Events & Entertainment

Major League Soccer in the Queen City. 17 home matches at TQL Stadium in the West End, one of MLS's loudest atmospheres. The fastest way into Cincinnati sports culture outside Reds and Bengals season, and TQL Stadium anchors one of the city's more walkable near-downtown neighborhoods.

The Reds' 162-game season on the riverfront downtown. Opening Day here is a genuine local holiday, not just a game. See the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade below. And a Reds partial-season plan is a common first "welcome to Cincinnati" purchase for sports-minded transplants.

A free weekly Latin-dance night on the city's main square. Live salsa, merengue, cumbia and Latin jazz bands, plus beginner dance lessons for anyone showing up solo. An easy, no-cost way to meet people your first summer in town.

A new free Friday-night local-music series downtown, produced with independent Cincinnati station Inhailer Radio. 10 Fridays spotlighting local and regional acts outside the commercial-radio mainstream. A good read on Cincinnati's current indie scene.

Outdoor symphony concerts on both sides of the river, Devou Park in Covington and Tower Park in Fort Thomas both host the KSO's 32nd consecutive summer season. Bring a blanket and a picnic; genuinely one of the best cheap date nights in Northern Kentucky.

A roving monthly vintage, craft and maker market that lands at Washington Park most months through fall. 100+ local vendors, free to browse. Remaining 2026 dates are Jul 18, Aug 15, Sep 19 and Oct 17.

Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market, open Wednesday through Sunday year-round. 40+ indoor merchants plus an outdoor farmers and artisan market on weekends. The single best "welcome to Cincinnati" Saturday-morning stop for new residents settling into OTR or Downtown.

A handmade-artisan craft fair at Tower Park in Fort Thomas. An easy half-day outing in one of NKY's top-rated-schools suburbs, pairable with a walk through the park's Civil War-era grounds.

Select Friday (and some Saturday) home games close with a post-game fireworks show over the riverfront, a no-extra-cost way to turn an ordinary Reds game into a bigger night out for visiting family or new-to-town friends. Exact fireworks dates are published and updated on the Reds' own promotions page.

A Sunday-morning farmers market on Hyde Park Square running the full growing season. Produce, baked goods and local vendors in one of the city's most walkable historic-square neighborhoods, an easy weekly habit to start in your first spring here.

Anderson Township's own Saturday-morning market. Produce, baked treats and artisan goods on the church lawn at Beechmont and Clough, a short trip for anyone in Forest Hills school district weighing the east-side suburbs.

Covington's outdoor Saturday market runs along Washington Street with 25-30 vendors a week. Farmers, crafters and artisans a few blocks from the riverfront, one of the clearer "this is a real walkable neighborhood" signals for anyone comparing Covington to OTR.

Cincinnati's free monthly maker's market moves to the new Elm Street Plaza for its summer residency. 80-plus local artists and makers, family-friendly and zero admission, a lower-key alternative to the once-a-season City Flea already on this list.

Over-the-Rhine's oldest street festival, back for its 19th year. Local vendors, artists, musicians and food trucks close down Main Street one Sunday a month all summer. A good gauge of OTR's street-level community life beyond the restaurant-and-bar strip most visitors see first.

The Tudor-queens pop-concert musical SIX runs a one-week special engagement at the Aronoff to open 2027. One of the buzzier tickets on the season, worth booking early.

Country music fans, mark your calendars! Rising star and social media sensation Brandon Davis is bringing his electrifying live performance to the Fairfield Community Arts Center! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3099

An indoor winter craft-beer festival downtown, dozens of breweries pouring samples across an afternoon and evening session. The 2026 edition ran Feb. 7; 2027's exact date wasn't announced yet as of this writing.

A long-running wine festival and charity fundraiser downtown. Grand tastings, winery dinners and a collectors' room. The 2026 edition ran Mar. 5-7; 2027 dates weren't published yet at research time.

Cincinnati's beer-heritage kickoff to spring. A barrel-and-keg parade led by a Bock beer queen and goats down Vine Street, plus a weekend of pourhouse events across Over-the-Rhine's historic lagering-tunnel network. The 2026 edition (its 34th) ran Mar. 6-8.

One of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the Midwest, stepping off downtown. A good early look at Cincinnati's deep Irish-heritage community if you move here before spring.

Cincinnati's single most local-flavor civic tradition: a parade from Findlay Market to the ballpark on Reds Opening Day, with the whole city treating it as an unofficial holiday. The 2026 parade (its 107th) drew an estimated 120,000 people on Mar. 26.

A full weekend of races. 5K, 10K, half and full marathon. Through Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Mt. Adams and across the river into Kentucky. One of the most runner-friendly marathon courses in the country and a genuine community event, not just a road race.

Fifty-plus restaurants run fixed-price, three-course lunch and dinner menus for a week, with $1 of every meal benefiting Cincinnati Children's. A low-risk way to try higher-end restaurants across the metro before committing to a regular reservation.

Covington's German heritage festival in the heart of walkable MainStrasse Village. Maypole dancing, beer, food and live music. The 2026 edition ran May 15-17; a good anchor event for anyone weighing Covington's urban-NKY riverfront pitch.

America's oldest continuously running choral festival, at Music Hall since 1873. The May Festival Chorus and guest conductors typically fill the last two weeks of May with rehearsals and concerts. Conductor Marin Alsop is announced as 2027 Festival Director; exact concert dates weren't published at research time.

The nation's longest-running culinary arts festival, every Memorial Day weekend downtown. Dozens of local restaurants sell small plates a la carte, an easy low-cost way to sample the restaurant scene in one afternoon.

The Tony-winning Hadestown returns for a short special engagement to close out the season's marquee titles, a good excuse to finally use an Aronoff membership before summer.

Know Theatre's annual Fringe Festival packs 150-plus performances of 35-plus independent theatre productions into OTR over two weeks, with free late-night programming every night at Know Theatre itself. The city's best single introduction to its small-theatre scene.

One of Southwest Ohio's premier juried art shows, marking its 40th year in 2026. Painters, sculptors and craftspeople line Wyoming's shaded, tree-lined streets for one Sunday, a good look at a top-rated-schools suburb most relocation buyers only see by GreatSchools score.

Milford's biggest annual event. A Thursday-evening parade followed by a weekend festival at Riverside Park on the Little Miami River, running 64-plus years strong. A solid look at small-town Clermont/Hamilton-line living without leaving the metro.

A two-day Cinco de Mayo-adjacent festival on Fountain Square. Street food, salsa/merengue/bachata performances and folkloric dance representing Mexico, Brazil and Panama. A good look at how much bigger Cincinnati's Latino community has gotten downtown over the last decade.

A free four-day Italian food and culture festival on the Newport riverfront, 2026 marked its 34th year. A good NKY counterpart to the Cincinnati-side food-festival calendar.

A small-city fireworks festival sponsored by Ludlow Youth Football. A genuinely local, low-key NKY tradition rather than a big-city production.

A benefit race weekend for The Cure Starts Now. A 4-mile run/walk, kids' fun run and criterium bike races through Hyde Park Square, capped by a free afternoon block party with live music.

Blue Ash's Fourth of July celebration at Summit Park. A national-touring headliner (2026 featured Switchfoot and Fuel), family activities all day and fireworks after dark, in the corporate-office corridor suburb.

A neighborhood institution since 1854. Homemade floats, marching bands and a genuinely unpolished, funny, DIY parade down Hamilton Avenue, ending with food and games at Hoffner Park. As Northside a neighborhood as it gets.

A classic small-suburb Fourth of July. Parade, live music, food, drinks, games and pony rides at Montgomery Park, in the upscale historic-village suburb near Sycamore schools.

West Chester Township's own Independence Day weekend bash at VOA MetroPark. Two nights of live music and family entertainment capped by fireworks on the 4th, a bigger-production alternative to the smaller neighborhood July 4th parades elsewhere in the metro.

A free two-day blues festival across multiple stages at Fairfield's Village Green Park, run by the nonprofit Cincy Blues Society. One of the only genuinely free multi-day music festivals in the metro, and a rare event actually located in Fairfield rather than just referencing it.

A one-day fine-art and craft show through Loveland's small downtown, an easy way to see the Loveland Bike Trail corridor and the town's small-town-charm pitch to relocation buyers in one visit.

The 50th annual WEBN fireworks show, "The Biggest Blast in America". A half-hour show launched from the Purple People Bridge, synced to music on 102.7 WEBN, watched from both the Ohio and Kentucky riverbanks. Expect roughly 600,000 people and plan parking accordingly.

Northern Kentucky's own Oktoberfest on the riverfront at Newport on the Levee. Three days of Bavarian food, beer and a full carnival, a smaller and easier-to-navigate alternative to the Cincinnati-side Oktoberfest the following weekend.

The Bengals' 2026 season opens at home against Tampa Bay on Sept. 13 as part of the club's "Open In Orange" home-opener week. Ten home games at Paycor Stadium on the downtown riverfront, a season ticket or partial plan is a rite of passage here.

The 50th-anniversary edition of the country's largest Oktoberfest. 500,000+ people on the riverfront for German food, imported beer and the world-record-attempting Chicken Dance. A genuine only-in-Cincinnati weekend worth planning a first visit around before you even move.

A three-day pop-culture and comics convention downtown. One of the larger regional cons in the Midwest, with a steady lineup of TV, film and comics guests each year.

A biergarten, stein-hoist and keg-tapping competitions, and a wiener dog race along the Little Miami River. Loveland's own small-town spin on Oktoberfest season.

Wu-Tang Clan brings 30-plus years of hip-hop history to Riverbend for one night, proof the amphitheater's lineup runs well past its country-and-classic-rock reputation.

Hardcore-turned-mainstream breakout Turnstile headlines a riverfront show at the ICON Festival Stage next to Smale Park and the Roebling Bridge. The newer, smaller-scale downtown counterpart to Riverbend for touring acts that want a walkable setting.

The Tony-winning new musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby opens Broadway in Cincinnati's 2026-27 season at the Aronoff Center, the season's six Cincinnati premieres are one of the better reasons to keep an Aronoff subscription once you've settled downtown.

FC Cincinnati's Noche Latina match celebrates the club's Latino fan base and Hispanic Heritage Month around a home MLS game, part of the same 2026 theme-night slate as Pride Night and Black Heritage Night.

Mason's biggest community event of the year. A 3pm parade followed by an evening street festival with live music, food vendors and kids' activities along West Main Street. A good one-day gauge of the I-71 corridor's family-suburb culture before committing to Mason City Schools.

West Chester Township's own street-fair day in its historic "Olde" district. Food trucks, beer sales and local vendors, a lower-key counterpart to the township's bigger ticketed festivals at VOA MetroPark.

Covington's own Oktoberfest at Goebel Park in MainStrasse Village. German food, seasonal beer and stein-holding contests. The same weekend as Newport's riverfront Oktoberfest across town, so pick a side or do both.

Cincinnati's independent film festival returns to the restored Memorial Hall. Newly merged with the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival in 2026, five days of independent features, shorts and documentaries downtown.

Kings Island's after-dark Halloween event runs six haunted mazes and five scare zones across the park on select fall nights, plus an upcharge "Conjuring: Beyond Fear" walkthrough. Intended for ages 13 and up, not a daytime family visit.

A 30-acre recreated 16th-century English village hosts jousting, live shows and craft vendors every weekend from Labor Day through Halloween. Warren County's biggest annual draw outside Kings Island, and an easy day trip from Mason or Lebanon.

https://wyomingohio.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1507

09/07/2026 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – We're saying goodbye to summer with our annual Dog Swim at the Montgomery Community Pool! Bring your four-legged friends for a tail-wagging good time in the water before the pool closes for the season. Pool Members/Dogs are Free Non-members are $3 per dog

https://wyomingohio.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1554

https://www.kentoncountyky.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1010

Senior Luncheon: Talk Derby to Me! | 11am

Bingo 4 Fort Mitchell Seniors 55+

The Fairfield Farmers Market returns, offering a midweek opportunity to shop fresh, local, and handmade. Held every Wednesday during the season, from 4–7 pm in the Fairfield Community Arts Cener parking lot at 411 Wessel Drive, the market features a rotating mix of fresh-from-the-oven breads and sweets, artisan-made crafts and décor, and one-of-a-kind seasonal finds. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3026

09/10/2026 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – We’re rolling out the red carpet for a high-energy night of fun in Historic Downtown Montgomery & Montgomery Quarter! Our lineup of participating businesses will be open late, bringing the Vegas spirit with games, surprises, and goodies at every stop. Try your luck, you might just hit the jackpot! How to Play: 1. Grab Your […]

https://www.utclermont.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1085

https://monroeohio.org/calendar.aspx?EID=1301

Set in a 1950s neighborhood, Grass Roots tells the story of the Gibson family, the first Black homeowners on their block, as they navigate prejudice, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of everyday discrimination. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3074

https://sharonville.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2303

https://www.utclermont.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1022

Set in a 1950s neighborhood, Grass Roots tells the story of the Gibson family, the first Black homeowners on their block, as they navigate prejudice, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of everyday discrimination. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3075

The Wall of Honor Ceremony

https://lovelandoh.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=4460

Art in the Park | 10am

Two days of cars, live music, food & drinks in Village Green Park! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3069

Second Saturday Concert: Scott Sprague & Friends | 7pm

09/12/2026 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Show us what's in your garage! Rev up your engines and join us for a fun-filled afternoon at the Montgomery Car Show, celebrating vehicles of all makes, models, and years! Whether you have a classic cruiser, muscle car, hot rod, or truck, all vehicles are welcome. Enjoy awards and judging. Live music with Gee Your […]

https://sharonville.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2304

09/13/2026 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Explore the beauty of Johnson Nature Preserve on a guided Botany Walk led by Dr. Denis Conover, botany professor at the University of Cincinnati. Join us on September 13 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm to discover Ohio’s incredible native plants while gaining a deeper appreciation for this hidden gem right here in Montgomery. The […]

09/13/2026 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Join us for a fun-filled evening of socializing and free play! All children must be supervised Presented by

https://sharonville.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2305

Two days of cars, entertainment, food & drinks in Village Green Park! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3070

6-Week Junior Police Academy returns on September 15th! https://sharonville.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2293

The Fairfield Farmers Market returns, offering a midweek opportunity to shop fresh, local, and handmade. Held every Wednesday during the season, from 4–7 pm in the Fairfield Community Arts Cener parking lot at 411 Wessel Drive, the market features a rotating mix of fresh-from-the-oven breads and sweets, artisan-made crafts and décor, and one-of-a-kind seasonal finds. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3027

Sharonville Branch Library staff will read books on squirrels & acorns followed by a craft and snack. https://sharonville.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2286

https://monroeohio.org/calendar.aspx?EID=1299

https://sharonville.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2283

Grab the kids, pack a dinner and blankets, and head to Village Green Park for FREE Family Fun! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3078

Do you know what makes Monarch Butterflies unique from other insects? Join us to learn about these amazing insects and see how to safely capture, tag, and release them to help ensure future generations. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3079

09/19/2026 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – The One Stop Drop Recycling Event in Montgomery, Ohio, is an annual event sponsored by the Environmental Advisory Commission. It provides a convenient way for families to responsibly recycle items that have been sitting around the house. Visit the One Stop Drop information page to learn more about what to bring, what not to bring, […]

https://monroeohio.org/calendar.aspx?EID=1302

The Fairfield Farmers Market returns, offering a midweek opportunity to shop fresh, local, and handmade. Held every Wednesday during the season, from 4–7 pm in the Fairfield Community Arts Cener parking lot at 411 Wessel Drive, the market features a rotating mix of fresh-from-the-oven breads and sweets, artisan-made crafts and décor, and one-of-a-kind seasonal finds. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3028

https://www.kentoncountyky.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1011

Sondheim's game-changing musical is a sophisticated and honest look at modern adult relationships. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3087

09/26/2026 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Enjoy a taste of signature items from six restaurants in this guided walking food tour of Montgomery. Between delectable bites, you'll get a taste of history as we stroll through Downtown Montgomery and Montgomery Quarter. Tours start at 1:00 pm or 3:00 pm. Each tour is approximately two hours. Tours are limited to 18 people. […]

BNA Community Clean Up Day | 10am

Sondheim's game-changing musical is a sophisticated and honest look at modern adult relationships. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3088

Sondheim's game-changing musical is a sophisticated and honest look at modern adult relationships. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3090

09/29/2026 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – The Montgomery Arts Commission is pleased to present the 17th season of Live at the Uni, featuring four outstanding performances at the historic Universalist Church. Concert Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. September 29 – Acclaimed saxophonist Rick VanMatre and his jazz quintet September 2 October 13 – Cincinnati’s award-winning a cappella ensemble NO PROMISES September […]

The Fairfield Farmers Market returns, offering a midweek opportunity to shop fresh, local, and handmade. Held every Wednesday during the season, from 4–7 pm in the Fairfield Community Arts Cener parking lot at 411 Wessel Drive, the market features a rotating mix of fresh-from-the-oven breads and sweets, artisan-made crafts and décor, and one-of-a-kind seasonal finds. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3029

A four-day, 30-block outdoor light and projection-art festival that crosses the river into Covington and Newport. Free, and the single best introduction to how connected the Ohio/Kentucky riverfront really is. Biennial: this is the first BLINK since 2024, with 92 artists from 20 countries.

Music Director Cristian Măcelaru opens the CSO's 2026-27 season at Music Hall with the world premiere of Wynton Marsalis's Symphony No. 5, "Liberty". A good one-night introduction to the country's fifth-oldest symphony orchestra and the restored 1878 hall it calls home.

The Cincinnati Pops performs Bernard Herrmann's score live to a screening of Hitchcock's Psycho, guest-conducted by Sarah Hicks. Music Hall's answer to Halloween week, and a good example of the Pops' film-with-live-orchestra format that runs through the season.

The Cincinnati Cyclones open their 25th ECHL season with a home "First Face-Off" against the Bloomington Bison at Heritage Bank Center. 72 games of affordable minor-league hockey downtown, a good winter option once football season fades and before Reds season starts.

The Zoo's daytime, kid-friendly Halloween event. Trick-or-treat stations and Halloween-themed activities through October, a gentler counterpart to Kings Island's after-dark Halloween Haunt for families with younger kids.

A newer one-day music-and-arts festival spread across Newport's bars and restaurants. Local bands, food and drink specials at each stop, part of the wave of smaller-scale events filling in NKY's fall calendar alongside the bigger Oktoberfests.

BNA Happy Hour & Networking | 5:30pm

Fall Fest | 5pm

First Friday | 6pm

https://www.kentoncountyky.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1002

Get ready for an evening where jazz, comedy and cartoons collide! The Queen’s Cartoonists bring more than 100 years of animation to life with a one-of-a-kind performance combining classic and contemporary cartoons projected on the big screen with live music performed in perfect sync. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3096

https://sharonville.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2290

Bark in the Park features vendor booths hosted by The Critters and Cruisers Foundation, local rescue groups with opportunities for pet adoption, raffles, split-the-pot, photo ops, and activities for you and your pet! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3065

Don't miss this intimate evening with Mike Massé, the renowned cover artist, as he returns to the Fairfield Community Arts Center. Known for his soulful acoustic renditions of timeless classics on his widely viewed YouTube channel (190M views), Mike Massé brings his signature style to a stunning selection of songs that span across decades of classic rock, offering a captivating and memorable musical experience. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2773

https://wyomingohio.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1508

Wellness Event

The Return of The King (An Unrivaled Tribute to Elvis) recreates the memories and music of Elvis Presley, as you walk thru the different eras of his career from the 50’s rock n roller to the 70’s Vegas super star, all performed by one of the top young Elvis performers in the country! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3077

Second Saturday Concert: Belairs | 7:30pm

10/13/2026 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – The Montgomery Arts Commission is pleased to present the 17th season of Live at the Uni, featuring four outstanding performances at the historic Universalist Church. Concert Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. September 29 – Acclaimed saxophonist Rick VanMatre and his jazz quintet September 2 October 13 – Cincinnati’s award-winning a cappella ensemble NO PROMISES September […]

https://lovelandoh.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=4467

10/14/2026 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Discover the beauty and simplicity of growing succulents with the experts from Succulent Garden Gifts. These hardy, drought-resistant plants are an excellent choice for busy lifestyles, frequent travelers, or anyone who struggles to keep houseplants alive. If you don't have a "green thumb," succulents may be the perfect plant for you. As part of the […]

Special Candy Cruise In! Decorate cars and bring candy so that kids can trick-or-treat. https://sharonville.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2292

Haunt Your House (Halloween Decorating Contest)

https://www.kentoncountyky.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1012

Boo In The Vue | 7:30pm

Bluegrass for Good Festival | 1pm

https://www.kentoncountyky.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1014

Why do leaves change color and what determines the predominant colors we see in them? Join us to enjoy nature’s last bold display before the winter quiet. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3085

https://www.kentoncountyky.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1013

Fort Mitchell Night at Cincinnati Observatory

Fall Clean-Up | October 18-24

Grab your trick-or-treat bag and get those costumes on; it’s time to Trick-or-Treat with Fairfield Parks and Recreation! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3086

Grab the kids, pack a dinner and blankets, and head to Village Green Park for FREE Family Fun! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2974

10/23/2026 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Join Dr. Wes Ryle, Cincinnati Observatory, and the Parks and Recreation Commission for a fun-filled night of learning about the cosmos! Telescopes will be provided for stellar viewing. Feel free to bring your own! The event will be held rain or shine in the Pioneer Park gazebo. Free! Registration is required. Youth 7:00 pm […]

City Shred-it Day | 10am

10/24/2026 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm – On a fall night, see Montgomery by lantern light. Step back in time and experience the charm of historic Montgomery after dark. Join us for Lanterns & Landmarks, a fun evening exploring the stories, people, and architecture that shaped our community. Your evening begins inside the beautiful Universalist Church, where guests will enjoy a selection […]

Halloween Fun & Flick (Hotel Transylvania)

Forever Simon & Garfunkel celebrates the bestselling duo in rock’n’roll history, featuring the epic hits “The Sound Of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “I Am A Rock,” “The Boxer,” “Homeward Bound,” “Cecilia,” “Hazy Shade Of Winter,” “Feeling Groovy,” “Me & Julio,” “Kodachrome,” and many more! https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3097

BNA Community Clean Up Day | 10am

10/29/2026 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Don't miss the important opportunity to hear Drew Robinson's Remarkable story of survival, recovery, and resilience. The City of Montgomery is proud to continue its commitment to community wellness and mental health awareness by welcoming former Major League Baseball player and mental health advocate Drew Robinson for a special community presentation on Thursday, October 29. […]

Get ready for Cinderella like you’ve never seen it before! Panto Company USA brings the beloved fairy tale to the stage in a fresh, funny and wonderfully interactive production filled with original modern songs, colorful characters, magical moments and plenty of laughs for the entire family. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3098

Fort Mitchell Trick-or-Treat Hours

https://wyomingohio.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1509

The Cincinnati Zoo's 44th annual holiday lights display. 5+ million lights, ice skating and photos with Santa through New Year's. One of the most reliable "where do we take out-of-town family" answers once you've settled in.

A German-style holiday market at The Banks riverfront district. Food, holiday lights, live choir performances and a 4-lane ice slide, all walkable from the downtown condos and the Reds/Bengals stadiums.

The Muppet Christmas Carol screens with the Pops performing the score live, led by Assistant Conductor Duo Shen. A kid-friendly opening weekend to Music Hall's holiday concert season, timed right around downtown's tree lighting and ice-rink season.

A return engagement of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music runs a one-week stand at the Aronoff. A safe, family-friendly pick for a first Broadway-in-Cincinnati subscription show.

Downtown's outdoor ice rink relocated from Fountain Square to the new Elm Street Plaza next to the Duke Energy Convention Center for the 2025-26 season, worth knowing before you send visiting family to the old Fountain Square spot out of habit.

Union Terminal's model-train holiday tradition has run at Cincinnati Museum Center for nearly 80 years, with a Santa meet-and-greet kicking things off around Thanksgiving weekend. A reliable one-stop holiday outing for out-of-town family visiting your first Cincinnati Christmas.

Kings Island transforms into a holiday-lights park for WinterFest. Ice skating, holiday shows and select rides running through most of December, a Mason-area answer to the Zoo's Festival of Lights for families already leaning toward the I-71 corridor.

Downtown's official holiday-tree lighting ceremony at Fountain Square. Performances and fireworks capped by lighting the Duke Energy Holiday Tree, a Cincinnati tradition dating to 1913 and still the unofficial kickoff to the city's holiday season.

First Friday | 6pm

Pastor Walterman is determined to host the perfect Christmas dinner, but when his daughter, Nora, arrives home with her boyfriend and a series of unexpected life-changing announcements, the evening quickly unravels into a hilarious mix of family drama, heartfelt conversations, and unforgettable surprises. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3082

Touch-A-Truck | 10am

Pastor Walterman is determined to host the perfect Christmas dinner, but when his daughter, Nora, arrives home with her boyfriend and a series of unexpected life-changing announcements, the evening quickly unravels into a hilarious mix of family drama, heartfelt conversations, and unforgettable surprises. https://fairfield-city.org/calendar.aspx?EID=3083

https://www.kentoncountyky.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1001

11/10/2026 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – The Montgomery Arts Commission is pleased to present the 17th season of Live at the Uni, featuring four outstanding performances at the historic Universalist Church. Concert Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. September 29 – Acclaimed saxophonist Rick VanMatre and his jazz quintet September 2 October 13 – Cincinnati’s award-winning a cappella ensemble NO PROMISES September […]

Veterans Day Parade

https://www.utclermont.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1023

Fort Mitchell Night at NKY Ice Center

Findlay Market's annual holiday market weekend. Local-vendor gifts, food and a festive reason to see Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market at its most decorated.

Loveland's small-town holiday kickoff. A low-key alternative to the big downtown Cincinnati holiday scene, walkable in an afternoon.

Cincinnati Ballet's annual Nutcracker run at the restored 1878 Music Hall, with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in the pit. A genuine local holiday tradition and a good first look at Music Hall itself if you haven't been.

John Morris Russell leads the Pops' signature holiday concert series. Six performances over three days with the Holiday Pops Chorale, Cincinnati's Studio for Dance, and 2026's guest singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno. A genuine Cincinnati December tradition, distinct from the Ballet's Nutcracker run at the same hall.

A new holiday-season musical special engagement takes the Aronoff stage for two weeks in early December, timed to overlap with downtown's tree lighting and ice-rink season for an easy combined holiday outing.

For the fourth straight year, the Bengals ask the whole stadium to wear black-and-orange stripes for one marquee home game. 2026's edition faces the Chiefs on Dec. 13, and the striped, blacked-out crowd is one of the better "welcome to Bengals fandom" game-day experiences to catch your first season here.

Cincinnati's society for German speakers runs a Bavarian-style Christmas market at Findlay Market. Gluhwein, handmade gifts and traditional German food during regular market hours, distinct from the bigger Banks-riverfront Christkindlmarkt already on this list.

Downtown's free, family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration relocated from Fountain Square to the new Elm Street Plaza in 2025. An early 8pm fireworks show for families with younger kids, plus the traditional midnight countdown and show for everyone else.

First Friday: Cocoa & Carols | 6pm

https://wyomingohio.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1511

https://lovelandoh.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=4461

https://wyomingohio.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=1510

Fa-La-La in the Fort (Christmas Tree Lighting)

St. Nick's Bingo (4 Fort Mitchell Seniors)

12 Houses of Christmas (Lights Decorating Contest)

Fort Mitchell Night at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: A Christmas Carol

12/13/2026 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – The Montgomery Arts Commission is pleased to present the 17th season of Live at the Uni, featuring four outstanding performances at the historic Universalist Church. Concert Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. September 29 – Acclaimed saxophonist Rick VanMatre and his jazz quintet September 2 October 13 – Cincinnati’s award-winning a cappella ensemble NO PROMISES September […]

Fort Mitchell Night at Cincinnati Zoo: PNC Festival of Lights

Fort Mitchell Day at Behringer-Crawford Museum: Holly Jolly Days

Fort Mitchell Morning at Cinemark Florence 14: The Polar Express