1. Operation Pumpkin
Let the gourd times roll at this fun festival, where giant pumpkins are a smash hit. The festival boasts an award-winning pumpkin weigh-off on Friday, and you're bound to see some whoppers. In 2022, for instance, a pumpkin grown by Frank Morse weighed in at 2,350 pounds! That's a lot of pie. You'll find sculpted pumpkins lining the streets all weekend long, and a group of world-renowned sculptors led by William Wilson of Wicked Designz will be sculpting live on Saturday. Thirteen local bands will be playing throughout the weekend, with headliners Don't Tell Steve on Friday, DV8 on Saturday and The Newbees Sunday afternoon. Also on Sunday, the crowd-favorite pet parade and Lil' Miss Punkin' contest take place.
You'll also find more than 150 arts, craft and food vendors set up around downtown Hamilton, plus amusement rides, a lighted pumpkin display, pumpkin silhouettes at Rotary Park, and an enhanced kids zone with pumpkin painting, music and a pumpkin derby.
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, High Street, Hamilton. Free admission. Operation-pumpkin.org.
2. HallZOOween
Kids can wear their Halloween costumes to the zoo and visit trick-or-treat stations throughout the park. There will be special animal enrichment taking place throughout the day, and Phil Dalton's Theater of Illusion shows twice daily. For an additional charge, kids can ride the Hogwarts Express Train Ride and the Scare-ousel. HallZOOween runs weekends Oct. 12-27 and is included with general admission. Note: Kids should bring their own treat bags.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Details: noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Cincinnatizoo.org.
3. Haunted Village
Another family-friendly Halloween event opening this weekend finds Heritage Village, the 19th century village inside Sharon Woods, transformed into Haunted Village. You can walk through the haunted Spooky Woods, visit the haunted house, see mad scientist experiments, and enjoy a creepy critter zoo, storytelling, games, face painting and balloon art. Explore the village and meet ghosts, witches, the Headless Horseman and a fortune teller along the way. Movies will be shown in the schoolhouse this weekend, and on subsequent weekends, a Halloween-themed model train display. Costumes are encouraged for both kids and adults.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Heritage Village Museum, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Runs Friday-Saturday Oct. 11-26. $15. Heritagevillagecincinnati.org.
4. Lebanon Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest celebrations are winding down for the season, but you've still got one more chance to enjoy German-style music, food and beers this weekend at Lebanon's Oktoberfest. There's also a kids zone and vendor booths. Bring the puppers along from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday morning for Barktoberfest, which is followed by the blessing of the taps and other fun events like the chicken dance, which takes place at 4 p.m., and the stein hoist competition at 7 p.m.
In conjunction with the festival, the Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad offers a ride on the Munich Express at 6 p.m. Saturday, where you'll enjoy German music, two German-themed beers, a pretzel with beer cheese and a meat/mixed nut snack. It's ages 21-up only and departs from the LM&M station (16 E. South St.).
Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Mulberry Plaza, 31 E. Mulberry St., Lebanon. Free admission to festival; train ride should be booked in advance and costs $40. facebook.com; Lebanonrr.com.
5. Ohio Sauerkraut Festival
It may not be an Oktoberfest celebration (psst, no beer) but there are few foods as German as sauerkraut, and this festival serves up seven tons of it every year. Seven. Tons. You'll find it in pies, brownies, on pizzas and sundaes, as well as the more traditional offerings such as goetta sandwiches, cabbage rolls, sauerkraut balls and pulled pork. And if you don't care for sauerkraut, there are plenty of foods without it. While sauerkraut is the star, you can also browse more than 450 craft booths and enjoy live entertainment. Parking with shuttle bus service to and from the festival is provided by Waynesville Athletic Boosters at Wayne Local High School (735 Dayton Road).
Details: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Main Street, Waynesville. Admission is free; parking at the high school is $5 per car. facebook.com.
6. Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein'
Ideal for spooky season, this new spin on the gothic tale promises a spine-tingling encounter with one of literature’s most iconic monsters. The production, presented in partnership with Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, Massachusetts, explores the journey of Victor Frankenstein's creation, delving deep into themes of creation, rejection and the nature of humanity.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Cincinnati Shakespeare Co., 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Oct. 11-Nov. 2. $14-up. Cincyshakes.com.
7. 'Rutka: A New Musical'
This powerful new indie-rock musical is about teens in a Jewish Ghetto finding hope, resilience and resistance while grappling with life in war-torn Poland in 1943. It’s based on “Rutka’s Notebook: A Voice from the Holocaust,” a publication of the real diary left behind by 14-year-old Rutka Laskier. This play is recommended for ages 12-up.
Details: 2 p.m. Sunday, Playhouse in the Park, Rouse Theatre, 962 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Oct. 13-Nov. 10. $20-up. Cincyplay.com.
8. Disney on Ice Presents: Frozen & Encanto
Experience the magic of Disney characters Anna, Elsa, Mirabel and the Madrigal family, as well as fan favorites Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and more.
Details: 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. $24-up. heritagebankcenter.com.
9. Stomp
This inventive, invigorating stage show combines dance, music and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm. Using matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, luggage and more, Stomp brings the beats to Cincinnati. Keep an eye out for University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music graduate Declan Hayden among the cast.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $30-up. cincinnatiarts.org.
10. CinCityCon
Play board games, card games, role-playing games, social games and more at this fun-filled convention. It has over 900 board games to choose from, and includes tournaments, vendors with game-related merchandise, demos by publishers and local game designers, a game flea market and plenty of family-friendly activities.
Details: noon-11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Spooky Nook Sporting Complex, 601 N. B St., Hamilton. $60 weekend pass, $50 Saturday, $50 Friday and Sunday, $20 ages 6-12. Cincitycon.com.
11. Made in Camp
Choose your own adventure through the Camp Washington neighborhood, visiting studios, gallery spaces and businesses. The American Sign Museum (1330 Monmouth St.) is offering free admission, where you can enjoy tours and live music from The Perfect Children and Jess Lamb & the Factory. Throughout the area, meet artists and makers, see demonstrations of soldering, cross-stitching, screen printing and neon sign-making, and tour art exhibitions at Wave Pool (2940 Colerain Ave.), The Welcome Project (2936 Colerain Ave.), The Well (2868 Colerain Ave.) and the new Wellness Garden (2865 Colerain Ave.). Maps and schedules are available at the aforementioned locations. Afterparty activities run from 4:30-8 p.m.
Details: noon-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Camp Washington. Free. madeincamp.org.
12. Cryptids galore
Cryptids are any creature that may or may not exist, such as Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster. This weekend, cryptids around Greater Cincinnati are celebrated.
- Covington Cryptid Block Party: This family-friendly event features dancing cryptids, vendor booths, entertainment, art, face-painting and more.
- Details: noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Pike Street between Madison Avenue and Washington Street, Covington. Free. cryptidcov.blog.
- Return of the Frogman: Celebrate our local cryptid at this fun event, which features a Frogger gaming competition, frog-themed story times and sing-alongs for the kids, a mobile escape room, and special frog art created by students at Loveland City Schools hidden around town – find them for a chance to win prizes. You can also meet the Frogman mascot and enjoy comedy with the Laugh Til You Croak Comedy Tour. At 8:30 p.m., the Loveland Stage Company will be screening the Frogman movie (it's a horror movie not for kids).
- Details: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Nisbet Park, 126 S. Karl Brown Way, Loveland. Free; film is $12. Lovinlifeloveland.com.
13. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati brings the classic story of Belle, a young woman from a provincial town, and the Beast, who is a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress.
Details: 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Runs Oct. 12-21. $12-up. Thechildrenstheatre.com.
14. Native Resistance: Indigenous People’s Day Convergence
An exhibition opening party on Friday at the CAC showcases the work of Indigenous artists and performances from Copper Face United Powwow Dancers and DJ Creeping Bear. On Saturday, visit 21C Museum Hotel for an Artist Speaker Series on second floor. On Monday, bring a traditional dish to share, eating utensils, and a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy entertainment at Jacob Hoffner Park in Northside.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Contemporary Art Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 21C Museum Hotel, Sixth St., Downtown; 5-9 p.m. Monday, Jacob Hoffner Park, Northside. Free. urbannativecollective.org.
15. FotoFocus openings
Here's a look at this weekend's art openings that are part of the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial. Check the website for a full listing of events, including workshops, artist talks, tours, performances and more. fotofocus.org.
- Contested Ground and Deeply Rooted: Contested Ground is a series of landscapes and portraits by Taylor Dorrell and Cody Perkins, chronicling the impact of the Amazon facilities in Greater Cincinnati. Deeply Rooted is curated by students of AAC.
- Details: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine.
- Casey LeClair: Moving Parts: Solo exhibition documents a Chilean family circus over several weeks.
- Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Studio Kroner, 130 W. Court St., Downtown. Free.
- Kimball Derrick: My Book of Life, The Preface: Artist talk and reception for fine art photographer.
- Details: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Miller Gallery, 2715 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. Free.
- "Excavated: From Soil to Stars:" This short film by Emmy Award-winning director Alphonso Wesson and the museum's Social Justice Curator, Trudy Gaba, traces the history of a Kentucky slave pen. Following the screening, filmmakers will discuss the project. The film will be presented inside the slave pen at the museum from Oct. 11-13 and is free for FotoFocus Passport holders.
- Details: 2 p.m. Saturday, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. $16.50, $14 ages 60-up, $11.50 ages 3-12. Free for FotoFocus Passport holders. freedomcenter.org.
- Got It On Tape: Exhibition focuses on lens-based video works. Curator Joe Girandola hosts discussion during reception.
- Details: 3-5 p.m. Saturday, FLAG Studio, 2922 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington.
- More Than Meets the Eye (Secondary FotoFocus Biennial Exhibit): Multimedia Narratives that Connect Generations and Cultures: Features photos, audio stories and illustrated memoirs created and selected by immigrant and refugee youth who have settled in Cincinnati.
- Details: daily, Walnut Hills Branch Library, 2533 Kemper Lane, Walnut Hills. Runs Oct. 12-Nov 30. Free.
- Silas Long: Interior Ruin: Exhibition delves into the interplay between technology, anxiety and modern existence.
- Details: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, BasketShop, 3105 Harrison Ave., Westwood.
- Behind the Lens: Unveiling the Unseen Narratives: Juried photo exhibit opening celebrating the power of storytelling through the visual medium.
- Details: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Evendale Cultural Arts Center, 10428 Reading Road, Evendale. Runs through Nov. 30. Free. fotofocus.org.
Worth the Drive: Bob Evans Farm Festival
Celebrate harvest season with family-friendly activities, amusement rides, farm fresh food, live music and more at the Bob Evans Farm. Music headliners include Kelsey Hart, Tyler Reese Tritt and Jimmy Fortune.
Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Bob Evans Farm, State Route 588, Rio Grande, Ohio. Admission $10, $5 ages 12-under. All-day ride wristbands are $10 ages 13-up, $5 ages 12-under. Individual ride tickets are $1 each. Bobevans.com/farm-festival.
