Weekend Rundown: October 3–6

linsinnati

2 weeks ago

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:

• Weekend Rundown
• Sporting Events
• New To Do
• Tickets Now Available for Local Events
• Local News Roundup

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.]

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

Wednesday–Sunday

Bourbon & Belonging
Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week, the first LGBTQ+ inclusive Bourbon festival in the country, taking place across Kentucky with 8 cities and regions participating.
Wednesday is the Kick Off Party at the Aquifer at New Riff Distilling from 6–8p. $35 tickets include two drink tickets, light bites, Bourbon toast, and more.

Thursday

Two-Year Anniversary
Launch Party, 6–8p
Sip, shop, and celebrate two years of Launch Party with free skincare samples, cocktails, and a free mystery makeup bag for purchases of $75 or more.

Unhinged Friend Mixer
Commonwealth Sanctuary, 7p
A unique and ridiculous night of funny antics crafted for guests to meet new friends and build community.

Thursday–Sunday

Opening Weekend: Jack O’Lantern Glow
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, October 3–6, 11–13, 18–31
An immersive walkthrough experience with more than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins and fall displays along a half-mile trail in the Zoo. Festive food will be available for purchase.
Included with Zoo admission

Friday

Opening Day: Cincy Beer Week
Events all across the greater Cincinnati region to celebrate community, education, entertainment, and everything that has enabled Cincinnati’s beer scene to grow in the last few decades. Through October 13.

3 Years of Pilar
Pilar, 4p–2a
Featuring live music, themed drink specials, and $5 banana daiquiri shots.

Fall Fest 2024
Bellevue Beach Park, 5–9p
Booths set up throughout the park, pop-up pumpkin patch, and police cruiser hayrides, and many more activities.

Amped Up Concert Series: Retrovention
Sawyer Point, 6–9p
Casual and competitive pickle ball, accompanied by food and live music.

Live Music Nights in the Beer Garden: Sparky
Fibonacci Brewing Company, 6:30–9:30p
Live music and food truck fare available for purchase.

Bo Johnson (Comedy Central)
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.

Works for All: A Celebration of Cincinnati’s Co-op Economy
Woodward Theatre, 7–9p
Red carpet entrance, movie-style bites, and popcorn during the screening. Read more about Co-op Cincy here.
$50 tickets include refreshments and light bites

ComedySportz Match
Clifton Comedy Theatre, 7:30p
Improv comedy entertainment.

Opening Night: Brimstone Haunt
Wilmington, Friday and Saturday nights in October
Admission and admission combo passes to five terrifying attractions—Haunted Hayride, The Bog, Psychosis, and Zombie Assault—can be found here. Fast Pass also available. Click here to purchase your tickets online. (Purchase online to save some time. Base ticket prices are $5 cheaper online and you can skip the ticket office line.)
Parking costs $3 cash at the door

Friday–Sunday

Cincy Bookstore Crawl
Multiple indie bookstores on both sides of the river
Celebrate Cincinnati’s book culture by visiting as many indie bookstores as you can over the course of one weekend. Get your passport stamped and be entered into a prize giveaway. Each shop will have its own take on the weekend with events, activities, and specials.

32nd Annual Donauschwaben Oktoberfest
Donauschwaben Society, Colerain Twp
30 imported and domestic beers on draft, pit-roasted Bavarian pig and chicken, homemade German sausage, stuffed cabbage, goulash with Spätzle, homemade tortes and pastries, funnel cakes, goetta, and so much more. The kids-friendly Kinderplatz area has games and other activities along with a playground to enjoy.
Sunday: 14th Annual Donauschwaben Oktoberfest Car Show from 10a–3p

Saturday

Craft Show
Boone County High School, 9a–3p
More than 100 vendors.

Deaf Day in Advancing Health
Cincinnati Museum Center, 10a–2p
Interpreters from Cincinnati State’s Interpreter Training Program will be onsite for ASL interpreted tours.

Wake N Skate
OTR CRC, 10a–2p
DJed brunch skate the first Saturday of every month in 2024.
10a: yoga warmup
11a–12:30p: all ages
12:30–2p: adults 18+

41st Annual Fall Festival
Wyoming, 10a–5p
100+ vendors, food, drinks, live entertainment, bounce houses, and a petting zoo.

Harvest Festival
Central Park, 11a–2p
The City of Forest Park’s annual event complete with petting zoo, face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon animals, and crafts.
Free admission

Health & Wellness Expo
Pioneer Park (Kenton County), 11a–2p
Local health organizations and community groups, free health screenings, and free classes and demonstrations.

CAM Kids Day: Landscape in the Lens
Cincinnati Art Museum, 11a–3p
Interactive family day of exploring the world of landscape photography and the art of capturing outdoor scenes. There will be drop-in experiences as well as registered activities. (Click the event link above for complete information.)
Free

Electric Car Showcase (Ride & Drive)
HighGrain Brentwood, 11a–3p
Celebrate National Drive Electric Week with dozens of EVs available for test drives and talk with EV owners.

CFTA Rally in the Alley
The Banks, 11a–8p
CFTA presents a food truck festival at The Banks.

Barrel House Pumpkinfest!
Braxton Barrel House, 11a–11p
Pumpkin painting and crafts on the patio, fall-inspired cocktails, and Graeter’s Pumpkin Pie Ale. Bingo from 1 to 5 and live music from 7 to 11.

Touch-A-Truck
550 Freedom Park Drive (Edgewood), 12p
Lineup of trucks from the Edgewood Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works, and more. Plus food trucks, balloon animals, face painting, giveaways.

Open House
Springfield Township Fire Department, 12–3p
Demonstrations, fire safety activities, see fire trucks and other emergency vehicles up close, and meet Sparky the fire dog.

Rescheduled: Makers Mart 2024
Brink Brewing Co, 12–6p
50 local vendors, live music, food trucks.

Super Smash Tourney
HighGrain Brentwood, 1p
Show off your skills in a 32-man Super Smash Tournament, with glory and prizes on the line.

3rd Annual Brew Ash
Summit Park, 12–8p
Craft beer from several local breweries, cider, wine, and live music.

2024 KidFest
Nisbet Park, 2–4p
The event is hosted by Loveland-Symmes Community Firefighters’ Association and kicks off with a kids’ costume parade before inflatables, games, activities, a DJ, trick-or-treating, hotdogs, drinks, and fun for all ages.

Open House
White Water Shaker Village (Harrison), 2–5p
Learn about the daily life of a Shaker, discover the styles of businesses the Shakers conducted, check out the collections of Shaker goods, and explore the property to see the stable, barns, and historic outbuildings of this 200 year old village. 2024 is the 250th anniversary of Shakers arriving in the US.
Free

October Fall Jamfest
Owls Nest, 2–6p
Community collaboration between East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati Art Museum, Wump Mucket Puppets, Evanston Community Council, and Good Green Earth Farm featuring free food, giveaways, 360 photo booth, live music, Cincinnati Circus, petting zoo, and more.
Free

Out in the Outdoors: Farm Animal Enrichment
Winton Woods (Parky’s Farm), 2p
Monthly series for outdoor exploration designed for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies.

Grand Opening Celebration
The Alley at Wooden Cask Brewing Company, 3p
Open Friday and Saturday nights at 5p
An immersive space where history and craftsmanship come together. Featuring over 300 unique bottles of bourbon and the original 1880s restored bowling lanes, it’s a place to celebrate the past while enjoying today’s craft beverage experience.

Festival and Trunk or Treat
Top Flight Gymnastics, 4–6p
Free

Amped Up Concert Series: Dangerous Jim and the Slims
Sawyer Point, 6–9p
Casual and competitive pickle ball, accompanied by food and live music.

2024 Cincinnati Rock N Roll Harvest Festival
Madison Theater, 6:15p
10+ bands including The Velveteers with Trauma Illinois, and many more.
All ages

Neko White (Netflix, Pete Davidson Presents…)
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

Craft Show
Lakota West High School
100+ vendors and food trucks. All proceeds benefit Lakota West programming for students and staff.
$5 early bird admission (9–10a), general admission $3, children under 10 free; bring a non-perishable item and receive a FREE raffle ticket

The Road Trip Market
Boone County Fairgrounds
NKY’s premier open-air boutique, vintage, and handmade shopping and food truck event held twice per year.
Tickets

Sunflower Festival
Gorman Heritage Farm
Advance tickets required

Sunday

Tri-State Antique Market
Lawrenceburg, IN Fairgrounds, 7a–3p (early bird at 6a)
Indiana’s largest antiques and vintage-only market, featuring 200 dealers each month. Early birds welcome at 6a for no extra charge.
$5 admission (under 18 free)

Touch-A-Truck
Liberty Center, 10a–12p
via @onelittlesmallblog

Flea in the Fort and Touch-A-Truck
Fort Thomas Mess Hall, 10a–3p
Artisan craft show with over 70 artists taking place in Tower Park on the grounds of the Mess Hall, featuring live music, food trucks, and craft beer.

58th Hyde Park Square Art Show
Hyde Park Square, 10a–5p
Largest one-day art show in Greater Cincinnati, including more than 200 fine artists from throughout the region and across the country, exhibiting and selling works in a wide variety of mediums, including painting, photography, glass, jewelry, wood, fiber/leather, and ceramics.

ArtAmplified: LIGHT Community Celebration
Hotel Covington courtyard, 2–4p
Urban festival with music, art activations, and The Red Door Project art auction.
Free admission

Salsa at the ESO!
Esoteric Brewing Company, 4:30–8:30p
4:30p: beginner dance class—no experience needed (there will be instructors)
5–8:30p: salsa, bachata, and merengue tunes with DJ Milan
Beer by Esoteric Decibel Korean Fried Chicken will be available for purchase, and parking is behind the venue or on the street.
$10 (Venmo or cash)

Binski’s Night Market
Binski’s Bar, 5–9p
Support small businesses while having a drink.

through October 13

Mum’s the Word
Krohn Conservatory
A garden of silent reflection. Escape the noise of the busy world and find solace among the autumn blooms.

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 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

ReLeaf Registration
Online
Apply for your FREE tree! ReLeaf registration opens to low canopy neighborhoods on September 7 and it opens to all City of Cincinnati residents on September 21.
Click here for the list of trees

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

FC Cincinnati vs. Orlando City FC
Saturday at 7:30p
Fan Appreciation Night
Watch: FS1, Apple TV; Listen: Fox Sports 1360

Week Five
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday at 1p
Paycor Stadium
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

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.

Tickets Now Available For

18th Annual Hats Off Luncheon: Our Parks Add More
October 4, Smale Riverfront Park
Guests are treated to a champagne reception followed by a gourmet luncheon. To date, the event has raised more than $4 million in support of Cincinnati Parks. Presented by the Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks.

Off the Rails: Halloween Edition at the Hall of Justice
October 10, Cincinnati Museum Center, 7–10p
Experience the super heroic and the supernatural with museum tours, themed drinks, and karaoke.
21+

Haunting on the Hill
October 12, Hamilton Avenue, College Hill, 6–11p
Prizes, drink specials, costume contest. All proceeds go to the College Hill Rec Center’s Trunk or Treat event.
Advance tickets $10; day-of tickets $15

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference
October 17–20, Renaissance Hotel (downtown)
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

afterglow: Official BLINK After Party feat. Austin Millz
October 19, MegaCorp Pavilion, 10p

Charm at the Farm Vintage Market
October 18–20, Lebanon
Farmhouse chic, vintage finds, rustic treasures, antique furniture, repurposed pieces, clothing, jewelry, kids and baby, food trucks, and more.

Aperture Makes NY Times’ Best Restaurants List [citybeat.com] [NY Times article]

Cattle Dog Coffee is Ready to Serve [cincinnatimagazine.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’s Underground Allure Lands it on Magazine’s ‘Must-See Fall Destinations’ List [citybeat.com]

Dayton Home to be Featured on New HGTV Show, ‘Scariest House in America’ [citybeat.com]

Fireside Pizza Owner Acquires Allyn’s Cafe in Columbia Tusculum [citybeat.com]

Gas Alley Has Somehow Endured, While Its Notorious Neighborhood Faded Away [cincinnatimagazine.com]

LaRose Could Purge Over 150,000 Ohio Inactive Voters Before Election [citybeat.com; update your voter registration here]

Local Pumpkin Carver to Appear on Outrageous Pumpkin All-Stars [cincinnatimagazine.com]

The Mercantile Library is No Longer on Hold [cincinnatimagazine.com]

Popular Detroit Restaurant TAKOI to Host Pop-Ups in Cincinnati [citybeat.com]

The Queen City’s Own Lady Whistledown [cincinnatimagazine.com]

Two Northern Kentucky Establishments Join The B-Line [citybeat.com]

You Can Help Skyline Break a Guinness World Record for its 75th Birthday [citybeat.com]