September brings with it cooler temperatures, changing leaves, pumpkin-spiced everything…and a whole lot of festivals! From cultural celebrations and fall festivals to art fairs, the month is packed with family-friendly events that are perfect for getting out and enjoying the glorious autumn weather.
EcoFEST 2023
Please join us for EcoFEST 2023 as we provide fun and family oriented education focused on helping the planet. We are planning for this year’s event and hope to include you in the mix of organizations, groups and individuals who will be participating. We will once again be at Lincoln Park/Civic Commons. Be entertained and inspired during this Kettering community event that will have a fun and educational focus. All ages welcome!
Date: September 16 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Fraze Pavilion, Dayton
AlterFest
Alterfest 2023 is our traditional, FREE festival! We can’t wait to get together again Labor Day weekend with our families, alumni and the community! Rides, children’s games, children’s entertainment, corn hole tournament, food and great music!
Dates: September 1-3
Location: 940 East David Road, Kettering
Nowhere Else Festival
A world-class boutique music and arts festival that feels like an extended musical family reunion in a beautiful green space on a small farm in Ohio. With performances, workshops & readings, and a special VIP farm-to-table dining experience.
Dates: September 1 – 3
Location: Nowhere Else Farm, Martinsville
Hispanic Heritage Fest
The 22nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival will offer something for all ages. Dance to hot and electrifying Latin music and enjoy delicious food. Enjoy childrenâs activities, and entertainment to include demonstrations of art, food, crafts, and traditional dance and dress
Dates: September 16 | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location: RiverScape MetroPark
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Knights, comedy, daring stunt shows, giant roasted turkey legs, bread bowl stews, handmade arts and crafts abound in the authentically recreated 30-acre 16th Century English village. The festival offers something for everyone featuring nearly 100 shows daily on 11 stages, over 135 unique arts and crafts shops, hearty food and drink, games of skill and human-powered rides to amuse all ages.
Date: September 2 – October 29 | 10:30 AM — 7:00 PM
Location: Ohio Renaissance Park
Harvest Home Fair
The “biggest little fair in Ohio” dates back to the 1860s and kicks off with the annual parade on September 7 at 6 p.m.! The first Harvest Home Fair was in 1860, but that was a continuation of tradition that dates back to 1806 when a farmer began an annual festival to celebrate a hearty harvest. The Cheviot-Westwood Kiwanis Club took over the reins of the fair in 1939 for the 79th annual fair and 2010 they formed a Kiwanis + community organization, the Harvest Home Fair Association that runs the fair today!
Date: September 7 – 10
Location: Harvest Home Park, Cheviot
Clinton County Corn Festival
Come to the annual Clinton County Corn Festival. Help us celebrate our agricultural heritage as we honor one of the area’s biggest industries with a three-day extravaganza. The festival features antique farm machinery, a parade, games, all types of food made from corn, a quilt show, musical entertainment, antiques and crafts and the Corn Olympics! This is an event not to miss in Clinton County!
Date: September 8 – 10
Location: Clinton County Fairgrounds, Wilmington
Greek Fest Express
We are very excited to share our wonderful food and we truly appreciate your continued support. Be sure to order early to ensure your preferred pick update and time. The Dayton Greek Festival is celebrated annually the weekend after Labor Day. A Greek tradition for both the young and old, our festival brings together people of all backgrounds and cultures to celebrate all things Greek.
Date: September 8-10
Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Dayton
Balloon Fest
Included will be children’s games and activities, music, food trucks, and assorted vendors. The Champaign Aviation Museum will be open, the Grimes Flying Lab and a B-25 will be on Display. The balloons will launch at 6:00 pm followed by a pizza or wings eating contest. Closing the evening will be the balloon glow at approximately 8:30 pm – an awesome display of light and color! Bring your lawn chair and enjoy an evening of family fun.
Date: September 8 – 9 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Historic Grimes Field, Urbana
Springboro Oktoberfest
Authentic German food, biers and wines are enjoyed by all — everything from Bratwust to Schnitzel. And there is also a Kids Fun Zone for the younger attendees to experience. Plenty of games, polka music, dancing and fun for everyone! When it comes to festivals, Oktoberfest reigns supreme!
Date: September 8 – 9
Location: Springboro United Church of Christ, Springboro
Troy, Ohio PorchFest
Imagine over 40 bands on 40 porches in a hodgepodge of styles and genres playing throughout the Southwest Historic district on porches, in side-yards, lots and patios. Pick up a walk-able map of the event and choose your favorite bands. Tour one concert after the other!
Date: September 9 | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Southwest Historic District, Troy
Beavercreek Popcorn Festival
Held annually the weekend after Labor Day, join us for festival foods, continuous live entertainment, 5K popcorn run, tantalizing treats, special services, creative crafts, and sensational specialties made with Popcorn. The festival includes a children’s area with games, inflatables, contests and other activities to delight younger children.
Date: September 9 – 10
Location: Dayton-Xenia Road
Ohio Fish & Shrimp Festival
Celebrate Ohio’s Freshwater Shrimp Harvest! Get your fill of mouth-watering seafood selections while enjoying a live music stage, multiple vendors, games and activities for the whole family. Explore live displays of fish, frogs, turtles and other native critters. Swing by the fish farm market for a taste of gourmet smoked trout products. Participate in the Trout Feeding Frenzy, sand castle play zone and our famous sturgeon pool, where you can pet Ohio’s largest native fish. Take home a souvenir t-shirt and enjoy the country atmosphere at the farm! Freshly harvested shrimp will be for sale beginning Saturday morning.
Date: September 9, 16, 23 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location: Freshwater Farms of Ohio, Urbana
Preble County Pork Festival
The Great American Pork Festival at the Preble County Fairgrounds is chock full of things to do, delicious food to eat, and fun for the entire family. Pig out with the best pork chops, pulled pork, ham sandwiches or breakfast pancakes and sausage in the region. Pork Festival activities include: Over 400 arts and crafts vendors, Free Country Concert on Saturday, LIVE Broadcast with Classic Country Radio, Petting Zoo, Camel & Pony rides, Magic Show and kiddie tractor pull on Sunday, and the racing pigs are back!
Date: September 15 – 17
Location: Preble County Fairgrounds, Eaton
Hispanic Heritage Festival
The exciting Hispanic Heritage Festival is back with hot Latin Music and spicy, delicious Latin Food. The sounds of Salsa, Merengue, Mexico, Latin Jazz, Cumbia, and Bachata music will come alive in the biggest ‘FIESTA’ in downtown Dayton! Admission is free.
Date: September 16 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Location: Riverscape MetroPark, Downtown Dayton
Autumn Fest
Learning Tree Farm’s main fundraiser is a full day of outdoor Fall fun – pony rides, hayrides, kids crafts, historic and nature-based games and activities, animal interactions, vendors, food trucks, and more!
Date: September 16 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: The Learning Tree Farm, Dayton
Tipp City MUM Festival
The Mum Festival Antique and Show Car Cruise-In packs the historic downtown area with hundreds of quality and unique vehicles for the largest festival car show in the state. Our Saturday morning parade still draws spectators near and far with bands, floats, clowns and entertainment. That’s not all – the City Park turns into the festival grounds with something for everyone from arts, crafts, entertainment and, of course, food!
Date: September 23
Location: City Park, Tipp City
Germantown Pretzel Festival
As you walk around Germantown’s Veterans Park, you’ll see our vendors having hand-crafted items, tasty treats, fun for the kids and more! Sidewalks will guide you around the park to experience everything the Pretzel Festival has to offer. Come and join us for the annual Germantown Pretzel Festival in Veterans Memorial Park. Bring the whole family and take in some of the views of historical Germantown!
Date: September 23-24
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, Germantown
Country Applefest
Lebanon’s only 2 day arts and crafts festival! The festival features over 300 arts, crafts and food vendors, as well as live entertainment each day. The festival is located at the Warren County Fairgrounds, which offers ample free parking, and the festival is fully handicap accessible.
Date: September 23 & 24 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Warren County Fairgrounds, Lebanon
Arts & Music Festival at Pyramid Hill
Art Fair brings together over 70 artists vendors to sell their one-of-a-kind handmade creations. Peruse vendor’s works amongst the monumental sculptures that dot our gorgeous Park grounds, grab lunch and a beer to be enjoyed in the beer garden, and listen to live music at the Pavilion. Art Fair is one of the Park’s largest events, providing entertainment and activities for all ages.
Date: September 23 – 24
Location: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton
Chili Cook Off Festival
Join the festivities which will include sampling contestant’s chili, a cornhole tournament, jalapeno eating contest, dunk tank, and the “suck, chew, and blow” contest.The Parade, featuring the Antioch Shriners, begins at 12:00 pm, with live entertainment at 1:30 pm and chili sampling at 2:00. A variety of food and craft vendors fill the streets – a day of fun for the entire family!
Date: September 23 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Downtown Urbana
Family Fall Fest
The Dayton Fall Festival is a FREE EVENT for families to have lots of FUN TOGETHER. Children of all ages can enjoy a petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games, inflatable bounce houses, a hayride, family crafts and so much more. Did we mention that it’s TOTALLY FREE?
Date: September 17 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: The Gathering, Centerville