18 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Oct. 20-22)

By Katie Griffith on Thu, Oct 19, 2023 at 10:08 am

It's spooky szn, Cincinnati. There's plenty of festive events for everyone like a National Apple Day celebration, costume contests or Ohio's largest plant sale. Check out a musical at the Aronoff Center or attend a virtual bread-making event. Check out some of our weekend picks below.

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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Photo: Kaique Rocha/Pexels

The Convening

When: Oct. 20 & 21
Where: Mecca in OTR & the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on The Banks & the Contemporary Arts Center, Downtown
What: Talks and performances featuring national and local artists and activists.
Who: FotoFocus and Creative Time
Why: "The Convening is a significant collaborative effort designed to discuss thinking about land-use and self-determination through contemporary art practices, including photography," according to its website.

Photo: Steve Ziegelmeyer

The Zombies at Ludlow Garage

When: Oct. 20 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Ludlow Garage, Clifton
What: The Zombies live, on tour with their new album Different Game.
Who: The Zombies
Why: It's a chance to see Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and hear some of their hits from the '60s to now.

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Photo: Cincinnati Coffee Festival Facebook

Cincinnati Coffee Festival

When: Oct. 21 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. & Oct. 22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine
What: All things coffee, tea and delicious treats.
Who: "World-class" roasters, coffee shops, purveyors of fine food and professional baristas.
Why: Free samples! Caffeinated fun! (And the festival benefits the Ohio River Foundation).

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Photo: facebook.com/cincylibraryfriends

Arts Equity Collective's Black Book Fair

When: Oct. 21 from noon-6 p.m.
Where: Oasis at Grace, College Hill
What: A celebration of black literature and culture.
Who: Arts Equity Collective
Why: The event's mission is to increase the representation of Black voices and create cultural diversity in publishing.

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Photo: Katie Griffith

Barks and Books

When: Oct. 21 from noon-4 p.m.
Where: Roebling Books & Coffee, Newport
What: A storytelling and book signing event with dog adoption options and information.
Who: Adventures of Hope, Fetch, Dog Love Bakery, Pet Wants and 3 Mutts on Wheels
Why: Dogs and books. Why not?

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Photo: Matt Uubbew via Unsplash

Fall Festival and Costume Contest

When: Oct. 21 from 2-4 p.m.
Where: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wyoming
What: Outdoor festival celebrating fall fun for the family.
Who: St. Paul Lutheran Church
Why: It's an opportunity to try out your Halloween look.

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Photo: instagram.com/@sneakypanda

National Apple Day Festival

When: Oct. 21 from 3-11 p.m.
Where: Northwood Cider Company, Norwood
What: Celebration of National Apple Day.
Who: Northwood Cider Company and participating vendors.
Why: Apple cider. Dogs are welcome. Apple pie.

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Photo: Natalie Krebs

Halloween Carnival & Carpool Cinema

When: Oct. 21 from 5-10 p.m.
Where: Clifton Recreation Center, Clifton
What: A Halloween carnival and movie night.
Who: Clifton Cultural Arts Center
Why: *points finger* "E.T. phone home."

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Photo: Vadim Kaipov, Unsplash

Cincinnati Plant Party

When: Oct. 22 from 1-7 p.m.
Where: Knox Joseph Distillery at the OTR StillHouse, Over-the-Rhine
What: A plant market featuring handmade goods.
Who: Local plant vendors, propagators, plant shops and local artists.
Why: 20-plus local plant vendors.

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Photo: Casey Roberts

United for Ukraine Benefit Concert & Marketplace

When: Oct. 22 from 2-4 p.m.
Where: Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Cheviot
What: Music for Ukraine concert series
Who: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music students and musicians
Why: The project exists to raise awareness and funds for disaster relief for Ukraine.

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Photo: Matthew Murphy

Girl From the North Country

When: Now through Oct. 29
Where: Aronoff Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown
What: Bob Dylan songs with a musical twist.
Who: Broadway in Cincinnati
Why: See CityBeat's take on the show here.

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Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra with Disney In Concert

When: Oct. 20 & 21 at 7:30 p.m. & Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.
Where: Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine
What: The Sound of Magic is a symphonic celebration of Disney classics.
Who: Cincinnati Pops
Why: This show is 100 years in the making.

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Photo: Provided by OutReels Cincinnati Film Festival

OutReels Cincinnati Film Festival

When: Oct. 20-22
Where: Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, East Price Hill
What: A film festival featuring 19 films centered on LGBTQ+ experiences.
Who: OutReels and participating filmmakers
Why: See CityBeat's post on the event here.

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Photo: Mikki Shaffner

Cincinnati Storytelling Festival

When: Oct. 19-21
Where: West Side Brewing & Madcap Education Center, Westwood
What: Spooky and "weird" stories told live by professional writers, comedians and artists.
Who: Storytellers Paul Strickland, Megan Hicks and Antonio Rocha
Why: Storytime can be for adults, too.

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The Adventurers Club Murders

When: Oct. 20 & 21 at 8 p.m.
Where: Sharonville Cultural Arts Center, Sharonville
What: An interactive murder mystery event for adult audiences.
Who: Sharonville Center Stage Performing Arts Inc.
Why: Costumes are encouraged.

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Photo: Jesse Fox

Reforest Northern Kentucky

When: Oct. 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Devou Park, Covington
What: Help maintain the reforestation site of 2015.
Who: Reforest NKY and the City of Covington
Why: Trees are essential to life.

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Photo: Provided by Nancy Hand

Breaking Bread with Nancy Hand

When: Oct. 20-22 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: the Internet
What: A live, 3-day virtual bread-making, life-coaching event and tutorial.
Who: Life coach and author Nancy Hand
Why: "Connect like you're in the kitchen at a good party, even if you’ve been stressed out, and discover how to build meaningful friendships without ever leaving home," the event listing reads.

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Photo: facebook.com/fernstudiocincinnati

Fern Vintage Market

When: Oct. 22 from Noon-5 p.m.
Where: Fern, College Hill
What: Vintage collectors and sellers.
Who: Fern and participating vendors.
Why: Plants. Live music. Vintage Goods.

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