From more than one Oktoberfest celebration and the start of spooky season to the Bengals home opener and several pop-up markets, here are 10 things to do in Greater Cincinnati this weekend.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 10
Billy Joel at Great American Ball Park
The Piano Man himself will be paying Cincinnati a visit on Friday. Billy Joel will be performing at Great American Ball Park for his first ever solo stadium show in the Queen City. 6 p.m. doors Sept. 10. Tickets start at $99.50. Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, ticketmaster.com.
Covington Oktoberfest returns to historic Goebel Park. The celebration spans three days this year and is free and open to all ages. Visitors can look forward to enjoying live music, local art and food and drink vendors during the festival. The first event took place in 1979 and offered an annual party honoring the community’s deep German roots and culture. Covington Oktoberfest was revived by Braxton Brewing Co. in 2019, which will again host the event this year. 5-11 p.m. Sept. 10; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 11; and 11 a.m-8 p.m. Sept. 12. Free. Goebel Park, 501 Philadelphia St., Covington, facebook.com. This is just one of many Oktoberfest celebrations happening this weekend and through the month. Check out our list at citybeat.com.
“The Biggest Little Fair” in Ohio is back and taking over downtown Cheviot this weekend. Festivities kick off with a parade on Thursday, followed by a weekend of flower and art shows, carnival games and rides, a vintage baseball game, food trucks and a pop-up market. 6-10 p.m. Sept. 9; 5-11 p.m. Sept. 10; noon-11 p.m. Sept. 11; noon-8 p.m. Sept. 12. $5 adults; free ages 12 and under; free for all on Thursday. Cheviot, harvesthomefair.com.
The 22nd-annual Vinoklet Art & Wine Festival promises a weekend of, well, art and wine. Held on the working vineyard’s sprawling outdoor campus, there will be live music, artist exhibitions and booths, wine tastings, food booths and a fried chicken special on Sunday. 5:30-11 p.m. Sept. 10; noon-11 p.m. Sept. 11; noon-8 p.m. Sept. 12. Free admission. Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Bevis, vinokletwines.com.
Horror fans can rejoice at the return of this local convention. There will be a horror film festival, celebrity guests, autograph sessions, Q&As and more. Stars slated to appear include Michael Rooker, Billy Zane, Robert Patrick, Kevin Dillon and more. 5-10 p.m. Sept. 10; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 11; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 12. Single-day tickets are $30 for Friday and Sunday and $40 for Saturday. Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville, horrorhoundweekend.com.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 11
The City Flea pop-up market is back at Washington Park. Founded in 2011, the City Flea has been a vital part of the small business community of Cincinnati for a decade. Having hosted hundreds of local vendors to date, the market offers a platform for local entrepreneurs and creators to introduce their goods to the community and grow their businesses. From food to plants to jewelry to vintage dealers, there’s something for almost everyone at every market — including food. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 11. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com.
It may only be September, but pumpkin spice is back and so are some haunted local attractions. What was once the home of the Old West Fest is now a haunted 19th-century Terror Town. Wander the old fashioned storefronts of the Dodge City-style attraction to find a museum of the occult, restaurants, saloons, games, a movie theater screening classic horror films and wandering costumed characters. Afterward, head to the haunted trail inhabited by the remnants of an evil cult. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Through Nov. 2. $25 general admission; $35 horror pass. 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg, Ohio, allhallowsevellc.com.
The O.F.F. Market will be taking over Summit Park on Saturday, with up to 120 local vendors. Booth offerings run the gamut from artisan eats and apothecary items to vintage shops, flower stalls and T-shirt companies. The market also has partnered with Fifty West Brewing Co. to serve brews on tap and Cincinnati Animal CARE will be on hand with adoptable dogs. The event also falls on the anniversary of 9/11 and the City of Blue Ash is hosting a memorial event starting at 8 a.m. A helicopter will land at the park and then at 8:45 a.m., 80 firefighters will climb the observation tower 10 times each to honor first responders from 9/11. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 11. Free admission. Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, facebook.com/theoffmarket.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 12
Grab your stein and your corset: The Ohio Renaissance Festival is back, with themed weekends like Fantasy Weekend, Pirates Weekend and Romance Weekend taking place throughout the season. Enjoy bites from more than a dozen vendors ranging from Mediterranean eats and pizza to bourbon chicken and mac-and-cheese-stuffed bread bowls — and plenty of giant turkey legs to nom on. Wash it down with some beer or mead. 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Oct. 31. Online tickets cost $19 for visitors 13 years and older and $7.50 for ages 5-12. Parking costs $3 per car and is cash only. 10542 East State Route 73, Waynesville, renfestival.com.
Over-the-Rhine block party Second Sunday on Main is back this weekend with a King Records theme for King Records Month. In addition to local pop-up vendors, street performers, food trucks and an outdoor biergarten, expect live music from Jake Kolesar + Afrochine, plus a vintage hot rod car show. Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 12. Free. Main Street between 12th and Liberty streets, Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/OTRSSOM.
Cincinnati Bengals Home Opener
Happy Who Dey! Paul Brown Stadium is operating at full capacity for the 2021 season, so expect a crowd for the Bengals’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. “It’s an exciting time right now,” says Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “We feel good about the guys we have on this team and where we are as we head into the regular season. The Vikings provide a significant challenge for us right off the bat, but it’ll be great being back out there and taking that on in front of a packed Paul Brown Stadium.” In terms of COVID precautions, the stadium has gone cashless and tickets are now mobile and stored on the Bengals app. 1 p.m. Sept. 12. Available tickets start at $49. Paul Brown Stadium, Downtown, bengals.com.
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This article appears in Sep 1-14, 2021.