Ultimate Fall and Halloween Fun Guide

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The leaves are changing. Temps are cooling down. Autumn is coming. It’s time for a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, costumes, and Trick-or-Treating!

Enjoy some fun with these September and October “things to do” in Cincinnati!

Click the links for full details; all dates are for 2020.

fall and halloween fun for cincinnati, ohio

Jump To: Halloween Fun | Fall Festivals for Kids | Fall Events | Fall Fun in Cincinnati

 

Fall and Halloween Fun:

Pumpkin Patches: Visit one of the 15+ area farms to pick your own pumpkin or explore a corn maze. These farmers have worked hard to give you lots of fall fun with corn mazes, hayrides, play areas, and more.

Corn Mazes: For those of you who are just ready for an escape from 2020!

Fall Festivals in Cincinnati

Fall Festivals: Here’s our HUGE list of fun fall festivals to explore in the Cincinnati area. We broke them up by date so scroll to the week you’re in and go have some fun!

Trick or Treat Time for the Cincinnati Area

Will Trick or Treat happen for your neighborhood this year? And, if so, what time? Get all the details on our list of 2020 Trick or Treat Times for the Cincinnati Area.

Haunted Houses: Get your scare on with a visit to one of the area’s Haunted Houses. Our guide includes haunted houses, haunted attractions, and even a few family-friendly “lights on” events.

How to have some socially distanced fun for Halloween:
10 Alternative Halloween Ideas for 2020 – How to Have a Happy Corona-ween!

 

Fall Fun for Families:

Head to the Cincinnati Zoo for HallZOOween. This annual event includes animal encounters, Trick or Treat stations, and more. Happening October 17-18, 24-25; included with your zoo admission. Advance registration is required for 2020.

Kings Island is having Tricks and Treats Fall Fest this year, happening on Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 26 – Nov. 1, 2020. Wear costumes and go trick-or-treating with specially designed sanitation processes and social distancing measures in place. When you purchase a Tricks and Treats Fall Fest Tasting Card, you can visit numerous tasting stations and get snack-sized portions of scrumptious sweets and savories—from wild to mild. You’ll nosh on Tricks (foods that might look a bit crazy but are crazy delicious) and classic Treats (seasonal tastes we know and love). Also available throughout the park will be gotta-have-it favorites and lots of goodies with a Halloween twist. A fang-tastic time is in store for all with fall-themed games, game shows, mazes and crafts for everyone in the family. Plus, rides will be open to deliver the thrills and chills found only at Kings Island. Kings Island is postponing their Great Pumpkin Fest at Kings Island (family-friendly) until 2021.

Always a good time, Jack O’Lantern Junction returns to EnterTRAINment Junction: Walk through the kid-friendly trick-or-treat maze, visit the mini animated display and visit the area’s only indoor Pumpkin Patch – kids get a free mini pumpkin! Plus, don’t worry about the weather – it’s all indoors! Sept. 19 – Oct. 31, 2020.

 

Fall Events (Date Specific):

You might also like: Free and Cheap Things to Do in Cincinnati – Fall Edition

One of my favorites for fall – enjoy a multitude of free outdoor activities at Great Outdoor Weekend, Sept. 19-27. This event will look much different in 2020. Spanning 9 days this year, they will be sharing a variety of activities that you can do on your own, in addition to a limited number of in-person masked and socially distanced events.

Head to Hamilton for Operation Pumpkin, Oct. 9-11, 2020. Enjoy all things pumpkin, live entertainment, a pet parade, food, vendors, Little Miss Punkin, and much more.

The Great Pumpkin Fest will take over Keehner Park on October 10, 2020. Enjoy a puppet show, costume contest, games and activities, horse-and-wagon rides, a petting zoo and pony carousel, a “Not-So-Scary” haunted trail, and more.

Washington Park hosts their Fall Fest Weekend on Oct. 24 and 25, 2020. Enjoy bands, kids’ activities, and more.

Gorman Heritage Farm is hosting Sunflowers at Gorman Farm, October 3/4 and 10/11. They are offering this event as a safe and fun way for families to get outside, explore the Farm, cut sunflowers, buy pumpkins, and see the farm animals. Note: this is an alternative to their annual “Sunflower Festival” which they will not have this year. Advance ticket purchase required , no tickets at the gate.

Oktoberfest Celebrations: Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest season begins in late August and goes all the way into early October! Check out our list of all the local events!

Take the kids on a Magic Forest Halloween Hike at Caldwell Nature Park. These hikes do sell out every year so be sure to get your spot secured. 2020 dates TBD.

 

Fall Fun, All Season Long!

Make your own Halloween costume at the downtown library’s Makerspace. Use their die cut machines, sew, make buttons, use the green screen and camera, record in the studio, and so much more! Be aware that a library card may be required and reservations are needed for their more popular machines.

Take in all that is fall on one of the area bike trails. What a wonderful way to spend a sunny fall day!

Fall is one of my favorite times to camp. There’s nothing better than a campfire and s’mores! Find a great spot with our list of the 16 Best Campgrounds Within 100 Miles of Cincinnati.

Enjoy a locally crafted seasonal brew! Find your new favorite pumpkin or Oktoberfest beer when you check out all our breweries on the Ultimate Cincinnati Breweries List.

Get out and explore all that is Summit Park. If you haven’t been there in 2020, the park is well worth a return visit. Don’t miss the new Nature Playscape that includes a zip line, forts, shallow water play, and more.

We are lucky to have SO MANY wonderful museums in the Cincinnati area. Check out our list of Must See Museums in Cincinnati and enjoy a nice day out. Added bonus, some of them are free! (2020: be sure to check their hours… and if they’re open)

Put those phones to use for some outdoor fall fun when you go Geocaching. Use an app to discover a treasure hidden near you and then use the coordinates and geo-location to hunt. Lots of fun!

Cooler fall days often mean indoor play places come in handy. Explore our list of things to do indoors – a great list for kids AND adults. (2020: be sure to check their hours… and if they’re open)

Enjoy a class or event at one of our local libraries. The Public Library of Cincinnati has an extensive list of classes and events that span the city. Clermont County Library has a long list as well.

note: we left the events below on here and marked them out so that you know they’re not happening for 2020….

Tricks or Treats at the Ohio Renaissance Festival happens Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2020. Bring your wee ones 12 and under for FREE and enjoy trick or treating around the village. Costume contests for adults and kids and pumpkin decorating for the kids. Enjoy your favorite show, mug of ale, and delicious foods. Canceled for 2020

Weber’s Farm Market Pumpkin Festival is happening in Harrison, Oct. 17-18, 2020. This event began as the Minges Pumpkin Festival. This festival has thrived and grown with the assistance of the Minges family over the last few years. Canceled for 2020

The Sauerkraut Festival has been canceled for 2020.

Gorman Heritage Farm hosts their Sunflower Festival, October 3 and 4, 2020. Live music, hayrides, pumpkins, craft vendors, food trucks, corn maze, sunflower maze, meet the farm animals, Farm Fun Education Station, MadTree Beer Garden, and cut your own sunflowers. Canceled for 2020

Head south for the Kentucky Woolfest (Oct. 2-4, 2020): This annual event includes demonstartions, Border Collie sheep hearding, sheep shearing, live music, food, and more. Canceled for 2020.

99 thoughts on “Ultimate Fall and Halloween Fun Guide”

  2. Janet, thanks for asking. Most of the farms that I listed have a corn maze. I know that Blooms and Berries does as do all of these: Country Pumpkins, Schappacher, and Bonnybrook Farms.

  6. oooh Bridget! The Cincinnati Chocolate Festival is not listed here. What better way to prepare for Halloween than to romp through the Festival and taste chocolates? It is this Sunday from noon – 5PM at the Cintas Center at Xavier. Tickets can be pre-purchased at Kroger. http://www.cincinnatichocolatefestival.com

    The Festival offers a “Bigger Box of Chocolates” in 2013! Hope to see you there.

  13. There’s a great apple orchard in Lebanon called Hidden Valley Fruit Farm. They also have a good vineyard if you’re a grape lover like myself.

  15. From what I can tell, Marissa, the apple picking is over here in Cincinnati. I couldn’t find any orchards that said they were still allowing apple picking at this late date.

  16. From what I can tell, Mary Sue, the apple picking is over here in Cincinnati. I couldn’t find any orchards that said they were still allowing apple picking at this late date.

  17. Tomorrow, 10/19/2013, from noon – 10pm at Washington Park is the inaugural Cincinnati Maker Faire. Great fun for kids of all ages, free admission and you can wear your costumes!

  21. What I’ve been able to find is there in the list, Ann. Check out “Trunk or Treats”. I will update it if I find more this week.

  22. Boone County libraries will be hosting trick or treating from 6-8. They will have tables set up for people to bring their candy to pass out.

  25. I just updated it for 2014, Stephanie. I will be adding additional dates and events as they’re announced too so keep checking back.

  29. Two more to add:

    The Arts Center at Dunham will be holding its Halloween Howl Dog Walk and Family FUNdraiser to benefit the renovation of the historic building. Fun games, food, and a 2 mile dog walk! Dress up in costumes with your family and pets and win prizes!

    Also- The Sunset Players is presenting The Addams Family – A New Musical to get everyone in the Halloween spirit. The show runs October 3rd through the 18th.

    Info for both events can be found on http://www.sunsetplayers.org or at their Facebook pages!

  30. Cincinnati is also home of the 3rd annual A Wicked Affair. This is an adult only Halloween gala to support The National Kidney Foundation of Cincinnati. This years A Wicked Affair is Oct 25,2014 at Receptions Eastgate. $80 a couple include dinner, spirits, dancing, photo booth, costume contest with prizes. $1 raffle and silent auction at the event. Hotel accommodations available at The Hampton Inn for extra cost. Free transport from Hampton Inn provided by Peterson Bus Company. Visit our FB page at http://www.facebook.com/awickedaffair for more info, past event photos, and ticket info.

  31. Are there any Haunted Houses around the area meant more for the younger crowd (8 – 12)? I keep hearing that those listed could be a little too much for those ages.

  38. Please add to your list:

    Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival, Saturday, October 11th, from 10am-4pm, at Belmont and Larch in College Hill. Pony rides, live music, food, crafts, scarecrow-making, pumpkins, apples, food stalls, and more! Great for kids and families!! Sponsored by the College Hill Gardeners.

  41. It is not listed above, but we go to Iron Fruit Farm every year for their corn maze, petting zoo, fresh fruits, and tasty apple fritters, cider, and donuts! The website isn’t up to par, but the farm is awesome.

  44. best festival EVER!! bob Evans fest down on the farm in Rio Grande- same weekedn as waynsville sauerkraut fest and MUCH b etter esp if u have kids- we spend 6-7 hrs there and still dont do everything- lots of free things for kids to do!!

  46. Hi JB, Thanks for the mention for Bob Evans festival. I can’t really add it to the list as it’s too far to be considered Cincinnati. It looks like a great time though!

  47. Great Halloween event to raise money for the Children’s Dyslexia Centers of Cincinnati (CDCOC)!

    This year, their major event will be a Halloween Gala featuring The Naked Karate Girls rock band at the Cincinnati Masonic Center (October 25th). Spooky venue! Expected to host 500-600 costumed party goers looking for fun and a way to help a worthy cause. Will feature a costume contest with prizes, catered hors d’oeuvres (provided by Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State), and late night snacks at the close of the evening.

    The CDCOC is a non-profit that has been promoting childhood literacy by providing private tutoring for children with Dyslexia. The service is offered at two Campuses in Cincinnati without any financial obligation from the students or their families. In the past 20 years, hundreds of children, who were struggling with reading and writing, have graduated from the program and gone on to achieve academic success.

    All funds used to operate the centers have to be raised either by grants, requests or fund raising events.

  49. You Forgot one of the coolest haunts! Scream acres ct. At the old johnnys toys building in latonia. They do all kinds of awesome events, too.

    Also, maybe not halloween related, but october fourth is the food truck festival in washington park.

    Another cool event is the creepy campout in Winton woods. Its much too late to get a site, as they draw the people who get them months ahead of time, but some people sell extra sites on craigslist and if you know someone who’s going, try to tag along! My family has been going for the last decade and it is so so much fun.

  50. Fraternal Order of Eagles, #449 is having a Charity Halloween Party on 10/25/14 from 8pm- midnight. Admission is a non-perishable food item per person, which will be given to needy families in our community. We also ask that you bring a snack/appetizer to share. There will be photo ops with the “Harvester of Souls” for $1, a DJ, costume contest, and much, much more!

    2863 Harris Pl.
    Cincinnati, OH 45212

  52. Do you the list of craft shows in the area?
    I KNOW I HAVE MISSED SOME, BUT WOULD LIKE CaTCH A COUPLE OF THEM
    ((sorry about the caps))
    Thanx. And love your site.

  55. Hi Mary Ann, I hope to have some time to put that list together soon. I don’t have one up yet though 🙁

  57. Clough Pike Baptist Church in Union is having our Fall Festival Saturday November 1 from 3-6. This event will include fun games, giant cupcake walk, food, inflatables, and music! This event is geared for 3 years to 5th grade. Come join us!!

  58. Stay away from this event if it’s anything like last year OTR fundraiser it was demented and sick. Would not recommend to anyone..

  59. Thanks for all of the listings but does anyone know of anything to do on Halloween (Oct 31),in Cincinnati, indoors and geared towards toddlers under 2yo?

  60. Gorman Heritage Farm
    Address: 10052 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH
    Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday: Closed
    Admission: Adults – $5.00 Children (ages 3-17) – $3.00 Seniors 60+ – $3.00 Children under 3 – Free

    The Gorman Heritage Farm, located in the southwest Ohio Village of Evendale, is a 122-acre historic, working family farm that provides visitors with memorable experiences ranging from hands-on farming to strolls through woodland trails with outstanding scenic vistas. Gorman Heritage Farm looks much the same today as it did when the first settlers arrived to homestead in 1789 – just after the Revolutionary War. Because it is virtually unchanged topographically, we can easily imagine the attraction they must have felt for this beautiful valley location. There was abundant timber, a spring for fresh water, the proximity of Mill Creek for milling operations, flat, fertile land for crops, rock outcroppings for quarrying stone, and the presence of a well-established Indian trail (which in later years became known as Reading Road). How is it that this parcel of land did not succumb to urban development as a metropolitan area of two million people grew up around it? Perhaps it is because the land has stayed in the hands of only two families in the last 215 years. Products Sold: Lamb,Chicken and vegetables in season, honey and eggs year round.
    Visit our website at: https://www.gormanfarm.org/

  61. There is a wonderful adult Halloween costume party Oct 24 at Receptions Eastgate. A Wicled Affaor is the 4th Annual event and is a charity event for The National Kidney Foundation. $40 a person includes dinner, wine ,beer, costume contest, photo booth and free transport to amd from event when you book a room at The Hampton Inn Eastgate. Hope you all will come! http://www.facebook.com/awickedaffair

  62. Shaws Farm has a really nice maze and everything else that goes with the fall festivities!! They get bigger and bigger every year!

  63. I’m pretty sure last year was the last year for Minges Pumpkin Festival… Can you double check, please?

  66. I notice you don’t have Sunrock Farm listed. They have a terrific Pumpkin Patch, which includes tours with the animals on the farm, milking goats, hayride, and free cider and cookies. I take my kids there every year, and they don’t even miss a corn maze. Everything else is so much fun, they wouldn’t miss it.

  68. Thank you, Corina. I just added them on and will watch for the dates as the season gets closer.

  69. Thank you, Denise. I just added the farm on and will watch for the dates as the season gets closer. And congrats on the Bengals game inclusion! You must have been so excited!

  70. Update from Burwinkel Farms–since our facebook page doesn’t have the info on it yet!
    Burwinkel Farms–Ross, OH
    October 2015

    Weekend hayrides to ‘pick-your-own-pumpkin patch,’ a corn maze and a punch-card maze, corn pool, straw tunnel, Halloween Scavenger hunt, ‘What do you Feel’ sensory station, Sunflower field with walking path (when in bloom), large selection of pumpkins at great prices, painted pumpkins available for purchase, FREE parking, Bring your camera, whether professional or amateur–tons of picture opportunities!

    Open all of October. Call ahead for groups of 10+, school groups, and/or weekday groups. We welcome school groups for field trips–call 513-738-1145 for more details.

    Hayride: $3 per person (includes a pumpkin from ‘pick your own pumpkin patch’), $3 for both mazes. $5 for both hayride and mazes. Everything else is free. Infants and children under 2 years are free.

  72. PLEASE – don’t forget the Corn Festival in Wilmington, Ohio at the Clinton County Fairgrouinds. Starts Friday, September 11th and runs thru Sunday, September 6th! All kinds of wonderful craft/booths, lots of food boths, entertainment, etc.

  75. Hello! Do you know if any of these are on any of the Metro bus routes? I am in a wheelchair and have limited ride options, and Metro has been extremely helpful for me. I’m interested in taking a 12-year-old little girl with me to something. She is also hard to scare. Any information on places with bus routes and wheelchair access would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

  76. Wendel Farms is on the OH/IN state line and they have a corn maze pumpkin patch and other things. Here’s the description from Cincinnati.com:

    Features 6.5-acre corn maze and game, petting farm, straw maze, farmland, corn bin play area, cornhole, rat race, education center, campfire packages, crafts, home grown chrysanthemums, pumpkins, gourds, squash, and hayride to pick-your-own-pumpkin patch. Open Sept. 12-Nov.1. Open weekdays for mum and pumpkin sales: Sept. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 2-6 p.m.

  77. Mission Baptist Church of Cincinnati (Kenwood) is hosting it’s annual Trunk or Treat Event on Saturday, October 31st

    This is a great and safe place to bring your kids for Trick or Treating!
    6pm to 8 pm

    7595 Montgomery Rd.
    Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

  78. Don’t forget about New Life Chapel’s Rock The Pumpkin!! Hosted at Lakota West High School, there will be free food, live music by Seabird, hayrides, face painting, trunk or treat and bounce houses!! There will also be a chili cook off for the adults! It is from 5 pm – 730 pm on 10/25, THIS SUNDAY!!

    It is definitely the place to be this Sunday!!!

    We found out about it last year through this list and I was sad to see it not on there this year!

    I hope you can still add it!!

  79. I just added it on, Caitlin. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. It sounds like a great time.

  80. I love o take my family to Niederman Farms. They have all kinds of family friendly things to do including a corn maze, hay ride and more.

  81. I am coming to Cincinnati to take my grandsons out for a day to celebrate both of their birthdays. I am doing this on one of their days off from school. Any good ideas on how to spend a day spoiling them? We are doing this in place of buying gifts.

  83. It depends on where you live, Marchelle. Each area of town decides what time and day to do Trick or Treating. Townships and cities usually post their dates and times on their websites. Alternatively, you could call your area’s municipal offices to get that information too.

  86. Bridgett, Thank you so much for the hard work that you put into this site. It has made our move here incredibly fun! I need your help though. Is there an email that I could contact you other than on here?

  87. Toms maze is awesome!!! Best around!! Check it out. It is NW of Middletown but worth the drive. It is split in sectiins. Each section has a puzzle piece. When you find them all you make your way out

  89. Midwest Cheer Elite Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 29th 6-8 pm located in the Skatetown and Midwest Cheer Elite Parking Lot . FREE to the public.

  92. HallowREAD week starts Sunday, Oct. 23, and runs through Monday, Oct. 31 at the Main Library and all 40 Library locations. To celebrate Halloween and the spine-tingling delights of reading, the Library is giving children age 12 and under a spooky passport, or parents can print one at CincinnatiLibrary.org.

    For every visit to any Library location, a staff member will stamp the passport and the child will receive a piece of candy or a prize. On the third visit, they will receive a free book. (One book per child; all subsequent visits receive only candy or prize.)

    For more information, call 513-369-6900.

  93. Hello Bridgett,

    Do you mind adding this free event to your list please?

    Mission Baptist Cincinnati is hosting a FREE Trunk or Treat event on October 31st from 6-8 pm.

    25+ decorated cars participating with candy and treats at each vehicle!

    7595 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

    MBCcincy.org

    Thank you!

  94. Trunk or Treats

    “Open Door Baptist Church 5:00pm-7:00pm
    Eight Mile Road”

    First Baptist Church of Glen Este 5:00pm-7:00pm
    Old St. Rt. 74

  96. Pingback: Things to Do in Cincinnati This Weekend, Sept. 21-23 - 365 CINCINNATI

  98. Bridgett,
    Thanks for putting this list together. Is it possible to add the part of town each farm is in? Most appear to be on the east side of town. I only saw one farm on the west side.
    Thanks!

  99. Great idea! I’m actually thinking about breaking the pumpkin patches out and making it into a separate post. I will think about how to best break that up by location. Maybe a map would be good???

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