It’s hard to believe, but we’re rapidly approaching the end of summer. As we cross into our final month of the season, here’s ten of the best ways to enjoy your weekend right here in the Queen City.
If you’re looking for even more to do on every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar.
Saturday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Schmidt Boat Ramp and Ballfields, 250 St. Peters St., East End
Paddlefest is always a summer treat, given that you’re spending the entire day on the water in hot weather. But the nation’s largest paddling celebration is attempting to break a Guinness World Record for “Largest Paddle Craft Party” during this year’s event in celebration of the 25th anniversary of one of Cincinnati’s most creative traditions. Wanna be part of history? Your time is now.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., TQL Stadium, West End
The Orange and Blue take on San Jose in yet another home matchup. Currently, FCC sits 7th in the conference, just barely in playoff contention.
Chris Stapleton at Paycor Stadium
Saturday, 6 p.m., Paycor Stadium, downtown
The 11-time Grammy winner and Kentucky native Chris Stapleton brings his gritty brand of country music to Paycor Stadium this weekend. Lainey Wilson and Allen Stone open.
Saturday, 4 p.m., 6142 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
Every year, neighborhood leaders welcome citizens and visitors for an evening of live entertainment, local food and beer, family activities, artists, makers and community organizations in the heart of Pleasant Ridge. Proceeds from the event help support community initiatives throughout the year. Most recently, those funds helped provide resources for Pleasant Ridge residents cleaning up after the severe flooding that damaged homes, vehicles and property earlier this month. Read more about the event here.
Saturday, 7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, Anderson Township
Time to wake up inside (sorry) and head to Riverbend to see this Grammy-winning metal band perform their wide bevy of hits. Spiritbox and the Nova Twins open.
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, “Fashion Forward,” celebrates the museum’s current ticketed exhibit. Enjoy tunes from DJ Arie and after-hours access to the “Elizabeth Hawes: Radical American Fashion” exhibition. Continue satisfying your fashion fix—check out designs from UC DAAP’s collection, then strike a pose yourself in a special photo booth.
Thursday – Sunday, Riverboat Row at Newport on the Levee, Newport
The annual celebration of Cincinnati’s favorite German-inspired sausage is back again for its second and final weekend. What began as a small gathering has grown into an eight-day, riverfront tradition, drawing tens of thousands of fans for food, music, games and community fun. Visitors can try over 50 different goetta creations, including everything from goetta empanadas and goetta mac & cheese to deep-fried goetta balls and even goetta-inspired sweet treats. If it can be made with goetta, chances are you’ll find it here.
Sunday, 6:30 a.m., Yeatman’s Cove and Sawyer Point, downtown
The Queen City Triathlon takes place at Yeatman’s Cove this weekend. Ever wanted to swim across the Ohio River, ride a bike up Columbia Parkway and then run a marathon across the Purple People Bridge? If you do, you’re insane, but I salute you. Maybe I’ll just watch from the sideline.
Thursday – Sunday, Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson Street, Over-the-Rhine
The Art Academy of Cincinnati has launched two summer exhibitions, running through this weekend. The first exhibition is the Master of Arts in Art Education (MAAE) exhibition, which features current work by students in AAC’s graduate program. The second exhibition, “Where We Are,” is a pop-up exhibition featuring artists participating in the inaugural 2026 AAC Artist-in-Residence Summer Residency Program. For more info on both, read our prior article 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.
