From Motley Crue at Riverbend to the kickoff of Oktoberfest season (already!?), here are the top events happening in Cincinnati 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, Aug. 24
'Seas' the summer at Newport Aquarium
Journey through 10 themed experiences throughout the aquarium. Catch a wave, build a sandcastle, fly a kite, go camping and visit a tropical island, all while meeting thousands of sea critters along the way.
Details: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 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. newportaquarium.com.
Sink your teeth into deals for Cincy Wing Week
Over 50 of Cincinnati's
hottest wing joints are offering $8 wing specials this week. Download the Wing Week app to take your tastebuds on a tour, exploring the saucy flavors of the Queen City.
Details: Event runs Aug. 24-30 at participating locations. cincywingweek.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.
Jam out at Strings on the Square
Quartet StringSource performs novel arrangements of popular music by the hottest artists every Monday.
Details: 6-7:15 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs Mondays through Aug. 31. myfountainsquare.com.
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Rock out with Motley Crue
Iconic rock band Motley Crue are bringing their The Return of the Carnival of Sins tour to Cincinnati this week. Joining them for support are Tesla and Extreme.
Details: 6:30 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.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.
Details: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Runs through Jan. 4, 2027. cincymuseum.org.
Wednesday, Aug. 26
Jam out with Alabama Shakes and Tedeschi Trucks Band
Co-headliners Alabama Shakes and Tedeschi Trucks Band are performing at Riverbend this week.
Details: 6 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 Sept. 30. feverup.com.
Kickoff Oktoberfest activities
Witness the ceremonial tapping of the Original Oktoberfest Lager and launch the season with the Bavarian activities you love, including fresh bier, live music and family‑friendly fun.
Details: 6-9 p.m., Hofbrauhaus Newport Brewery & Restaurant, 200 E. Third St., Newport. Free. hofbrauhausnewport.com.
Find a free performance of 'Much Ado About Nothing' near you
Come see Shakespeare's beloved comedy. This production of "Much Ado About Nothing" takes place in 1776 and follows two sparring skeptics, Beatrice and Benedick. Expect mistaken identities, eavesdropping and a bit of chaos. Performances run July 14-Sept. 6.
Tuesday: 7 p.m., Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave., Oxford.
Wednesday: 7 p.m., Stubbs Park, 255 W. Spring Valley Pike, Centerville.
Thursday: 7 p.m., Elstro Plaza, 47 N. Sixth St., Richmond.
Friday: 7 p.m., Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash.
Saturday: 1 p.m., Cincinnati Public Library, Main Library, 800 Vine St., Downtown.
Sunday: 1 p.m., The Carnegie Center, 3738 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum. cincyshakes.com.
Grab your cowboy boots for Southern Sessions
Enjoy live folk, roots and Americana music from a rotating list of performers.
Details: 5-8 p.m., Fifth Third Bank Center Stage, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs Wednesdays through Sept. 2. myfountainsquare.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, Aug. 27
Sample wine at the Swiss Wine Festival
Wine and beer drinkers should make a stop at the Swiss Wine Festival. In addition to taste testing at the wine and beer tents, see live performances by musical artists, polka dancers, drone and laser shows.
Details: 4 p.m.-midnight Thursday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Ogle Riverfront Park, 100 Ferry St., Vevay. Free Thursday, $5 cover Friday-Sunday. swisswinefestival.org.
Sing a tune with Tim McGraw
Country music fans, don't miss out on seeing Tim McGraw at Riverbend this week. Joining him for support are 49 Winchester and Timothy Wayne.
Details: 7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
Get ready to rock the Roebling
Rockin' the Roebling Summer Concert Series is back and bringing the beats every Thursday night. Grab a beer from Cincinnati Lager House, relax and enjoy live music from a rotating list of performers.
Details: 6-10 p.m., Schmidlapp Event Lawn and Stage, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Free. Runs Thursdays through Sept. 10. cincylagerhouse.com.
Salsa on the Square
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. 25. 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, Aug. 28
Have a beer at Germania Society Oktoberfest
Enjoy a cold one from a German stein, traditional German food and live German music all weekend. Participate in the traditional beer mug-sliding contest and the steinholding (Masskrugstemmen) competition. Kids can have fun on the playground or on festival rides.
Details: 6-11 p.m. Friday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday, Germania Society, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Colerain Township. $5, kids 12-under free, military with ID free. germaniasociety.com/oktoberfest.
Prep for fall by visiting First of Fall Festival
Fall is nearing, and homes are in need of seasonal decor. Join vendors and crafters at the largest handmade craft show in the county.
Details: 4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington. $5 per car. firstoffallfestival.com.
Stargaze at Pyramid Hill
Create a cyanotype imprinted image created by the sun. Astronomer Dean Regas will speak on eclipse chasing.
Details: 6-7:30 p.m., Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton. Included with general park admission. pyramidhill.org.
Catch a free concert at Fountain Square
Visit Cincy's Friday Night Nationals is a free concert series starting this summer. Performing this week: The Jayhawks and Sixpence None the Richer.
Details: 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Free. myfountainsquare.com.
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 Joanne Honschopp in studio 811.
Details: 5-9 p.m., Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Valet parking is $10. Free admission. pendletonartcenter.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.
Have fun at Art After Dark
Enjoy tunes from DJ Ike and bust a move at the silent disco. Experience a solar-viewing activity with Cincinnati Observatory and join their team for a comet-themed craft. Craft with artist Pam Kravetz and make a martian-approved headpiece.
Details: 5-9 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills. Free. cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Runners, don't miss Runchella
Expect a two-mile social run and community walk, a live DJ, wellness and fitness activities, challenges, giveaways and a small business market.
Details: 6-9 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Downtown. Free. allevents.in.
Stop by The Cincinnati Art Book Fair
Meet the over 60 independent publishers, artists, designers, collectors and enthusiasts who gather for this independent art book fair.
Details: noon-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington. Free. cincinnatiartbookfair.com.
Browse the vendors at ArtFest on Main
Browse fine art from 100 different artists in various mediums: paintings, sculpture, pottery, leatherwork, woodcrafts, photography, textiles and glass art. Hear a new lineup of musicians playing live every day. Grab a bite to eat from a food truck or sip on an adult beverage from a local brewery. Children can explore the kids' tent, with activities for all ages.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., South Main Street, Springboro. Free. artfestonmain.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, Aug. 30
Learn about Hispanic culture at Hispanic Heritage Festival
Celebrate the history, culture and contributions of the Hispanic and Latine communities. The whole family can enjoy an afternoon of live music performances, traditional dance showcases, children's activities, authentic Hispanic cuisine and more.
Details: 3-7 p.m., Sharon Woods, 1450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Free. greatparks.org.
Swim across the Ohio River
The Bill Keating Jr. Ohio River Swim is a 900-meter open water swim. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just want to cross this item off your bucket list, this is the ultimate race for you.
Details: 8:15 a.m., Public Landing, 435 E Mehring Way, Downtown. Pre-registration: $30 ages 12-17, $50 adult. greatohioriverswim.com.
Get ready to rock at Fifth & Vine Live (final weekend!)
Dance and sing along to anthems you know. Each night features a fan-favorite cover or tribute band from a rotating list of artists.
Details: 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs every Sunday through Aug. 30. myfountainsquare.com.
Spend Sunday on the Square
Shop at Hyde Park Farmers' Market for vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, cheeses, pantry items, herbs, cut flowers, garden plants and artisan goods at this "growers' market."
Details: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hyde Park Square, 2700 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. Runs Sundays through Oct. 25. hydeparkfarmersmarket.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Things to do in Cincinnati this week, Aug. 24-30
