While Bockfest is the main event this weekend—more on that from us later—there’s plenty more to do in the Queen City.
Thursday through Sunday, First Financial Center, downtown
The largest wine festival in the Midwest returns to the Queen City this weekend, allowing you to sip wine from all over the globe right here in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati International Wine Festival, which started in 1991, is celebrating 35 years of operation. Beginning this Thursday and running through Saturday, plenty of exotic wines will be on hand for sampling, with proceeds from the festival going to more than 30 local nonprofits.
Sunday, TQL Stadium, West End, 7:00 p.m.
The Orange and Blue take on Toronto FC in another home matchup. The first 10,000 fans receive a free bobblehead of star player Evander.
Chris Tucker at the Hard Rock Casino
Friday, Hard Rock Casino, Pendleton, 8:00 p.m.
The beloved actor and stand-up comedian, known for his roles in comedy classics like Friday and Rush Hour, hits the stage at Cincinnati’s Hard Rock to deliver some laughs.
Saturday-Sunday, Oscar Event Center, Fairfield, 12 p.m.
Taste hundreds of cheeses and mountains of charcuterie plus pickles, olives, pairings, demos, music, voting and surprises around every corner. This is Jungle Jim’s ultimate two-day homage to fromage.
Saturday, Oasis Event Center, Loveland, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Celebrate some of Cincinnati’s weirdest folklore at this celebration of the Frogman cryptid. Hear from cryptid experts and paleontologists as you browse unique vendors and watch a parade roll by.
Mariah the Scientist: Hearts Sold Separately
Sunday, Andrew J. Brady Music Center, downtown, 8 p.m.
The popular R&B singer is joined by special guest 4batz on her latest tour. This Sunday, she’ll be making a stop in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Cyclones v. Utah Grizzlies
Saturday – Sunday, Heritage Bank Center, downtown
The Cyclones are carving up the Heritage Bank Center this weekend on two separate days. Saturday is Pucks ‘n’ Pups night, while Sunday’s game is a Read Across Cincinnati event featuring Hidden Pigeon Matinee (with special jerseys!)
Saturday – Sunday, Contemporary Arts Center, downtown
Pones will present Eunoia this weekend in the Contemporary Arts Center’s Black Box Theatre, blending dance, live music and community collaboration. The performance doubles as a fundraiser supporting the collective’s mission to expand access to the arts. A dance revue you have to experience to understand, the showcase features 14 new works from 16 choreographers across genres including contemporary, pole, color guard and acro yoga.
Friday through Sunday, various locations, Over-the-Rhine and downtown
Cincinnati’s annual celebration of Spring, Over-the-Rhine’s brewing heritage, and Bock Beer returns for its 34th year. Moerlein Lager House, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, Rhinegeist Brewery, Rosedale OTR and Arnold’s Bar and Grill will be the official homes of Bockfest in 2026, although there are plenty of other bars and breweries in the area serving up special Bock Beer. Each official Bockfest venue will have unique entertainment, like Rosedale’s goat yoga and the annual Sausage Queen competition at Rhinegeist.
Saturday, The Banks, downtown, 9:00 a.m.
While not part of Bockfest proper, this 5K event held by the Flying Pig happens every year on the Saturday of the festival. Race participants will start at Smale Riverfront Park, head past Great American Ballpark and Paycor Stadium, before looping back around on Mehring Way. All participants receive a shirt, two drink tickets and a Skyline Chili Cheese Coney, and finishers receive a medal that doubles as a bottle opener.
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.