There’s a lot going on in Cincinnati this weekend. A Who Dey inspired vendor market, various art exhibit openings, an Oktoberfest extravaganza and hundreds of people will be swimming in the Ohio River. There’s something out there for everyone, check out this list we’ve complied of standout happenings 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.

Who Dey Vendor Market 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Aug. 26 A Bengals-inspired market is coming to West Side Brewery to kick off football season. Unique Bengals gifts and merchandise from local artists and businesses will be offered throughout this Who Dey celebration. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Aug. 26 at West Side Brewery 3044 Harrison Ave., Cheviot. Photo: twitter.com/bengals
La Pequeña Fiesta Cubana’s GLOW UP Party 5-8 p.m. Aug. 27 The Mockbee is hosting a Cuban dance party with free admission this weekend. La Pequeña Fiesta Cubana invites everyone to enjoy a night of food drink and dance, Glow Up style. Guests are encouraged to wear glow in the dark clothes and body paint. DJ Robertón of Louisville will provide the Cuban dance music and food from ImbuePoppin’ will be available for purchase. La Pequeña Fiesta Cubana’s Glow Up Party, 5-8 p.m. Aug. 27, The Mockbee 2260 Central Pkwy, Brighton Photo: Jesse Fox
The Color of Jazz: Concepts in Improvisation 5-8 p.m. Aug. 25 The opening reception of The Art Academy of Cincinnati’s The Color of Jazz: Concepts in Improvisation will feature an exhibition of paintings and drawings by AAC alum William Parrish. In an artist statement on the AAC’s website, Parish says the works are an ode to jazz music and in honor of his former professors who helped shape his talent. The exhibit runs through Sept. 22. The Color of Jazz: Concepts in Improvisation 5-8 p.m. Aug. 25, The Art Academy of Cincinnati 1212 Jackson St., Over The Rhine. Photo: provided by Nicholas Korn-aac
Art After Dark | R.I.P. Pablo 5-9 p.m. Aug. 25 Enjoy after hours access to the Cincinnati Art Museum during this monthly event. The R.I.P. Pablo installment honors Pablo Piccasso and the 50th anniversary of his death. The museum is offering free admission to Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds exhibit. The night features music from DJ Diamond a cash bar and food from Pata Roja Taqueria and the Terrace Café. Art After Dark | R.I.P. Pablo, 5-9 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Cincinnati Art Museum 953 Eden Park Dr., Eden Park. Photo: provided by the Cincinnati Art Museum
Summermusik 2023: Fiddlin’ Folk 8:30-9:45 p.m. Aug. 25 The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra presents a night of traditional music and dances from Norway, Denmark and the U.S. Tickets include a glass of wine and a night of entertainment while Kentucky native Tessa Lark and Summermusik musicians perform compositions by Scott Joplin, Mark O’Connor, Wynton Marsalis, and arrangements of traditional Nordic folk tunes by the Danish String Quartet. Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for students and children. Summermusik 2023: Fiddlin’ Folk 8:30-9:45 p.m. Aug. 25 at The Barn 6980 Cambridge Ave., Mariemont Photo: provided by the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
Cruel Summer: Taylor Swift Dance Party 8 p.m. Aug. 25 The Taylor Swift-themed events will never get old, especially when they come in the form of a dance party. Calling all Swifties to the Thompson House this weekend for a night full of Taylor hits and dancing. Tickets are $20. 8 p.m. Aug. 25 The Thompson House 24 E. Third St., Newport. Photo: provided by lepetitefetefl
ARTfest On Main 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 26 The Springboro Arts Council presents a day of arts and activities for the whole family. The festival includes fine art, food and beer trucks, live music and children’s activities. Mid-main street will come alive among the Historic Downtown Springboro District, charming buildings and local businesses. Admission to the event is free and pet friendly. ARTfest On Main 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 26, 200 S. Main St., Springboro. Photo: provided by CitySparkJB
Opening Reception: Wish You Were Here 6-8 p.m. Aug. 26 The Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s latest photography exhibit opens this weekend. On display will be juried photographs of local artists’ beloved vacation scenes. Photos that capture an entire travel experience in one shot will be on display in an effort to celebrate traveling to discover and experiencing new places. Admission is free. 6-8 p.m. Kennedy Heights Art Center 6546 Montgomery Rd., Pleasant Ridge Photo: Danielle Schuster
Movie in the Park: Ghostbusters at Marcum Park 8-10 p.m. Aug. 26 If there’s something strange in your neighborhood this weekend, you can call the Cincinnati Ghostbusters cosplayers, who will make a special appearance at a family fun movie night in Marcum Park. The 1984 “Ghostbusters” will be screening for free. 8-10 p.m. Aug. 26 Marcum Park 116 Dayton St., Hamilton provided
Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim 6:15-9 a.m. Aug. 27 The largest open water swim across the Ohio River is happening in Cincinnati on Sunday.The Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim is a 900-meter swim across the river and back. It launches at the Serpentine Wall and ends at Public Landing. Everyone from professional athletes to leisurely swimmers can participate. It’s not everyday you get to see anything but a duck, a boat or some driftwood floating along the Ohio River current, bystanders will surely be entertained by this annual event. 6:15-9 a.m. Aug. 27 Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim Photo: provided by Great Ohio River Swim
Ice Cream & Queens Drag Brunch 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Aug. 27 A “frosty fusion of flavor and fierceness” will be aplenty at the Ice Cream & Queens Drag Brunch at 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati. Executive Chef of Metropole Zachary Barnes will create a family-style brunch for all, and of course there will be ice cream. Tickets are $55 and include a mimosa or bloody mary. Ice Cream & Queens Drag Brunch 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Aug. 27 21c Museum Hotel 609 Walnut St., Downtown. Photo: provided by 21c Museum & Hotel
The Cincinnati Festival of Faiths 12-5 p.m. Aug. 27 Over 30 faith-based organizations that represent 13 world religions are participating in “entertaining and meaningful” programming at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. This years’ theme is Compassion Thought Action: Dwelling Together in Peace and Justice. Admission is free. The Cincinnati Festival of Faiths 12-5 p.m. Aug. 27 at Xavier University’s Cintas Center 1624 Herald Ave., Oakley. Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Festival of Faiths
2023 MUFON Symposium 6-9 p.m. Aug. 25 | 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Aug. 26 & 27 Every year, fans and professionals gather in collaborative effort to better understand the UFO phenomenon. The Mutual UFO Network will host a symposium full of speakers, vendors, artists, films and other forms of information and entertainment at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The theme for this annual event is Friend or Foe: 2.0. “What do they want?” the symposium calls on professionals and fans to investigate. 2023 MUFON Symposium 6-9 p.m. Aug. 25 | 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Aug. 26 & 27 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center 1 W Rivercenter Blvd., Covington. Photo: provided by MUFON Symposium
CAPTURE an exhibit opening at Pause OFF Artist Collective 8 p.m. Aug. 25 Pause OFF Artist collective presents the opening of a group photography show at their historic barn location in Milford. The evening of drinks, live music and art begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and showcases a handful of local photographer’s work. CAPTURE an exhibit opening at Pause OFF Artist Collective 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at Pause OFF studios 24 Wooster Pike, Milford. Photo: Katie Griffith
Oktoberfest Aug. 25-27 The original and “most authentic” Germania Society of Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest kicks off a season of celebration all weekend. The event will offer the largest German beer selection in the tri-state along with German food, music, imported German items and rides and games for kids. Aug. 25-27 at the Germania Society of Cincinnati 3529 West Kemper Rd., Northside. Photo: provided by Germania Society

Katie Griffith is CityBeat’s arts and culture reporter. She proudly hails from the West Side of Cincinnati and studied journalism at the University of Cincinnati. After freelancing for CityBeat for many...