Labor Day Weekend

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

Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks and RiverfestFireworksFree

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
Rubber Duck RegattaFamilyFree

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

Tools that pair with this one

All tools

Explore Cincinnati

Things To Do

Museums, events, and entertainment worth your weekend.

Open tool

Explore Cincinnati

Restaurants Guide

Iconic staples and the best of Cincinnati right now.

Open tool

Explore Cincinnati

Day Trips

Getaways within a tank of gas.

Open tool

See Cincinnati at its best, then stay.

If a holiday visit turns into house hunting, Chris will show you the neighborhoods behind the festivities.

Talk to Chris
View on the map