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JUNE 11-19: Cincinnati Fringe Festival The Cincinnati Fringe Festival is back through June 19. This year's fest promises six outdoor shows, 10 livestreamed productions — plus the popular “Channel Fringe Hard Hitting Action News Update” nightly — as well as 21 video-on-demand shows from artists around the country. In addition to primary lineup performances, there will be special events, works-in-progress, the popular Visual Fringe gallery exhibits (available to view in-person and online) and the Fringe After Hours bar series. Read show reviews at citybeat.com. Hit the Lights // Photo: Marzio Fulfaro
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FRIDAY 28 EVENT: Bockfest Weekend If you’re unfamiliar with Cincinnati’s weirdest festival, you may be confused when the streets of downtown and Over-the-Rhine are overtaken by roaming goats, kegs on floats and a bunch of dudes and ladies dressed in lederhosen and dirndls for the 28th-annual Bockfest. The three days of protracted celebration are held to honor the coming of spring, bock beer and OTR’s brewing heritage. And the festivities kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 when the annual parade, led by a goat pulling a keg of beer and the reigning Sausage Queen, steps off from Arnold’s Bar & Grill on E. Eighth Street downtown and winds its way to the Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom (aka Bockfest Hall), where a ceremonial blessing of a keg launches a weekend of drinking. If you’re a real trooper, there’s a 5K at 10 a.m. on Saturday where the prize is more beer. Even more beer and unique historic brewery and cellar tours are offered throughout the weekend. And once night falls on Saturday, watch the prestigious (gender-neutral) Sausage Queen and Beard Baron competition finals. Sunday winds down the festivities with kid-friendly games and a Little Links pageant, German music and dancing, a .05K fun run, goat yoga, a famed bloody mary bar and the final day of the BockFeast pig roast buffet. Get a full schedule of events and what needs a ticket at bockfest.com. Photo: Paige Deglow
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SUNDAY 23 EVENT: Snow Queens Drag Brunch at Metropole Cincinnati’s iciest drag queens will be werking their way through the Metropole dining room during this Snow Queens brunch. Expect an over-the-top performance with your over-easy eggs as multiple ladies sashay the morning away while lip syncing to favorite hits. Tickets include a drag show, a welcome mimosa and family-style brunch prepared by chef David Kelsey. Bring some dollar bills. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23. $45 per person. RSVP required. Metropole at 21c, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, facebook.com/metropoleonwalnut. Photo: Paige Deglow
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FRIDAY 07 EVENT: Bockfest Sausage Queen Prelims at Mecklenburg Gardens The 28th-annual Bockfest — an annual celebration of spring, bock beer and the city’s brewing heritage — takes over downtown and Over-the-Rhine Feb. 28-March 1 with a plethora of activities, starting with a parade that steps off from downtown’s Arnold’s Bar & Grill. Each year, the gender-neutral Bockfest Sausage Queen has the honor of leading the Bockfest parade — along with some guys dressed like monks walking with a goat pulling a keg of bock beer — carrying a symbolic tray of bockwurst. In the weeks leading up to the Bockfest festival, there is a series of Bockfest Sausage Queen preliminary competitions. And the third preliminary competition will be held at Mecklenburg Gardens Friday (get sign-up details online). There are three rounds — a Q&A, sausage tray modeling and a talent portion — during which potential Queens are judged on their personality, presence and talent. The winners of the Sausage Queen preliminary rounds will compete in the finals on Feb. 29 at Bockfest Hall to see who will be crowned the Sausage Queen (and Beard Baron — we have one of those, too; it’s a guy or gal with the best facial hair) to lead the 2021 parade. 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. Free admission. Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Corryville, bockfest.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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SATURDAY 25 EVENT: Color Ball 2020 The Greater Cincinnati Human Rights Campaign hosts its annual Color Ball party and fundraiser. This formal event includes a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner, entertainment and guest speakers. The stated mission of HRC Cincinnati is "The Greater Cincinnati Chapter as part of the National Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation together serve as America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBTQ equality. By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, The Greater Cincinnati HRC chapter strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ people locally and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all." 5 p.m. VIP reception; 6 p.m. general reception Saturday, Jan. 25. $200; $150 students; $300 VIP; discounts for Federal Club members and friends. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, hrccincinnati.org. Photo via FACEBOOK/HRCCINCINNATI/
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FRIDAY 06 MUSIC: The Skivvies The Undie Rock duo bring their “I Touch My Elf” holiday show to Ludlow Garage 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, $15-$35, Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. Photo: Jacqueline Patton Photography
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Festival of Lights // Photo: Teagan Dumont
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SATURDAY 09 MUSIC: Wilco Jeff Tweedy might want to just get an apartment in Cincinnati. He was here last year to promote his fantastic memoir, Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back). The live interview/performance event at Walnut Hills High School was one of only six dates on the book tour. Then this year Tweedy played a solo show at Music Hall’s Ballroom, which was part solo acoustic concert, part stand-up comedy set (throughout, the singer/songwriter did a running bit about how the gig was like a wedding reception due to the odd configuration of the venue). After the book and a pair of solo albums, Tweedy has reconnected with his Wilco bandmates for Ode to Joy, the group’s 11th studio album, which was released in early October. Wilco is a perennial critical darling but there seemed to be more praise than usual for Joy; Stereogum and Rolling Stone both said it was their best album in years. Wilco has played Cincinnati consistently over the past three decades, from a small club show at Ripley’s and an opening set with The Jayhawks and Victoria Williams at the Cincinnati Zoo to headlining concerts at the Aronoff Center and the Taft. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. $45-$75. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, tafttheatre.org. Photo: Annabel Mehran
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TUESDAY 05 ONSTAGE: Mean Girls at the Aronoff Center Wildly popular teen comedy film Mean Girls is headed to Broadway in Cincinnati at the Aronoff Center during its national tour. The musical is based on the 2004 movie, which tells the story of a clan of popular teens — dubbed "The Plastics" — who become at odds with an innocent girl that moves into their suburban Illinois town from the African savanna and attempts to take down the queen bee. The award-winning creative team behind the Mean Girls musical includes director Casey Nicholaw (Aladdin, The Book of Mormon), author Tina Fey (30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde). Nov. 5-17. $35-$115. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org. Photo: Facebook.com/Meangirlsbway
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SATURDAY 05 EVENT: Weekend of Fire Calling all spice lovers: Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire presents all things hot, from salsas and dry rubs to sauces, marinades and mustards. There will be hundreds of foods to sample as well as an Arena of Fire competition with newly imagined contests and showdowns to see who can eat (or create) the spiciest items. Bring a friend — or foe — who can handle the heat and peruse over 50 vendors, see who will win the WOFI awards, build your own extremely wicked bloody mary at the Singe Bar and get ready to burn a hole in your belly. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. $10 adults; $2 kids. Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com. Photo: Provided by Jungle Jim's
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FRIDAY 20 EVENT: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Call your boss, call your friends and steam your lederhosen: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is kicking off early this year and Mayor John Cranley has officially declared it a citywide half-day holiday. “Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is one of our most important traditions,” Cranley said in a press release. “And it’s time we recognize it as the holiday it is!” Instead of the usual 5 p.m. Friday start time, work is canceled starting at 11 a.m. and the drinking can begin. As North America’s largest Oktoberfest — second only to the Munich original — things kick off with the Gemuetlichkeit Games (beer stein races and beer barrel rolls) followed by the official Oktoberfest keg tapping at noon. The festivities continue through the weekend with bratwurst-eating contests, the “World’s Largest Chicken Dance” (taking place on all nine stages), German music and thousands of pounds of sauerkraut balls, goetta, cream puffs, bratwurst, pretzels and limburger cheese. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets, Downtown, oktoberfestzinzinnati.com. Photo: Devin Luginbill
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SATURDAY 14 MUSIC: The Raconteurs The Raconteurs play the Taft Theatre. 8 p.m. Saturday. $49-$79. 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, tafttheatre.org. Photo: David James Swanson
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SUNDAY 08 EVENT: Tea Dance It’s time for another Tea Dance, and this month things are getting elevated on the Rhinegeist rooftop. This LGBTQ-friendly Sunday afternoon dance party is an inclusive love fest featuring views of Over-the-Rhine and Mount Adams; music from Gabriela G9 and Jacoby; and beer, wine and cocktails for purchase. 4-7 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/teadancecinci. Photo: Brittany Thornton
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FRIDAY 23 EVENT: Germania Society Oktoberfest Don’t let the name confuse you: this year’s Oktoberfest party is actually kicking off in late August. The Germania Society boasts that their 49th-annual Oktoberfest is the most authentic in Cincinnati (or Zinzinnati if you’re really getting in the Deutsch mood). They have live German music and dancing, games for kids, plenty of food — including sauerkraut balls, Oktoberfest chicken, curry wurst and limburger cheese sandwiches — and, of course, a wide variety of bier, wein and schnapps. Prost! 6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 2 p.m.-midnight Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. $5; free 12 and under. Germania Park, 3529 West Kemper Road, Pleasant Run, germaniasociety.com/oktoberfest. Photo: Masskrugstemmen Stein-Holding Competition // Germania Society PR
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FRIDAY 16 EVENT: Cincinnati Celtic Festival Celebrate your Celtic heritage at this three-day event — or celebrate somebody else’s because traditional fare and live entertainment are open to people of all ancestry. (According to the fest, the Celtic nations are Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.) Think you’ve got knobby knees? Try your hand — er, knees — at the Knobbiest Knees contest, which is just one of nine wacky contests alongside the Tallest Tale and Haggis Toss. Other highlights include a dart tournament, a Scottish and Irish whiskey tasting tent and a Highland Dancing competition. Expect traditional dishes including Scotch eggs, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and corned beef and cabbage, with Irish beer to wash it all down. There will also be Irish and Celtic bands onstage throughout the weekend. 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. The Banks, Downtown, cincycelticfest.com. Photo: Cincinnati Celtic Festival Facebook
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SATURDAY 22 EVENT: Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival Join in celebrating the LGBTQ community during this day of family-friendly fun. There will be food, drinks, vendors, entertainment and nothing but good vibes to go around, so come being unapologetically, authentically you. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. with a route that winds from the intersection of Seventh Street and Central Avenue to The Banks and Freedom Way, ending at Sawyer Point, with the festival immediately following at noon. The fest will feature headline performances from Ty Herndon, Peppermint, Kiiara, Nina West and Todrick Hall. See more about Pride and associated events on page 11. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. Free. Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, cincinnatipride.org. Photo: Ty Wesselkamper
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23 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Week (June 12-18)
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SATURDAY 08 EVENT: Pineapple Day Party Millennials rejoice: This generation’s favorite tropical fruit (avocados out; pineapples in) is front and center at this breezy summer event. Aimed at “celebrating the waviness and free-spiritedness in all of us,” the party features DJs from diverse pop-up experience collective Meraki Haus inside and local entrepreneurs outside. Most importantly, there’s no dress code but pineapple and island attire is encouraged. Special deals like bottomless mimosas and food surprises are available for early birds. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. Revel OTR Urban Winery, 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/merakihaus. Photo: Louis Rideout / Instagram/@callmerideout
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THURSDAY 23 EVENT: Margarita Madness Attention margarita lovers: CityBeat and Milagro Tequila present Margarita Madness, an evening of tequila, food, live music and lively competition on the Purple People Bridge. Participating restaurants include Bakersfield, Keystone Bar & Grill, Condado Tacos and other favorites — each of which will be competing in a margarita throwdown. Guests will vote for their favorite marg to win the People’s Choice award alongside local judges, who will be bestowing honors on the Best and Most Creative margaritas. Don’t miss the Guac-Off competition to inaugurate the Queen City’s guacamole master, either. Live music will be provided by The SunBurners. Tickets include 10 drinks, food samples and one token to vote for your favorite margarita. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday. $40. Purple People Bridge, 1 Levee Way, Newport, margaritamadnesscincy.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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SATURDAY 13 EVENT: Wizard Pub Crawl Accio beer! Whether you’re a muggle, wizard or Ron Weasley, break out your wand and get ready to drink your way through downtown and OTR. Tickets include a wand and wand box, Hogwarts house certificate, a costume competition, house-colored wristband for sorting, special photo ops, themed drinks and potions at each location and more. Crawl includes stops at 16-Bit, MOTR, HalfCut, The Rook, Japp’s and more. 2-10 p.m. Saturday. $25; $40 VIP (includes T-shirt). 16-Bit Bar+Arcade, 1331 Walnut St.,Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/16BitBar.
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Arts & Culture

What To Do in Cincinnati This Week: Sept. 26-Oct. 2

Cincinnati Moon Festival, Brews on the Block, Newport Oktoberfest, Champ Kind from 'Anchorman,' Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week and more

By CityBeat Staff

FRIDAY 28-SUNDAY 30 COMEDY: David Koechner You know David Koechner from, well, tons of things. He’s most recognized as Todd Packer, Michael Scott’s best friend on The Office, and as Champ Kind from The Anchorman films. Early in his career, though he had steady work, he sought a bit of work stability. “I didn’t ever want to be without a job, so I called my agent and asked, ‘Can you put me on the road?’ ” he says. A week later, she had 11 gigs lined up for him. “They were three months out, so I just worked up an act in town, put a bunch of character pieces together and went out on the road.” These days his set is more family-driven. “I’m married with five kids,” he says. “I call my show Symphony of Chaos, because that’s what my life is.” 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday; 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. $20-$50. Funny Bone Liberty, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township, liberty.funnybone.com .
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Arts & Culture

16 Fun Cincinnati Fall Festivals

The fall season officially starts on Sept. 22, but pumpkin spice is already back on the menu, which means it’s time for…

By CityBeat Staff

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
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SATURDAY 08 EVENT: Red Bull Soapbox Race Red Bull’s Soapbox Race returns to Mount Adams for an afternoon of daring downhill racing. Experienced and amateur racers are invited to construct their own vehicles out of whatever material they have available. Use your imagination to create the fastest or most interesting racer. Points will be awarded based on speed, creativity and showmanship. Sixty teams have already been selected to participate. If you aren’t racing, secure a spot on the sidelines to watch the action. The family-friend (but not pet-friendly) event features all-day racing, with an awards ceremony at 4 p.m. Food and beverage vendors will be on hand serving up snacks so do not bring your own food, water, alcohol or coolers. Pits open 10 a.m. Saturday; racing begins at 11 a.m. Free. Eden Park, Mount Adams, soapboxrace.redbull.com. Photo: Rooted Media House
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Sunday 02 Riverfest and the Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks Nobody celebrates the end of summer better than Cincinnati, so join Western & Southern and WEBN at Riverfest and enjoy food and entertainers during the day, followed by a Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks show over the river at 9:07 p.m. The day will feature events vendors on both sides of the river with family-friendly fun. For entertainment, live bands such as Sir Sly, Madison Beer, the Arkells and more will be performing. Riverfest fireworks will be coordinated, as always, to a Classic Rock soundtrack by WEBN. You can basically guarantee you’re going to hear Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.” Riverfest kicks off at noon; fireworks start at 9:07 p.m. Sunday. Sawyer Point, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, webn.iheart.com. Photo: Provided
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Jason Kelce Loses Super Bowl Ring During 'New Heights' Live Show in Cincinnati

By Ashley Moor

Jason Kelce at the New Heights podcast live show at Fifth Third Arena | April 11, 2024

Cincinnati's Weirdest Music Festival, Burritofest, is Back and Bigger Than Ever

By Katherine Barrier

The Comet | 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside

Welcome to the Best of Cincinnati® 2024

By CityBeat Staff

CityBeat Best of Cincinnati® 2024

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