a new, exciting season of live performance.

No matter what neighborhood you call home, Greater Cincinnati has theaters of all shapes and sizes a rock’s throw from any neighborhood you call home. From Middletown to Cheviot to Anderson to Covington: the choice is yours. Did you know there are levels to the theater you can experience? Let me help define those so you can choose the type that best suits your interests.

First, you have the big-boy professional theaters in the region. These are “Equity” houses where actors are part of the professional actor’s union and very specific rules apply for who can perform on stage and who can support the production technically (like backstage crew). Tickets tend to be more expensive, but the idea is that the caliber is higher, talent is more skilled and the experience is more elevated. Examples of these theaters include Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Many times in these productions, you will see familiar Cincinnati personalities on stage.

If you’re thinking I’ve left the Aronoff Center for the Arts or Music Hall off this list, let me clarify: The Aronoff, along with similar venues like the Taft, Music Hall and others, are venues, not production houses. These are places for other organizations to perform, and they do not (typically) produce on their own. The Broadway Series is exactly that: a touring series of shows that originated from the Broadway production in NYC. In these touring productions, it’s less likely you will see a familiar Cincinnati actor on stage. (Also, in case you didn’t know — and it’s OK if you didn’t — the term “Broadway” comes from the literal street where many theaters sit in Manhattan. So, a Broadway show originated in Manhattan.)

On the other end of the spectrum, you have community theaters. These scrappy, volunteer-led organizations are in many neighborhoods throughout the city. They vary vastly in their design: some own their theater (like Mariemont Players), some are resident companies in their respective local venue and others are more nomadic, finding performance spaces where they can.

Most of these organizations are part of ACT, the Association of Community Theaters in Greater Cincinnati. “ACT is a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the growth, development and excellence of community theatre,” says its website. Through its adjudication program, scholarships and the annual convention, ACT supports member organizations to strengthen their productions to provide the highest quality experiences for local audiences. ACT provides three adjudicators to attend each member group’s productions to provide constructive feedback on all elements of the production. At the end of the theater season, successes are celebrated at the annual convention, where awards are given and groups have the opportunity to participate in an excerpt competition. The convention is open to the public for an affordable entry price and is a great way to see bite-sized segments of productions.

As someone with community theater experience as both an actor and director, I can confidently share that just because these productions rely on volunteers to act, direct and produce shows, it does not make them any lower quality than some of the professional shows I have seen. The beauty here is that tickets are typically a lower price point, and you can usually find a group in your neighborhood.

In between the professional-level productions and community theaters, you have a collection of organizations who produce ongoing and professional productions where production personnel are paid. These groups are typically part of the League of Cincinnati Theatres. Examples in this category include The Carnegie, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Know Theatre of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Landmark Productions. These groups usually have mid-tier pricing for shows and much like the ACT adjudication program, they have their own review program.

Theater

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of Emma. Photo provided | Cincy Shakes

Of the many theater productions happening this fall, there are a few that I am especially excited to see. It’s embarrassing that I haven’t yet seen a show at the newly renovated Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. I’m looking forward to seeing its production of “Mary Poppins” because “Step in Time” is always entertaining, but in a technologically advanced theater, I can only imagine what they can do to amplify the experience. Other shows that are on my radar include “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (because I deeply miss “What We Do in the Shadows”) and “BOOP! The Musical” (because I grew up watching Betty Boop cartoons and even named my cat after the titular character). As far as community theater productions go, I’m especially interested to see what Beechmont Players decide to do in their coming season and am keeping an eye on Mariemont Players’ 90th Season starting this fall.

MAJOR / PROFESSIONAL COMPANIES

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Heist – Sept 12–Oct 11, 2026 (Rouse Theatre)
Talk (world premiere, by Theresa Rebeck) – Sept 26–Oct 25, 2026 (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)
Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland – Oct 17–Nov 7, 2026 (Rouse Theatre)
The Twelve Dates of Christmas – Nov 7–Dec 27, 2026 (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)
A Christmas Carol (adapted by Blake Robison) – Nov 20–Dec 27, 2026 (Rouse Theatre)
Address: 962 Mt. Adams Cir., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 421-3888
URL: cincyplay.com

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC)

Corner of the Sky: The Music of Stephen Schwartz (world premiere) – Sept 5–27, 2026
Mrs. Mannerly – Oct 13–Nov 1, 2026
Cinderella – Dec 9–30, 2026
Address: 1127 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 421-3555
URL: ensemblecincinnati.org

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing – through Sept 6, 2026 (touring various tri-state park locations)
The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) – July 31–Aug 23, 2026
Network – Sept 11–26, 2026
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors – Oct 9–31, 2026
The Merry Wives of Windsor – Nov 13–Dec 5, 2026
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) – Dec 11–27, 2026
Address: 1195 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 381-2273
URL: cincyshakes.com

Know Theatre of Cincinnati

Make Believe – Sept 10–26, 2026
octKNOWber Nights – October 2026
Die Hard is a Christmas Movie – Dec 3–20, 2026
Serials! Season 17 – Jan 25, Feb 8 & 22, March 8 & 22 (spans into 2027)
Address: 1120 Jackson St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 300-5669
URL: knowtheatre.com

Broadway Across America (Cincinnati)

The Great Gatsby – Sept 15–27, 2026
BOOP! The Musical – Oct 20–25, 2026
The Sound of Music – Nov 10–15, 2026
‘Twas The Night Before… – Dec 2–13, 2026
Where: Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center for the Arts
Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 721-3344
URL: cincinnati.broadway.com

Cincinnati Music Theatre

English Lit – Sept 4–12, 2026 (Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center)
The Spongebob Musical – Nov 13–21, 2026 (Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center)
Address: Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 621-2787
URL: cincinnatimusictheatre.org

Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative

The Opposite of Failure by Nancy Robinson Crist – Sept 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
What Might Have Been by Leo Bradley – Oct 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
An Evening of One Act Plays (“Who Gets Grandma’s Eyeball” / “Waiting Room Commerce”) – Nov 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center
Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 621-2787
URL: cincyplaywrights.org

THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins JR. – Oct 9–25, 2026 (Emery Theatre, Over-the-Rhine)
The Drowsy Chaperone – Nov 6–14, 2026 (Corbett Showtime Stage, Red Bank Rd.)
Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – Dec 4–20, 2026 (Emery Theatre, Over-the-Rhine)
Address (administrative/Corbett Showtime Stage): 4015 Red Bank Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45227
Phone: (513) 569-8080 x10
URL: thechildrenstheatre.com

COMMUNITY & REGIONAL THEATER — GREATER CINCINNATI (OHIO SIDE)

Cincinnati Landmark Productions (Incline Theater)

Crazy for You – Aug 19–Sept 13, 2026
Where: Incline Theater, Price Hill
Phone: (513) 241-6550
URL: cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com

Cincinnati LAB Theatre

New Works Festival (“Enemy of the Good,” “Waiting for Fair,” “Little Boxes”) – late July 2026, just before the window; check site for fall programming
Where: Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, Evendale
URL: cincylabtheatre.com

CenterStage Players

Firebringer – Sept 18–26, 2026
Abigail for Now – Nov 13–21, 2026
URL: centerstageplayersinc.com

Drama Workshop

And Then There Were None – July 24–Aug 9, 2026
Misery – Oct 2–18, 2026
The Game’s Afoot – Dec 4–20, 2026
Address: 3716 Glenmore Ave., Cheviot, OH 45211
Phone: (513) 598-8303
URL: thedramaworkshop.org

East Side Players

Once Upon A Mattress – July 30–Aug 8, 2026
Where: Blue Ash Amphitheater
URL: esptheater.org

Fairfield Footlighters

Company – September 2026
12 Angry Jurors – November 2026
Address: 411 Wessel Dr., Fairfield, OH 45014
Phone: (513) 867-5348
URL: fairfieldfootlighters.org

Lamplight Theater

Miracle on 34th Street – Nov 6–15, 2026
Address: 8000 Miami Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45243
URL: lamplighttheater.org

Lebanon Theatre Company

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – Aug 7–16, 2026
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead – Oct 2–11, 2026
The Game’s Afoot; or Holmes for the Holidays – Dec 11–20, 2026
Address: 10 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon, OH 45036
Phone: (513) 932-8300
URL: ltcplays.com

Loveland Stage Company

Into The Woods – Oct 9–25, 2026
Address: 111 S. 2nd St., Loveland, OH 45140
Phone: (513) 443-4572
URL: lovelandstagecompany.org

Mariemont Players

Arsenic and Old Lace – Sept 10–27, 2026
A Tuna Christmas – Nov 5–22, 2026
Address: 4101 Walton Creek Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45227
Phone: (513) 684-1236
URL: mariemontplayers.com

Mason Community Players

Decision Height – Oct 2–10, 2026
Where: Mason Community Playhouse, 5529 Mason Rd., Mason, OH 45040
Phone: (513) 398-7804
URL: masonplayers.org

Merit Theatre Company

Fiddler on the Roof – Aug 28–Sept 5, 2026 (Anderson Center Theater)
Phone: (859) 795-1860
URL: merittheatre.org

One Off Productions

The Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy – July 23–25 & July 30–Aug 1, 2026 (mostly before window, closes right at window start)
Where: Gabriel’s Corner, Over-the-Rhine
URL: oopstroupe.com

Prism Community Players / Lumos Players

She Kills Monsters – through July 25, 2026 (ends just before window; check for fall listing)
Address: 8639 Columbia Rd., Maineville, OH 45039
URL: prismcommunityplayers.org

The Story Collective

Godspell – July 24–26, 2026 (before window; check for fall shows)
Where: Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
URL: thestorycollective.org

True Theatre

trueCRIME 2 – July 23, 2026 (before window; check for fall storytelling events)
Where: Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
URL: truetheatre.org

Others with no fall dates posted yet at time of research

Contact directly for updates:

Beechmont Players | Anderson Center, 7850 Five Mile Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45230 | (513) 233-2468 | beechmontplayers.org
Angelico Project | St. Monica St. George–Newman Center, 328 W McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH 45219 | angelicoproject.org
Arts Alliance | Cottell Park, 5847 Irwin-Simpson Rd., Mason, OH 45040 | (513) 309-8585 | the-arts-alliance.org
Clifton Players | Liberty Exhibition Hall, 3938 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223 | (513) 813-7469
Sunset Players | Arts Center at Dunham, 1945 Dunham Way, Cincinnati, OH 45238 | (513) 588-4988 | sunsetplayers.org
Tri-County Players | Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, 3270 Glendale Milford Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45241 | (513) 471-2030 | tricountyplayers.org
Oxford Area Community Theatre | Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave., Oxford, OH 45056 | (513) 524-8506 | oxfordact.org
Royal Theatre Company | 308 W. Main St., Mason, OH 45040 | royaltheatrecompany.com
Sharonville Cultural Arts Center | 11165 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45241 | (513) 554-1014 | sharonvilleculturalarts.org
Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre | Parrish Auditorium, 1601 University Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45011 | (513) 737-7529 | ghctplay.org
Cincinnati Black Theatre Company | 2237 Losantiville Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45237 | (513) 241-6060 | cincinnatiblacktheatre.org
Clifton Cultural Arts Center | 3412 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220 | (513) 497-2860 | cliftonculturalarts.org

Queen City Productions

Once Upon A One More Time – July 31–Aug 9, 2026
Where: Arts Center at Dunham, 1945 Dunham Way, Cincinnati, OH 45238
URL: queencityproductions.weebly.com

UNIVERSITY THEATER PROGRAMS (OHIO)

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)

Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon (In Concert) – Sept 25–26, 2026, 8 p.m. (Corbett Auditorium)
Intimate Apparel – Oct 1–3, 2026 (Cohen Studio Theater)
Rent – Nov 12–14, 2026 (Corbett Theater)
Address: CCM Village, University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45221
Phone: (513) 556-4183
URL: ccm.uc.edu

Xavier University Theatre (Gallagher Theater)

The Guys – Sept 10–12, 2026
The Rocky Horror Show – Oct 23–31, 2026
Much Ado About Nothing – Nov 19–22, 2026
Address: 3800 Victory Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45207
Phone: (513) 745-3939
URL: xavier.edu/theatre-program

Miami University Theatre

Dracula – Oct 28–Nov 1, 2026
The Last Five Years – Nov 18–22, 2026
Address: 119 Center for Performing Arts, Oxford, OH 45056
URL: miamioh.edu/cca/departments/theatre

Mount St. Joseph University

No fall 2026 productions posted at time of research
Address: 5701 Delhi Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45233
Phone: (513) 244-4387
URL: msj.edu

NORTHERN KENTUCKY THEATER

The Carnegie (Covington)

La Cage Aux Folles – Aug 14–23, 2026
Carrie: The Musical – Oct 23–Nov 1, 2026
Address: 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 491-2030
URL: thecarnegie.com

Falcon Theatre (Newport)

Eureka Day – Sept 10–26, 2026
Tinderbox – Nov 6–21, 2026
Where: Monmouth Theatre, 636 Monmouth St., Newport, KY 41071
Phone: (513) 479-6783
URL: falcontheater.net

Footlighters, Inc. (Newport)

1776 – Sept 10–27, 2026
The Bridges of Madison County – Nov 5–22, 2026
Where: Stained Glass Theatre, 802 York St., Newport, KY 41071
Phone: (859) 291-7464
URL: footlighters.org

Village Players (Fort Thomas)

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – Sept 25–Oct 3, 2026
Reina Deer and the Humbugs – Dec 4–13, 2026
Address: 8 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, KY 41075
Phone: (859) 392-0500
URL: villageplayers.org

Kincaid Regional Theatre (Falmouth)

Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. – Aug 28–30, 2026
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – Oct 15–17, 2026
Annie – Dec 3–13, 2026
Address: 208 Memory Dr., Falmouth, KY 41010
Phone: (859) 654-2636
URL: krtshows.com

InBocca Performance (Fort Thomas)

The Road to Oz – July 31–Aug 2, 2026 (staged at Know Theatre, Cincinnati)
Address: 8 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, KY 41075
URL: inboccaperformance.com

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) Theatre & Dance

Little Women: The Musical – Sept 25–Oct 5, 2026
Titus Andronicus: A Revenge Tragedy – Oct 23–Nov 1, 2026
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – Dec 3–13, 2026
Address: Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-5464
URL: nku.edu/artsci/sota/theatre

Commonwealth Artists Student Theater (CAST)

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 – July 24–Aug 2, 2026 (Corbett Theatre, NKU — closes right at window start)
Phone: (859) 545-0770
URL: caststages.org

Thomas More University Theatre (Crestview Hills)

No fall 2026 productions posted at time of research
Address: 333 Thomas More Pkwy., Crestview Hills, KY 41017
Phone: (859) 341-5800
URL: thomasmore.edu/program/theater

The Dinner Detective (Murder Mystery Dinner Show)

When: Saturdays, 6:00 p.m. (ongoing)
Where: Embassy Suites Rivercenter, 10 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington, KY 41011
URL: thedinnerdetective.com/cincinnati

Commonwealth Sanctuary (Dayton, KY)

Weekly comedy shows (ongoing)
Address: 522 5th Ave., Dayton, KY 41074
URL: commonwealthsanctuary.com

FESTIVALS, TOURING & MISC.

Cincy Fringe Festival

When: Next edition is June 2027 (24th annual) — outside this window, but applications open in October 2026 if you’re interested in participating
Where: Various pop-up venues, Over-the-Rhine
URL: cincyfringe.com

IF Cincy: Improv Festival of Cincinnati (OTRimprov)

When: Oct 15–17, 2026
Where: Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
URL: otrimprov.com

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: The Greatest Show On Earth

When: Dec 4–6, 2026
Where: Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
URL: heritagebankcenter.com

Cincinnati Arts Association (Aronoff Center) — special engagements

URL: cincinnatiarts.org

The Thorn – Sept 11–12, 2026 (Procter & Gamble Hall)

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE – Oct 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (Procter & Gamble Hall)

The Sixties Show – Oct 16, 2026, 7:30 p.m. (Procter & Gamble Hall)

Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: (513) 621-2787

Dance

Full disclosure, I am the board president of Pones, a local nonprofit that uses dance as a movement for social justice, community building and healing. Pones is reimagining where dance happens, who it’s for and how it can move us all.

On Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., commuters across Northern Kentucky are invited to experience their daily ride in an entirely new way during Ride with an Artist Day, presented by Pones in partnership with the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky, or TANK, and made possible through funding from the ArtsWave NKY Placemaking Grant. This one-day creative placemaking event transforms public transit into a space for joy, connection and belonging through free performances and artistic encounters on buses, at transit hubs and along neighborhood routes. Jenny Kammes, marketing manager for TANK, said: “We’re excited to once again welcome local artists aboard TANK buses, bringing creativity, energy and unexpected moments of joy to our riders. These performances help transform the everyday commute into a unique community experience while celebrating the incredible talent found throughout our region.”

The Kaplan New Works Series (Cincinnati Ballet)

When: Sept. 18-26, 2026 (individual performance dates/times on site)
What: Four choreographers premiere new works, two influenced by Cincinnati visual artists
Where: Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center for the Arts
Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-621-2787
URL: cballet.org/26-27-season-performances

Cincinnati Ballet LIVE! in Concert (Cincinnati Ballet)

When: Nov. 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 7, 2026, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cballet.org

The Nutcracker (Cincinnati Ballet)

When: Dec 17-27, 2026
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cballet.org/26-27-season-performances

Exhale Dance Tribe (Resident Company)

When: Fall 2026 mainstage performance(s) — not yet dated at time of research; check site for announcements (this company typically performs a handful of times per year at the Jarson-Kaplan Theater)
Where: Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center for the Arts
Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-621-2787
URL: cincinnatiarts.org/about-us/resident-companies/detail/exhale-dance-tribe / exhaledancetribe.org

Mutual Dance Theatre — Jefferson James Contemporary Dance Theater Series

When: Fall 2026 guest-artist dates not yet posted at time of research; check site
Where: Mutual Arts Center
Address: 8222 Monon Ave., Cincinnati (Hartwell), OH 45216
Phone: 513-494-6526
URL: mutualdance.org

Revolution Dance Theatre — Annual Holiday Concert (“Hot Chocolate”)

When: Typically December (exact 2026 dates not yet published at time of research)
Where: Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center for the Arts (past years) — confirm venue for 2026
Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-621-2787
URL: revodance.com

Pones Inc.

When: Fall/winter 2026 community dance programming — check site for current calendar
URL: ponesinc.org

CCM Dance Works

When: Typically March (outside this window in past years); confirm whether a fall 2026 dance concert is scheduled as part of CCM’s 2026-27 season
Where: Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village, University of Cincinnati
Address: 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45221
Phone: 513-556-4183
URL: ccm.uc.edu/areas-of-study/academic-units/dance.html

Music

Surprisingly, I do not have as many concerts on the calendar as I would like, but I highly recommend seeing Sara Bareilles, who will be performing her Good Grief Tour at the Taft Theatre on Sept. 25. I had the good fortune to see her premiere a new song earlier this year when she dropped by the Brandi Carlile Valentine’s Day concert at Madison Square Garden. And because my mom is an original The Beatles fan, the Friends of Music Hall production “Come Together Live: The Beatles’ Legacy on the Mighty Wurlitzer” is also on my list.

“This program is about more than nostalgia. It’s about experiencing the music in a completely new way,” said Jessy Williams of Friends of Music Hall. “The Beatles changed the way the world heard music. Pairing their songs with the Mighty Wurlitzer invites audiences to hear that innovation all over again.”

Summermusik Festival 2026 (Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra)

When: Aug. 4-29, 2026 — Mainstage concerts, “A Little Afternoon Musik” Sunday chamber concerts, and “Chamber Crawl” performances at rotating venues (exact per-concert dates/times released closer to the festival on their site)
Primary venues: School for Creative and Performing Arts (Mainstage), The Redmoor (Chamber Crawl), plus Delhi Event Center, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church–Kenwood, HighGrain Brentwood Brewpub, The Woodward Theater, and Newport Syndicate (KY)
SCPA address: 108 W. Central Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-723-1182
URL: summermusik.org/festival

Cincinnati Pops: Lea Salonga in Concert

When: Sept. 12-13, 2026 (time TBA — CSO evening concerts are typically 7:30 p.m.)
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

Cincinnati Symphony: Sarah Hicks – PSYCHO in Concert

When: Oct. 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

Cincinnati Ballet LIVE! in Concert with Over the Rhine & the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

When: Nov. 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 7, 2026, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cincinnatisymphony.org / cballet.org

CSO: Philippe Jordan Conducts All-Richard Strauss

When: Nov. 21-22, 2026 (time TBA)
Program: Death and Transfiguration; Oboe Concerto (Dwight Parry); Also sprach Zarathustra
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert

When: Nov. 29, 2026, 2 p.m.
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

CSO: Gemma New — CSO Conducting Debut

When: Dec. 4-5, 2026 (time TBA)
Program: Grenfell’s Clockwerk, Mozart Piano Concerto No.
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

The Nutcracker (Cincinnati Ballet, live music by CSO)

When: Dec. 17-27, 2026 (multiple performances; check site for individual dates/times)
Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-381-3300
URL: cballet.org/26-27-season-performances

Fine Art

“All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins” by Yayoi Kusama. Wood, mirror, plastic, acrylic, and LED. Dallas Museum of Art, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Fund, 2018.12.A–I. ©YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo provided | Cincinnati Art Museum, Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro, and David Zwirner.

Gallery 506 is a hidden gem art gallery in Elsmere, Kentucky, offering so much more than “just art.” Owner Laura Sams invites you to this unique venue that has been gradually modified to be a beautiful oasis of art, featuring a gorgeous perennial garden behind the building. I love that Laura Sams is reimagining fine art by bringing together multiple disciplines; my adorable parents along with several other couples have been doing weekly dance classes right in the gallery space. Sams says the program will continue this fall.

Opening Sept. 19 with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. is Gallery 506’s next show: VERSO with works by Cole Carothers. Carothers explains that “verso” means “the reverse of something” and that this word “describes my direction these days: to challenge thoughts and creativity as a reaction to the complacency of style or brand.”

FINE ART / VISUAL ART

Gee Horton: Chapter 4, In Another Lifetime

When: On view through Aug. 30, 2026
Where: Contemporary Arts Center
Address: 44 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-345-8400
URL: contemporaryartscenter.org

Michael Stillion: And then it was flowers

When: On view through Aug. 30, 2026
Where: Contemporary Arts Center
Address: 44 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-345-8400
URL: contemporaryartscenter.org

CAC 2026–27 Season Exhibitions (new fall shows)

When: Expected to open late summer/early fall 2026 — not yet fully announced; check site
Where: Contemporary Arts Center
Address: 44 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-345-8400
URL: contemporaryartscenter.org/visit/exhibitions

Cincinnati Art Museum — Fall/Winter Special Exhibition

When: Oct. 16, 2026-March 7, 2027 (title not yet confirmed in research; ticketed, free for members)
Where: Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park
Address: 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-721-2787 (also 1-877-472-4226 toll-free)
URL: cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Tamary Kudita: Photography Special Feature

When: On view through Sept. 6, 2026 (Gallery 104)
Where: Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park
Address: 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-721-2787
URL: cincinnatiartmuseum.org/art/exhibitions/special-features

The Scandinavian Home: Landscape and Lore (organized by The Frick Pittsburgh)

When: Dates within 2026 — exact run not fully confirmed; check site directly, likely overlapping the Aug–Dec window
Where: Taft Museum of Art
Address: 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-241-0343
URL: taftmuseum.org/exhibitions

Unfolding Elegance (18th-century fan collection)

When: Exact dates TBD — conservation work was underway; check site for opening
Where: Taft Museum of Art
Address: 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-241-0343
URL: taftmuseum.org/exhibitions

Weston Art Gallery — Fall 2026 Exhibition

When: A new exhibition cycle should open in the Sept-Dec window (last known run ended June 14, 2026); check site for current show and opening/closing reception times
Where: Aronoff Center for the Arts (Weston Art Gallery)
Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-977-4165 (Weston Art Gallery direct) / 513-621-2787 (Aronoff main)
URL: cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions

BLINK — A Festival of Light & Art

When: Oct. 8-11, 2026, nightly (evening hours, typically ~7-11 p.m.)
Where: 30+ city blocks across Downtown Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine, Covington and Newport, Kentucky (start near Findlay Market)
Phone: N/A (contact via site form)
URL: blinkcincinnati.com
Related ticketed event — “the afterglow” (Official BLINK After Party): Oct. 19, 2026 (per site), MegaCorp Pavilion, 2764 Madison Pike, Covington, Kentucky (confirm exact address/time on ticket site)

LEGO Jurassic World: The Exhibition

When: Open through Jan. 4, 2027 (already running; overlaps entire window)
Where: Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal
Address: 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45203
Phone: 513-287-7000
URL: cincymuseum.org/special-exhibits

Cincinnati Museum Center — Other Rotating Exhibits

When: Several traveling exhibits run on staggered schedules through fall 2026 (some closing Aug. 23 and Oct. 14, 2026) — check site for the current lineup as of your visit date
Where: Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal
Address: 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45203
Phone: 513-287-7000
URL: cincymuseum.org/special-exhibits

21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati — Rotating Contemporary Art Galleries

When: Free, open 24/7 (current show as of research: “Fragile Figures: Beings and Time” — confirm it’s still on view for your dates)
Where: 21c Museum Hotel
Address: 609 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-578-6600
URL: 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati

Other

ArtsWave is going into its centennial year in 2027, and I am excited to see what arts experiences go along with the celebration. I’ve heard some teasers and I’m confident there will be many super cool experiences in store.

Of course, I also have to mention that BLINK is coming back for another year of immersive, memorable experiences throughout the region from Oct. 8 to 11.

My husband and I are huge fans of standup comedy and have really enjoyed going to the Commonwealth Comedy Club in Dayton, Kentucky. The venue is intimate, the tickets are affordable and the comedy is peak. Whether we’ve heard of the performer or not, I can’t say I’ve never been to a “bad” comedy show, so if you need a laugh, this is the place!

This article appears in August 5-18, 2026.