August signals the beginning of summer’s end. But the season’s not over yet! And we’re here to tell you how you can make the most of it.
Mark your calendars with these festivals to get out and about with the family this August and enjoy the last few weeks of warm temperatures, late sunsets, and summer fun.
Glier’s Goettafest
When: July 25-28 & August 1-4
Where: Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way Newport, KY 41071
Event Link: goetta.com/goettafest
Goetta, a German dish pronounced “get-uh”, is often compared to breakfast sausage or scrapple and is a mixture of pork, beef, steel-cut (pinhead) oats, and seasonings. In addition to eating goetta in a variety of dishes, festival goers can enjoy live music, dancing and goetta games. Free!
Greene County Fair
When: July 28-August 3
Where: Greene County Fairgrounds, 120 Fairground Road, Xenia, OH 45385
Event Link: greenecountyfairgrounds.com
Rides, tractor pull, truck races, an endless amount of fair food and more!
Lebanon Blues Festival
When: August 2 & 3, 11am-11pm
Where: Downtown Lebanon, Ohio
Event Link: lebanonbluesfestival.com
In historic downtown Lebanon, Ohio! Enjoy blues bands, your favorite festival foods, music and beer garden. Gaze at over 150 classic cars in the Blues, BBQ, and Bumpers Car Show! Free!
Days in the Park Festival
When: August 2 & 3, 6pm-12am
Where: Chamberlin Park, 7640 Plainfield Rd Deer Park, 45236
Event Link: deerpark-oh.gov
Rides, games, local food vendors, music and fireworks. Fun for all ages.
RiverDays
When: August 2-4
Where: Along Front Street in New Richmond, Ohio
Event Link: riverdaysfest.org
For more than four decades, the historic village of New Richmond on the Ohio celebrates RiverDays, which includes the annual cardboard regatta. The event includes rides, games, gaming, food, live theater, live entertainment, fireworks, and much more.
Ohio River Paddlefest
When: August 3
Where: Schmidt Boat Launch Ramp, 2944 Humbert Avenue, Cincinnati
Event Link: ohioriverpaddlefest.org
The Ohio River Paddlefest is recognized as the nation’s largest paddling celebration, with 2,000 participants traveling through downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in canoes, kayaks and other human-powered craft.
Bacon Fest
When: August 3
Where: Fraze Pavillion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd, Dayton, OH 45429
Event Link: facebook.com/events
The event commemorating pork’s best side is back with more food and dishes that will make you want to kick off the front door. Whether you’re in the crispy bacon or chewy bacon camp, you’ll love this summer festival. Baconlicous delights at this year’s Bacon Fest include bacon empanadas, bacon nachos, bacon pierogis, chocolate-covered bacon and bacon donuts! Keep scrolling to browse all the options below. Free!
Germanfest Picnic
When: August 9-11
Where: St. Anne’s Hill, 400 E. Fifth Street, Dayton
Event Link: germanfestdayton.com
Germanfest Picnic is back this summer with all the Gemuetlichkeit and many of the activities visitors have come to know and love: lots of that delicious homemade German food, plenty of fantastic German and domestic bier and wein, your favorite bands playing in the biergarten, the Polka Mass, Culture Display, Kinder Korner and food and craft vendors.
Water Lantern Festival
When: August 10, 6pm-10pm
Where: Eden Park, 950 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati
Event Link: waterlanternfestival.com
Attendees will have the opportunity to create and launch their own lanterns with personal messages of hope, inspiration, and gratitude, fostering a sense of togetherness and positivity. The festival will also feature delicious food trucks and live entertainment, ensuring a delightful evening for all in attendance.
Potatoes N’ Such: Dayton Potato Festival
When: August 10, 12pm-8pm
Where: Oak & Ivy Park, 803 Anderson-Goodrich Ct, Dayton
Event Link: facebook.com/events
Name something better than a festival revolving around potatoes! With food vendors, craft vendors and a potato dish contest, this is one you wont want to miss.
Great Inland Seafood Festival
When: August 15-18
Where: Festival Park Newport, Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071
Event Link: thingstodocincinnati.com/great-inland-seafood-festival
Enjoy oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, lobster rolls, gator bites and so much more from local restaurants and vendors. Plus, live music. Free!
Pepper Fest
When: August 17, 4pm-10pm
Where: Fraze Pavillion, 695 Lincoln Park Boulevard, Kettering
Event Link: fraze.com/pepper-fest-2024
If you like spicy food, rockin’ music and a hearty party, then you’ll love this festival. It’s sure to offer plenty of mouth-watering flavors, and cold drinks. Free!
Festival on the Lake
When: August 17, 4-11 pm
Where: A.J. Jolly Park, 1565 Race Track Road, Alexandria, KY 41001
Event Link: campbellcountyky.gov
Family-friendly festival featuring live music, kids fun zone, food vendors, crafts and drinks from local wineries and breweries.
Dayton Porchfest
When: August 17, 12:15pm-6:45pm
Where: St. Anne’s Hill, Dayton
Event Link: daytonporchfest.org
Come out for free mini concerts held on porches throughout St. Anne’s Hill. Explore the neighborhood and support local music at this unique annual festival celebrating the richness and diversity of the Dayton music scene. Free!
Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival
When: August 17 & 18
Where: Fairborn Community Park, 691 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn, OH 45324
Event Link: fairbornsweetcornfestival.org
This is a family-oriented event. There will be approximately 180 handmade arts and crafts booths and food vendors. You can enjoy the favorites such as steamed cooked sweet corn, pork chop sandwiches, and fresh cut watermelon. There will be art and crafts for everyone including candles, wood items, jewelry, watercolor and oil paintings, and much more. All day both days, there are activities for children including a train ride, pony rides, and the Big Bounce. There will be free entertainment both days in the festival area. Free!
Taco & Nacho Fest
When: August 24, 3pm-10pm
Where: Austin Landing, 10400 Innovation Dr, Miamisburg
Event Link: facebook.com/events
Brace yourselves for a flavor-packed extravaganza featuring the best tacos and nachos from over 15 top-notch food and craft vendors.
Ohio Valley Orchid Fest
When: August 24 & 25
Where: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 4865 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, Ohio
Event Link: ohiovalleyorchidfest.com
This event brings high quality orchids, both for sale and display as well as quality information about how to grow orchids to the general public and the orchid hobbyist in a fun, family friendly environment!
Lunken Airport Days
When: August 31-September 1
Where: Lunken Airport
Event Link: warbirds.clubexpress.com
his annual event, hosted by Cincinnati War Birds, celebrates vintage aircraft and classic cars. It is free and open to the public with fees for select activities. Free!
Ohio Renaissance Festival Opening Weekend
When: August 31-September 2
Where: 10542 Ohio 73, Waynesville
Event Link: renfestival.com
Your search for “Family Events Near Me” Ends Here. Nothing screams “family fun” quite like the Ohio Renaissance Festival. Engage in thrilling games, witness spectacular live performances, and savor the taste of delightful medieval delicacies. We promise, this festival is the answer to your search for entertainment.
