Halloween is next week, which means that fall festival season is coming to a close. (Cue the sad trombones!) It’s going to be a beautiful fall weekend here in Cincinnati, perfect for a “last hurrah” of the fall festival circuit.
Wondering where to start? Here are 10 fall festivals you have to check out this weekend:
Halloween Nights at Parky’s Farm
Parky’s Farm Halloween Nights offers not-spooky, family-friendly Halloween fun. Favorites includ the Fun Slide, the carnival Under the Sea fun house, mini golf, pony rides (the pony rides do cost extra, FYI), Madame Clairvoyant and hayrides. Parky’s always has one of the best hayrides in the area as it goes into the woods and around the perimeter of the farm. But for Halloween Nights, the trail includes several themed lights, which make the ride that much more fun.
Parky’s Farm Halloween Nights takes place Thursday-Sunday evenings through Oct. 28 from 5:30-9:30 pm.
HallZOOween at the Cincinnati Zoo
HallZOOween, presented by Frisch’s Big Boy, happens Saturdays and Sundays through October 28 from 12-5 pm. Each weekend, treat stations will be set up throughout the Zoo (BYOB to help the #GreenestZooinAmerica stay green), along with not-so-spooky animal encounters, Hogwarts Express train rides and opportunities to spin on the Scare-ousel. HallZOOween is free for Zoo members and included with general admission for non-members!
Neltner’s Farm Festival
There’s a reason why Neltner’s carries our “most beautiful location” honor. Neltner’s Farm is a family owned property in Northern Kentucky, just 25 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. It’s easy to reach, just off the AA Highway, for those in Kentucky, Ohio, or Indiana, and it offers all of the fall fun you can imagine. It’s a lovely valley farm, with open space for the kids to roam, animals grazing on the hill, and pumpkins perfectly positioned in the patch. It’s basically an idyllic children’s book come to life. Neltner’s Farm Festival takes place Saturdays and Sundays through October 28th from 10 am to 6 pm.
Blooms and Berries Fall on the Farm
Year after year, Blooms and Berries offers one of the most enjoyable fall farm experiences around. There are games and activities, adorable animals, two straw mazes, hayrides, pumpkin patches and irresistible homemade treats. All on the most picturesque, family-run farm in Cincinnati. This beautiful farm is spacious and offers a wide variety of activities for all ages. You pay one price to participate in most of the fun, such as a hayride to the pumpkin patch, corn maze, cow train ride, play area and story time. It’s very organized and the perfect spot for overall fall family fun. Fall on the Farm is open daily (with discounted weekday admission!) through Oct. 31.
Burwinkel Farms Sunflower Hayride Weekends
Located in Ross, OH off of Hamilton Cleves Road, this family-owned farm has been providing the best local produce and seasonal fun to Southwest Ohio families for over 100 years. And the famous sunflower fields at Burwinkel Farms are the picture-perfect setting for hayrides, walks, yoga and fall fun! For festive family fun, don’t miss out on the Sunflower Hayride Weekends now until October 28th (11am-5pm). These family fun-filled weekends begin with a hayride through the magnificent sunflower fields to enjoy the walking paths, pumpkin patch and corn maze. Your littles will love picking their own pumpkin to take home along with their special sunflower. Plus, there’s a second corn maze, skid maze, crawl through straw tunnel, Halloween scavenger hunt, corn pool, red while and blue maze, duck races, donkeys and goats to visit, Halloween checkers, snacks, tons of picture opportunities and more.
Brown’s Family Farm Market Fall Family Fun Weekends
This unassuming family farm is the real deal: charming, rustic and about as beautiful as can be. Fall is the best time to visit Brown’s; kids can visit u-pick pumpkin patch, go on hayrides, tackle the corn and straw mazes, visit the farm animals and enjoy several play areas. There is plenty of good, old-fashioned farm fun to be had, making Browns a welcome change-of-pace from some of the area’s busier fall festivals. Brown’s Family Farm Market‘s Fall Family Fun Weekends happen Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm through October (there are also Hayrides and Barrel Train Rides offered from 3-6 pm on Fridays through the end of the month.). The farm itself is open daily through Oct. 31. from 9 am to 7 pm. Admission and parking are free; hayrides and barrel train rides are $4 and $2, respectively.
Young’s Jersey Dairy Fall Fun
Fall is a great time to visit Young’s, as it is decked out for the season and there are even more activities to participate in during your visit. Take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin, try out Corwin’s Corny Maze, among other seasonal features. (Be sure to check out Udders & Putters, which has miniature golf, a large batting cage, a play area for those 48” and under, an exciting slide, a barrel train ride — and even a driving range!) And of course, no visit to Young’s would be complete without homemade pumpkin ice cream.
Kings Island Great Pumpkin Fest
Looking for some spook-tacular fun for little kiddos? Every fall, Kings Island Great Pumpkin Fest takes over Soak City and adds extra Halloween fun to an already exciting place that’s ideal for little ones. Fall is a great time to have the best day ever at Kings Island, and you can enjoy it now, Saturdays and Sundays through October 28th, from 12 to 6 pm (Planet Snoopy closes at 5 pm on Saturdays).
Heritage Village’s Haunted Village
This fall, Heritage Village will transform into a Haunted Village for a family-friendly, slight-fright Halloween event! The 19th century village is located inside Sharon Woods, and is the perfect setting for a spooky October evening! Halloween costumes are encouraged and add to the fun. Trick-or-treat through the Village meeting a headless horseman, a witch, a fortune teller, and a mad scientist along the way. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride. Walk through the haunted cemetery. Enjoy face painting, balloon art, games, storytelling, and more! Heritage Village Museum’s Haunted Village happens 26 and 27 from 6-10 pm each night.
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Hear ye! Hear ye! Calling all lords, ladies and littles… travel back in time to 16th Century England at the Ohio Renaissance Festival! Located just minutes off of I-71 or I-75 on State Route 73, the Ohio Renaissance Festival is open on weekends through Oct. 28 from 10:30 am – 6 pm, rain or shine. There is entertainment for all ages as your family ventures through the 35-acre village enjoying authentic Renaissance entertainers, vendors and cuisine. This weekend, kids 12 and under are free as part of Tricks or Treats Weekend!!
