Bar Events
Who Dey Halloween Funday Sunday: Halloween-themed tailgate action with Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins on the tube. 1 p.m. Oct. 31. BlackFinn (19 E. Seventh St.) and Lodge Bar (35 E. Seventh St.), Downtown, 513-721-9400.
Bulldog’s Halloween Bash: Delivers excitement and prizes for the scariest, sexiest and best dead celebrity costumes. Judged by Eric Deters. Free admission with costume. 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Oct. 30. Bulldog’s Roadhouse, Newport on the Levee, Newport, 859-491-8800.
Through the Looking Glass: Halloween bash with costume contest 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 29. The Who Dey Halloween Party celebrates the city’s favorite team with music by DJ Phatboy and DJ E-Coli 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 30. FB’s, 126 W. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-246-4333.
Haunted Halloween Bash: Features a contest for the best, sexiest and funniest costumes. Free. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 30. InCahoots, 4110 Hunt Road, Blue Ash, 513-793-2600.
Longworth’s Masquerade Ball features music by DJ BRoy and live rock by Last Call. Bud Light Specials all night, Happy Hour until 9 p.m. and a costume contest with prizes. Cover charge; tickets available for presale. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 29. Longworth’s rocks at their third annual two-level Heaven & Hell Halloween Party with Jagermeister Specials all night, a costume contest, music by Strange Love and DJ Crossfade. Cover charge; tickets available for presale. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 30. Longworth’s Tavern, 1108 Saint Gregory St., Mount Adams, 513-651-2253.
Mount Adams Pavilion’s Halloween Bash: Offers one of the city’s best costume contests with cash prizes. Drink package with admission. $13 cover. Oct. 30. Mount Adams Pavilion, 949 Pavilion St., Mount Adams, 513-744-9200.
Glow in the Dark Party: Features live music by Midnight Conspiracy, Na Palm, Machine Gun Kelly and more. Super sexy/scary costume contest and more with Spread the Groove. $20 Oct. 29. PXP’s Halloween Bash with Black and Tan Carpet Band is Oct. 30. Details TBA. Play by Play Café, 6923 Plainfield Road, Silverton, 513-793-3360.
Free Music: Halloween weekend includes free live music from Enlou and Oh No Oh My at 10 p.m. Oct. 29, La Noche (Latin Dance) at 10 p.m. Oct. 30 and The Tillers at 10 p.m. Oct. 31. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-3603.
Ghoulish Gala: Admission includes drinks, dinner, wine and music by the Chuck Taylors. $100. 6:30 p.m.-midnight. Oct. 30. The Newport Syndicate, 18 E. Fifth St., Newport, 859-442-3219.
Scary Good Concert: The reunited Greenhornes host a Halloween Record Release Party at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. $10. Southgate House, 24 E. Third St., Newport, 859-431-2201.
Masquerade Balls and Special Events
All Hallows Eve Paranormal Investigation of Music Hall: Offers the chance to participate in an in-depth professional paranormal investigation with Cincinnati Research & Paranormal Studies. Limited to 24 participants. $50. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Oct. 31. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-621-ARTS.
Angel of Death Haunted Trail: A chainsaw chase through the woods. 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays through Oct. 30. $10. 6162 Wilmington Road, Oregonia, Exit 36 off I-71, 937-304-4215.
The Carnival Noir: “Voodoo and Vices” promises to connect you with the dark side. Filmed and live performances and artistic interpretations of humanity’s deadly vices. Costumes encouraged. Charity auction benefits the Women’s Crisis Center. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 8 p.m. Oct. 22. Leapin’ Lizards Gallery, 726 Main St., Covington, 513-515-9695.
Covington Zombie Crawl: Kurt Strecker presents an all-ages (if rotten) way to celebrate the season: dress to kill. Zombifications done on site. Free. 6 p.m.-midnight Oct. 31. Beginning at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, 112 E. Fourth St., Covington, 859-292-2322.
Halloween Bash: This benefit for Freestore/Foodbank features a costume contest with prizes and live music by rock cover band Vehicle. 8 p.m. Oct. 30. $15 admission with two canned goods. Cheviot Fieldhouse, 3729 Robb Ave., Cheviot, 513-482-4500.
Halloween Gigposter Bash: Powerhouse Factories, renowned for their rock concert posters, hosts a party Oct. 29 featuring music, beverages and finger foods, with trick-or-treat bags to the first 50 people through the door containing Powerhouse goodies. There’s also a discounted merchandise sidewalk sale at noon-5 p.m.; the party starts at 5 p.m. Free. 33 E. Ninth St., Newport, 859-491-0444.
Hellaween: Media Bridges and WVQC (Radio Free Queen City) presents a musical Halloween party with local acts doing tribute performances of KISS, The Cars, Twisted Sister, The Dead Kennedys and more. The lineup includes SSIK, The Ted Kennedys, The Muscle Cars and Stupid Sister. There’s also DJ Gerald, a costume contest and a drag queen show. Free admission. Proceeds from bar sales support the non-commercial low-power radio station WVQC (95.7 FM) and online streaming at www.wvqc.org. 9 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30. Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside. www.maydaynorthside.com or www.wvqc.org.
Madison Monster Bash: The Madison Theater hosts coney and pizza stations, appetizers and an open bar with music by Pete Dressman and Maize Music. Costume contest with cash prizes for best overall, best couple and scariest. 8 p.m. Oct. 29. All you can eat and drink for $45. 700 Madison Ave., Covington, 859-261-1117.
Mischief Masquerade Ball: Boogie Nights dance club inside Hollywood Casino hosts a costume dance party 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Oct. 29. $15. Then comes the Prom From Hell 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Oct. 30 featuring prizes for best ’70s costume, best ’80s costume, sexiest costume and more. $15. 777 Hollywood Blvd., Lawrenceburg, 812-539-8000.
Over-the-Rhine Ghost Tour: Queen City Underground Tours presents a colorful one-hour walking tour through historic buildings that have been reported to be haunted. Visitors will learn about the Cincinnati’s most vicious murderer as well as the specters that lurk in Music Hall. $20. Starts at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays through Oct. 30 at 12th and Vine Sts., Over-the-Rhine. Music Hall tours are 9:30 p.m. Oct. 29-30. $30. 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. www.queencityishaunted.com.
Ride the Duck Haunted Tour: Ride Newport’s Duck to see some of the area’s most haunted sites (including the Omni Netherland Hotel, Taft Museum of Art, Music Hall and Union Terminal) and dip into the river to hear about the haunted mansion on Covington’s shoreline and the famous Bobby Mackey’s Music World. For ages 9 and up. 5, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 30, plus Oct. 31. $15. Trips depart from Newport on the Levee. 859-815-1439.
Run Like Hell: Dress in costume for the 19th annual nocturnal 5K run through Walnut Hills Cemetery. Start at Dana and Woodburn avenues and end up a Halloween themed after party with free food, drinks and live music by Forehead. The event benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This year’s theme is “A Night to Remember,” so break out your high school and family portraits for inspiration. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29. 513-533-9300 ext. 13.
Stop AIDS Halloween Party: Mayday hosts a fun party with live music from No No Knots and spins from local Djs Apryl Reign, Todd, Don and Bruce. Win prizes in Cincinnati’s wildest costume contest. 8 p.m. Oct. 23. $10. 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-541-0999.
USS Nightmare Captain’s Ball and Unrated Captain’s Tour: The spookiest tub on the river promises even greater terrors with the lights-off Captain’s Tour, during which participants explore the ship aided only by dim flashlights. The Captain’s Ball is a dockside Halloween party with DJ, dancing and cash bar; costumes optional. $28 for admission to the Ball and Tour or $20 for just the Tour. Board at 11 p.m. Oct. 30. Newport on the Levee, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, 859-392-7568.
Zombie Party in Covington: LoudMouth, Situation Red and others host a party at Mad Hatter Oct. 29. The zombies start their crawl at 7:30 p.m. at Cock & Bull (601 Main St.), enjoy drink specials and slouch on toward the Hatter by 8:45 p.m. Cover charge. Mad Hatter, 620 Scott St., Covington, 859-291-2233.
Zombie Party in Northside: Vintage clothing boutique Chicken Lays an Egg hosts an off-the-hook doomsday party to celebrate its first anniversary, featuring performances by DJ Whocares? and Scary Jim. Northslice pizza and Halloween treats will also be provided. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 23. Free. 1608 Chase Ave., Northside, 513-834-9268.
Arts and Performances
Dracula: Giles Davies plays the Count in this creepy staging of the classic Bram Stoker story by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Performed Thursday-Sunday through Nov. 7. $22-$28. 719 Race St., Downtown, 513-381-BARD.
Evil Dead The Musical: Falcon Theatre presents a stage version (with music!) of the cult classic film. There will be plenty of zombies, blood, chainsaws and prominent chins for even the most die-hard fans. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Nov. 6, plus Oct. 28 and 31. $14-$17. Monmouth Theatre, 636 Monmouth St., Newport, 513-479-6783.
Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus: The hardest working man in Halloween show business, Giles Davies, leads this one-man adapted by Jim Helsinger from the novel by Mary Shelley. Performed when Davies isn’t playing the Count in Dracula: Saturday-Sunday afternoons and Tuesday-Wednesday evenings through Nov. 7. $16-$22. 719 Race St., Downtown, 513-381-BARD.
Halloween Cabaret: The Loveland Stage Company presents a two-act musical revue featuring some of autumn’s favorite ghouls. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-23 and 3 p.m. Oct. 24. $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. 211 S. Second St., Loveland, 513-697-6769.
Haunted Hall: A costumed Cincinnati Pops Orchestra scares up a good time at Music Hall with two nights of music and mirth featuring a creepy cast of singers and dancers. Bruce Hangen conducts the Pops, and WGUC’s Mark Perzel provides appropriately creepy narration. Wear your costume for a chance to win great prizes. 8 p.m. Oct. 29-30. $25-$94.50, with child tickets $20. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-3300.
Halloween Events for the Whole Family
Augusta Ghost Tour: The city of Augusta, Ky., hosts its annual Ghost Tour, departing from the old 1811 jail and traveling the town’s streets, stopping at houses where the owners tell stories about the spirits living inside. Then the tour proceeds out to “Long Stretch Road,” where strange things have been happening. Reservations are required. $6, $3 children under 12. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 30. Main St., Augusta, Ky., 606-756-2183, www.augustaky.com.
BatFest: Cincinnati Museum Center celebrates the world’s only flying mammal with live demonstrations from the Museum Center’s own brown colony, book readings, a scavenger hunt, activities with Happen Inc. and Cincinnati Park Board, a costume parade and much more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 30. $12.50; free for Museum Center members. 1301 Western Ave., West End, 513-287-7000.
Boo! Manatee: Events include pumpkin painting (pumpkins and supplies provided) for $5 per child. 1:30 p.m. Oct. 16 and Oct. 30. Kids can also stop by to trick or treat on Halloween day. Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore, 3054 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-731-2665.
Ghosts of Pirate Cove: Newport Aquarium takes to the high seas of mischief with underwater ghost pirate duels, pumpkin carving and more. $22; $15 children 2-12 or $5 for children in costume; under 2 are admitted free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31. Newport on the Levee, Newport, 859-261-7444, www.newportaquarium.com.
Halloween Family Night: Town & Country Sports Complex hosts an active evening with costume contests, family games, rock climbing, Aeroball, sports wall games, crafts and photos. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23. $10 per family. 1018 Town Drive, Wilder, 859-442-5800.
Halloween Nights at Parky’s Farm: Parky’s transforms from farmland to a Halloween play land but without any scary monsters. This kid-friendly, non-scary event features hayrides, animated light displays, hayrides, magic and puppet shows and a fun house. $6, free for kids 2 and under. 6-10 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Oct. 30. 10037 Daly Road, Winton Woods, 513-521-7275.
Halloween Storytelling: The Greater Cincinnati Storytelling Guild hosts scary stories by the fire at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve. Bring your own hotdogs and roasting sticks and cook over the fire. 6:30 p.m. Oct 21. Free with valid Hamilton County Park District motor vehicle permit ($10 annual, $2 daily). 3455 Poole Road, Colerain Twp., 513-521-7275.
HallZOOween: Discover the creepy and the crawly at Cincinnati Zoo. Little ghouls and goblins ages 12 and under can trick-or-treat their way around the zoo grounds at a variety of Treat Stations. There are also a lot of events where different animals smash pumpkins and a magic show. Free with Zoo admission. Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 24 and 25. 3400 Vine St., Avondale, 513-559-7759, www.cincinnatizoo.org.
Howl-O-Fest: Kings Island presents this kids’ Halloween bash with a costume parade, an indoor maze, mask painting, trick-or-treating, a dance party, a story-telling witch, a talking pumpkin, food and more, including a petting zoo. $27.99. Noon-5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct.30. 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, 513-754-5700.
Jack-O-Lantern Junction: EnterTrainment Junction hosts a well-lit maze in an old Victorian mansion with cobwebs and “haunted” rooms, plus a walk-through featuring a mirror maze, clown room, chain-link maze and a curtain maze. Halloween treats for kids are available at selected locations throughout the mazes. $14.95. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays through Oct.31. 7379 Squire Court, West Chester, 513-898-8000.
Magic of the Night: UC Clermont College presents a Halloween themed magic show featuring magician Stephen Knight that’s geared toward children ages 3-13. 7 p.m. Oct. 28. $6 for adults, $4 for children. Krueger Auditorium, 4200 Clermont College Dr., Batavia, 513-558-1215.
Morgan’s Spooktacular Haunted River: Hike alongside the haunted river and then raft back to the start. 7-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays through Oct. 30. $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Morgan’s Riverside Campground, 6262 Gilmour Road, Morrow, 513-899-2166.
Parky’s Farm Halloween Nights: The Hamilton County Park District’s magical take on Halloween includes a huge lights display as seen from a bouncy hayride, a children’s rock concert, an animated talking mirror and the magic of Phil Dalton. Picnic baskets are welcome, and food is available on site for purchase. 6-10 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Oct. 30. $6 plus $2 per vehicle; children younger than 2 are free. Winton Woods, 10037 Daly Road, Forest Park, 513-728-3551 ext. 371.
Pumpkin Jubilee: The Blue Ash Elementary PTA hosts a Halloween party with carnival games, prizes, a cake decorating contest and a silent auction. Costumes preferred. Proceeds from the event provide funding for school materials. Three tickets for $1. 5-9 p.m. Oct. 22. 9541 Plainfield Road, Blue Ash, 513-686-1706.
Wyoming Howling Pooch Parade and Howl-O-Ween Hoopla: Halloween goes to the dogs (had to be said) at Wyoming’s annual costumed canine event. Dogs and their owners come costumed to compete for prizes. 1-4 p.m. Oct. 24. Free. Wyoming Civic Center, 1 Worthington Ave., Wyoming, 513-821-5200.
