FAQ Seasonal Activities Cincinnati area
What are the best things to do in winter in the Cincinnati area?
Winter in the tri-state area is full of activities. Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Indiana (just 20 minutes away) offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing from December through March, weather permitting. Ice skating is available in downtown Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
At First Farm Inn, horseback riding is available year-round, (temperatures must be above freezing) weather permitting. https://www.firstfarminn.com/horseback-riding
Indoor attractions shine in winter, with holiday decorations at all the museums, including Dinsmore Homestead in Burlington http://www.dinsmorefarm.org and Hillforest Mansion in Aurora, Indiana https://hillforest.org/. Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal has a special model train display. Newport Aquarium has Scuba Santa and his elves visiting the tanks.
The Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights (ranked #1 in the nation) https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights/ runs December through January. For less traffic and parking hassle, the Boone County Fairgrounds, 6 miles from First Farm Inn, offers a drive-through light show https://lightupthefair.com as does Perfect North Slopes https://perfectnorth.com/northern-lights/.
Holiday presentations sparkle with the Holiday Pops at Music Hall https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/tickets-and-events/buy-tickets/pops/2526-pops-season/holiday-pops/ , the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Ballet’s annual Nutcracker https://cballet.org › performances › the-nutcracker-presented-by-sheakley-family-2 , Christmas Carol at Playhouse in the Park https://www.cincyplay.com › productions › A-CHRISTMAS-CAROL and holiday shows at the Aronoff Center.
Krohn Conservatory https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov › cincyparks › visit-a-park › find-a-parkfacility › krohn-conservatory features a Christmas exhibit with model trains traveling through a recreation of Cincinnati in miniature made of all natural materials.
Behringer-Crawford Museum has a special model train display for the holiday.
Santa rappels down the 524 Vine Building to the Macy’s rooftop to kick off a fireworks display at Fountain Square in Cinci weekends in late November and early December. A huge lighted tree and a Christmas market often fill the square. Activities may include visits from Buddy the Elf, the Snow Queen from the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Pops and Cincinnati Ballet. Then head inside Macy’s for story time with Mrs. Claus.
Photos and crafts with Santa are held on December Saturdays in Washington Park.
Jungle Jim’s International Market on Cinci’s northwest side, is a tour around the world inside one massive building. Pedal cars, rickshaws, an Amish buggy, amusement park rides, and more hang from the ceiling, sit atop refrigerated cases and stand in the aisles. Find any international food, wine, beer or cigar. A 1950s firetruck is suspended above the hot sauces, a glass-bottom boat over fresh fish, a Sherwood Forest motion-activated singing diorama over the British section and more https://junglejims.com
Generally held the first December weekend:
The Lawrenceburg Christmas Parade featuring a variety of entrants including First Farm Inn horses dressed in their holiday best (if weather is acceptable).
Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer Celebrate the joys of the season with the annual “Mighty Wurlitzer” concert in Music Hall’s beautiful and historic Ballroom.
Newport’s historic East Row Victorian Christmas Tours. Newport Ky. residents open spectacular historic homes in the Historic District for prepaid tours.
Findlay Market’s annual Holiday Market weekend features local artisans alongside the normal lineup of merchants selling holiday gifts, food and decor.
Second December Weekend:
Enjoy the Holiday Wonderland Laser Show at the Haile Planetarium at Northern Kentucky University in mid-December. Enjoy the warmth and nostalgia of timeless classics, brought to life with dazzling laser displays.
The Reindog Parade barks up Mt. Adams streets at 2 p.m. the second Saturday of December. Santa leads dogs wearing their holiday best accompanied by their two-legged friends.
SantaCon takes on Downtown Cincinnati (The Banks, OTR, CBD), Covington, and Mt. Adams. People of all ages dress in Santa suits to roam neighborhood bars and restaurants, often singing carols.
What outdoor activities are available in summer?
Summer brings abundant outdoor fun including kayaking and canoeing on the Whitewater, Ohio and Little Miami rivers, riding the paddle or row boats at First Farm Inn and swimming at numerous pools and splash parks.
Riverboat cruises on BB Riverboats offer great meals, music, scenic views and historical information. Smale Riverfront Park provides interactive fountains, a giant chess set, swings and green space along the north side of the Ohio River. Summer festivals include Taste of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Music Festival, Bunbury Music Festival, and free outdoor concerts at Music on the River in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. https://downtownlawrenceburg.com › motr
Don’t miss First Farm Inn’s horseback riding experience for a unique outdoor adventure https://www.firstfarminn.com/horseback-riding/#faq
JUNE
For more than a decade, artists and production companies from around the world have converged downtown for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, (usually in June) providing a wide variety of live performances at multiple venues. Performances push the envelope on convention, style, and content—whether the medium is theater, music, film, visual art, dance, or poetry—and encompass the offbeat, quirky, and peculiar: the “fringe” of artistic expression.
One of the area’s largest juried fine arts festivals, Summerfair weekend at Riverbend features everything from paintings and fiber arts to ceramics, metalwork, yard art, blown glass and woodwork. Attendees also enjoy live music, dancing, a children’s area, and food.
The annual NKY Pride event in Mainstrasse Village includes vendors, performers, family-friendly activities, and food & drink. Find out more about celebrating Pride month in the Cincy Region.
Dance to the tunes of Irish and Scottish bands while enjoying classic Celtic food from a variety of vendors, then indulge in a whiskey and scotch tasting tent. The free family-friendly Guinness Cincinnati Celtic Festival is in downtown Cincinnati on Freedom Way.
Celebrate the end of slavery in America with Cincinnati Juneteenth Festival’s free family-friendly activities including traditional storytelling, dancing, sack races, live music, flag parade, peace march, folk crafts, living history performances, and food at Eden Park. Juneteenth in the Cincy Region.
JULY
Enjoy soul-satisfying blues from local and nationally-known musicians at the 30th Annual Cincy Blues Fest at Village Green Park in Fairfield, Ohio.
Spend a day at Glier’s Goettafest—and try to understand the Cincinnati region’s fascination and pride in this the mixture of sausage, oats, and spices. Try goetta ice cream, goetta calzones, goetta brownies, and bacon-goetta nachos. This free Newport on the Levee event includes carnival games, beer, fireworks, and live bands.
Join the Cincinnati Pride Parade & Festival at Sawyer Point. Free performances by local and national acts, food, and drinks.
Ohio River Paddlefest brings 2,000 paddlers who travel nine miles down the Ohio River. Participants explore historic Mill Creek, paddle under seven bridges, view the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky skylines, and enjoy the pre-event Paddler’s Party on Friday night with exhibits from local parks, outdoor outfitters, adventure experts, and environmentally-minded organizations. Paddle or celebrate with those who did at the Finish Line Festival at Gilday Riverside Park with craft beer, food trucks, vendors, and exhibits.
The Black Family Reunion is three weekend days of fun throughout the region at various venues including Sawyer Point. Activities include a city-wide parade, games, health screenings, job fair, kid’s area, live blues, R&B, jazz, and more.
SEPTEMBER
The region’s biggest end-of-summer celebration kicks off the Sunday before Labor Day with live music and family-friendly activities along the riverfront at Sawyer Point. The Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks extravaganza features rockets shot off barges in the Ohio River and coordinated to music by local radio station WEBN.
Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G is one of the largest R&B events in the country and takes place at PayCor Stadium on the Cinci riverfront. Learn about Cinci’s music scene at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
What fall activities are popular in the greater Cincinnati region?
The 733 acre-Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, a National Historic Landmark, offers a huge variety of trees and plantings with distinctive sculptures and unique grave markers. Take a guided tour and learn a lot about fascinating river city history. https://www.springgrove.org › visitors-guide
The first weekend of September is Art in the Park in downtown Lawrenceburg, Indiana. More than 100 artists set up tables in the park selling very reasonably priced art and crafts. Others offer homemade food.
Mid-September is the “Junkin Trail” in Southeastern Indiana Shops are open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The White Swan in Moores Hill; The Greenbriar Shop in Guilford; Huntington Carriage House Antique and Gift Mart in downtown Lawrenceburg; Second Time Around in Aurora; Whistle Stop in Milan; Vintage Prop & Shop in Vevay; The Old Shubox in Batesville; Pickers Paradise in Batesville; and Amber’s Antiques & Hygge Hus in Rising Sun.
Newport Oktoberfest at Newport’s Festival Park on Riverboat Row showcasing German culture, music, food, and traditions is also held in mid-September. It pays homage to the centuries-old Bavarian tradition of celebrating with hearty food, lively music, and good company. A full carnival offers rides, games, and activities for all ages. Compete in log sawing and more.
Also in mid-September, across the river in Ohio is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove. Enjoy the Running of the Wieners, the Gemütlichkeit Games, the World’s Largest Chicken Dance, and the Sam Adams Stein Hoist Competition.
Beautiful foliage makes hiking especially scenic at Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky, https://parks.ky.gov › explore › big-bone-lick-state-historic-site-7807 and Versailles State Park in Indiana. https://www.in.gov › dnr › state-parks › parks-lakes › versailles-state-park
Boone County Arboretum, open daily, is 121 acres with more than 5,500 trees and shrubs, 25 minutes southwest of downtown Cincinnati. Specialized arrangements of plant families and 12 athletic fields are connected by a 2+ mile winding multi-use trail. https://bcarboretum.org/
HallZOOween includes trick or treating, special treats for the animals and a pumpkin express train ride at the Cincinnati Zoo. https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/hallzooween/
Perfect North Slopes offers a walking or driving Haunted Halloween tour around their lake, lots of pumpkins and lights. https://perfectnorth.com › colorfall
Built in 1934, the William S. Mitchell was the last massive dredging vessel used in the region. Now renamed USS Nightmare by BB Riverboats. it offers a terrifying tour of ghosts, ghouls and monsters right off the Newport shore. https://www.ussnightmare.com/
In late September, Madison Chautauqua fills the streets of the tiny rivertown of Madison, Indiana, halfway to Louisville. Enjoy Southern Indiana’s premier outdoor juried fine arts & crafts show featuring 175 artists & craftsmen from across the nation. Riverfront food fest, entertainment, and children’s activity tent. https://www.madisonchautauqua.com
The end of September and first of October brings live music, carnival rides, a parade and food to Aurora Indiana’s downtown and riverfront park for the Farmers’ Fair. https://aurorafarmersfair.org/
American Legacy Tours offer Haunted Tours in both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Check out their Nightmare on Elm Street Tour, the Newport is Haunted Tour, the Queen City is Haunted Tour, the Covington Haunted and Historic Tour, the Mt. Healthy is Haunted Tour, and more.
Mid-October brings Covington Oktoberfest in Mainstrasse Village’s Goebel Park. Food and craft vendors, live music, interactive activities, competitions, and, of course, Braxton beers.
Are there spring activities and festivals around Cincinnati?
Flowering bulbs abound at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, a National Historic Landmark on 733 acres. The third largest cemetery in the nation it hosts distinctive sculptures, unique grave markers, beautiful plantings, unusual trees and fascinating history. Guided tours available. https://www.springgrove.org › visitors-guide
Boone County Arboretum has 121 acres with more than 5,500 trees and shrubs, 25 minutes southwest of downtown Cincinnati. Free admission, open daily. Specialized arrangements of plant families and 12 athletic fields are connected by a 2+ mile winding multi-use trail. https://bcarboretum.org/
Spring kicks off with a massive baseball opening day parade, Cincinnati’s unofficial holiday celebrating the Cincinnati Reds’ season opener.
Bockfest in March celebrates spring with a parade, beer tasting, and festivities in the Over-the-Rhine region in Cincinnati.
The Flying Pig Marathon attracts 40,000 participants who run up and down hilly Cincinnati streets in the first May weekend.
Spring is perfect for hiking, visiting botanical gardens including Eden Park’s Krohn Conservatory, and exploring historic farmers markets like Findlay Market. Cherry blossom viewing at various parks and the reopening of seasonal attractions make spring an exciting time to visit.
