October is jam packed with incredible events throughout the Cincy Region. From annual Halloween themed favorites like HallZooween and Kings Island’s Halloween Haunt to our highly anticipated biannual immersive art festival BLINK, there is something for everyone. Here is a glimpse of what you can do and see in this vibrant and welcoming community.

Bourbon & Belonging: Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week

A male and female sitting against a brink wall tasting bourbon from a barrel pick.

Northern Kentucky Events

Head to Northern Kentucky for Queer Kentucky’s newest event, "Bourbon & Belonging: Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week", an LGBTQ+ inclusive bourbon festival. Bourbon & Belonging will take place October 2 – 6, 2024 all across Kentucky in 8 different cities and regions. Northern Kentucky is celebrating with events at Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, New Riff Distilling, Hotel Covington, Wenzel Whiskey and more. Visit their website for a full listing of participating locations and events.

Halloween Family Fun

Dinosaur Hall at Cincinnati Museum Center (photo: Phil Armstrong)
Cincinnati Museum Center (photo: Phil Armstrong)

BOO!seum

Enjoy weekends from October 5 – 27 with your family at the Cincinnati Museum Center’s BOO!seum for dance parties, art activities, levitating pumpkins and bubbles, as well as a costume parade at noon! If your child shows up in a costume, you will receive $3 off your museum admission.

 

Cincinnati Zoo HallZOOween (photo: Mark Dumont)
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (photo: Mark Dumont)

HallZooween

HallZooween returns to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on Saturday and Sunday from October 12 – 27. This local family tradition includes train rides, animal encounters, trick-or-treat stations and more. Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes, but it is not required. Stay for the evening and check out the Jack O’Lantern Glow featuring over 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins and stunning fall displays along a half-mile trail.

The entrance to Halloween Haunt at Kings Island

Kings Island’s Halloween Haunt

Voted “Best Theme Park Halloween Event” in the country by USA TODAY readers in 2022, Kings Island's Halloween Haunt is a yearly event you do not want to miss. Enjoy chills and thrills all day long with rides, scare mazes and scare zones, live entertainment and more! This event is September 20 – October 20. Visit their website for official dates and times.

BLINK 2024 Events

BLINK Cincinnati

BLINK

The nation’s largest biannual immersive art event, BLINK returns to the Cincy Region for 4 days, October 17 – 20. Spanning 30+ city blocks through downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington and Newport, Kentucky with breathtaking art installations, drone shows, shopping, live music, and much more. Visit their website for the official BLINK map, parking recommendations and more.

Are you visiting from outside the region and need accommodation? Visit our “Places to Stay” page for a full listing of hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and more!

People dressed in white lights and sparkling dance as they move away from the camera down the street.

BLINK Parade

Just after sundown on October 17, the Cincy Region will officially kick off BLINK with an incredible parade where participants will light up the city streets with illuminated costumes, props and music! The official route and start time will be released closer to the event. Be sure to keep an eye on their website for more information.

Afterglow: The Official BLINK After Party

On Saturday, October 19, the party continues at MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport, Kentucky for Afterglow: The Official BLINK After Party featuring Austin Millz. Doors open at 10 PM. Tickets are on sale now.

Recreation

Image is a poster that say's "Cincinnati Beer Run, Saturday, Oct 26".

Cincinnati Beer Run

The Cincinnati Beer Run returns for its 11th year to Hofbräuhaus in Newport, Kentucky on October 26 at 10 AM. Enjoy a craft-beer sampling every half mile through the 2.5-mile course. Stay after for food, music and drinks.

Image is of a unicorn in the shape of a 5 with wording "Cincinnati Pride".

Cincinnati Pride 5K

Join Cincinnati Pride for their annual Cincinnati Pride 5K on October 19. This race is great for runners, roller-skaters and walkers. Enjoy pre-run activities like a group warm-up, music and more. Pets are welcome! Head over to their website to register today!

Need more? Visit our events page, updated daily, to showcase all the exciting fall events happening in the Cincy Region all month long and our outdoor activities page for a full listing of parks, trails and more for you to discover and explore. And be sure to get a copy of your Visit Cincy Visitors Guide here!