The spookiest month of the year is finally here. From the return of Blink and the Sauerkraut Festival to the Queen Bee Half Marathon, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the fall season.
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, Oct. 5
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. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport.
Included with admission. Runs through Nov. 1. newportaquarium.com.
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, Oct. 6
Walk through a fall wonderland at the Zoo's Jack O'Lantern Glow
Lined with more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins and fall decorations, walk through a half-mile trail illuminated by jack-o'-lanterns. The Reptile House and Night Hunters exhibits will also stay open until 9 p.m.
Details: 5:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 5:30-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Downtown. cincinnatizoo.org.
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.
Details: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Runs through Jan. 4, 2027. cincymuseum.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Cheer on your favorite collegiate team at CareSource Invitational
At this outdoor college basketball exhibition, root for your favorite local teams as University of Cincinnati vs. Ohio State and Xavier vs. Dayton face off. The games will raise funds for nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention organizations.
Details: 1 p.m. gates open, 3 p.m. Ohio State vs. University of Cincinnati, 5:30 p.m. Xavier University vs. Dayton University, Lindner Family Tennis Center, 5460 Courseview Drive, Mason. cincycaresourceinvitational.carrd.co.
Shred the guitar with Robin Trower
Legendary guitarist Robin Trower is coming to Brady Music Center this week, along with Katy Guillen and The Drive.
Details: 8 p.m., Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. bradymusiccenter.com.
Raise a glass at Bottles & Basslines with Cincinnati Wine Festival
Sip on wine and listen to the music of Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, Natalie Imbruglia and Fiona Apple.
Details: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cincinnati International Wine Festival Office, 3716 Montgomery Road, Evanston. $75. winefestival.com.
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.
Thursday, Oct. 8
Find something good to eat at Asianati Night Market
Grab something to eat from one of the 17 food vendors, play duck duck scoop, test your skills in the chopstick challenge and see belly dancing and lion dance performances. At 7 p.m. Saturday, there's a cosplay contest presented by Tokyo Kitty.
Details: 5-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m. Sunday, Court Street Plaza, East Court St., Downtown. anm.asianati.com.
Experience Blink Cincinnati
Blink is back this year. Wander through the five zones of this immersive art and light festival. Each zone contains interactive installations, murals, projections and live music.
Details: 7-11 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine, Fountain Square, The Banks, Covington. Free. blinkcincinnati.com.
Worship with Cece Winans
CeCe Winans, Charity Gayle, Red Worship and Terrian are bringing the Come Worship! Tour to Heritage Bank Center this week.
Details: 7 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com.
Check out the pumpkins at Cincinnati Art Museum (ending soon)
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, Oct. 9
Laugh out loud at 'Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors'
This performance reimagines Bram Stoker's gothic classic with unexpected twists, gags and playful innuendo.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, The Otto M. Budig Theater, 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. cincyshakes.com.
Celebrate at Lebanon's Oktoberfest
Enjoy all you love about Oktoberfest at this celebration: live German-style music, food vendors, a kid's zone and German and local craft beers.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Bicentennial Park, 135 E Mulberry St., Lebanon. warrenswcd.com.
Admire the giant pumpkins at Operation Pumpkin
Catch a lineup of headliners that span classic rock and country. Browse over 100 artisan and food vendors. And, of course, gawk at pumpkins the size of small cars. You can also sign your child up to compete for the title of Lil Miss Pumpkin, or sign your pooch up for the pet parade and costume contest. Kids will love the kids zone, complete with amusement rides, balloon artists, crafts, scavenger hunts, pumpkin painting and more.
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, High Street, Hamilton. operation-pumpkin.org.
Sample wine at Vinoklet Art & Wine Festival
Hear a new lineup of performers each day. Shop from art vendors, grab tasty bites to eat and, of course, sip on a glass (or two) of wine.
Details: 5:30-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant, 11069 Colerain Road, Colerain Township. vinokletwines.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
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. Runs through Oct. 31. 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
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.
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, Oct. 10
Visit the animals at HallZOOeen (opening weekend!)
Stop at the various trick or treat stations throughout the zoo. Watch your favorite animals play with seasonal enrichment (think pumpkins galore!), and catch magic shows at Phil Dalton's Theater of Illusion at 1 and 3 p.m. Take a ride on the Pumpkin Express Train or the carousel. Kids are encouraged to dress up in costume for this event.
Details: noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 3400 Vine St., Downtown. Free with zoo admission or membership. Runs Oct. 10-Nov. 1. cincinnatizoo.org.
Bring good vibrations to The Beach Boys concert
The Beach Boys are celebrating the 60th Anniversary of "Pet Sounds," bringing their tour to PNC Pavilion this week.
Details: 7:30 p.m., PNC Pavilion, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
Try all things sauerkraut at Sauerkraut Festival
Explore historic downtown Waynesville while sampling tasty concoctions from over 30 different food booths. Try fan favorite sauerkraut pizza, or the unique sauerkraut ice cream. With over 450 craft booths to browse, you'll be sure to have a great time.
Details: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Historic Main Street, Waynesville.sauerkrautfestival.waynesvilleohio.com.
Browse the booths at Fall Cov Craft
Shop from a curated lineup of makers and artists, sip on beer from West Sixth Brewing, and grab a bite of local food.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sixth Street Promenade, 421 W. Sixth St., Covington. covcraft.com.
Attend the world-famous party on the hill (Devil's Staircase)
Daredevils, unite! Prepare for two days of non-stop hillclimb racing. See who will be crowned AMA Pro Racing's American Hillclimb National Champion.
Details: 9 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Devil's Staircase, 1086 Corwin Road, Oregonia. $10. daytonmc.com.
Participate in the Queen Bee Half Marathon
Show who's queen at the sister race of the Flying Pig Marathon. Opt for the 4-miler for a quicker run at 8 a.m. There will be a Michelob Ultra Victory Party at Sawyer Point from 8 a.m.-noon.
Bee-U-Tique Expo: 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday, First Financial Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown.
Races: 7:30 a.m. half-marathon, 8 a.m. four-mile, both Sunday, starts at Reading Road and Pendleton Street, Downtown. flyingpigmarathon.com.
Pick a pumpkin at Great Parks Pumpkin Patch
Pick the perfect pumpkin from the patch. Enjoy fun fall activities like pumpkin decorating, face painting, fall-themed crafts and games.
Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Winton Woods Farm & Equestrian Center, 10073 Daly Road, Springfield Township. $4 pie pumpkin, $7 large pumpkin. Runs Saturdays through Oct. 31. greatparks.org.
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, $13 ages 10-under, free ages 2-under. Runs weekends Sept. 19-Nov. 1. waynesvillefallfest.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.
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. Saturday-Sunday, Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. Runs weekends Sept. 27-Nov. 1. visitkingsisland.com.
Sunday, Oct. 11
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.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Things to do in Cincy this week | Our daily picks
