Family events in Cincinnati, OH

Throughout September, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers $10 weekday admission for adults 62 and better. The promotion aligns with National Grandparents Day.

Live jazz fills Fountain Square with a performance by The Blue Jays, part of an ongoing series highlighting local and regional artists. The show is free and open to the public, and no tickets are needed. The series is presented in collaboration with Jazz at the Memo and Jazz at the Park. For anyone looking to keep the evening going, The Great Gatsby is playing at the Aronoff Center, about a block and a half from Fountain Square. Sponsors include Jamey Aebersold Jazz, CCJO, The Great Gatsby Musical Tour, Broadway Cincinnati, and Fifth Third Bank, and all Fountain Square events are produced by 3CDC.

Parents exploring high school options for their daughters are welcome at Walkabout Wednesdays at Saint Ursula Academy, an easygoing campus tour that highlights what makes the school a meaningful place for learning and growth. The visit offers a feel for the community, opportunities to talk with staff, and a chance to observe learning firsthand. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and questions are encouraged.

Creative playtime at the CAC invites families to explore hands-on art activities alongside kid-friendly yoga, all tailored to engage the youngest visitors. Children learn about artist Sheida Soleimani and create original artwork inspired by her practice. A kid-friendly yoga session follows each Art Play experience. Admission is free for members and $5 per nonmember child. Families with a valid SNAP or food assistance card (EBT) receive free entry. The program is designed for children ages 2 to 6 with their parents or caregivers. Sponsored in part by the Charles H Dater Foundation and ArtsWave.

Preservation in the Park presents a free monthly lecture in partnership with CUF at Bellevue Hill Park, gathering beneath the Carl Freund designed Bellevue Pavilion. This season highlights Hamilton County stories for America 250. The September program celebrates Ohio Plays by welcoming Paul Debono, author of Black Baseball in Cincinnati, to share the history of Cincinnati Black baseball.

Babies and their caregivers can discover art through music, gentle movement, and playful interaction with guidance from a May Festival Minis facilitator. Through songs, easy activities, and close looking at artworks, families engage together in a meaningful way in the galleries. The program lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and is designed to inspire curiosity, strengthen bonds, and support early learning in an inviting museum setting. Admission is free with registration, which opens one month in advance. If plans change after registering, please notify the museum. For accessibility accommodations, please get in touch ahead of time. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and offers free general admission and parking.

Since 2010, this annual pop culture celebration has welcomed thousands of fans and keeps comics at the center of the action. The 2026 edition is planned for a downtown Cincinnati convention center, with the specific venue to be announced. Attendees can explore fresh offerings and fan favorites across comics, graphic novels, artwork, games, toys, movies, and television. The schedule includes panels, autograph signings, and photo opportunities that connect fans with creators and celebrities. Admission also covers the costume contest along with a variety of additional activities throughout the show.

Pop Up Play offers creative activities with hands-on crafts, playful games, and imaginative adventures. Each week highlights a different community collaborator, including Skool Aid, Indigo Hippo, Black Art Speaks, Girls Can Hoop, Abrakadoodle, Dino Buddies, and the Cincinnati Public Library. This edition features Pones for a collaborative crafting experience. Support for Pop Up Play is provided by Urban Sites, the Hubert Family Foundation, and P&G.

A recurring game night takes place on the last Friday of the month, featuring board games, card games, and more. Attendees can bring their own favorites or choose from many provided. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. The gathering is kid friendly and LGBTQIA+ inclusive. It does not meet in April or December 2026, and runs in all other months.

This scenic rail excursion travels from Cincinnati, Ohio to Greensburg, Indiana and back, passing through Cleves, Morris, and Batesville along the way. In Greensburg, passengers can step off the train for a three hour layover. Dining is within walking distance, though choices are limited. The Queen City Tavern car offers full concessions with a broad selection available for purchase.

Enjoy a day of entertainment, family-friendly activities, and refreshments while connecting with others who support the mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky VisionWalk has generated more than $900,000 since it began in 2005. This longstanding community event brings people together to fuel research that advances preventions, treatments, and cures for age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease, Leber congenital amaurosis, and other related conditions that together affect more than 10 million people in the United States. Every step taken at VisionWalk helps move that mission forward and supports a brighter future for those affected by vision loss.

Now in its second season, this community market features local vendors offering clothing, food, jewelry, pet accessories, and more. Browse a variety of goods, discover new finds, and support local businesses. The market series takes place once a month.

At The Potted Palm, Miss Kay from the non-profit Winn Reading and special guests read books with children. This event is appropriate for all ages.

This fundraiser supports the Pet Support Program with a mix of food, fun, and tours of the facility, all aimed at making a positive difference for pets.

Build your sign making skills in a creative program that introduces key elements of the craft while encouraging experimentation with different materials each month. Participants can get hands-on with a variety of supplies as they work toward expert-level techniques. The experience is included with Museum admission and is open to visitors of all ages.

Enjoy a weekly Play! Pokemon open play session designed for a relaxed, practice-focused experience. Players are encouraged to bring a deck and hone their skills in a casual environment. The gathering is family oriented, and children are welcome. Participants younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Entry to the play space is $5, which can be covered through regular purchases or loaded onto a gift card for later use. Check in takes place at the front upon arrival.

Rec Fest Cincinnati brings together more than sixteen niche sports at Sawyer Point, offering the community hands-on ways to explore what is available across Greater Cincinnati. Teaching stations with friendly drills will be set up, with periodic chances to take part in casual or competitive games, and a line of activities will stretch from the Serpentine Wall to the pickleball courts. Current offerings include team handball, korfball, tennis, pickleball, rugby, Aussie football, fishing, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, Gaelic football, broomball, women's football, e-sports, orienteering, roller skating, cricket, and more. Food trucks and music will be on site. Each person must complete a waiver to participate. Paid parking is available for $5, and there are free options within a 5 to 15 minute walk. Sponsored by Interact for Health and presented in partnership with Cincinnati Parks, the Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission, and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation.