Between the Bengals home opener, three Oktoberfest celebrations and haunted house opening weekends, there are plenty of ways to ring in the fall season. Here are the biggest, best, most interesting 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.
It's that time of the year again. Have some fun at one of these waterparks before they close for the season.
Soak City: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Monday, Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. visitkingsisland.com.
Aqua Adventures Waterpark: 5-9 p.m. adult swim Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Land of Illusion Adventure Park, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. landofillusion.com.
Participate in the Pleasant Ridge Loop Run. Runners of all levels are invited to come together. This race is organized as part of a Girl Scout Gold Award project aimed at revitalizing local road races. Compete in the 1, 2 or 3-mile race.
Details: 9 a.m., 5935 Ridge Ave., Pleasant Ridge. $33.95. findarace.com.
Add the Cincinnati Aruna Run to your Labor Day schedule. Every single registration fee goes directly toward freeing, employing and empowering trafficked women. Run either the 10K, 5K or 1-mile.
Details: 8 a.m.-noon, Smale Riverfront Park, 166 W. Mehring Way, Downtown. Prices vary per race. raceroster.com.
Sam Barber is making his Cincinnati debut at Brady Music Center on his "American Route Tour." Joining him are special guests Josiah and The Bonnevilles and Wild Horses.
Details: 7 p.m., Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. bradymusiccenter.com.
Grab your tickets now to see Eric Clapton and special guest Jimmie Vaughan live in concert.
Details: 7:30 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Honor the legacy of one of jazz's most influential voices, John Coltrane. The Branford Marsalis Quartet and Dianne Reeves will perform a tribute album, revisiting Coltrane's seminal 1963 collaboration with Johnny Hartman.
Details: 7:30 p.m., Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. cincinnatiarts.org.
Enjoy a horse expo, bands, an art show, a flower show, rides, games, livestock exhibits and more. The Harvest Home Parade is 6 p.m. Thursday, and admission is free afterward.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Harvest Home Park, 3961 N Bend Road, Cheviot. $5, free first responders, veterans and children 12-under. harvesthomefair.com.
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.
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.
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.
Pay tribute to a New York Fire Department firefighter by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Students, staff and community members are welcome to participate.
Details: 6:46 a.m., Nippert Stadium, 2700 Bearcat Way, University of Cincinnati. uc.edu.
Get ready for authentic German food from bratwurst to schnitzel. Throw back a cold "bier" or sip on a glass of wine. There will also be fun for the kids in their very own Kids Fun Zone. Expect plenty of games, polka music, dancing and fun for the whole family.
Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, Springboro United Church of Christ, 5 West Mill St., Springboro. $5 admission, free active military with I.D. and kids under 12. oktoberfestspringboro.org.
Prepare to enjoy all your favorite Oktoberfest activities, including brat tossing, stein hoisting, hammerschlagen (ing?) and log sawing. Munch on all your German food cravings such as schnitzel, goetta, bratwurst and more.
Details: 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Newport Festival Park, Riverboat Row, Newport. Free. thingstodocincinnati.com.
The Covington Oktoberfest is happening this weekend. Enjoy local food and craft vendors, live music, interactive activities, and competitions and (of course) plenty of cold beers.
Details: noon-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Goebel Park, 501 Philadelphia St., Covington. braxtonbrewing.com.
At this two-day adoption event, find a cat or dog to take home with you for $10. The following shelters are participating in this event noon-6 p.m. Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. Find a location near you.
Sharonville: SPCA Cincinnati, 11900 Conrey Road. spcacincinnati.org.
Batavia: League for Animal Welfare, 4193 Taylor Road. lfaw.org.
Northside: Cincinnati Animal CARE, 3949 Colerain Ave. cincinnatianimalcare.org.
Lebanon: Humane Association of Warren County, 230 Cook Road. homelesspets.org.
Madisonville: Ohio Alleycat Resource, 5619 Orlando Place. ohioalleycat.org.
Hear a new lineup of performers each day with special guest MCs Steve Summers on Friday and Chris O'Brien and Janeen Coyle on Saturday. 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.
Maysville and August are coming together to celebrate their communities and friends on the other side of the river. Opening night features a welcoming address, 9/11 tribute, dance party and drag performance. Saturday's "Pride in the Park" focuses on education, community advocacy and live musical entertainment.
Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Wild Bull Saloon, 740 Fleming Road, Maysville. $15; daytime Saturday, Augusta River Park, Augusta. cityofmaysvilleky.gov.
'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.
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.
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.
HorrorHound Weekend has been celebrating the horror genre and its impact in movies, television, music and pop culture for over 20 years. Get an autograph and photo-op with a celebrity and find answers to the questions you've been dying to ask in on-stage Q&As. Shop from over 100 vendors selling new and rare collectibles such as toys and apparel. At the HorrorHouse Film Fest, attend movie premieres and screenings. Cosplay as your favorite characters and get a sweet, new tatty at the Ink Fusion Tattoo Festival.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. Tickets: horrorhoundweekend.com.
Rap duo $uicideboy$ are bringing their "Grey Day" tour to Cincinnati this week. Joining for support are Destroy Lonely, Shakewell, DRAIN, Black Kray and $lim Gucci.
Details: 6:30 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
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.
The Cincinnati Bearcats take on Western Carolina this weekend.
Details: 7 p.m., Nippert Stadium, 2700 Bearcat Way, University of Cincinnati. gobearcats.com.
Hank Williams Jr. is coming to Riverbend Music Center, along with special guests Mark Wills and Dalton Davis.
Details: 6:30 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
Stroll down Main Street and browse the goods of local artisans, makers and vintage curators. Find one-of-a-kind treasures and enjoy live music and food truck favorites.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Main Street, historic downtown Waynesville. waynesvilleshops.com.
This dog- and family-friendly celebration benefits the animals at the Animal Friends Humane Society. Enjoy live music, an adult beverage from Municipal Brew Works, great food, local vendors and Split-the-Pot drawings. Get your pet microchipped from noon-2 p.m. and adopt a pet for 50% off from noon-4 p.m.
Details: noon-6 p.m., Municipal Brew Works, 20 High St., Hamilton. animalfriendshs.org.
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.
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: Opens 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday, continues 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg. Free parking. Runs weekends Sept. 12-Nov. 1. cincinnatifearfest.
Enjoy local food, wine, craft beverages and live music with a great view of the river. Each ticket includes six food tasting tickets, six beverage tasting tickets and a commemorative tasting glass. This event supports Brighton Center's programs and services across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.
Details: 5:30-9 p.m., Purple People Bridge, Newport. $50 general admission. brightoncenter.com.
Enjoy Russian cuisine, live folk music and dancing, local vendors, church tours and kids' activities.
Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., St. George Orthodox Church, 118 N. Lebanon Road, Loveland. stgeorgeroc.org.
Step back in time and celebrate the area's history with the return of the Vintage Baseball Game, featuring the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum's 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, while also cheering on Miami Township's own Miami Township GOATS. Anyone interested in showcasing their vintage or classic vehicle can head to the car show. Guests will also could meet and take photos with Cincinnati Reds mascots at 1:30 p.m.
Details: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. car show, noon-3 p.m. vintage baseball tournament, Miami Meadows Park, 1546 State Route 131, Milford. Free. miamitwp.org.
FC Cincinnati plays Charlotte FC this weekend.
Pre-match: 4-6:30 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. washingtonpark.org.
Game: 7:30-9:30 p.m., TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. tqlstadium.com.
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.
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.
Support the National Kidney Foundation by signing up for the walk. Make a donation and raise awareness.
Details: 9:30 a.m., Washington Park, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Downtown. kidneywalk.org.
The Cincinnati Bengals face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. Show up early (and secure a parking spot before gametime) to the pre-game block party. Get ready to roar with live music from DV8, food and drinks, including ice cold beer from the Bud Light Tailgate Zone.
Pre-game block party: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., The Banks, Freedom Way, Downtown. Free. bengals.com.
Game: 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