September's coming to a close. Get your spooky on with even more haunted house openings and a whole bunch of fall festivals. Here are the best, biggest events in the 'Nati this 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.
Monday, Sept. 21
Grab a bite to eat at Fountain Square
At FSQ Eats, grab a coworker get a bite to eat at Fountain Square.
Details: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs through Oct. 30. myfountainsquare.com.
Sway to the rhythm at Jazz at the Park
Get ready to groove as a different local and regional jazz act performs every Monday.
Details: 6-9 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Downtown. Runs Mondays through October
26. washingtonpark.org.
Tuesday, Sept. 22
Experience the Roaring Twenties at 'The Great Gatsby' (final week)
See the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald brought to life. This new musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Runs Sept. 15-27. cincinnatiarts.org.
Get ready to groove at Jazz at the Square
Enjoy live jazz music from local and regional acts. Grab your favorite drink and sway to the beat of a good tune.
Details: 5-8 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Free. Runs Tuesdays through Sept. 29. myfountainsquare.com.
See awesome Lego builds at Cincinnati Museum Center
At "Jurassic World by Brickman," venture into a baby Brachiosaurus enclosure, and see Triceratops, Velociraptors, T. rex and more. Create your own hybrid dino in the DNA lab.
College students are granted free admission the month of September.
Details: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Runs through Jan. 4, 2027. cincymuseum.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 23
Rock out with Hayley Williams
The Paramore singer is bringing The Hayley Williams Show to Riverbend this week.
Details: 7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
See 'Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience'
This 360-degree, digital art exhibition features interactive installations, digital displays, sound effects and projection mapping. Check out the infinite Sunflower Room and write a letter to Van Gogh.
Details: Event times vary Wednesday-Monday, 18 W. Fourth St., Downtown. Closed Tuesdays. Runs through Nov. 22. feverup.com.
Shop healthy and affordable foods at Northside Farmers Market
Browse over 20 vendors selling everything from fresh vegetables and fruits, bread, eggs and dairy, baked goods and pastries, jams, meats, ferments, soaps, spices, chocolate, coffee and more.
Details: 4-7 p.m., Northside Farmers Market, 4222 Hamilton Ave., Northside. Runs through Oct. 28. northsidefm.org.
Thursday, Sept. 24
Listen to folk music at Whispering Beard Folk Festival
Hear over 20 performances from a new lineup of artists each day.
Details: Performance times vary each day Thursday-Sunday, Carriage House Farms, 2872 Lawrenceburg Road, North Bend. See full schedule: whisperingbeard.com.
Have fun at the Paul Hemmer Company Annual Fall Festival
Enjoy an evening of great food, drinks, fellowship and fall fun.
Details: 4-9 p.m., Sand Run Nursery & Preserve, 9063 River Road, Hebron. eventbrite.com.
Hear Sinatra's greatest hits live
At "Let Me Be Frank: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra," hear his classic hits such as "Fly Me to the Moon" and "New York, New York" performed by Jack Garrett and the Atomic Wise Guys.
Details: 8 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. memorialhallotr.com.
Salsa on the Square (last one!)
Hear live salsa, merengue, cumbia and Latin jazz music from a rotating list of bands. Take part in a large dance class at Fountain Square. Or, if you're already skilled, show off them moves!
Details: 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs Thursdays through Sept. 24. myfountainsquare.com.
Check out the pumpkins at Cincinnati Art Museum
Yayoi Kusama's art exhibit, "All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins," features an array of yellow gourds of various sizes in a seemingly endless field of glowing pumpkins.
Details: 5-8 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills. Free for members and nonmembers every Thursday through Oct. 18. cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
Friday, Sept. 25
Stop by Oktoberfest Loveland
Enjoy your favorite Oktoberfest activities, such as a biergarten, live music, a stein hoist competition, a lederhosen competition, a kegging tapping, germane fare and a wiener dog race.
Details: 4-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Downtown Loveland. Biergarten located in Nisbet Park, 126 S Karl Brown Way, Loveland. business.lovelandchamber.org.
Shop for art on Final Friday
Browse and buy art directly from the artists on Final Friday. There are more than 250 studios over four buildings, and shops will host artists. Artist of the month is Mary Barr Rhodes in studio 712.
Details: 5-9 p.m., Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Valet parking is $10. Free admission. pendletonartcenter.com.
Browse homes at the Luxe Living Home Tour
This self-guided, luxury home tour offers a look inside eight residences across Newport, Southgate, Dayton, Fort Mitchell and Union. See the latest in modern architecture, inspired interiors, premium finishes and elevated home design.
Details: 6-8:30 p.m. preview party, The Boardwalk at Ovation, 500 Ovation Way, Newport; tours available noon-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, various sites across Greater Cincinnati. Free. Runs weekends Sept. 18-Oct. 4. cincinnatimagazine.com.
Catch a free concert at Fountain Square
Visit Cincy's Friday Night Nationals is a free concert series starting this summer. Performing this week: Augustana with Joe Jordan.
Details: 7 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Free. myfountainsquare.com.
Scream your heart out at Haunted Scream Park
'Tis the season for frights and delights! At Land of Illusion's Haunted Scream Park, enter horrifying attractions such as Temple of Terror, Killer Klowns, Dr. Psycho's Haunted Estate, Middletown Haunted Trail and Phobia.
Details: 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. Runs weekends Sept. 11-Oct. 31. Tickets: landofillusion.com.
For more screams, head to Scream Ridge (opening night!)
Don't miss out on the haunted houses on the Kentucky side of the river. At Scream Ridge, escape horrifying attractions such as Carnival of Screams, The Killing Field and The Torture Barn.
Details: 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 12273 Green Road, Walton. $35, $20 opening weekend. screamridge.com.
Run for your life at Dent Schoolhouse
What started from a legend of a murderous janitor turned this school into a Halloween icon, repeatedly crowned one of the best haunts in America. Traverse through the narrow passageways of this haunted schoolhouse to try to escape from its killer faculty. Good luck!
Details: 7:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5963 Harrison Ave., Green Township. Runs Sept. 11-Oct. 31. Tickets: dentschoolhouse.com.
If you're looking for more scares, go to Brimstone Haunt
Brimstone Haunt opens this weekend. Attractions include Haunted Hayride, The Bog and The Boogeyman. You're sure to have a scary good time.
Details: 7:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 525 Brimstone Road, Wilmington. Runs weekends Sept. 11-Oct. 31. Tickets: brimstonehaunt.com.
Grab a second pair of pants for Cincinnati Fear Fest
At Cincinnati Fear Fest, get three haunts and a festival for one ticket price. Explore three haunted houses, grab a drink from one of the secret bars, and browse a ghost-town Halloween festival and shop filled with oddities.
Details: 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg. Free parking. Runs weekends Sept. 12-Nov. 1. cincinnatifearfest.
Hop aboard the USS Nightmare (and try not to jump ship)
Sick of haunted houses? Try a haunted boat on the Ohio River for a change. Two decks of nightmarish fun await on this steam-powered dredge boat on the Ohio River.
Details: 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport. Runs Sept. 18-Nov. 1. ussnightmare.com.
Prepare for a fright at Halloween Haunt (opening weekend!)
Brave the night to see the park transformed for a Halloween celebration. Experience spine-chilling thrills in Scare Zones. Ride your favorite coasters like The Beast once (or thrice), made even scarier at night.
Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday, 6-11 p.m. Sunday, Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. Runs Sept. 25-Nov. 1. visitkingsisland.com.
Rock out at Lawrenceburg Fall Music Fest
Enjoy rock music Friday night and country music Saturday. Grab a drink from the beer garden and a bite to eat from the food trucks. Don't miss the car show Saturday.
Details: 5-10:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Lawrenceburg Civic Park, 111 E High St., Lawrenceburg. thinklawrenceburg.com.
Explore gourd-geous exhibits at Newport Aquarium
Come to Newport Aquarium's Underwater Pumpkin Glow to find glowing pumpkins in your favorite exhibits. Your animal friends will get tasty pumpkin treats and seasonal enrichment as jack-o'-lanterns become reefs for the underwater creatures.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Included with admission. Runs through Nov. 1. newportaquarium.com.
Meet your favorite characters at Cincinnati Comic Expo
Get photos with your favorite actors, cosplay at your favorite character, and browse the exhibitor hall.
Details: 3-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, First Financial Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. cincyexpos.com.
Vibe out with Logic and G-Eazy
Logic & G-Eazy's The Endless Summer Tour Part II is coming to Cincinnati this week.
Details: 7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
Jam out with Sara Bareilles
Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles is bringing her "Good Grief Tour" to Cincinnati this week.
Details: 8 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. tafttheatre.org.
Browse produce at the East Walnut Hills Farmers Market
Shop for fresh produce from local farmers while listening to live entertainment.
Details: 4-7 p.m., Madison Parking Lot, 1523 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills. Runs Fridays through Oct. 23. ewhfarmersmarket.com.
Saturday, Sept. 26
'Rock the Hill' at St. William
Show off your dance moves at the Rock the Hill music festival. Lineup includes performances by High Tide, Monkeys Uncle, Maribeth Samoya, Rachel Myers, Jim Conway and Chris Goins.
Details: 4:30 p.m., St. William Parish and School, 4108 W. 8th St., West Price Hill. $10. saintwilliam.com.
Browse art at Pyramid Hill's annual Art Fair
Welcome in fall by shopping paintings, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, glass and more from over 50 regional and national artists. Bring the whole family: Kids can enjoy the Family Fun Zone, including two bounce houses. Grab a beverage and a bite to eat from one of the food trucks.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton. $5, free ages 12-under. pyramidhill.org.
See cool chalk art at CliftonFest
CliftonFest celebrates the richness of the local arts scene and culture. Shop over 45 artisan vendors showcasing their handcrafted goods. Enjoy 20 live performances from regional musicians and more. Watch over 25 sidewalk artists transform streets into works of art.
Details: noon-11 p.m., Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3412 Clifton Ave., Clifton. cliftonculturalarts.org.
Sip on tea at Cincinnati Moon Festival
Enjoy cultural performances featuring Chinese and Indian instruments and traditional dance, Japanese Taiko drumming, K-Pop dance and Filipino Tinikling, and free tastings of Chinese, Indian and Japanese teas.
Details: 2-7 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. cincinnatimoonfestival.com.
Enjoy family-friendly fun at Waynesville Fall Fest
Go deep into the Ohio woods to discover the town of Skeleville, find some gemstones at the abandoned mining company Wildwater Mining Co., grab your putter for mini golf, traverse through a corn maze and more.
Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, 7392 E. State Route 73, Waynesville. $15 adult, $13 ages 10-under, free ages 2-under. Runs weekends Sept. 19-Nov. 1. waynesvillefallfest.com.
Shop around Country Applefest
Who doesn't love a good fall festival? Lebanon's only two-day arts and crafts festival is here. Shop from over 300 arts, crafts and food vendors, and enjoy live entertainment each day.
Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Warren County Fairgrounds, 655 N Broadway St., Lebanon. $2, free ages 12-under. Cash only. Free parking. countryapplefest.com.
Hop on a hayride at Windmill Farm Market
Ready for an adventure? Take a trip on Windmill's famous hayride, taking you over the hills and through the mud. Kids can also enjoy pumpkin bounce pads, travel through a cornstalk tunnel and meet cute farm animals.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Windmill Farm Market, 1454 E State Route 73, Springboro. Runs Sept. 26-Oct. 31. windmillfarmmarket.com.
Add some whimsy to your life at Great Parks Fairy Tale Festival
At this family-friendly event designed for kids, meet beloved characters and dress up as your favorite princess, prince, knight or mythical creature.
Details: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Glenwood Gardens, 10397 Springfield Pike, Wyoming. $12, free ages 3-under. greatparks.org.
Sign up for the Halo Hustle
Run or walk a 5K through Mount Washington. At the afterparty celebrate with food, drink, fun and the awards ceremony. All proceeds benefit Guardian Angels parish and school.
Details: 6 p.m., Guardian Angels School, 6539 Beechmont Ave., Mount Washington. runsignup.com.
Grab your bike for Ride Cincinnati
Opt for either the scenic four-mile loop or 30-, 50- and 60-mile open road races. At the post-ride party, enjoy all-inclusive food and drinks, plus music and survivor spotlights.
Details: Event times begin at 7:30 a.m., Yeatman's Cove and Sawyer Point Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. ridecincinnati.org.
Participate in Great Parks' annual disc golf tournament
Experience an 18-hole course at Woodland Mound and enjoy a HighGrain brew (for those of drinking age) and have a bite with friends and family. Additional games and contests are available to families, children, and spectators throughout the day. Tee times are limited to five players each. All ages are welcome.
Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Woodland Mound, 8250 Old Kellogg Road, Anderson Township. $35. greatparks.org.
Check out some cool art at Milford's Art Affaire
Head to this juried art show, featuring fine craft, musical entertainment and food.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Main Street, downtown Milford. milfordhistory.net.
Check out Liberty Township's Fall Festival
If you live in Liberty Township, connect with your community and celebrate the fall season.
Details: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Liberty Park, 6757 Yankee Road, Liberty Township. liberty-township.com.
Dress in your best medieval getup at Ohio Renaissance Festival
Transport yourself back in time to the days where kings and queens ruled at Ohio Renaissance Festival. See over 100 daily shows, including a circus show and a sword fight on opening weekend. Try savory cuisine such as turkey legs, burgers and pulled pork. Wash it all down with a cold beer. Browse through the village "shoppes" offering homemade crafts.
Details: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville. Runs every weekend Sept. 5-Nov. 1. renfestival.com.
Shop for produce at Montgomery Farmers' Market
Buy goods from local farmers, crafters, wellness and soap producers and food producers.
Details: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Montgomery Elementary School, 9609 Montgomery Road, Montgomery. Runs Saturdays through Oct. 31. montgomeryfarmersmarket.org.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Bring the kids to Tricks and Treats
If your kids are too young for Halloween Haunt (or you're too scared – we won't judge) but still want to experience fall fun, bring them to Kings Island's fall festival. Enjoy family-friendly activities, complete with a Trick-or-Treat Trail and family rides.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. Runs Sundays Sept. 27-Nov. 1. visitkingsisland.com.
Have fun at Mount Lookout's Fall Festival
Mount Lookout residents, come together for fun, food and entertainment. Enjoy live music, face painting, carnival games, complimentary ice cream, hot dogs, snacks and drinks for all ages, plus adult beverages for sale.
Details: noon-3 p.m., Mount Lookout Square, 1016 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout. mtlookout.org.
Try all the dishes at Fall Food Fest
Sample fall-themed dishes and drinks from a variety of vendors. Enjoy live music and other family-friendly activities.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. $25 for 8 tasting event tickets, $45 for 18. findlaymarket.org.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Things to do in Cincy this week. Here are our daily picks
