1. Riverfest and WEBN Fireworks
Celebrate the final days of summer with an all-day party that culminates in one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest. The family-friendly festival takes place on both sides of the Ohio River and includes food, live music and entertainment. The fireworks, provided by Rozzi's Famous Fireworks, are set off from barges in the middle of the river at 9:05 p.m. with a music soundtrack simulcast on radio station WEBN 102.7 FM.
Details: noon-10 p.m., Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman's Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown; and Festival Park, 100 Riverboat Row, Newport and Covington Plaza, 144 Madison Ave., Covington. cincinnati-oh.gov; newportonthelevee.com.
2. Ohio Renaissance Festival
This immersive festival will transport you back in time to a re-created 16th century English village, where you'll encounter over 150 costumed characters and be entertained by dueling swordsmen, daring fire jugglers and even a full-armored jousting tournament. There are also numerous unique shops throughout the sprawling village, master artisans demonstrating timeless arts like glassblowing, leather crafting and weaving, fun games of skill, human-powered rides for the littles, and dozens of food and beverage options.
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Details: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Monday, Renaissance Park, 10542 State Route 73, Harveysburg. Runs weekends Aug. 31-Oct. 27. $32-$38, $10-$12 ages 5-12. Renfestival.com.
3. 1940s Day
Another time-traveling immersive event this weekend spotlights the decade of classic cars, big band music, swing dancing and a war that reshaped the world. Inside and outside Union Terminal you can enjoy live reenactments of radio programs and history-inspired cooking demonstrations, take part in the costume contest and hear firsthand stories of hope, resilience and survival. The Omnimax Theater will be screening "D-Day: Normandy 1944" throughout the day, you can take tours of historic Union Terminal, and on the Concourse you can step back in time with Kinetic Vision's virtual reality experience.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Included with museum admission: $22.50, $15.50 seniors and children. Cincymuseum.org/1940sday.
4. Lunken Airport Aviation Days
This free, family-friendly festival gives you the chance to see a variety of historic aircraft on display, as well as a classic car show behind the terminal. There will also be military vehicles, big band music all day, reenactments, exhibitor booths, food trucks and the opportunity to take a ride in historic WWII aircraft B-17 Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey," and B-25 "Maid in the Shade." Helicopter rides will also be available. To book a flight in the B-17 or B-25, visit azcaf.org or call 480-462-2992.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Lunken Airport, 262 Wilmer Ave., East End. Free gate admission and parking. Warbird flights start at $375. Ground tours of the warbirds are $30 for a family of four, or $15 each. Warbirds.clubexpress.com.
5. Mum's the Word
Enjoy displays of fall blooms and a multitude of mums in fiery oranges, deep purples, soft pinks and creamy whites at the Krohn Conservatory's fall show.
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Aug. 31-Oct. 13. cincinnati-oh.gov.
6. Bluey’s Big Play: The Stage Show
When Dad feels like having a little Sunday afternoon relaxation, Bluey and Bingo have other ideas. This theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children's television series is brought to life through puppetry, live actors and iconic stage sets. It's based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Friday, noon and 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $48.75-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.
7. The Liberty Home Oktoberfest
Enjoy live music and dancing, authentic German food and desserts, a biergarten with German beer – including Paulaner, Ayinger, Kostritzer, Andechs and others – wiener dog races, bounce houses and games for kids, and a car show on Sunday.
Details: 6-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Deutscher Hausverein, 2361 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton. Runs Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Free parking. Facebook.com/libertyhomeassociation.
8. Art After Dark: Finesse
Get an exclusive sneak peek at BlaCk OWned Outerwear's fall collection, enjoy music by DJ Prymetime, immersive experiences, and free admission to the museum's latest special exhibition The Culture: Hop Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century. There's also a cash bar and food for purchase.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free admission. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
9. KSO Summer Park Series: Pops, Inc.
Bring the whole family for an old-fashioned "pops" concert on the lawn as the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra celebrates the treasure trove of classics by composers Leroy Anderson, Richard Hayman, and Henry Mancini. Saturday's performance will be at Devou Park, 1201 Park Drive, Covington and Sunday's at Tower Park, 950 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas. On Monday, the orchestra performs at Woodside Arboretum (1401 Woodside Blvd., Middletown). Shuttle service ($1 each way) is available for the Covington performance from the parking lot of Covington Catholic High School, 1600 Dixie Highway, Park Hills.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday. Free. kyso.org.
10. Tri-State Antiques Market
This market is a great source for collectors, renovators, decorators and those with an eye for the chic and unique to find vintage furnishings, decorative arts, jewelry, historical artifacts, architectural/industrial salvage and pop culture memorabilia. Early birds are welcome during vendor set-up at 6 a.m.
Details: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway, Lawrenceburg. Admission: $5. lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.
Honorable mention: Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
Spend a spooky evening delighting in the macabre at this interactive show and co*cktail experience, where historians of Edgar Allan Poe – the American writer who pioneered the mystery and horror genres – retell four of his most infamous works of literature. Ages 21-up.
Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Thursday-Friday, noon-midnight Saturday, 20 Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley. $55-$62. Edgarallanpoebar.com.
