Tour de Cincinnati

Weekend Rundown: October 17–20

linsinnati

in partnership with

and heard every Friday on the Weekend Rundown with JonJon and Friends on

Tour de Cincinnati does the research for fun things to do around the city so you don’t have to! Check out the list below for goings on ranging from markets and live music, to brewery fun and food events. Events are subject to change or cancellation. Be sure to click on their respective links for more information.

Categories listed below include:

You can also listen to the Weekend Rundown with JonJon on Kiss107 every Friday. If you are unable to tune in on the radio, you can listen to Kiss on the iHeartRadio app or you can listen live here.

[If a link is broken, feel free to reach out for information.]

BLINK
October 17–20

Back for its fourth edition, BLINK is a FREE four-day citywide art and installation festival spanning more than 35 blocks from OTR to NKY. 

Over the next several days there will be many [unofficial] events to accompany BLINK, as well as logistical changes around the event, so check out the Tour de Cincinnati Guide to BLINK, complete with information about events, transit, accessibility, entertainment, and more.

October

FotoFocus Biennial: Backstories
The largest photography and lens-based biennial in America, the FotoFocus Biennial is in its seventh iteration and encompasses 107 projects at 86 Participating Venues across Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Northern Kentucky.
Free entry and exclusive events; get your passport here

National Chili Month
Gold Star is helping fight against local childhood hunger by giving a portion of all chili menu items sold from October 1–31 to Freestore Foodbank. Read more here.

Plan Ahead: Check Out These Can’t-Miss Events in Cincinnati This October

October 12–21

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr
Taft Theatre
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. opens TCT’s 2024–25 season on October 12 and runs through October 21.
Remaining Mainstage season:
Santa Claus: The Musical (December 7–16)
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat (February 15–24)
Disney’s Frozen Jr (April 25–May 4)

Thursday

The Art of Networking Happy Hour X Plant & Sip
6 ’N the Mornin’, 6–8p
An evening of networking, plant care tips, sipping on drinks, and eating food to kick off UC Homecoming and Blink Cincinnati.

Supermoon Rising
Cincinnati Observatory, 6–9p
Celebrate the largest supermoon of the year with talks about lunar exploration, an expressive arts showcase inspired by the moon, and night sky viewing if the weather allows. (Rain or shine, participants will be able to celebrate our nearest celestial neighbor in a variety of unique ways.)
Admission is $12 for adults and $7 for children or observatory members. Pre-registration is available here or participants can pay at the door.

Laughs & Drafts
HighGrain Brentwood, 8p
Hosted by Billy DeVore and headlined by Karl Spaeth.
$20 ticket includes one beer

Thursday–Sunday

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference
Three full days of expert advice from bestselling authors and literary agents to help writers of all kinds achieve their publishing goals. Featuring keynote speaker Steven Rowley
Register here

Friday

Bonfire Fall Night
Gamble Montessori High School (back lot), 4–7p
Family friendly evening of food, music, games, and community.

Magical Forest Halloween Hike: An Enchanted Family Adventure
Caldwell Nature Preserve, 6–8p
Non-scary pumpkin-lit trail featuring characters from nature and history. (Best suited for ages 3–10.)
$8/person (ages 3 and up)

Halloween Family Movie Night: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Depot Square, Sharonville, 6:30–8:30p
Bring your own chairs and blankets. Fun Food Truck will be there to serve hot chocolate and popcorn, and they will also have a s’more bar. Movie begins at 7:30p.

Halloween Happenings: Haunted Trail
Middleton-Mills Park Shelter House #2, 7–10p
Quarter-mile long lantern lit trail filled with fright and drama.
Admission is either a non-perishable food or personal care item donation for Be Concerned or $1 per person

Bombs Away! Comedy: Matt Banwart
The Comet Northside, 7p
Tickets starting at $7.50

ComedySportz Match
Madcap Education Center, 7:30p
Improv comedy entertainment.

Read more about all things fall fun here

Friday–Sunday

Charm at the Farm Vintage Market
Lebanon
Farmhouse chic, vintage finds, rustic treasures, antique furniture, repurposed pieces, clothing, jewelry, kids and baby, food trucks, and more.

Grand Opening Celebration
Dancefix
Join Dancefix for a weekend of FREE dance and fitness classes as well as a giant dance party to celebrate their new headquarters.

Saturday

LOLLIPOPS: Music, Magic, and Mayhem
Music Hall, 10:30a (and 2p sensory friendly show)
Featuring themes from Beauty & the Beast, Harry Potter, Sleeping Beauty, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and more.

Books & Booze
Hi-Wire, 12–5p
Halloween themed book fair brought to you by Hi-Wire and Bookmatters. There will also be a kids corner.

Day Glow Body Flow
OTR CRC, 12–7p
Start your BLINK journey with a day-long wellness event inside the skating rink at OTR CRC starting with yoga, hip hop dance cardio, and DJed rollerskating.

Halloween Happenings: Kids Fun Day
Middleton-Mills Park Shelter House #2, 1–3p
Family-friendly event filled with fun activities and crafts; featuring local organizations and more.
Free event but they will be collecting non-perishable food or personal care item donations for Be Concerned

Norwood Historic Home Tour
Victory Park, 2–6:30p
Tour of three beautiful, historic Norwood homes by bus.
$15

Music on Mills Summer Concert Series
Mills Avenue (Norwood), 2–10p
Collaboration between Northwood Cider Co, Off Pike Market, and Norwood Music on Mills to bring you a local market, live tunes, drinks, eats, and community fun for all.

Off Pike Market
Victory Park (Norwood), 3–7p
Vendors, food, drink, live music, and Northwood Cider Co. cider garden.

Meet Author Jenna Beall Mueller
The Bookery, 4p
Celebrate her new release, Pop, Fizz, Clink (for signing books must be pre-ordered on their website; copies will also be for sale at the event).

National Apple Day Apple Festival
Northwood Cider Co, 5p
Apple pie eating contest, apple bobbing game, harvest mulled cider, cider garden. In conjunction with Off Pike Market, Music on Mills, and the Norwood Historic Home Tour.
21+

Halloween Carnival + Movie in the Park
Erlanger Train Depot Park, 5:30p
5:30–7pm Halloween carnival, DJ, balloon animals, and lawn games
7:15pm Movie in the Park: Trick or Treat Scooby Doo (bring your own blanket or chairs)
They will be collecting non-perishable items for a local pantry

Halloween Fun & Flick
General Ormsby Mitchell Park, 6–9:30p
Activities—costume contest, spooky selfie station, Travelin’ Toms Coffee Truck, and more—start at 6, with a showing of Hocus Pocus starting at 7:30p.

Halloween in the Park
Lindner Park (Norwood), 6–9:30p
Costume contest at 6 and not-so-scary trail walk beginning at 6:30 before the ghosts and goblins take over the trail at sun down.
Free

2024 Fall Market Bleu
Contemporary Arts Center, 6–10p
Quarterly event allowing artisans and artists to showcase and sell their products. Enjoy a drink while shopping unique handmade products from the region.
Free

Mohanad Elshieky (Comedy Central, Conan)
Commonwealth Sanctuary, 7p
Enjoy a premiere comedy club in a NKY speakeasy vibe, bringing through some of the best acts in stand-up comedy to an intimate, unique venue for an affordable night out.

Saturday and Sunday

HallZOOween
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Trick-or-treat stations, special animal enrichment, Phil Dalton’s Theater of Illusion shows at 1p and 3p, Hogwarts Express Train Ride (additional charge applies), Scare-ousel (additional charge applies). October 12–13, 19–20, 26–27
Free with zoo admission

Weekends at the BOO!seum
Cincinnati Museum Center
Wear your costumes and celebrate all things Halloween during your visit at the CMC. There will be costume parades, dance parties, art activities, experiences, entertainment, and SO much more throughout the CMC. Click the link above for complete details. October 12–13, 19–20, 26–27
Included with museum admission

Sunday

Burlington Antique Show
Boone County Fairgrounds, 8a–3p
The Midwest’s premier antiques and vintage collectibles only show, featuring over 200 antique dealers.
$5/person (12 and under free); 7–8a early bird buying $10/person

“Talk Fast, Sip Slow” Day
Fable Cafe, 8a–3p
A tribute to Gilmore Girls

Farmers Market and Flea & Kids Market
Bellevue Beach Park, 10a–2p
Immersive experience with agricultural and artisan vendors, live music, food trucks, animal encounters, kids’ activities, and more.

St. Bernard Fresh Market
Vine Street Park Pavilion, 11a–3p
Vendors, food, drinks, coffee from I Am Coffee!, and learn more about the local garden club.

Gertler Goods Halloween Goods Market
8249 Market Place Drive (West Chester), 12–5p
An afternoon of coffee, small business shopping, and Halloween fun, featuring trick-or-treating from vendors and a spooky photo spot for Halloween selfies.

Boo Fest
ME Lyons YMCA, 3–5p
Wear your costume for the pumpkin patch, games, crafts, photo booth, Gaga ball, petting zoo, food trucks, and Trunk or Treat.
Registration required for all family members attending

Spooky Sunday
Presidents Park, 4p
Goodie bags and magic show by Beetlejuice. Kids 12 and under meet at St. Pius at 3:45p for the costume parade to Presidents Park.

through October 27

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

through November 2

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

through November 3

Underwater Pumpkin GLOW
Newport Aquarium
Giant glowing animals made from pumpkins in your favorite exhibits; pumpkin treats and special fall enrichment for resident animals; Jack-O-Lanterns become artificial reefs for the animals to explore; and an underwater pumpkin patch surrounded by sharks.
Included in general admission

Ongoing

Union Terminal Rotunda Tours
Cincinnati Museum Center
Fridays at 1:30p, 2:30p, and 3:30p
Saturdays at 11:30a, 12:30p, and 1:30p
Sundays at 12:30p, 1:30p, and 2:30p
Free

Sports

Musketeer Madness
Cintas Center
5–6p Fan Fest on the Plaza (outside the main Cintas Center entrance)
6p Doors open
6:30p Men’s and Women’s basketball introductions
7p Women’s basketball scrimmage
7:45p Men’s basketball scrimmage

Week Seven
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns
Sunday at 1p
Watch: CBS/Paramount+; Listen: 700 WLW, ESPN 1530, 102.7 WEBN

Check out the Bengals Game Day Guide

Events are subject to change or cancellation. Please click on the link for more information.

New To Do

ETC Produce
954 E McMillan (Walnut Hills)
New storefront and independently owned grocery store in Walnut Hills.

Aglamesis Bros
Hamilton
The Davis Building, 304 Main Street

Elephant Trek
Cincinnati Zoo
The new world-class elephant exhibit at the Zoo opens 10/1 and features swimming pools, streams, overhead feeding stations, mud wallows, and many more enrichment opportunities.

Hearth Brewing
Harrison
1195 Stone Dr, Harrison, OH 45030

The Alley
Wooden Cask Brewing Company
Open Friday and Saturday nights at 5p
An immersive space where history and craftsmanship come together.

Sweets & Meats BBQ
3440 Burnet Avenue (Avondale)
New brick and mortar location is now open.

CHPL – Forest Park Branch
Forest Park’s new building is a Big Next Generation Library; a 26,440-square-foot facility built from the ground up.

Sharon Centre Outdoor Playground
Sharon Woods
10,000 square foot destination playground featuring designs inspired by the park’s unique surroundings and nearby creek, including bird nest-shaped play structures, a crayfish-inspired climber, dragonfly wobble boards, and more.

Willow Run Bourbon
645 Walnut Street
Custom Bourbon experiences. Create and take home your own custom Bourbon.

Juniper Seed
1809 Elm Street
Findlay Market’s newest resident of the Findlay Launch Storefront Accelerator Program offers accessible, affordable, and sustainable plant-based meal options.

Revival Vintage Spirits
614 Madison Avenue, Covington, Kentucky
Retail and bottle shop now open in a new, larger location.

Haven Cafe
4409 Brazee Street (Oakley)
Natural coffee, food, pastries, and smoothies.

Read more about Local Fall Coffee Flavors in Cincinnati

Tickets and Registration for Future Events

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Mainstage 2024–25 Season
Taft Theatre
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr (October 12–21)
Santa Claus: The Musical (December 7–16)
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat (February 15–24)
Disney’s Frozen Jr (April 25–May 4)

Demogorgon VIP Experience
October 23, Streetside Brewery
Tickets include preview tasting, exclusive VIP bottled variant, barrel sampling and brewer talk, VIP gift, commemorative t-shirt, specialty burger from Craft Burger Bros, specialty dessert from Homebaked by Jen, and 10% off all non-Demogorgon packaged beer.
Tickets here

Phantom Film Festival
October 31–November 3, Esquire Theatre
Three days of hand-picked selections of classic and contemporary horror films by Cincinnati’s premiere film programmers. Immersive film experience with surprises, prizes, and post-film discussions and hangouts at Alive & Well each night.

5th Annual Layers of Innovation
November 8, Cincinnati Museum Center, 7–11:30p
Adults-only evening at the museum that doubles as an annual fundraiser where all ticket proceeds go straight into their philanthropy campaign. The theme is Layers of Innovation presented by Atomic Data where you will celebrate all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).
Tickets here. Early bird pricing until October 19.

Accepting Submissions: ArtLocal Art Show
November 8–9, ArtsConnect (Springfield Twp)
Non-juried show that celebrates all levels of ability. Art will be on display for two days and some work will be available for purchase.
Register here

Tuxedos & Tiaras Masquerade
November 16, The Palomar Cincinnati, 7–11p
A night of elegance supporting the LGBTQ+ community; honoring Reggie Harris, 2024 Monarch Award Recipient. Hosted by the board of Queen City Charities. All tickets include plated dinner, open bar, live music, valet parking, and more.
Black tie and masks encouraged

Market on Main
December 8, Woodward Theater, 11a–4p
Vendor applications are now open.

BLINK Drops Lineup of Musical Performances and Live Entertainment [citybeat.com]

Cincinnati Children’s Named to Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll [usnews.com]

Cincinnati Comes in at Number 11 on Stacker’s Most Fun Cities in the US List [stacker.com]

Cincinnati Named Third Best City for a Staycation in the US [wallethub.com]

Cincinnati Was Fascinated by Talking Machines, Whether Good, Bad, or Bogus [cincinnatimagazine.com]

Em’s Sourdough Bread in Findlay Market Closes Permanently [citybeat.com]

Film Festival Brings Two Weeks of Caribbean Cinema to the Queen City [cincinnatimagazine.com]

Gotham-Style Con Pop-Up Bar Coming to Cincinnati [citybeat.com]

Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market Returns in November [citybeat.com]

The New ArtsWave App is your Guide to Cincinnati’s Art Scene [citybeat.com]

New Mural Memorializing Cincinnati Icon Jerry Springer to be Dedicated This Weekend [citybeat.com]

Restaurateurs Share How they Make their Menus Stand Out in Greater Cincinnati [citybeat.com]

Skyline Chili Breaks a World Record For Its 75th Birthday [citybeat.com]

Wendigo Tea to Open Brick and Mortar This Month [cincinnatimagazine.com]

Where To Eat, Drink And Stay In Cincinnati, Ohio [forbes.com]