Free Things To Do

free events and activities around Cincinnati & Dayton

Free Events

Are you ready to plan an entire month of free activities? This calendar will be constantly updated with awesome free activities for you and your family.

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Cincinnati Under $5

Kids are expensive — but entertaining them doesn’t have to be. Here are 50 Fun Activities for $5 or Less in Cincinnati

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Dayton Under $5

Keeping your kids entertained doesn't have to break the bank. Here is a list of 50 fun activities in Dayton that won't cost you more than $5.

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Always Free

Don't spend the cash, these local spots around Cincinnati and Dayton are always free.

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Top 12 Free Activities

Cincinnati Art Museum
Mt. Airy Treehouse
Liberty Center
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Purple People Bridge
Trammel Fossil Park
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
Children’s Discovery Garden
Cox Arboretum
Summit Park Observation Tower
Big Bone Lick State Park

Recent Free Articles

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Upcoming Free Events

Upcoming events

Saturday, November 14

Sat, Nov 14 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market

Wednesday, November 18

Wed, Nov 18 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

REC Reads

Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati
Bring your toddler or preschooler to the Rosenthal Education Center (REC) for a morning of art-themed story books, sensory activities, and scavenger hunts! This…
Arts Museums Ongoing

Friday, November 20

Fri, Nov 20 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m.

Storytime on the Farm

Winton Woods, Cincinnati
Join us every Friday at the Farm for storytime! Each week we will read a different themed book together, followed by activities…
Farm Park Event Storytime
Fri, Nov 20 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Piqua Center’s Kid’s Bazaar

Come support local young entrepreneurs at the indoor mall located in Piqua. They will be there every 3rd Saturday with their own…
Community Event Craft Event Fair/Festival Market Ongoing Shopping Event
Fri, Nov 20 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Friday Family Fun: Cardboard Car Drive-In

Sharonville Branch Library, Cincinnati
Families build a car from a cardboard box, then sit in it with a snack to watch G-rated Pixar shorts, drive-in style.…
Cincinnati Craft Event Library Event Movie Event Registration required

Saturday, November 21

Sat, Nov 21 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market
Sat, Nov 21 5 p.m.

Fairfield Parade of Lights

Village Green Park, Fairfield
Fairfield's lighted parade steps off at 6 pm from Waterworks Park and ends at Village Green Park with a tree lighting and…

Sunday, November 22

Sun, Nov 22 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Turkey Time

Sharon Woods, Cincinnati
Kids ages 4 to 8 learn fun facts about the unofficial Thanksgiving mascot and make fall and turkey-themed crafts at Sharon Woods.
Craft Event Park Event

Tuesday, November 24

Tue, Nov 24 6 p.m.–9 p.m.

2026 Small-Scale Train Ride Schedule

Carillon Historical Park, Dayton Ohio
Held on Saturdays — and select Sundays — from April through December, Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society miniature train rides offer…
Train Event Train Ride

Friday, November 27

Fri, Nov 27 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m.

Storytime on the Farm

Winton Woods, Cincinnati
Join us every Friday at the Farm for storytime! Each week we will read a different themed book together, followed by activities…
Farm Park Event Storytime

Saturday, November 28

Sat, Nov 28 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market

Friday, December 4

Fri, Dec 4 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m.

Storytime on the Farm

Winton Woods, Cincinnati
Join us every Friday at the Farm for storytime! Each week we will read a different themed book together, followed by activities…
Farm Park Event Storytime

Saturday, December 5

Sat, Dec 5 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Lebanon Horse Parade

Downtown Lebanon, Lebanon
Known as the Lebanon Horse Parade, the Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival in Lebanon, Ohio, is hosted by The…
Outdoor Fun Parade
Sat, Dec 5 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market

Saturday, December 12

Sat, Dec 12 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market

Saturday, December 19

Sat, Dec 19 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market

Sunday, December 20

Sun, Dec 20 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Piqua Center’s Kid’s Bazaar

Come support local young entrepreneurs at the indoor mall located in Piqua. They will be there every 3rd Saturday with their own…
Community Event Craft Event Fair/Festival Market Ongoing Shopping Event

Saturday, December 26

Sat, Dec 26 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market

Saturday, January 2, 2027

Sat, Jan 2, 2027 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market

Saturday, January 9, 2027

Sat, Jan 9, 2027 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Schoolyard Winery’s Farmers Market

Schoolyard Winery, Verona
A relaxed open-air market on the beautiful grounds of Schoolyard Winery in Verona, KY. Local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers come…
Community Event Farmers Market Market