It’s another action-packed weekend in Cincinnati. There’s no reason NOT to get out this weekend – there’s an event for everyone. Gear up for the Bengals’ first home game of the season, and be ready to bring the energy to the tailgate and pre-game block party where you’ll find plenty of cold beer and tasty food. And if you want even more cold beer and great food, head to one of the three Oktoberfest celebrations happening this weekend in Covington, Loveland and Newport.
Horror aficionados should be ultra-excited for this weekend. Run for your life and scream your heart out at the openings of multiple haunted attractions sure to get the blood pumping. Attend a huge convention for fans to meet celebs, buy merch, cosplay as characters and more.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best places to be this weekend.
Have an event you’d like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we’ll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.
1. Bengals’ first home game of the season
Watch the Bengals’ first home game of the season Sept. 14.
The Cincinnati Bengals face the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Show up early (and secure a parking spot before gametime) to the pre-game block party. Get ready to roar with live music from DV8, food and drinks, including ice cold beer from the Bud Light Tailgate Zone.
Pre-game block party: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, The Banks, Freedom Way, Downtown. Free. bengals.com.
Game: 1 p.m. Sunday, 1 Paycor Stadium, Downtown. bengals.com.
“Even More Before the Roar” Tailgate: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Smale Riverfront Park, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. facebook.com.
2. HorrorHound Weekend
HorrorHound Weekend has been celebrating the horror genre and its impact in movies, television, music and pop culture for over 20 years. Get an autograph and photo-op with a celebrity, including convention first timers such as Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson and Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler.
Find answers to the questions you’ve been dying to ask in on-stage Q&As. Shop from over 100 vendors selling new and rare collectibles such as toys and apparel. At the HorrorHouse Film Fest, attend movie premieres and screenings. Cosplay as your favorite characters and get a sweet, new tatty at the Ink Fusion Tattoo Festival.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. Tickets: horrorhoundweekend.com.
3. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk
The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk.
Pay tribute to a New York Fire Department firefighter by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Register as an individual, team captain or team member. Registration includes an event T-shirt and post-event lunch.
Details: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Xavier University, Cintas Center, 1624 Musketeer Drive, Evanston. nfff.akaraisin.com.
4. Covington, Loveland and Newport Oktoberfests
Covington Oktoberfest returns to Goebel Park Sept. 12-14.
There are multiple Oktoberfest celebrations happening this weekend. Enjoy local food and craft vendors, live music, interactive activities, competitions and (of course) plenty of cold beers.
Covington: noon-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Goebel Park, 501 Philadelphia St. facebook.com.
Loveland: 4-10 p.m. Friday, noon-12 p.m. Saturday, 126 South Karl Brown Way, Loveland. lovinlifeloveland.com.
Newport: 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday, Newport Festival Park, Riverboat Row. Free. thingstodocincinnati.com.
5. Haunted attraction openings
The Dent Schoolhouse is open for its 28th season. The haunted house features animatronics, actors in costumes, scents, sounds and scares.
Are you ready for some thrills and chills? Hop on a haunted hayride, run from killer staff at a schoolhouse, or explore a nightmarish, steam-powered dredge boat. You’re sure to have a scary good time at the following haunted attractions opening this weekend.
Brimstone Haunt: 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 525 Brimstone Road, Wilmington. Runs weekends Sept. 12-Nov. 1. Tickets: brimstonehaunt.com.
Dent Schoolhouse: 7:30 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 5963 Harrison Ave., Green Township. Runs Sept. 12-Nov. 1. Tickets: dentschoolhouse.com.
Sandyland Acres: 8 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 4172 Belleview Road, Petersburg. Cash only. Free parking. Runs Sept. 12-Nov. 1. sandylandacres.com.
USS Nightmare: 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport. Runs Sept. 12-Nov. 8. ussnightmare.com.
6. CliftonFest
CliftonFest chalk art.
After a six-year hiatus, CliftonFest is coming back to celebrate the richness of the local arts scene and culture. Shop over 40 artisan vendors showcasing their handcrafted goods. Enjoy 15 live performances from regional musicians, including Wild Carrot, Remember and more. Watch dozens of sidewalk artists transform streets into works of art.
Details: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3412 Clifton Ave., Clifton. cliftonculturalarts.org.
7. Veolia Cincinnati Showcase
Veolia Cincinnati Showcase pickleball tournament takes place Sept. 8-14.
Calling all pickleball lovers! Head to Lindner Family Tennis Center for the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase pickleball tournament. Amateur matches will be played alongside Humana Championship Court where the top professionals in the world compete for the biggest payouts in the sport of pickleball.
Details: tournaments and times vary, Lindner Family Tennis Center, 5460 Courseview Drive, Mason. Runs Sept. 8-14. ppatour.com.
8. Ride Cincinnati
Ride Cincinnati takes place Sept. 13.
Ride Cincinnati is the region’s leading cycling fundraiser in the fight against cancer. Try the 30, 50 or 60-mile open road ride or cruise around the four-mile closed loop. Funds raised through Ride Cincinnati benefit local cancer research, education and care. Donate now or register to participate in this race for a good cause.
Details: 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sawyer Point, 705 E Pete Rose Way, Downtown. ridecincinnati.org.
9. St. George Russian Festival
Sink your teeth into Russian cuisine such as pirozhki and cheburek. Move along with the St. George ROC dancers, showcasing traditional Russian dance. Watch performances by guests Ensemble Barynya and Ballet Tech of Ohio. Hear timeless Russian classics played live such as Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker.”
Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, St. George Russian Orthodox Church, 118 N Lebanon Road, Loveland. stgeorgeroc.org.
10. Conan Gray concert at Riverbend
Pop singer Conan Gray is bringing his “The Wishbone Pajama Show” to Riverbend. Joining him is special guest Hemlocke Springs. Hear him perform fan favorites like “Heather,” “Memories” and “Maniac.”
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Sept. 12-14