From fireworks to festivals to outdoor fun, find things to do on Labor Day Weekend and celebrate the end of summer in Cincy Region style.
Local Fireworks Shows
Cincinnati Reds Fireworks Fridays (9/4): Stick around after the end of this Cincinnati Reds game to experience a dazzling fireworks show! Note: fireworks will begin promptly 15 minutes after the conclusion of each game.
Florence Y'alls Fireworks Fridays (9/4 - 9/7): Enjoy a post game firework show spectacular detonated by the award winning Rozzi's Famous Fireworks.
Kings Island's Nighttime Spectacular (daily): As the sun goes down, the skies light up with Kings Island’s Nighttime Spectacular. Fireworks, hundreds of drones and laser projections combine to create unforgettable memories. Note: this is the last weekend of the season to experience this, so don’t miss out!
Western-Southern/WEBN Riverfest (9/6): Give summer a proper send-off at Cincinnati’s annual Riverfest, an all-day festival that culminates with the iconic Western & Southern/WEBN fireworks show. Bring the whole family down to the riverfront for live music and food at Sawyer Point & Yeatman's Cove or in Newport on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Fireworks/drone show will start around 9 p.m. on both sides of the Ohio River and is synchronized with a custom soundtrack on WEBN (102.7 FM). In celebration of this year's 50 year milestone, you can expect a breathtaking 360-degree show, with additional fireworks barges added along the river and on rooftops throughout downtown!
Ticketed Fireworks Events
Labor Day & Riverfest Fireworks Cruise (9/6): Set sail with BB Riverboats for their annual Labor Day cruise with the perfect view of the Riverfest fireworks!
Cincinnati Dinner Train: Riverfest and the W&S (9/6): Catch a first-class ride aboard the Cincinnati Dinner Train and enjoy a four-course dinner, cash bar, and an unique way to soak in all the excitement of the fireworks - all from your private table in Cincinnati Dinner Train's vintage dining cars.
FREE Live music and performing arts on Labor Day Weekend in Cincy
Salsa on the Square (9/3): Live salsa dancing and lessons on Fountain Square, including Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and Latin Jazz; featuring live music from Mambo Combo & Salsannati.
Rockin' the Roebling (9/3): Free concert on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn and Stage outside of the Cincinnati Lager House, featuring Strange Love.
EDM at Elm (9/4): Pump up your Friday night plans with a night of DJ jams from some of Cincinnati’s finest at Elm Street Plaza.
The Taste of Emo: Free Music Friday (9/4): Join MadTree's Oakley Taproom for its monthly Free Music Friday featuring The Taste of Emo, bringing all your favorite emo throwbacks to the stage. Get ready for a night packed with the songs that defined a generation, from nostalgic anthems to high-energy singalongs.
Visit Cincy Presents 513 Airwaves (9/4): Free concert on Fountain Square, featuring Tristen
Much Ado About Nothing (9/3 and 9/6): Experience a magical summer night out with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s free Shakespeare in the Park tour. Gather friends and family, pack a picnic, and enjoy Much Ado About Nothing. Check the site for locations.
Fifth & Vine Live (9/5): Dance along to free live music at Fountain Square.
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (9/6): The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s Boogie Band closes the 32nd Summer Series with “Living in America,” an energetic celebration of America through the music of popular artists spanning seven decades. Enjoy a free concert featuring pop hits from seven decades at Tower Park in Fort Thomas.
I Hear Music at the Fountain (9/6): Spend your Sunday afternoon soaking up some of gospel music’s legends at Fountain Square, featuring Rockdale Baptist Church ft. DJ Juan Fasho.
Jazz at the Park (9/7): Free live jazz music at Washington Park, featuring Phil DeGreg Trio.
Cincinnati sporting events over Labor Day Weekend
Cheer on the home teams as you celebrate summer over Labor Day Weekend!
Florence Y’alls vs. Windy City Thunderbolts (9/4 - 9/6): Spend your evening at Thomas More Stadium, rooting for the Florence Y’alls, the Cincy Region’s very own Frontier League professional baseball team, as they take on the Windy City Thunderbolts. See below for information about the full series:
- Friday, Sept. 4 | 7:03 p.m.
- Fan Appreciation | Celebrate Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Kroger, and thank the incredible fans who make Y’all’s baseball special. Enjoy surprises, giveaways and special moments throughout the game. Afterward, stick around for a massive post-game fireworks show, brought by Groen Family McDonald’s and detonated by Rozzi — the brightest show in town!
- Saturday, Sept. 5 | 6:36 p.m.
- Oktoberfest | Prost! Celebrate Oktoberfest at the ballpark with festive fun, great beer and Y’alls baseball. Enjoy Oktoberfest-inspired music, themed entertainment and plenty of chances to raise a stein with friends. Break out your lederhosen or dirndl, and after the game, stick around for a live band performance to cap the night with music and friends.
- Sunday, Sept. 6 | 1:07 p.m.
- Family Sunday + Bark in the Park | Make Sunday your family’s favorite day at the ballpark! After the game, kids can run the bases and grab autographs from their favorite players. Bring your furry friends too — dogs are welcome for a fun afternoon out. Check the website for seating and park rules, and don’t leave anyone behind for a memorable Sunday with the whole family.
WWE Smackdown (9/4): Calling all wrestling fans, don't miss the opportunity to see WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, United States Champion Trick Williams, Jade Cargill and Jacob Fatu live in Cincy at Heritage Bank Arena.
FC Cincinnati vs. DC United (9/5): Cincinnati is a soccer city! Watch a home match at TQL Stadium when FC Cincinnati faces off against DC United.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers (9/4 - 9/6): Cheer on the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on 9/4 - 9/6 in a 3 game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Enjoy a post-game concert featuring Ludacris AND fireworks after the game on 9/4.
LWS Open at Idlewild (9/4 - 9/6): Ready for some professional disc golf action? Now in its 10th year, this fan-favorite event draws spectators from near and far to see the disc golf pros navigate Idlewild’s challenging fairways and dramatic finishing holes. Between the action, you can explore vendor booths, grab a bite from local food trucks and enjoy the excitement of watching the world’s best compete for the title.
Stroll and shop at one of Cincinnati’s open-air markets
Produce, antiques, art, and more–there’s so much to see at Cincinnati’s markets.
Findlay Market (daily): The historic market and the outdoor Biergarten are open six days a week (closed Monday). Browse the farmers market vendors as well as the permanent vendors inside the market house and enjoy a locally crafted beer in the Biergarten to cool off.
Blooms & Berries (daily): Check out this locally owned farm! Shop for fresh produce, baked goods and local souvenirs, or experience u-pick vegetables (check online beforehand for tickets and produce availability), train rides and yard games.
Historic Downtown Bellevue's First Fridays (9/4) - Experience the small town feel of Bellevue, Kentucky on the first Friday of each month. Enjoy live music, drink/food specials and sales at participating shops.
Covington Farmers Market (9/4): Shop local in the Cov! Open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tri-State Antique Market (9/5): The Tri-State Antique Market is Indiana’s largest antiques and vintage only market with 200+ vendors selling a wide variety of vintage and retro goods at each monthly event. Admission is just $5.
Enjoy the great outdoors in Cincy
There are plenty of ways to relax and chill out with friends and family in the great outdoors this holiday weekend.
- Grab some takeout and a frisbee and head to one of the many parks in the region that offer majestic views and ample green space. Throw some discs at Idlewild Disc Golf Course or hit a local pickleball court!
- Stroll through downtown Cincinnati and see how many murals you can spot along the way. There are more than 180 ArtWorks murals throughout the region to enjoy.
- Drive less than an hour north and spend the day at the Ohio Renaissance Festival! Spend the day total immersed in the Middle Ages by walking through the 35-acre permanent village in Waynesville, Ohio.
- Rent a Red Bike and try out one of our suggested bike routes downtown.
- And don't forget to make reservations to enjoy a delicious meal on a lovely patio.
More things to do during the summer in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
Here are some more refreshing and reenergizing activities to consider as you safely savor this last weekend of summer in the Cincy Region.
- Consider some of these can't-miss things to do in Cincy.
- Let the kids explore, play or cool off at these kid-friendly attractions.
- Spend the day exploring the Ark Encounter including petting animals at the Ararat Ridge Zoo and ziplining at Eagle Aerial Adventures.
- Create your own beer adventure at some of the local craft breweries.
Whether you're a local planning a staycation or coming to Cincinnati for the long weekend, start planning your trip and find a place to stay for your Labor Day Weekend getaway to Cincy.
