13 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (May 24-27)

We really needed this long weekend, Cincinnati. There is plenty of revelry to be had in Greater Cincinnati this Memorial Day weekend, from Cincinnati food festival Taste of Cincinnati to the inaugural OMNIAFRICA event celebrating Africa Day. Keep scrolling to see our favorite events happening this weekend.

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.
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Big Bubble Rave
When: May 24 at 9 p.m.
Where: Bogart’s, Corryville
What: A Spongebob-themed rave with live performances.
Who: Big Bubble Rave
Why: An evening of fun in Bikini Bottom at Bogart’s.
Photo: Artem Bryzgalov, Unsplash

Big Bubble Rave


When: May 24 at 9 p.m.
Where: Bogart’s, Corryville
What: A Spongebob-themed rave with live performances.
Who: Big Bubble Rave
Why: An evening of fun in Bikini Bottom at Bogart’s.
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Taste of Cincinnati
When: May 25 and 26 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and May 27 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Four blocks of Fifth Street, between Main Street and just east of Sentinel Street, Downtown
What: Dozens of local and regional vendors will be serving food at the fest, which is now the longest-running culinary arts festival in the country.
Who: Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
Why: Here's your chance to truly try all the culinary delights that Greater Cincinnati has to offer.

Taste of Cincinnati


When: May 25 and 26 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and May 27 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Four blocks of Fifth Street, between Main Street and just east of Sentinel Street, Downtown
What: Dozens of local and regional vendors will be serving food at the fest, which is now the longest-running culinary arts festival in the country.
Who: Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
Why: Here's your chance to truly try all the culinary delights that Greater Cincinnati has to offer.
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The Play That Goes Wrong at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
When: May 24-25 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Otto M. Budig Theater, Over-the-Rhine
What: The show must go on at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's rendition of The Play That Goes Wrong.
Who: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Why: Enjoy an evening full of laughter for the “fantastic, farcical, fiasco of a show and Off-Broadway and West End comedic hit."
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

The Play That Goes Wrong at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company


When: May 24-25 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Otto M. Budig Theater, Over-the-Rhine
What: The show must go on at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's rendition of The Play That Goes Wrong.
Who: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Why: Enjoy an evening full of laughter for the “fantastic, farcical, fiasco of a show and Off-Broadway and West End comedic hit."
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OMNIAFRICA: Cincinnati's Africa Day Celebration
When: May 25 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Fountain Square, Downtown
What: Celebrate Africa Day with music, dance, food and networking.
Who: Soulful Change
Why: Learn more about the contributions of the African diaspora in Greater Cincinnati.
Photo: Provided by Soulful Change

OMNIAFRICA: Cincinnati's Africa Day Celebration


When: May 25 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Fountain Square, Downtown
What: Celebrate Africa Day with music, dance, food and networking.
Who: Soulful Change
Why: Learn more about the contributions of the African diaspora in Greater Cincinnati.
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AfroSwag Hair and Fashion Show
When: May 25 from 6-11 p.m.
Where: Contemporary Arts Center, Downtown
What: A showcase of over 40 Black art, fashion and hair artists.
Who: Sweet Sistah Splash
Why: It’s the largest natural hair and fashion experience in the Midwest.
Photo: Provided by Sweet Sistah Splash

AfroSwag Hair and Fashion Show


When: May 25 from 6-11 p.m.
Where: Contemporary Arts Center, Downtown
What: A showcase of over 40 Black art, fashion and hair artists.
Who: Sweet Sistah Splash
Why: It’s the largest natural hair and fashion experience in the Midwest.
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May Festival: Her Story
When: May 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine
What: An immersive presentation on women’s struggle for equality in America. 
Who: May Festival
Why: A presentation by Julia Wolfe in collaboration with Anne Kauffman, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Lorelei Ensemble. This visual experience invokes words of historical figures and pivotal moments in women’s history to capture the passion of the women who challenged prejudice.
Photo: Peter Serling

May Festival: Her Story


When: May 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine
What: An immersive presentation on women’s struggle for equality in America.
Who: May Festival
Why: A presentation by Julia Wolfe in collaboration with Anne Kauffman, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Lorelei Ensemble. This visual experience invokes words of historical figures and pivotal moments in women’s history to capture the passion of the women who challenged prejudice.
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Cin City Burlesque
When: May 25 at 8 p.m.
Where: Bogart’s, Corryville
What: A sophisticated and seductive performance from Cincinnati’s burlesque troupe.
Who: Cin City Burlesque
Why: “Don't miss the chance to witness their mesmerizing shows, where seduction meets sophistication in an unforgettable spectacle,” reads a description of the group from Visit Cincy.
Photo: Jesse Fox

Cin City Burlesque


When: May 25 at 8 p.m.
Where: Bogart’s, Corryville
What: A sophisticated and seductive performance from Cincinnati’s burlesque troupe.
Who: Cin City Burlesque
Why: “Don't miss the chance to witness their mesmerizing shows, where seduction meets sophistication in an unforgettable spectacle,” reads a description of the group from Visit Cincy.
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Cincy Silent Disco Pajama Party
When: May 25 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Madison Theater, Covington
What: Three live DJs will be broadcasting three different genres into your headset all night long.
Who: Cincy Silent Disco
Why: A fun evening with EDM music by KimL, '70s, ‘80s and ‘90s classics by Sexbox and modern hits by John Chapel.
Photo: DJVibe/StudioX, Unsplash

Cincy Silent Disco Pajama Party


When: May 25 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Madison Theater, Covington
What: Three live DJs will be broadcasting three different genres into your headset all night long.
Who: Cincy Silent Disco
Why: A fun evening with EDM music by KimL, '70s, ‘80s and ‘90s classics by Sexbox and modern hits by John Chapel.
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'Wildflowers' Paint and Sip at Queen City Radio
When: May 25 from 1-3 p.m.
Where: Queen City Radio, Over-the-Rhine
What: A relaxing two-hour paint session for artists of any skill set, accompanied by instructors from The Paint Sesh.
Who: The Paint Sesh
Why: Celebrate the springtime weather by painting poppies with family or friends, along with enjoying food and drink from an on-site food truck.
Photo: Anna Kolosyuk via Unsplash

'Wildflowers' Paint and Sip at Queen City Radio


When: May 25 from 1-3 p.m.
Where: Queen City Radio, Over-the-Rhine
What: A relaxing two-hour paint session for artists of any skill set, accompanied by instructors from The Paint Sesh.
Who: The Paint Sesh
Why: Celebrate the springtime weather by painting poppies with family or friends, along with enjoying food and drink from an on-site food truck.
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Kristina Kuzmic: Lies I Told Myself Tour
When: May 25 at 3 p.m.
Where: Funny Bone Comedy Club, Liberty Township
What: Comedian and bestselling author Kristina Kuzmic performs at the Liberty Funny Bone.
Who: Funny Bone Comedy Club
Why: Experience an evening of laughter and inspiration from Kuzmic’s message of resilience and hope surrounding mental health issues.
Photo: instagram.com/kristinakuzmic

Kristina Kuzmic: Lies I Told Myself Tour


When: May 25 at 3 p.m.
Where: Funny Bone Comedy Club, Liberty Township
What: Comedian and bestselling author Kristina Kuzmic performs at the Liberty Funny Bone.
Who: Funny Bone Comedy Club
Why: Experience an evening of laughter and inspiration from Kuzmic’s message of resilience and hope surrounding mental health issues.
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North by Northside
When: May 25-26 from 4:30 p.m. to midnight
Where: Multiple locations in Northside
What: Experience a vibrant festival consisting of performances from over 60 local and regional bands at 12 different venues.
Who: North by Northside
Why: Enjoy free live music from artists of all different genres performing in both indoor and outdoor venues in the neighborhood.

North by Northside


When: May 25-26 from 4:30 p.m. to midnight
Where: Multiple locations in Northside
What: Experience a vibrant festival consisting of performances from over 60 local and regional bands at 12 different venues.
Who: North by Northside
Why: Enjoy free live music from artists of all different genres performing in both indoor and outdoor venues in the neighborhood.
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Bird Walk with Kathi Hutton
When: May 26 from 8-11 a.m.
Where: Kirby Nature Center, Addyston 
What: Enjoy a beginner-friendly, songbird-focused walk with an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.
Who: Western Wildlife Corridor
Why: Celebrate a beautiful spring day with birdsong.
Photo: Boris Smokrovic, Unsplash

Bird Walk with Kathi Hutton


When: May 26 from 8-11 a.m.
Where: Kirby Nature Center, Addyston
What: Enjoy a beginner-friendly, songbird-focused walk with an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.
Who: Western Wildlife Corridor
Why: Celebrate a beautiful spring day with birdsong.
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Laura Jane Grace at Madison Theater
When: May 26 at 8 p.m.
Where: Madison Theater, Covington
What: See Laura Jane Grace with Worriers and Sam Russo at an all-ages show.
Who: Madison Theater
Why: Also perfect for those fans waiting for Against Me! to end their hiatus.
Photo: Bella Peterson

Laura Jane Grace at Madison Theater


When: May 26 at 8 p.m.
Where: Madison Theater, Covington
What: See Laura Jane Grace with Worriers and Sam Russo at an all-ages show.
Who: Madison Theater
Why: Also perfect for those fans waiting for Against Me! to end their hiatus.
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