It’s the first weekend of fall, which means it’s time to get outside, put on a sweater and grab a pumpkin spice latte. Just kidding. Here’s ten things to do in the Queen City this weekend.
If you’re looking for even more to do on every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar.
Saturday, 2 – 7 p.m., Fountain Square, downtown
Cincinnati will welcome one of the brightest moons of the year with a celebration in the heart of downtown. The annual Cincinnati Moon Festival returns to Fountain Square this Saturday, bringing a centuries-old Asian tradition celebrating the autumn harvest to the Queen City. Check out our preview here.
Halloween Haunt Opening Weekend
Friday – Sunday, Kings Island, Mason
Kings Island’s annual Halloween celebration returns. New this year: two immersive horror experiences starring Jason Voorhees (of “Friday the 13th” fame) and characters from “The Conjuring” franchise.
Great Parks Fairy Tale Festival
Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Glenwood Gardens, 10397 Springfield Pike, Glendale
Fantastic princesses, heroes and magical creatures will appear at the Fairy Tale Festival, a day with fun adventure and wide-eyed wonderment for children in the perfect setting of Great Parks’ whimsical Highfield Discovery Garden, one of the specially themed spaces found inside Glenwood Gardens.
Friday – Sunday, First Financial Center, downtown
In the past few years, the Cincinnati Comic Expo has been forced to set up shop in Sharonville due to the ongoing renovations at the First Financial Center. After a few years in the suburbs, the convention is returning to downtown Cincinnati — with some major names in tow. The 2026 convention’s headliners are Hayden Christensen, known for playing Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars,” and Richard Armitage, who plays Thorin Oakenshield in the “Lord of the Rings” universe. Read our full preview here.
Saturday, noon to 11 p.m., Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3412 Clifton Ave, Clifton
Clifton’s annual celebration of music and art, CliftonFest, returns to the neighborhood’s Gaslight District once again. Thousands of Cincinnatians will descend upon the neighborhood for a free street festival with a full day of live music, local art, food and community spirit. Nearly two dozen local music acts will perform, and over 50 arts & crafts vendors will be on site. For more info, check out our preview here.
Friday, 7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, Anderson Township
Wanna hear two washed-up rappers perform all the songs you overplayed in high school? You’re in luck! $5 to anyone that can name more than five G-Eazy songs, and no, this is not legally binding.
Friday, 6:30 p.m., Bogart’s, Clifton
Speaking of washed-up 2010s musical acts, the Midwest emo band Mom Jeans is taking Bogart’s by storm this weekend.
Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine
One of Findlay Market’s most popular events returns next week to kick off the beginning of fall. At the market’s Fall Food Fest, guests can sample various fall dishes from more than 35 Findlay Market businesses. While there, attendees can enjoy live music, family-friendly programming and a fall-themed photo booth. Get more details here.
Friday, Pendleton Art Center, Pendleton, 5-9 p.m.
On the last Friday of each month, artists at the Pendleton Art Center open their studios to the public throughout the PAC complex. Experience what the center claims is the world’s largest collection of artists under one roof, featuring over 250 in-house artists selling their work to the public.
Friday, 8 p.m., Taft Theatre, downtown
I’m not gonna write you a— ah, who am I kidding, there’s enough jokes in this article already. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter heads downtown this weekend.
