Looking for the best things to do this weekend in Cincinnati and Dayton with kids? The last weekend of September brings two Oktoberfests, a pair of art fairs, a giant pumpkin tradition and the first trick-or-treating of the season. Grab a jacket for the cooler mornings and pick your favorites.
Things to Do This Weekend with Kids in Southwest Ohio: September 25–27, 2026
All Weekend
Country Applefest | Warren County Fairgrounds, Lebanon | Sept. 26–27 | $2 cash, FREE for ages 12 and under
Lebanon’s two-day arts and crafts festival fills the fairgrounds with more than 300 craft and food vendors, plus live entertainment each day. Kids 12 and under get in free, which makes it an easy, low-cost fall outing. Bring cash for admission and leave room for apple treats.
Art Fair | Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton | Sept. 26–27
Pyramid Hill kicks off fall with its annual Art Fair, where you can shop local artists, enjoy live music and grab lunch from the food trucks. Little ones can bounce off some energy in the Family Fun Zone, which has bounce houses and hands-on creative activities.
Animal Encounter Weekend | Blooms & Berries Farm Market, Loveland | Sept. 26–27 | 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Fall on the Farm brings back a guest favorite for its second opening weekend. Families can step inside a walk-in petting pen to cuddle chickens, pet sheep and meet more friendly farm animals up close. It’s a great fit for toddlers and preschoolers who love animals. Tickets are available at FallontheFarm.com.
Runs Sept. 19–20 and Sept. 26–27
DAI Oktoberfest | Dayton Art Institute | Sept. 26–27
One of the Dayton area’s favorite fall traditions takes over the Dayton Art Institute grounds with live music, family-friendly activities and a marketplace of handcrafted goods from local artisans. Traditional German music plays in the covered Food Court, and a varied lineup of bands performs on the Main Stage.
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival | Barnesville, Ohio | Sept. 24–27
If you’re up for a road trip, the 62nd annual Barnesville Pumpkin Festival is one of Ohio’s classic fall festivals. Kids can gawk at the giant pumpkins, since last year’s King Pumpkin weighed in at 1,952 pounds. There’s also festival food, contests, live music, a giant parade and a car show that often has more than 500 entries.
Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week | Participating restaurants across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky | Three-course menus for $26, $36, $46 or $56
This weekend is your last chance to catch the fall edition of Restaurant Week. Dozens of local restaurants are serving specially priced three-course lunch and dinner menus. For every meal, $1 goes to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. If you download the Restaurant Week app and check in at three spots, you’ll be entered to win $300 in gift cards.
Runs Sept. 21–27
Friday, September 25
Art After Dark | Cincinnati Art Museum | 5–9 p.m. | FREE
Book the sitter and treat yourselves to a parents’ night out. On the last Friday of each month, the Cincinnati Art Museum stays open after hours with live entertainment, a cash bar and access to special exhibitions. This one is geared toward adults.
Saturday, September 26
Fairy Tale Festival | Glenwood Gardens, Cincinnati | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Put on the crowns and capes! Kids can meet beloved storybook characters, watch Madcap Puppets perform live and try Rapunzel’s Climbing Tower and Merida’s Archery Range. Tickets must be bought online ahead of time, and no tickets are sold on site. Entry times are every 30 minutes, so plan to arrive within 30 minutes of your time slot.
Mt. Airy Forest Trailfest | Mt. Airy Forest, Cincinnati | 12–4 p.m. | FREE
The fifth annual Trailfest celebrates the outdoors in one of Cincinnati’s largest parks. You’ll find expert-guided hikes, a dedicated kids’ zone, live music, food trucks and booths from nature and sustainability groups. It’s a great way to explore new trails as the leaves start to turn.
Sunday, September 27
Tricks and Treats | Kings Island, Mason | 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Kings Island turns into a kid-friendly Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating, live shows, rides, a costume contest and seasonal food and drinks. It’s a fun, not-too-scary way to get little ones in the Halloween spirit, so bring them in costume.
Select dates this fall; next date Oct. 4
Still looking for plans? Browse our full events calendar for more ideas across Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky. You can also find pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more in our Fall Fun guide, or check our free things to do this month for budget-friendly outings.
Things to do in Southwest Ohio this weekend (September 25–27, 2026):
