Fright Night
There’s a chill in the air.
The leaves are falling from the trees.
Pumpkins are aglow on your neighbor’s front steps.
You know what time it is.
It’s Spooky Season!
And whether you’re a fan of frights or take delight in treats over tricks, you’ll find a number of events heading into Halloween sure to scare up fun.
Scroll on…if you dare…
Art After Dark: Night at the Haunted Museum
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive
Friday, Oct. 27, 5–9 p.m.
Free. Reservations not required. More info at www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/events-programs/adults/art-after-dark.
Kick off your Halloween weekend in one of the country’s most haunted museums.
Enjoy music from DJ Krispy, performances from Cin City Burlesque, tarot card readings, cash bars, food for purchase from Smiles n’ Spice, photo booth courtesy of Say Cheese, and self-guided ghost tours in the collection.
Halloween costumes encouraged, of course.
Create your own adventure at the final weekend of Kings Island’s Halloween Haunt.
Kings Island Halloween Haunt
Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28
6 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Details at www.visitkingsisland.com/events/haunt.
Find spine-tingling things to do for Halloween, including haunted attractions, scare mazes, bone-chilling outdoor scare zones, outrageous live shows, and evil creatures everywhere looking to make your worst nightmares come true. Plus, experience many of the park's most thrilling rides and attractions at Haunt, including Orion, Banshee, Diamondback, Mystic Timbers, and the legendary The Beast!
Find a thrilling Halloween program perfect for little ghouls and boys.
Halloween Spooktacular Lollipops Concert
Saturday, Oct. 28, 10:30 a.m.
Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
Ticket and info www.cincinnatisymphony.org/lollipops/lollipops-halloween.
The Lollipops Concert: Halloween Spooktacular features eerie classical pieces like Bach’s Toccata from “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” and recent favorites like “Hedwig’s Theme” and “Harry’s Wondrous World” by by John Williams.
Costumes are encouraged for this family-friendly event sure to thrill and delight the youngest listeners, and even those who are young at heart.
How about hitting the streets for the ultimate in Halloween mayhem.
Nightmare at The Banks
Freedom Way
Saturday, Oct. 28, 6–11 p.m.
Details at thebankscincy.com/event/nightmare-at-the-banks.
Head to “Nightmare at The Banks” to find live entertainment from Dj Davey C and Prymtime and cash prizes for the best costumes.
Hosted by Holy Grail, Killer Queen, TinRoof, Jefferson Social, Fishbowl, and The Stretch, this annual event is a can’t-miss outing for all Halloween fans.
Costume judging will be completed by 9 p.m., in the event area, with the final round at 10 p.m. Be aware, only costumes selected in Round 1 are eligible to compete in the final round for $2,500 in cash prizes. Winners are determined by crowd volume, so bring your A-game.
Haunted Hotel Halloween Party
Saturday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m.
21c Museum Hotel
609 Walnut St.
Tickets are $25 with a portion of the proceeds donated to ArtsWave.
Info and tickets at www.21cmuseumhotels.com/haunted-hotel-halloween-party/
Step inside, if you dare, to the Haunted Hotel! Get ready to check-in for a night of spine tingling surprises, eerie encounters, and ghoulish fun, as 21c transforms into a haunted haven!
Dance the night away with Forealism, with beats to keep you moving into the witching hour. The entertainment also includes mesmerizing aerialists from Queen Bee Cabaret, pop-up dance performances by DanceFix and surprise guests from East to Vest strolling around with Halloween treats.
Metropole will keep the spirits flowing, literally and figuratively, with spooky cocktails and snacks.
Dress to impress in your most creative costume for a chance to win a one-night stay at 21c Cincinnati, a delectable dinner or breakfast for two at Metropole. If you don’t have a costume, professional makeup artists will be on site to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Fall Fest Weekend 2023
Oct. 28 and 29, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Washington Park, 1230 Elm St,
More info at washingtonpark.org/series/fall-fest-weekend-2023/
Want to enjoy the chill in the air rather than chills? Carve out some fun at Washington Park’s weekend of Fall family fun. Enjoy shopping from local vendors, live music, animal encounters with Good Green Earth Farm, a free pumpkin patch, and more!
With a lineup of more than 30 vendors, you stroll through the park and peruse baked goods, soap, candles, holistic health products, jewelry, home décor, pet items, toys, apparel, and more.
Throughout each day, enjoy life music, too!
Saturday, Oct. 28
11 a.m. – Chase McCreary
12:45 p.m. – Maria Carrelli
2:30 p.m. – Krystal Peterson
Sunday, Oct.29
11 a.m. – TyeDye
12:45 p.m. – Stripmall Ballad
2:30 p.m. – Harmed Brothers Duo
If you’re brave enough, you can also take a more in depth look at one of the (allegedly) most haunted places in the country.
Ghost Tours of Music Hall
1241 Elm St.
Find upcoming tours at
www.cincinnatiarts.org/events/detail/ghost-tours-1
Music Hall, one of Cincinnati's most iconic buildings, is well known to paranormal enthusiasts as one of the most active sites in America. This National Historic Landmark has occurrences dating from the ealry 1800s. Built on the grounds of an old potter’s field and purported to be haunted, Travel Channel lists Music Hall as one of the most terrifying places in America. Additionally, the building was featured in the Halloween 2014 episode of the TV show, Ghost Hunters.
For those fascinated by the history of this unique venue, the Friends of Music Hall and Cincinnati Arts Association host special after-hours tours in partnership with a local group dedicated to investigating, documenting, and researching such claims. The Cincinnati Research & Paranormal Studies team will show you a side of Music Hall not often seen by patrons attending performances.
Tours include:
Knowledgeable guides from Friends of Music Hall and CR&PS relate the history of Music Hall's founding and evolution with additional stories about the firsthand experiences of visitors and staff past and present
Tours will see public and private areas of the building not open to the typical concert-goer.
Each tour is approximately 75 minutes long