Halloween is finally here. Whether your idea of fun is flinging pumpkins through the air, watching vampires crack jokes or cheering for your favorite sports team, this weekend is serving up thrills for everyone.
Start with some bloodsucking humor at “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors,” where classic horror gets a humorous twist. Or let your inner child loose at the Pumpkin Chuck Festival, where you can watch gourds go airborne.
For something a little more bewitching, Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” in Concert brings the Sanderson sisters’ antics to life with a live orchestra that will have you spellbound. Or if you’d rather wander into the unknown, the Forbidden Forest Experience invites you into the wizarding world of Harry Potter – just don’t stray too far from the path!
Sports fans can swap costumes for jerseys as the Bengals take on the Chicago Bears in a Halloween weekend showdown at Paycor. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, it’s sure to be a devilishly good end to October.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best places to be Halloween weekend.
Have an event you’d like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we’ll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.
1. Do the Halloween thing!
Get your costumes ready and candy buckets in hand. Kids will be wanting a sugar rush, so find out when your neighborhood is passing out candy (find our list of trick-or-treat times at Cincinnati.com).
Alternatively, bring the kiddos to Findlay Market, where merchants will dress up and pass out candy to any kids in costume. All families, school groups and neighbors are welcome.
Details: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. findlaymarket.org.
2. ‘Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors’
See the world’s most famous vampire in a hilarious new light at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s performance of “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.” Enjoy a reimagining of the Bram Stoker classic filled with fang-tastic twists, playful innuendo and gags that’ll leave you dying for more.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, The Otto M. Budig Theater, 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. cincyshakes.com.
3. Pumpkin Chuck Festival
Do you have a rotting jack-o’-lantern and don’t know what to do with it? Send it soaring through the sky at Stanbery Park. Watch your head for flying pumpkins as they’re launched from medieval devices such as trebuchets and catapults. Sink your teeth into a bite to eat from food trucks, and sip on a craft beer. Enjoy live entertainment and family fun as Halloween festivities wrap up.
Details: noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Stanbery Park, 2221 Oxford Ave., Mount Washington. Free. pumpkinchuck.org.
4. Disney’s ‘Hocus Pocus’ in concert
Dust off your broomstick and zoom through the sky to Music Hall to listen to a live performance of the beloved classic’s iconic soundtrack. Join familiar characters Max, Allison and Dani on their journey through Salem as they meet the renowned Sanderson witches. Watch the film while Cincinnati Pops performs the score live.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. cincinnatisymphony.org.
5. Forbidden Forest Experience
Ready your wand for an unforgettable walk through the infamous dark woodland from the Harry Potter franchise. Enjoy brand new interactive moments and lighting and sound effects. Discover fantastic beasts from the iconic wizarding world, such as such as a Hippogriff, unicorns, Nifflers and more. Taste a selection of food and drink inspired by Harry Potter’s world and snap a photo to capture the adventure.
Details: 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, Cub World, 6035 Price Road, Miami Township. $60 ages 13-up, $35 ages 3-12, $42 family bundle. Tickets currently available for dates through November. hpforbiddenforestexperience.com.
6. ‘Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away’ exhibit
Come see Cincinnati Museum Center’s newest exhibit, “Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.” Get a close look at more than 400 photos and 500 original artifacts from those who survived and died at the infamous camp. Artifacts include concrete posts, fragments of an original prisoners’ barrack, gas masks used by the officers and personal items including shoes, clothing, children’s dolls, eyeglasses and suitcases.
Details: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Ends April 12. cincymuseum.org.
7. Bengals home game vs. Chicago Bears
Prepare for another Sunday game. The Cincinnati Bengals play the Chicago Bears. Show up early (and secure a parking spot before gametime) to the pre-game block party. Get ready to roar with live music from DV8, food and drinks, including ice cold beer from the Bud Light Tailgate Zone.
Pre-game block party: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, The Banks, Freedom Way, Downtown. Free. bengals.com.
Game: 1 p.m. Sunday, 1 Paycor Stadium, Downtown. bengals.com.
“Even More Before the Roar” Tailgate: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Smale Riverfront Park, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. facebook.com.
8. ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ at The Carnegie
Two squeaky clean college kids meet a twist of fate as their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion. They encounter the charismatic Dr. Frank-n-Furter and embark on an adventure they’ll never forget.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, midnight Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 1028 Scott St., Covington. Runs Oct. 24-Nov. 2. thecarnegie.com.
9. Big Bone Lick’s National Bison Day celebration
Attend a memorial for Paul R. Simpson, beloved previous bison caretaker, and an award ceremony for the herd’s current caretaker, Claire Kolkmeyer. Learn more about the herd, artifacts and the nation’s national mammal.
Details: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Big Bone Lick State Park, 3380 Beaver Road, Union. Free. facebook.com.
10. Final Friday
Browse and buy art directly from the artists on Final Friday. There are more than 250 studios over four buildings, and shops will host artists. The artist of the month is Suzanna Frank in Studio 606. She will also have her work in the eighth floor Verdin Gallery.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Valet parking is $10. Free admission. pendletonartcenter.com.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cincinnati.com ’
