It’s the last weekend of August. Can you smell the pumpkin spice lattes in the air yet? Close out summer with these activities below.
If you’re looking for even more to do on every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar.
Friday – Sunday, The Carnegie, Germania Society, 3529 West Kemper Road, Colerain
It’s hard to believe, but Oktoberfest activities have already begun. Head to the Germania Society to raise a stein all weekend for the city’s most authentic Oktoberfest celebration and the largest selection of German beer in the Tri-State area. Tickets are $5.
Cincinnati Psychotronic Film Festival
Thursday – Saturday, Esquire Theatre, Clifton
Cincinnati film buffs, rejoice. The Psychotronic Film Festival, a yearly three-day event showing off cinema’s weirdest and wackiest works from across the globe, is back for a milestone fifth year. Each year, festival organizer Justin Wiese — also the creator and head of local film collective Outer Cinema Cincinnati — aims to shock and delight audiences with classics they’ve likely never seen. The throughline for each film? It’s gonna be weird. Read more about the festival here.
Saturday – Sunday, The Carnegie, 1028 Scott St, Covington
One of the Queen City’s coolest art-focused events returns when the Cincinnati Art Book Fair sets up shop at The Carnegie this weekend. Inside the fair, which is free and open to the public, over 60 different vendors and artists will be present across all of the galleries inside The Carnegie. Several special exhibitions are on display, including work from Lindsey Cummins and a film series from vendor John Weese. The outdoor space will be in use, too, with live DJ sets sponsored by Shake It Records and food booths from local brands like Modern Water. Read more about the event here.
Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim
Sunday, 8:15 a.m., Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, downtown
Ever looked at the Ohio River and said, “I wish I could swim across that”? Well, now’s your chance. This 900-meter open water swim began in 2007 and hasn’t stopped since. It launches at the Serpentine Wall and makes a stop at a buoy on the Kentucky side before participants swim back to conclude at the Public Landing. Prior registration for the swim is required.
All weekend, everywhere
One of the city’s favorite food events is back. Cincinnati Wing Week, which offers $8 wing specials from various restaurants in the Greater Cincinnati area, runs from now until this Sunday. Chicken-loving Cincinnatians can head to one of over 40 restaurants to get some wings at a major discount, and most participants involved in the promotion have other specials running as well. Read more here.
Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, Mt. Adams, 5 – 9 p.m.
On the last Friday of every month, the Cincinnati Art Museum opens late and makes their ticketed exhibitions free as part of “Art After Dark.” This month’s edition, “Into Infinity,” celebrates science fiction and space. Head outside to experience a solar-viewing activity with Cincinnati Observatory (approx. 5–6:30 p.m.), then join their team for a comet-themed craft. The art-making continues: Come craft with artist Pam Kravetz and create your very own Martian-approved headpiece. Guests can also experience “Yayoi Kusama: All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins” for free during Art After Dark, which normally requires a paid ticket.
Florence Y’alls vs. Washington Wild Things
Friday – Sunday, Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence
Weirdly, the Reds, the Bengals and FC Cincinnati are all out of town this weekend. If you’re desperate for a sports fix, the Y’alls have you covered.
Justin Bieber Brunch at Killer Queen
Sunday, Killer Queen, The Banks, downtown
No, this isn’t a typo, and no, you haven’t been sent back to 2010 in a time machine. Killer Queen is hosting a special Justin Bieber-themed brunch on Sunday. We don’t really know why either, but your ticket gets you an array of brunch options — like chorizo empanadas and waffle bites — alongside a bucket of Sun Cruisers, an espresso martini shot, and a gift bag. That’s enough to make anyone embrace their inner Belieber.
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.
“Much Ado About Nothing” with Cincy Shakes
Friday – Sunday, various venues
The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is coming to a venue near you thanks to their Shakespeare in the Park initiative, and they’re performing one of the Bard’s most famous works. In this version of “Much Ado About Nothing,” set in 1776 and themed after America’s 250th anniversary, the war for America’s independence has just been declared but the battle of the sexes has just begun. It follows two sparring skeptics, Beatrice and Benedick, whose witty war of words masks something far more tender.
