Boo! Halloween is finally here. Find a way to celebrate the holiday using our list of the biggest, best events happening 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, Oct. 26
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. 27
Wish upon a star at 'Cinderella'
Enjoy a Broadway-style ballet production of the beloved fairytale by United European Ballet, set to a score by composer Sergei Prokofiev.
Details: 7 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. tafttheatre.org.
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. Runs through Oct. 31. 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. 28
Root for the Cincy Cyclones
The Cincinnati Cyclones take on Indy Fuel this week.
Details: 7:05 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. cycloneshockey.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.
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.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Get happy with Angela Ingersoll
Angela Ingersoll sings the works of Judy Garland, relating stories of Garland's life between classic songs including "Get Happy," "The Trolley Song," "The Man That Got Away," "That's Entertainment!" and, of course, "Over the Rainbow."
Details: 7:30 p.m., Moe and Jack's Place, The Rouse Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 62 Mount Adams Circle, Walnut Hills. Runs Oct. 17-Nov. 7. cincyplay.com.
Friday, Oct. 30
Rock out with The Story So Far
Pop-punk band The Story So Far is performing in Cincinnati this week. Joining for support are The Starting Line and Ultra Q.
Details: 7 p.m., Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. bradymusiccenter.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.
Details: 5-9 p.m., Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Valet parking is $10. Free admission. pendletonartcenter.com.
Jam out at Haunted Fest 2026
At Haunted Fest, dance to music by Knock2, GRiZ, Avello, Starjunk95, Steller, and Nikita The Wicked.
Details: 6 p.m., MegaCorp Pavilion, 101 W 4th St, Newport, Ky. breakawayfestival.com.
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: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, The Otto M. Budig Theater, 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs through Oct. 31. cincyshakes.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.
Saturday, Oct. 31 – Happy Halloween!
Attend the HauntedHaus Party
Celebrate the grand opening of Winterhaus with a night of costumes, cocktails, and Halloween fun. Win the costume contest and dance the night away with spooky DJ beats.
Details: 7-11 p.m., Elm Street Plaza, 150 W. Fifth St., Downtown. Ages 21-up. $25. myfountainsquare.com.
Sign up for Gourdy's Pumpkin Run
The fall foliage makes the ideal backdrop for this scenic, Halloween run along the Ohio River. Celebrate your finish with an apple cider and receive a small pumpkin. Runners and walkers are welcome.
Details: 9 a.m., Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman's Cove, 705 E Pete Rose Way, Downtown. $65. gourdyspumpkinrun.com.
Watch FC Cincinnati v. Philadelphia Union
Cheer on your favorite Cincy soccer team this week at their home game.
Details: 2-4 p.m., TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. tqlstadium.com.
Visit the animals at HallZOOeen
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.
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, Nov. 1
Do a jig at the 'Taste of Ireland' concert
Watch professional Irish dancers bring their heritage to Cincinnati with traditional dance. Enjoy reimagined classics such as "Danny Boy" and "Wild Rover."
Details: 2 p.m., Aronoff Center, 50 Walnut St., Downtown. cincinnatiarts.org.
Stock up on your winter wardrobe at City Flea Fall Vintage Market
Browse booths selling vintage clothing and find something new (to you) to hang in your closet.
Details: noon-5 p.m., Ziegler Park, 1322 Sycamore St., Pendleton. facebook.com.
Show your stripes at the Bengals v. Titans game
The Cincinnati Bengals face the Tennessee Titans this week.
Details: 1 p.m., 1 Paycor Stadium, Downtown. bengals.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Things to do in Cincy this week | Our daily picks
