I’m a Cincinnati local and in this guide, I’ll point you to the year’s best events and festivals in Cincinnati!
This round-up highlights some of the top things to do in Cincy. Learn about food and drink festivals, cultural events, seasonal attractions, and much more. I also feature lesser-known experiences that, trust me, you won’t want to miss!
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Table of Contents
Cincinnati Festivals in January
Winter Song Festival
This winter festival and competition showcases exciting vocal performances.
📅 January 14-15, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Winter Song Festival Website
Winter Song Festival is a unique event for anyone who loves the art of song. On the first day, there’s a song slam featuring vocal teams. Similar to poetry slams, the voting audience decides who wins. A presenter is selected for the second day to deliver a meaningful vocal experience.
Cincinnati Festivals in February
Mittenfest
A fun-filled winter beer festival in Washington Park.
📅 February 17-18, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Mittenfest Website
Mittenfest is an annual Cincinnati festival that costs just $25. Enjoy a DJ, food trucks, craft beers, and other goodies in Washington Park. It will be cold, so wear mittens and other warm clothing — these are winter musts on my Cincinnati packing list!
🖨️ Get a free, printable version of our Cincinnati packing list here!
My Furry Valentine Mega Adoption Event
An opportunity to bring home your new furry best friend.
📅 February 17-18, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | My Furry Valentine Mega Adoption Event Website
My Furry Valentine Mega Adoption Event is the perfect event for Cincinnati animal lovers! It takes place in Sharonville, OH, north of downtown Cincinnati.
Hundreds of adoptable dogs, cats, and other pets are featured, all from rescues around Greater Cincinnati. Every adopted pet will go home with goodies, and you can enter to win a raffle basket!
📚 Related Reading: After the event, take your new companion to nearby Sharon Woods, one of the best parks in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Festivals in March
Bockfest
A spring event for beer enthusiasts in Cincinnati.
📅 March 1-3, 2024 | Bockfest Website
Bockfest is an annual bash that celebrates the history of brewing in Over-the-Rhine, one of the best places to stay in Cincinnati. Several local breweries participate and serve up dozens of varieties of bock beer. Tasting tickets are available for purchase, though there is no charge to enjoy the parade and entertainment.
👉 Don’t Miss: You can enjoy the Over-the-Rhine beer scene even if you’re not in Cincinnati in March. Check out this Built On Beer Walking Tour!
Cincinnati Festivals in April
Midwest KIDFEST
A weekend retreat for elementary school-aged kids.
📅 April 19-21, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Midwest KIDFEST Website
Midwest KIDFEST is a weekend retreat for Hamilton County kids in kindergarten through the sixth grade. It takes place at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, OH. This weekend adventure includes time at the water park, fun events, and fellowship. Admission is $189 per child.
Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Festival
The largest Earth Day event in Ohio, taking place in Summit Park of Blue Ash.
📅 April 27, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Festival Website
The Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Festival is one of the best events in Hamilton County for environmental education. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy live music, local vegetarian foods, and craft beers. For many families, it’s the year’s first outdoor event with several presentations and activities.
Cincinnati Festivals in May
Mainstrasse Village Maifest
A German-inspired event for families and wine connoisseurs in Covington, KY.
📅 May 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Mainstrasse Village Maifest Website
Mainstrasse Village Maifest is an event in Covington, Kentucky, one of the best day trips from Cincinnati. It’s inspired by the German tradition of welcoming the first spring wines.
Here, you can enjoy crafting activities, rides, and international food/beverages. There is a stage with live entertainment throughout the festival, too.
Cincinnati Festivals in June
Cincinnati Fringe Festival
A performance art festival with pop-up theaters throughout Over-the-Rhine.
📅 May 31 – June 15, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Cincinnati Fringe Festival Website
The Cincinnati Fringe Festival is produced by a small local production company, the Know Theatre of Cincinnati. This two-week festival hosts performance arts events in Over-the-Rhine. Mediums include theater, poetry, dance, and cinema. It involves more than 200 performances, screenings, art galleries, concerts, and more.
Juneteenth Festivities
Celebrate the end of slavery in beautiful Eden Park.
📅 June 9-16, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Cincinnati Juneteenth Festival Website
Cincinnati Juneteenth festivities begin on June 11 with the Wade in the Water dance event. Juneteenth flag ceremonies then occur throughout the city from June 12 – 16.
This leads up to the Juneteenth Festival in Eden Park, set to occur on the 17th. Festivities include live music, family activities, traditional storytelling, and a flag parade and peace march. A concert occurs the following day, along with a parade on June 19th.
Cincinnati Pride Festival
A festival celebrating Cincinnati’s LGBTQIA+ community.
📅 June 22, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Cincinnati Pride Festival Website
The Cincinnati Pride Festival draws thousands to Sawyer Point Park every June. The iconic, family-friendly parade begins at noon. It starts at 7th and Plum Streets and goes down Vine to end up at the festival location. Here, visitors can enjoy food stands and live entertainment.
Cincinnati Festivals in July
Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival
This film festival showcases diverse films led by those in the disability community.
📅 July 6-8, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival Website
Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival is sponsored by LADD, an organization that empowers the disabled population in Cincinnati. Similarly, the films shared here are meant to encourage empathy and explore diverse relationships. MovieMaker Magazine included this event on its list of the coolest film festivals in the world in 2022.
Cincy Blues Fest
A summer celebration of blues music and artists just north of Cincinnati.
📅 July 13, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Cincy Blues Fest Website
Cincy Blues Fest is a free festival in Village Green Park of Fairfield, north of downtown Cincinnati. It presents some of the best national and international blues singers. You can experience the power of blues music with gorgeous greenery in the background, not to mention great food and drinks.
Cincinnati Music Festival
A three-day riverfront festival featuring stars and up-and-coming artists.
📅 July 25-27, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Cincinnati Music Festival Website
Originally a jazz festival, the Cincinnati Music Festival now features not only jazz, but R&B, soul, and hip hop. Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Whitney Houston, and many others have performed here.
The three-day fest takes place at Paycor Stadium. It’s home to the Cincinnati Bengals and is one of Cincinnati’s best landmarks.
Glier’s Goettafest
A Northern Kentucky homage to goetta, a signature Cincinnati food.
📅 July 25-28, August 1-4, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Glier’s Goettafest Website
Here’s a fun Cincinnati fact: goetta is one of the region’s most unique foods. It’s a mix of beef, pork, oats, and spices. This two-weekend event in Newport, KY celebrates the savory food in many forms.
It’s sponsored by Glier’s Meats, the largest goetta producer in the world. Tastings are paid, but admission is free! Play family-focused goetta games, enjoy live music, and much more.
Cincinnati Festivals in August
Ohio River Paddlefest
A day of paddling and racing fun down the Ohio River.
📅 August 3, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Ohio River Paddlefest Website
Ohio River Paddlefest is the biggest paddling event in the United States. Every year, about 2,000 individuals race down the Ohio River in kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. After the races, the Finish Line Festival is at the Gilday Recreation Complex.
Black Family Reunion
An opportunity to celebrate and support Black families.
📅 August 5-18, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Black Family Reunion Website
Black Family Reunion is a free, four-day Cincinnati celebration that honors the traditions and values of Black families. The Sawyer Point festival includes a parade, family-friendly games, and a job fair.
You can shop vendor stalls featuring Black-owned businesses. Plus, there are musical performances showcasing blues, jazz, R&B, and gospel artists.
Cincinnati Festivals in September
Carmel Apple Crazy Days
This fall event in Lebanon, OH is full of apple-themed activities and fall festivities.
📅 September 7-8, 2024 |📍 Google Maps | Carmel Apple Crazy Days Website
Carmel Apple Crazy Days is an autumn event and a must-visit for any apple lover. It takes place at Hidden Valley Orchards in Lebanon, OH.
Enjoy freshly picked apples and other fall festivities. There are caramel apple lollipops and a station where you can build your own caramel apple with toppings. Top it off with an apple pie specialty cone or an apple cider slushy!
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Enjoy craft beer, German fare, and festivities in downtown Cincinnati!
📅 September 19-22, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Website
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the largest Oktoberfest in Ohio, as well as the entire country! Enjoy German-style beers, in addition to food and music. Pickled pigs feet, sauerkraut, and soft pretzels are just a few examples of the fare.
Liberty Township Fall Festival
A family-friendly event to kick off the burgeoning fall season.
📅 September 28, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Liberty Township Fall Festival Website
Enjoy the plethora of family-friendly activities at this free Liberty Township event! These include creative crafting, shopping for local goods, and tuning in to live entertainment. A variety of food trucks will keep you satiated.
Country Applefest
An arts and crafts festival in Lebanon, OH.
📅 September 28-29, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Country Applefest Website
Country Applefest is a two-day arts and crafts event that takes place at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Ohio. Peruse hundreds of booths, in addition to food vendors. Live music makes this event even more fun!
Cincinnati Festivals in October
Hamilton Pumpkin Festival (Operation Pumpkin)
A family-friendly event dedicated to celebrating autumn traditions and festivities.
📅 October 11-13, 2024 | Hamilton Pumpkin Festival Website
The Hamilton Pumpkin Festival (also known as Operation Pumpkin) is the place to be if you love autumn festivities. This family-friendly event includes a pet parade, giant pumpkin weigh-off contests, live entertainment, and more! Wear a costume and get a kick out of all the characters you’ll see exploring the grounds.
Cincinnati Festivals in November
PNC Festival of Lights
A spectacular holiday light show with activities at the Cincinnati Zoo.
📅 November 17, 2024 – January 7, 2025 | 📍 Google Maps | Festival of Lights Website
The Festival of Lights is one of the oldest holiday traditions in Cincinnati. It takes place at the Cincinnati Zoo and features an amazing display of 4 million LED lights. Watch a blacklight puppet show, go ice skating with the kids or friends, and much more!
Cincinnati Festivals in December
Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt
A traditional, festive holiday market in Cincinnati.
📅 November 22 – December 31, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Cincinnati Christkindlmarket Website
Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt is a holiday tradition in Cincinnati that takes inspiration from German Christmas markets. Experience delicious foods, drinks, and an abundant array of seasonal merchandise. Holiday lights and live entertainment complete this festive experience, and no entry fees are required!
FAQs About Festivals in Cincinnati
What music festivals are in Cincinnati?
Winter Song Festival, Cincy Blues Fest, and Cincinnati Music Festival are music festivals in Cincinnati. However, many other festivals in Cincinnati feature live musical performances.
What food festivals are in Cincinnati?
Mittenfest, Bockfest, Mainstrasse Village Maifest, Glier’s Goettafest, Carmel Apple Crazy Days, and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati are all food (or drink) festivals in Cincinnati. Many other Cincinnati festivals feature food and drinks as well.
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I hope you enjoyed my festival guide to Cincinnati! For more travel inspiration, see my post on the best places to visit in Ohio next.
(Featured Image Credit: Jack Fordyce / Shutterstock)
