10 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Aug. 16-18)

Midwest Black Family Reunion

When: Aug. 15-18
Where: Various locations throughout the city
What: Founded by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, the Midwest Black Family Reunion is a weekend-long event "to celebrate and recognize the strength of the African American family," according to an event description.
Who: Midwest Black Family Reunion
Why: The large roster of events features fun for everyone.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at The Carnegie

When: Aug. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 18 at 3 p.m.
Where: The Carnegie, Covington
What: This popular jukebox musical chronicles Carole King's path from a breathless but modest teenaged wannabe through her initial creative success, often challenged by a difficult marriage to Gerry Goffin, another creative but erratic songwriter. In the early '70s, she was convinced to become a performer, and the result was Tapestry, a winner of multiple Grammys and one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Who: The Carnegie
Why: Read CityBeat's review of the musical here.

Great Inland Seafood Festival

When: Aug. 16 from 5-11 p.m., Aug. 17 from noon-11 p.m. and Aug. 18 from noon-9 p.m.
Where: Newport Festival Park, Newport
What: Despite the fact that we live hundreds of miles from any ocean, Cincinnatians will be able to enjoy a wide array of seafood at the Great Inland Seafood Festival, including whole Maine lobsters, shrimp, crab legs and crabcakes.
Who: Great Inland Seafood Festival
Why: If you're feeling extra adventurous (or rather, your stomach is), the festival also features a raw bar and other unique dishes that include shark and alligator.

Immersive Opera Event: The Thinker

When: Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park
What: This immersive art experience from the Cincinnati Art Museum is an experimental opera that takes place throughout various galleries in the museum. The opera, entitled The Thinker, explores the life and work of French sculptor Auguste Rodin.
Who: Cincinnati Art Museum
Why: Read CityBeat's article about the opera to learn more about the unique vision behind The Thinker from its creator, Nathan Felix.

Northside Yacht Club's Anniversary Party

When: Aug. 17 from 1-10 p.m.
Where: Northside Yacht Club, Northside
What: The party will feature the annual tapping of Rhinegeist’s Dinghy, with $1 from every beer sold going toward Cincinnati Animal Care. Dogs from CAC will also be joining in on the festivities, partaking in a hot dog eating contest (for the fastest time, not the number of hot dogs eaten), as well as the Foster Dog Licking booth. There will also be a dunk tank featuring Cincinnati celebrities, raffles and a Shot + Slap booth, which now features non-alcoholic shots.
Who: Northside Yacht Club
Why: Celebrity support for the event includes local chef Kayla Robinson, bartender extraordinaire Molly Wellmann, drag queens Molly Mormen and Kiara Chimera, DJ Boywife, local news personalities, musician Jon Lewis of the Dopamines and more. You could also win a signed Mighty Ducks jersey from actor Emilio Estevez.

Taste of Tibet and Open House

When: Aug. 17 from 3-6 p.m.
Where: Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery, Colerain Township
What: This is a unique experience to try traditional Tibetan food prepared by monks. Guests will also be able to tour the monastery.
Who: Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery
Why: Featured dishes at the event include momos, pingsha, alu khatsa and more.

Norwood Comedy Festival

When: Aug. 17 from 4-9 p.m.
Where: Victory Park, Norwood
What: The inaugural Norwood Comedy Festival, billed as the largest one-day comedy festival in the Greater Cincinnati area, is happening Saturday, Aug. 17 on Mills Avenue, next to Victory Park. Produced by Bombs Away! Comedy, the festival will feature over 20 of the best comedians in the region, including Gabe Kea, Karrine Turnbow, Chris Weir, Phil Pointer and Allison Stapp, who was also named the Funniest Person in Cincinnati in 2023.
Who: Bombs Away! Comedy
Why: It's free to attend.

Streetside Bookery - A Book Fair for Grownups

When: Aug. 17 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Streetside Brewery, East End
What: Grab a beer and browse Streetside Brewery's collection of books for sale.
Who: Streetside Brewery
Why: A beer and a book — name a better combination, I dare you.

Burlington Antique Show

When: Aug. 18 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, Burlington, Ky
What: Browse rows upon rows of antiques and vintage collectibles from over 200 vendors.
Who: Burlington Antique Show
Why: Find your new favorite haunted doll (or maybe a nice vintage vase).

Cincifatty SPLASH Pool Party

When: Aug.18 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Waterworks Pool, Norwood
What: The fifth annual Cincifatty SPLASH Pool Party is back with all of the body positivity to get you through the dog days of summer. Celebrate your bikini body and relax in the pool to help keep the Sunday Scaries at bay.
Who: Cincifatty
Why: Body liberation at its coolest.