Autumn lovers rejoice: The leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping (at least a little), and the 12-foot skeletons are coming out of hibernation. It’s time for fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and thrill-seeking at local haunted houses.
Grab a pumpkin- or apple-flavored treat of your choice and check out some of the fall and Halloween events happening all over Greater Cincinnati.
Local Institutions
Because fall fun and Greater Cincinnati’s biggest attractions go so well together.
Cincinnati Zoo, Avondale: HallZOOween featuring Halloween-themed animal enrichment, trick-or-treat stations, fall treats and decorations, and more. Weekends October 12-27. Jack-O’-Lantern Glow select evenings October 3-31. cincinnatizoo.org
Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine: Free costume pickup October 27, trick-or-treating October 31, Howl-O-Ween dog costume contest November 3. findlaymarket.org
Kings Island, Mason: Tricks & Treats family-friendly event with fall treats, activities, rides, and more, open weekend days through November 3. Halloween Haunt mature-audience event with haunted attractions, rides, and more, open select evenings through November 3. visitkingsisland.com
Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park: Mum’s the Word: A Garden of Silent Reflection, exhibit of autumn blooms open through October 13. cincinnatiparks.com
Newport Aquarium, Newport: Underwater Pumpkin Glow featuring fall-themed exhibits and animal enrichment, through November 3. newportaquarium.com
Pumpkin Patches & Fall Festivals
Because it’s decorative gourd season, Cincinnati.
Blooms & Berries, Loveland: Fall on the Farm featuring hayrides, corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and more. Ticket required. Daily through October 31. bloomsandberries.com
Burger Farm, Newtown: Fall Festival with pumpkins, hayrides, family activities, live music, and more. Ticket required. Weekends through October 27. burgerfarms.com
Burwinkel Farms, Ross: Fall Festival with pumpkins, hayrides, corn maze, corn pool, sunflowers, kids’ activities, and more. Daily through October 31. burwinkelfarms.com
Irons Fruit Farm, Lebanon: Pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, fall treats. Weekends through October. facebook.com/IronsFruitFarm
McMonigle Farms, Middletown: Pumpkin Fest with you-pick pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, cow train, corn cannon, farm animals, play area, fall treats, hillside slide, and more. Weekends through October 27. fallpumpkinfest.com
Niederman Farm, Liberty Township: Fall Festival with pumpkins, bonfires, corn maze, fall treats, kids’ play area, and more. Ticket required. Thursday-Sunday through October. niedermanfamilyfarm.com
Shaw Farm, Milford: Pumpkin Times event with pumpkins, corn maze, interactive play areas, farm animals, hayrides, fall treats, and more. Daily through October 31. shawfarmmarket.com
Haunted Attractions
Because what’s fall without a little fear?
Cincinnati FearFest + All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, Williamsburg: Three haunted attractions and Halloween village with shopping, food, and drinks. Select nights through November 2. cincinnatifearfest.com
Brimstone Haunt, Wilmington: Haunted hayride and attractions, zombie paintball, and more. Friday-Saturday through October 26 (encore “lights-out” presentation November 2). brimstonehaunt.com
The Dent Schoolhouse, Dent: Storied schoolhouse filled with horrors. Ghost tours Wednesdays through October; haunted house runs Thursday-Sunday nights through November 2 (encore “lights-out” performance November 9). dentschoolhouse.com
Land of Illusion, Middletown: Six haunted attractions with themed events and concerts throughout the season. Friday-Saturday nights through November 2. landofillusion.com
Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall, Mt. Healthy: Classic haunted house with vortex tunnel benefits Knights of Columbus and local youth organizations. Friday-Sunday through October 26. hauntedhallinfo.com
USS Nightmare, Newport: Haunted riverboat with deadly crew. Thursday-Sunday through November 2; 17+ “extreme tour” November 8-9. ussnightmare.com