Every month Tour de Cincinnati creates a shortlist of notable events around Greater Cincinnati—large festivals, food weeks, entertainment, and ongoing series—to make sure you mark down these dates to keep in mind as you make plans in the coming weeks.
Here are several important dates for local events in August to get in your calendars now:
August 1–14
Ohio’s Annual Sales Tax Holiday
Goods of any kind priced at $500 or less are exempt from tax during the holiday. This sales tax holiday helps families buy clothing, supplies, and other items their children may need to be successful in the coming school year.
FAQ for exclusions and restrictions
August 1–31
Black Business Month
Click here for a comprehensive list of Black businesses to support in Cincinnati in August and beyond. Courtesy of The Voice of Black Cincinnati.
July 11–August 31
Shakespeare in the Park: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Various parks around greater Cincinnati. Click here for schedule.
FREE public Cincinnati Shakespeare Company performances at area parks.
No ticket or RSVPs required and all performances are general admission
July 19–August 3
Grand Carnivale
Kings Island
International festival and cultural event complete with live music, cultural crafts, lively activities, authentic cuisine, and more. Daily Spectacle of Color parade concludes with an end-of-night finale filled with fireworks, lasers, lights, and drones.
July 30–August 24
Summermusik Festival
Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
Three different concert experiences designed to provide something unique for everyone’s musical tastes. Concerts at multiple venues. Click the link above for schedule and details.
July 31–August 3
Goettafest
Newport’s Festival Park at the Levee
A celebration of all things goetta featuring two weekends of Glier’s Goetta-inspired dishes, live music, and family fun.
Free admission
August 1–2
On Point Music Festival
Sawyer Point
Two days of music, including Ashes & Arrows, Motherfolk, Multimagic, The Tillers, Sylmar, and many more, as well as roller rink, beach volley ball, and pickleball tournament.
Free admission
August 1–2
August 1: Outdoors for All Expo
Schmidt Recreation Complex, 4–9:30p
Exhibitors, hands-on activities, live music, local beer and more.
If you’re just attending the Expo, please park on streets adjacent to the park or at Riverview East Academy and walk in following the Ohio River Trail.
August 2: Ohio River Paddlefest
7a (races start; finish line festival closes at 2p)
Paddlefest supports Adventure Crew commitment to Outdoors for All.
August 2
2nd Annual Norwood Comedy Festival
Mills Avenue, next to Victory Park, 2–11p
Featuring headliner Geoff Tate. Produced by Bombs Away! Comedy. There will also be vendors, food trucks, and cider/beer garden.
Free admission
August 5–18
Cincinnati Open
Lindner Family Tennis Center
World-class tennis tournament with entertainment and events, plus fine food and drink options. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States still played in its original city.
August 7
Bengals Preseason Starts
Cincinnati Bengals @ Philadelphia Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field, 7:30p
Click here for remaining preseason and regular season schedule
August 7–10
Annual 127 World’s Longest Yard Sale
Yard sale that spans 690 miles from Gadsden, AL to Addison, MI. Northside’s neighborhood-wide garage sale will be on August 9 from 9a–2p to coincide with the 127 Yard Sale.
August 7–10
VOA Music Fest
Voice of America Park
30+ artists playing a weekend of music, including Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, and Shaboozey.
August 9
Red Bull Flugtag
Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, 12p (opening ceremonies at 1)
Flugtag challenges wacky engineers and fearless pilots to fulfill their dream of flying. First they construct their flying machine. Then they take a leap of faith. Or, as is more often the case, plunge into the waters below. There will be food and beverage vendors, ADA viewing areas, and free water stations.
Free admission and open to all ages
August 14–17
37th Annual Midwest Black Family Reunion
Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove
Four-day event celebration of the historic strengths and values of the Black family, featuring free events such as a job fair, parade, concerts, and opportunities to support local Black-owned businesses.
August 14–17
Great Inland Seafood Festival
Newport’s Festival Park on the Levee
Full weekend of live music and seafood from local vendors.
Free admission
August 15–17
Charm at the Farm
Lebanon
Open-air vintage market featuring 115+ local and regional artisans purveying vintage and handmade items, repurposed furniture, jewelry, clothing, home decor, gifts. There will also be food options, drinks, and entertainment.
August 16
Oktoberfest Season Kickoff
Grainworks Brewing Company, 2p
Live music, food, fun, and games.
August 21
Cincinnati Magazine presents On the Rocks 2025
Newport Car Barn, 6–9p
Annual celebration of spirits and cocktails, complete with celebrity bartenders, celebrity DJ, tasting lounges, and more.
Tickets
August 21
August Summer Music Festival
Ault Park Pavilion, 6–10p
Local favorite food, craft beer/margaritas/wine/hard seltzer and water will be available for purchase. Floyd and the Walkmen will be performing. There will also be inflatables & games, and volunteer organizations will have kids’ crafts and activities from 6-8pm. Astronomer Dean Regas and his colleagues will also set up telescopes for you to view the moon and stars after dark (weather permitting).
Free admission
August 22–24
First of Fall Festival 2025
Boone County Fairgrounds
Largest Handmade craft show in Boone County featuring crafters and food trucks.
Parking is $5/car
August 22–24
Germania Oktoberfest
Germania Society
The largest German Bier selection in the Tri-State, traditional German food, three stages of live German music all weekend, dancing, games, and family friendly fun.
$5 admission per person at the gate (kids 12 and under free)
August 23
Cincinnati Rollergirls
The Apex
CRG Black Sheep vs. Athens Roller Derby
Appalachian Hell Betties & CRG Violent Lambs vs. Athens Roller Derby Black Diamond Betties
August 29–30
Uptown Film Festival
Bellevue Hill Park
Annual independent festival highlighting local filmmakers, showcasing music videos, documentaries, and films from all genres. There will also be nightly guest speakers, vendors, and Q&A’s with filmmakers.
August 30–October 26
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Renaissance Park
Lively shows, food and drink, and unique shops that transport you back in time to the days of knights and queens.
Weekends and Labor Day
August 31
WEBN Fireworks and Riverfest
Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, 12p
Riverfest starts at noon, with local food vendors, live music, and fun activities for the whole family followed by the midwest’s largest fireworks display with music from WEBN (102.7) to accompany the fireworks show starting at 9:05p.
Free admission