Fall is coming and with the changing leaves and cooler weather comes all the autumnal fun, including Fall and Halloween Celebrations, Festivals and Pumping Patches, Sunflower Festivals, Family-Friendly Haunted House Events, and Trunk or Treat Activities.
For all of your family-friendly fall 2023 needs—scares, tricks, treats, crafts, corn mazes, festivals, and more—check out the list below of the many fun goings on around Greater Cincinnati over the next few months. All events are linked to a site with more information regarding admission costs, dates and times, and location.
Event categories below include:
- Fall and Halloween Celebrations
- Festivals and Pumpkin Patches
- Sunflower Festivals
- Family-Friendly Haunted House Events
- Trunk or Treat Activities
FALL AND HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS
For admission information, dates, and more details about the events, click on the corresponding link below.
September 2–October 29
Ohio Renaissance Festival (Waynesville)
Where fantasy and history collide, featuring shows, food and drink, and unique shops. Open weekends and Labor Day.
September 3–November 3
A Pirate-y Peter Pan
The Children’s Theatre* on Tour
Follow well-loved characters like Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, The Lost Boys and even the villainous Captain Hook on this new, Arrgh-some adventure!
September 7–10
Harvest Home Fair
Harvest Home Park, Cheviot
“The Biggest Little Fair in Ohio” features the Harvest Home Parade on Thursday, rides and attractions, live music, corn hole tournament, art show, flower show, general exhibits, and so much more.
September 23
9th Annual Feast and Fall-y
Downtown Lebanon, 10a–5p
Fall Market for food lovers and one-of-a-kind seasonal finds in Lebanon’s Historic Downtown on Mulberry Street between Broadway and Cherry Streets.
September 23
Fall Festival
Liberty Park, 11a–3p
Food trucks, vendors, and family fun activities, including crafts, inflatables, and live entertainment.
September 29
Family Fun Night
Blooms and Berries
Pack a picnic for a sunset dinner by the sunflowers; enjoy live music, Play Yard, and Petting Farm; and take a hayride or do the corn maze.
October 1
Flea in the Fort and Touch-A-Truck
Tower Park (City of Fort Thomas*), 10a–3p
Artisan craft show featuring 70 artists, live music, food trucks, and craft beer.
October 1, 8, 22, 29
Wild West Fall Festival – Family Fall Festival
All Hallows Eve Terror Town*, 11a–4p
Lights on, vendors, food, pumpkin patches, and more.
October 6–8
Metamora Canal Days
Metamora, IN, 9a–5p
Antiques, collectibles, and handcrafted items; food vendors; and more.
October 7
40th Annual Fall Festival
Wyoming, 10a
More than 80 artists, crafters, vendors, and organizations; local music, food offerings, inflatables, and petting zoo.
October 13–15
12th Annual Operation Pumpkin (Pumpkin and Art Festival)
Hamilton
Giant pumpkins, pumpkin weigh-off, over 100 artisans and food vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly atmosphere.
October 13–14, 20–21, 27–28
Sharon Woods Haunted Village
Sharon Woods, 6–10p
Family-friendly, slight-fright event in Sharon Woods’ 19th century village, complete with meeting ghosts, witches, and a fortune teller, as well as balloon art, games, a creepy critter zoo, face painting, storytelling, and more.
October 14
CORGIPALOOZA
The Bark Park & Patio*, 11a–3p
Halloween parade and costume contest with prizes (dog + human), trick-or-treating (dog + children), photo ops, vendors, and so much more.
October 14
Puppies & Pumpkins
North Park, Springboro, 11a–3p
Support local fosters and rescues and have some family fun with food, puppies, costume contest, free goodies, and pumpkin patch.
October 14
HVL Haunted Hayride
Hidden Valley Lake, 5–10p
Non-scary hayrides from 5 to 7 (tickets must be purchased by 6) and dark and scary from 7 to 10 (sales end at 9).
$4 per person
October 14–15
Findlay Market Fall Food Fest
Findlay Market*, 10a–4p
Fall tasting event, children’s spooky scavenger hunt, a fall-themed photo booth, and live music from Wild Carrot and Tracy Walker & Friends.
October 14–15, 21–22, 28–29
HallZOOween
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 12–5p
Trick-or-Treat stations, special animal enrichment, Theater of Illusion shows at 1 and 3, Hogwarts Express train ride (additional charge applies), and Scare-ousel (additional charge applies).
No additional charge. Included in zoo admission.
October 15
Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest and Adoption Event
Benken Garden Center and Florist, 10a–1p
Benken is partnering with the SPCA of Cincinnati to find fur-ever homes for dogs and cats in need.
October 15
7th Annual Hocus Pocus Halloween: A Family Fun Festival
Middletown
Free family fun featuring Hocus Pocus-themed fun, food and craft vendors, dance troupes, live shows, pumpkins, music, Howl-o-ween dog costume contest and parade, kids games and activities, and more. You can also meet Binx the cat and check out the Creepy Car Show and trunk or treat.
October 17
Boo Fest: Free Family Event
Highland County YMCA*, 5–8p
Haunted hallway, family activities, and Halloween crafts.
October 20
Howl at the Hall
Westwood Town Hall, 6–9p
October 21
Boo Fest: Free Family Event
Gamble-Nippert YMCA* at Westwood Town Hall, 5–8p
Break your costumes out early for a kid-friendly Halloween party, costume contest, and family crafts hosted by the Y.
October 21–22
Pumpkin Festival
Weber’s Farm Market
175 arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors, pumpkin sculpting and other live demonstrations, kids rides, live music, petting zoo, U-cut sunflowers, craft beer garden.
$7 admission (12 and under free)
October 22
Boo Fest: Free Family Event
M.E. Lyons YMCA*, 3–5p
Floating Pumpkin Patch, family friendly activities, and crafts.
October 27
Boo Fest: Free Family Event
Campbell County YMCA*, 5:30–7:30p
Break your costumes out early for a kid friendly Halloween party and family activities at the Y.
October 27–28
Spooktacular
Harvest Home Park
Hayride through the park, barrel train rides, haunted barn, kids games and face painting, costume contest (ages 12 and under), Howl-At-the-Moon contest (all ages), concessions.
October 28
Boo Fest: Free Family Event
Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA* at ArtsConnect, 12–3p
Fun-filled, outdoor family fun. Kids should dress in their costumes for trick-or-treating and a hay maze.
October 28
Murder Mystery Cruise “Henry Potter and The Vanishing”
BB Riverboats
Interactive murder mystery dinner experience.
October 28–29
Fall Fest Weekend
Washington Park*
FESTIVALS AND PUMPKIN PATCHES
Blooms & Berries Fall on the Farm (Loveland)
September 16–October 31
Online ticket purchase is required to attend Fall on the Farm. Admission includes hayrides, Pumpkin Bounce Pad, corn maze, mini corn maze, bee train, play area, Barnyard 500 Trike Track, farm animals, Spookley, and more! The Beer Garden is open on the weekends.
Ticket prices vary, but range from $5.95 during the first week to $19.95 on peak weekends. Click here for more information. Leashed pets are allowed.
Burger Farm Fall Fun at the Farm (Newtown)
Saturdays and Sundays, September 30–October 29, 10a–6p (weather permitting)
Pumpkins, corn stalks, mums, gourds, apple cider, animated pumpkin land characters, games, food, music, farm animals, crafters and more.
Admission is $15 per person (children 2 and under are free; ages 65 and older are $12)
Burwinkel Farms (Ross)
Weekends in October
Corn maze, skid maze, Halloween scavenger hunt, locally grown apples, crawl-thru straw tunnel, corn pool, and weekend hayrides to a pumpkin patch and sunflower field (when in bloom).
Country Pumpkins Fall Festival (Dry Ridge, KY) – September 9–October 30 (closed Tuesdays)
Fun Pass is $22 per person, Pumpkin Ridge is $7 per person, and many more activities are available for purchase a la carte. Click here for pricing information and save 10% on select tickets with code EARLY10.
Irons Fruit Farm October Weekends (Lebanon)
Last weekend in September and all October weekends, 11a–5p
Pumpkins and hayrides, corn maze, bakery (with apple fritters, pies, cinnamon-cider donuts, cookies, and more!), market and store, apples, and special events.
Click here for a coupon for $1 off purchase of $10 or more
Jack O’Lantern Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction (West Chester)
September 23–October 31
Indoor, kid friendly maze as well as friendly ghosts, skeletons, and more. Each child will receive a bag of trick-or-treat candy, plus new Halloween mini scenes and a Halloween themed train display.
Jackson Family Farm Fall on the Farm (Middletown)
Saturdays (11a–6p) and Sundays (12–5p), September 30–October 22
Activities include barrel train ride (new), corn maze, pumpkin jump pad, gravity wagon basketball, farm animals, pedal tractors and implements, corn barn, farm equipment, hay tower and slides, hayride, pumpkin cannon, and more!
$15 per person general farm admission (includes all activities, kids 2 and under free)
Kings Island Tricks and Treats Fall Fest (Mason)
Saturdays and Sundays, September 24–October 29
Admission includes one-of-a-kind fall festival with amazing food, activities, live entertainment, more than a dozen trick-or-treat stops, costume contests, crafts, games, seasonal merchandise, and access to the park’s rides and attractions.
Tickets starting at $34.99; military discounts available
McMonigle Farms Pumpkin Fest (Middletown)
Weekends in October, 12–6p
McMonigle Farms offers the most affordable and unique pumpkin patch in Middletown, Ohio. Admission includes: U-pick pumpkins, hayrides, one-acre clueless corn maze, cow train rides, farm animals, FREE straw maze, large play area, and seasonal treats.
Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest (Melbourne, KY)
September 30–October 31
There’s something for every member of your family: horse-drawn wagon rides, crafters and artisans, live music, home cooked food by Four Mile Pig, wine tastings by local wineries, homemade ice cream, pumpkin patch, 3+ acre corn maze, kids corn play pit, toddler corn maze, farm stand, petting zoo, barrel train, model train display.
Weekend activities admission (10a–6p): $7 (ages 3 and up); weekdays (9a–6p): free
Leashed pets are allowed
Niederman Fall Fun 2022 (Liberty Twp.)
September 22–October 29
Thursday 6–9p (group reservations only during the day), Friday 4–9p (concessions available after 6), Saturday 11a–9p, Sunday 1–6p
Tickets include: 4-acre corn maze, hayrides, kids tractor play area, wagon ride, human foosball, duck races, pipe swings, climbing hill, jumping pillow, and so much more!
$15 general admission wristband must be purchased for children 2 and above (children under 2 are free) and includes access to all activities. Tickets are available here.
Shaw Farms Pumpkin Times (Milford)
Weekends in September (starting the third weekend) through October 31, 9a–6p (Monday–Saturday), 9a–5p (Sunday), weather permitting
Huge corn maze with a kid-friendly treasure hunt, two interactive playgrounds, and horse- and tractor-drawn hayrides through the scenic countryside.
General admission is free. Click here for activity pricing information and to purchase tickets. Leashed pets are allowed.
SUNFLOWER FESTIVALS
There are a few area farms that have sunflower festivals and related events corresponding with when they bloom. For admission information, dates, and more details about the events, click on the corresponding link below.
Late September (date varies): Blooms and Berries Farm Market (Hamilton Twp)
October (TBD): Sips in Sunflowers at Burwinkel Farms
October 7–8: Gorman Heritage Farm Sunflower Festival (advance tickets are required)
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HAUNTED HOUSE EVENTS
Cincinnati goes all out for haunted houses and, while haunted houses may be a bit too much for the little ones, there are a few opportunities for “Lights On Matinees” at area spots
The Dent Schoolhouse (Dent)
Family friendly Lights On Tour is on Sunday, October 22, 4–6p
Weekends, September 15–November 4, and all Thursdays in October
General admission starting at $23 (group pricing available), with options for fast pass and front of the line options also available (view ticketing options here). Ghost Tours will take place on Wednesdays in October.
Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall (Mt. Healthy)
Lights Up Night will be Sunday, October 22, 6–6:45p (cost is $5 per child, free for adults)
Friday, Saturday (8–11p), and Sunday (7–9p) from September 29–October 28
Entry is $12 (click here for information about available discounts), Fastpasses available for $18, no discounts. Cash only.
USS Nightmare (Newport)
Lights On Matinee, October 23, 4–6p
September 16–17, September 29–November 5 (closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays)
Thursday, Sunday, 7–11p; Friday and Saturday, 7p–1a
General admission prices from $23–30, with Fast Pass admission being $36–50. Front-of-the-line and season passes also available. Click here to view all ticketing options.
TRUNK OR TREAT ACTIVITIES
October 14: Clermont County YMCA, 12–2p
October 18: Lindewald Community Trunk or Treat at Benninghofen Playground, 6–8p
October 21: Trunk or Treat and Pet Masquerade at Testerman Park, 1–3p
October 21: Trunk or Treat at Lake Julie Ann (Hamilton), 3–6p
October 22: Trunk or Treat at Gilmore Lanes, 2–4p
October 24: Trunk or Treat at Beechmont Ford, 6p
October 26: Clippard Family YMCA, 6–7:30p
October 27: Treat Street at Deerfield Towne Center, 6–8p
October 27: RC Durr YMCA, 6:30–8:30p
October 28: Elda’s Trunk or Treat at Elda Elementary, 3:30–5p
October 28: Shop, Eat, Treat – Monster Mash at Liberty Center, 4–6p
October 28–29: Tricks or Treats Weekend at Renaissance Festival
October 29: Boos & Brews on the Levee at Newport on the Levee, 5–9p
October 29: Special Needs Trunk or Treat at 2701 Harris Avenue (Norwood), 2–4p
October 29: Trunk or Treat at Land of Illusion Adventure Park, 5–7p
October 30: Blue Ash YMCA, 5:30–7:30p
October 31: Trick or Treat at the Market at Findlay Market*, 4–6p
TBD: Rookwood Commons
Click here for more Fall in Cincinnati fun courtesy of Tour de Cincinnati.
Written by: Linsey Kraeling – Woman, wife, and mother about town, proud millennial, and lifelong Cincinnatian with an invested interest in community involvement and having a full plate—literally and figuratively. Follow along with and read more about eating like a sophisticated six-year-old, supporting local, and acting like a tourist in her own city at instagram.com/linsinnati and tourdecincinnati.com.
All information is believed to be up to date and accurate. To verify cost and information for each event, please contact the host for more. Information is not yet available for several attractions and events. This list will be updated as that information becomes available. Have a fun, safe fall, y’all!