EXPLORE CINCINNATI

Labor Day Weekend

Last big weekend of summer in Cincinnati. Festivals, live music, and local parks at their best.

2 events

FireworksFree

Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks and Riverfest

Ohio River waterfront -- Downtown Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport · Downtown / riverfront (both OH and KY banks)

Sunday before Labor Day (Sept 6 in 2026)Festivities from 3 PM, fireworks after dark

The single biggest annual event in the metro -- Riverfest draws upward of 600,000 people to both riverbanks for the WEBN fireworks show. 2026 is the 50th anniversary edition, expanded with a second fireworks barge and drone formations. Genuinely spans both states, not just the Ohio side.

Pro tip: Smale Riverfront Park and the Purple People Bridge fill in hours early -- if you want a reserved view, look at a dinner-cruise ticket (BB Riverboats, Queen City Riverboats) instead of fighting for riverbank space.

Official Event Page

FamilyFree

Rubber Duck Regatta

Ohio River, best viewed from Smale Riverfront Park · Downtown riverfront

Same day as RiverfestAfternoon

Hundreds of thousands of numbered rubber ducks race down the river as a fundraiser for the Freestore Foodbank -- a lighthearted daytime companion event ahead of the evening fireworks.

Official Event Page

Keep Going