Halloween's creeping closer. If you want to enjoy all the autumnal fun while it lasts, Cincinnati's crawling with festivities that'll get you in the spooky-season spirit.
Families can have loads of fun at pumpkin-themed festivals such as Jack-O-Lantern Festival, Pumpkin Express and Harrison's Pumpkin Festival. Learn about old ways of life at Apple Butter Festival and Big Bone Lick's Salt Festival, and don't miss out on all the fang-tastic eats this week, including all the Asian food you can eat at Panda Fest and the great deals for Cincinnati Taco Week.
Have an event you'd like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we'll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.
1. Panda Fest
At Panda Fest,
engage in experiential activities, tastings and market fairs that showcase the vibrant food, art and cultural traditions from Asia.
Details: 4-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Smale Riverfront Park, 166 W Mehring Way, Downtown. $10 early bird, $14 general admission, $35 VIP. pandafests.com.
2. Pumpkin Express
Enjoy a ride on a train, conducted by Jack the pirate. Be transported to the Lebanon Sports Complex and enjoy fall family fun such as balloon twisting, face painting, small pumpkins, inflatables and fall treats.
Details: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, 16 E South St., Lebanon. $24 open window coach, $29 deluxe coach, $10 infant. Runs weekends through Oct. 31. lebanonrr.com.
3. Jack-O-Lantern Festival
Enjoy free activities such as a costume contest, face painting, train rides, bounce houses, magicians, free food and drinks, and games for the entire family.
Details: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, David Housley Pavilion, Randolph Park, 226 E 8th St., Covington. hunthalloween.com.
4. Pumpkin Festival
Enjoy over 100 arts and crafts exhibitors, live music, live demonstrations, activities for children and more. Grab a bite to eat from 24 food vendors. Participate in a pumpkin pie or donut eating contest, the pumpkin roll, the egg toss and sack races. Kids can enjoy a petting zoo, sunflower maze, scavenger hunt, face painting and pony rides. Pick your own pumpkin at the patch to take home.
Details: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 6040 Kilby Road, Harrison. $8, kids 12-under free. webersfarmmarket.com.
5. Apple Butter Festival
Experience 19th century farm life and cook up some apple butter the way the pioneers did it. Shop the variety of crafters and vendors and purchase fall faves like apple butter (of course), apples, cider, pumpkins and gourds. Tour the Doty homestead and barn, both from the 1800s, and browse the broad display of museum artifacts.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Hueston Woods Pioneer Farm, 6924 Brown Road, Oxford. $5 per adult or $10 per car, children 12-under free. oxfordmuseumassociation.com.
6. Salt Festival
See demonstrations of early settler ways of life, salt making, archery, spear and tomahawk throwing. Stick around for entertainment such as storytelling, live music, crafts, food and more. Learn more about Kentucky's early history at the park museum and see active salt springs and the bison herd.
Details: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Big Bone Lick State Park, 3380 Beaver Road, Union. $10 ages 13-up, $5 ages 6-12, free ages 5-under. friendsofbigbone.org.
7. 'The Sixties Show'
Transport back in time and hear iconic hits from the 1960s, sang live and enhanced with authentic archival audio and newsreel footage.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aronoff Center, 50 Walnut St., Downtown. cincinnatiarts.org.
8. Brantley Gilbert
Country singer Brantley Gilbert is bringing his Real American Tour to Cincinnati this week. Joining him are special guests John Morgan and Atlus.
Details: 7 p.m. Friday, PNC Pavilion, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
9. Cincinnati Taco Week
Enjoy a week-long fiesta featuring $3 tacos from over 30 restaurants, including deals on street food and gourmet tacos.
Details: Over 30 participating Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky restaurants and taco joints. Runs Oct. 12-18. Find all participating locations here: cincytacoweek.com.
10. 'Making Strides' and 'Walk Ahead'
Whether you're a seasoned runner or just want to walk, sign up for one of these walk/runs for a good cause.
Making Strides Cincinnati: 8:30 a.m. 5K Run, 9 a.m. Walk, both Saturday, Yeatman's Cove, 705 E Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Donations go to Making Strides Cincinnati, which funds lifesaving breast cancer research. Free. secure.acsevents.org.
Walk Ahead for Brain Tumor Discoveries: 8 a.m.-noon Sunday, Yeatman's Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. This run/walk supports the ongoing work of the University of Cincinnati Brain Tumor Center in finding a better treatment for brain tumors. secure.qgiv.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Fall fun awaits at these top 10 events around Cincy this weekend
