Fall is officially here, and this weekend is bursting with festival energy across Southwest Ohio! From a riverfront Oktoberfest and a knights-and-jousting getaway to pumpkin patches, glowing jack-o’-lanterns underwater, and a river full of rubber ducks, there’s something for every family this Saturday and Sunday. Here are our top picks for the best things to do with kids around Cincinnati and Dayton this weekend.
Things to do near Cincinnati and Dayton this weekend (September 18-20, 2026):
All Weekend
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati | Sawyer Point Park/Yeatman’s Cove, Cincinnati | FREE Admission
America’s largest Oktoberfest takes over the riverfront all weekend long with authentic German food, a massive 300-foot fest tent, and nonstop live music. Kids will love wandering the crowds with a soft pretzel in hand while parents soak up the polka bands and Bavarian décor. Since admission is free, it’s an easy stop to make part of a bigger day downtown.
Ohio Renaissance Festival | Harveysburg | 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m., tickets required
It’s Pirates Weekend at the Ohio Renaissance Festival, and the 35-acre village is ready for buccaneers of all ages. Watch jousting knights, catch a sword-fighting show, browse more than 100 shoppes, and let the kids try a human-powered ride between turkey-leg breaks. With 24 stages of entertainment, you could easily spend both days here and still not see it all.
Underwater Pumpkin GLOW | Newport Aquarium | Included with Admission
Newport Aquarium’s giant glowing jack-o’-lanterns are back, turning favorite tanks into a glowing pumpkin patch for the sharks, stingrays, and other animal friends to explore. New this year, kids can decorate their own mini pumpkin with acrylic paint markers in Stingray Hideaway, and there’s a brand-new roughtail stingray to spot in the Surrounded By Sharks exhibit. It’s included with regular admission, so no extra tickets needed.
Blooms & Berries Fall on the Farm | Loveland | One price includes all-day fun
Cincinnati’s favorite pumpkin patch officially opens for the season this weekend, and it’s stacked with everything a fall day needs: hayrides, a five-acre corn maze, a 40-animal petting farm, a pumpkin bounce pad, and a corn box big enough for the whole crew to dig into. Grab a cider float from the bakery and let the little ones loose on the Barnyard 500 trike track before you head home with a pumpkin or two.
Runs September 19-November 1, 2026
Saturday, September 19
Scope Out 2026 | Cincinnati Observatory Center | 6-10 p.m., $12/adult, $7/child or member
Cincinnati Observatory’s annual celebration of everything astronomy brings telescopes of every size to the grounds for stargazing, a telescope workshop, and a raffle for a brand-new scope. Kids can grab food truck treats while catching live presentations, then look through the eyepiece for close-up views of the Moon and Saturn once the sky darkens, weather permitting.
23rd Annual United Rehabilitation Services Rubber Duck Regatta | RiverScape MetroPark, Dayton | 4-5 p.m., FREE
Twenty thousand rubber ducks hit the water at once as they’re dropped from the bridge and race downstream at RiverScape MetroPark. It’s a quick, high-energy stop that pairs perfectly with Dayton’s Hispanic Heritage Festival happening the same day, and proceeds support local children and adults with disabilities.
Autumn Fest | Learning Tree Farm, Dayton | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This community favorite fills the farm with hayrides, pony rides, live music, food trucks, and a pumpkin chucking contest kids won’t stop talking about. Every ticket supports Learning Tree Farm’s nature-based programs, so a fun family outing also helps keep hands-on learning experiences going for local kids year-round.
The City Flea | Washington Park, Cincinnati | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cincinnati’s curated monthly flea market returns to Washington Park with local vendors selling vintage finds, handmade goods, and home décor. It’s an easy, walkable way to spend a morning downtown, browsing with the family before grabbing lunch nearby.
Sunday, September 20
Ault in Bloom | Ault Park Pavilion, Cincinnati | 1-4 p.m.
This year’s flower show theme, “A Nation in Bloom,” celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with stunning floral displays throughout the historic Ault Park Pavilion. It’s a pretty, low-key way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and the surrounding park has plenty of room for kids to run off energy afterward.
Fan Appreciation Day with the Cincinnati Reds | Great American Ballpark | 1:40-4 p.m.
Catch the Reds as they close out the season against the Chicago Cubs on Fan Appreciation Day, with prizes given away throughout the game via postcard entries. It’s a fun, low-pressure way to introduce the kids to a ballgame while soaking up some late-season baseball energy on the riverfront.
Looking for even more ideas? Browse our full events calendar, check out our fall fun guide, or find more free things to do around Cincinnati and Dayton this month.
Things to do near Cincinnati and Dayton this weekend (September 18-20, 2026):
