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16 Fun Cincinnati Fall Festivals

By CityBeat Staff on Tue, Sep 11, 2018 at 4:46 pm

The fall season officially starts on Sept. 22, but pumpkin spice is already back on the menu, which means it’s time for sweater weather, apple cider and other autumnal activities. Think of this as a starting point for all your cozy, creepy and cute fall fun.

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SATURDAY 13-SUNDAY 14

EVENT: Ohio Renaissance Festival
For weekends steeped in magic, chivalry, Arthurian flair and fantasy vibes, don your favorite corset or suit of armor and pick your favorite themed weekend to join in. Cheer on your favorite jouster with a giant turkey leg in hand, then wash it down with ale.
10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29. $23 adult; $9.50 child. 10542 E State Route 73, Waynesville, renfestival.com.
Photo: Checkmate Photography

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Cincinnati is a city steeped in German heritage; celebrate that with North America’s largest Oktoberfest, second only to the OG in Munich. Feast on sauerkraut balls, goetta, cream puffs, bratwurst, pretzels, limburger cheese, etc. Cheer on your fave dachshund in the “Running of the Wieners” — they’ll race to the finish line wearing hot dog costumes. There will also be bratwurst-eating contests, the “World’s Largest Chicken Dance,” German music and more.
5 -11 p.m. Sept. 21; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 22; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 23. Free admission. Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets, Downtown, oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.
Photo: Brian Douglas

Fifty Fest

Cincinnati has almost too many breweries for one beer lover to sample, but Fifty West Brewing Co. is helping out by putting over 20 local breweries under one roof. There will also be three stages of live music — featuring acts including Bad Veins, Darlene and Part-Time Gentleman — and food vendors from across the city. All ages welcome.
Noon-midnight Sept. 15. $10. Fifty West Brewing Company, 7668 Wooster Pike, Mariemont/Columbia Township, fiftywestbrew.com.
Photo: Provided

Kentucky Wool Festival

Drive through winding country roads before landing at the Kentucky Wool Fest; be greeted by the wafting scent of fried food, twangy banjos, a petting zoo and vendor booths with handcrafted items selling everything from threads to keep you warm to goat-milk soap and lots and lots of wool. Watch sheep herding and sheep shearing demos as well as artisans turn wool into yarn and fiber works.
10 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 5-6; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 7. $5. 48 Concord Caddo Road, Falmouth, Ky., kywoolfest.org.
Photo: Provided

Sunflower Festival

Possibly the most aesthetically pleasing on this list, the Gorman Heritage Sunflower Festival oozes cuteness. Take a stroll through towering golden sunflowers — and snip a bundle to take home. The fest also includes hayrides, vendors, a sunflower field maze, food trucks and pumpkin picking. Sunflowers are $1 per stem or $10 per dozen. New this year is a MadTree beer booth.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6-7. $8 adults; $5 kids 3-17/seniors; free kids under 3. Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Road, Evendale, gormanfarm.org.
Photo: Gorman Heritage Farm

HallZOOween

Tricks and treats aren’t just for humans — zoo residents get in on the fun with special pumpkin enrichment activities every weekend in October. Kids can trick-or-treat at stations scattered throughout the grounds, catch a show from Phil Dalton’s Theater of Illusion and even hop on the Hogwarts Express. Costumes are encouraged, as is bringing along your own treat bag to help the zoo go green.
Noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 6-28. Free with zoo admission: $19 adults; $13 kids. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
Photo: Provided

Ohio Sauerkraut Festival

Since 1970, this festival has offered sauerkraut in and on everything from fudge to pizza. It also includes a ton of arts and crafts vendors — more than 460 from over 25 states.
9 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 13; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 14. Free admission. North Main Street, Waynesville, sauerkrautfestival.waynesvilleohio.com.
Photo: Provided

Country Applefest

Whether you pronounce it caramel or caramel, get ready to get some of the delightful sugary stuff stuck in your teeth. This fall festival is a celebration of all things apple: candy apples, cider, fritters, pies and more. Relish in the apple extravaganza and shop arts and crafts like pottery, jewelry and handmade, possibly apple-scented soaps.
10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Sept. 29. Free admission. Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway St., Lebanon, countryapplefest.com.
Photo: Provided

Salt Festival

Take a trip back in time at Big Bone Lick. This historically inspired fest celebrates pioneer life with hands-on demonstrations and activities, including flint knapping, salt making, weaving, spear throwing, atlatl tossing and more. Browse a crafters corner for handmade wares, sample snacks from a food court and visit a herd of real bison.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 19. Free admission. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, 3380 Beaver Road, Union, Ky., friendsofbigbone.org.
Photo: Provided

Weekend of Fire

Calling all spice lovers: Weekend of Fire presents all things hot, including, salsas, dry rubs, hot sauces and bloody marys. Bring pals who can take the heat and peruse over 55 vendors.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 6; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 7. $8; $14 two-day. Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com.
Photo: Provided