OCTOBER EVENTS IN OHIO:
DISCOVER LOCAL FUN THIS FALL
October is packed with activities that celebrate the season and bring our communities together across Ohio. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly festivals, outdoor adventures, or cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone. Explore the highlights of what’s happening in Dayton, Cincinnati, and beyond this month and make the most of the fall season with these fantastic local events.
FUN FOR ALL AGES
COWVIN’S CORNY CORN MAZE AT YOUNG’S DAIRY
August 3 – November 3 | 11 AM
Explore Cowvin’s Corny Corn Maze, a fun-filled maze designed by Cowvin, the youngest of the Cow Family. Perfect for families, this maze at Young’s Jersey Dairy will challenge your navigational skills and provide a day of outdoor fun.
JACK O’LANTERN JUNCTION AT ENTERTRAINMENT JUNCTION
October 1 – October 31
Enjoy a kid-friendly Halloween experience with an indoor pumpkin patch, crafts, a maze, and the world’s largest indoor train display. Perfect for a family outing in Cincinnati!
BRADFORD PUMPKIN SHOW
October 8 – October 12
Enjoy a week of fall fun at the Bradford Pumpkin Show with daily parades, delicious fair-style food, and amusement rides. Perfect for families looking for a traditional fall festival experience.
HALLZOOWEEN AT THE CINCINNATI ZOO
October 12 – October 27 | 12 PM – 5 PM
Bring the whole family to the Cincinnati Zoo for HallZOOween! Enjoy trick-or-treat stations, special animal encounters, and Halloween-themed fun for all ages.
PUMPKIN GLOW ON STODDARD AVE.
October 28 & 29 | 6 PM
Stroll through Grafton Hill to view nearly 1000 uniquely carved jack-o-lanterns. A festive and fun event for the whole family.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
HAMILTON – BROADWAY IN DAYTON
October 1 – October 13
Experience the revolutionary Broadway sensation “Hamilton” at the Schuster Center. Follow the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and be swept away by the powerful music and performances.
CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
October 5 | 10 AM
Indulge in all things chocolate at this free, family-friendly festival. Enjoy professional chocolatiers, food trucks, local craft vendors, and a Kids Zone.
MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON – APT. 2B AT THE LOFT THEATRE
October 9 – October 20 | 7:30 PM
This fast-paced romp re-examines the world’s most famous detective story with a bold new feminist lens. Presented by The Human Race Theatre Company, this production promises an exciting evening of theater.
MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN
October 11 – November 2 | Multiple Times Available
Experience a live adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. A thrilling and thought-provoking production for literature and theater lovers alike.
DAYTON MUSIC FEST
October 11 – October 12 | 5 PM
Discover local talent at the Dayton Music Fest featuring multiple bands and genres across several downtown Dayton venues. Support local music and enjoy a night out.
NOSFERATU W/ LIVE UNDERSCORE BY BUTLER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
October 12 | 8 PM
Get into the spooky Halloween spirit with the classic silent film Nosferatu, accompanied by a live orchestra. This unique event brings a timeless horror story to life with a modern twist.
HALLOWEEN DAYTON DARK SHADOWS BALL
October 18 | 7 PM
Embrace the mystique, support a noble cause, and have a night to remember under the enchanting spell of the Dayton Dark Shadows Ball. A Halloween event like no other, with live music, costumes, and more.
CINCINNATI COFFEE FESTIVAL
October 26 – October 27 | Multiple Times Available
Celebrate all things coffee at this two-day festival featuring tastings, demonstrations, and workshops. A caffeinated event perfect for coffee lovers!
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
TOM’S MAZE & PUMPKIN FARM
September 6 – November 3
Celebrate 27 years of a-MAZE-ing fun at Tom’s Maze & Pumpkin Farm. This corn maze offers unique twists and turns that promise an exciting adventure for the whole family.
HISTORY MYSTERY MAYHEM & MURDER LANTERN TOUR AT WOODLAND CEMETERY
October 1 – November 2 | Multiple Times Available
Discover the mysterious and sometimes dark history of Dayton on this lantern-lit tour. Explore the stories of inventors, bank robbers, and more as you walk among gravestones that hold secrets of the past.
THE LAND OF ILLUSION HAUNTED SCREAM PARK
October 1 – October 31 | Select Nights
Get your thrills and chills at this expansive scream park featuring multiple haunted houses, live music, and attractions. A must-visit for Halloween thrill-seekers!
HERITAGE OF FLIGHT FESTIVAL IN NEW CARLISLE
October 4 – October 6
Enjoy live entertainment, carnival rides, and games at the Heritage of Flight Festival. Don’t miss the Annual Parade of Planes on Main Street, a highlight of this New Carlisle tradition.
HALLOWEEN HAUNT AT KINGS ISLAND
Starts October 4
Roller coasters won’t be the only attractions conjuring up screams during the fall at Kings Island. Halloween Haunt comes screaming back select nights September – October 2024.
WAGNER SUBARU OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
October 5 – October 6 | 11 AM
Celebrate the outdoor lifestyle with over 25,000 visitors at one of the largest festivals in the Midwest. The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience offers a variety of outdoor activities for all ages.
OHIO SAUERKRAUT FESTIVAL
October 12 – October 13
A long-standing tradition, the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival offers crafts, food, and entertainment in one of the nation’s premier craft festivals.
ENON APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL
October 12 – October 13
Experience the pleasant aroma of cooking apples, spices, and wood smoke at this festival where everything revolves around apple butter! Enjoy craft vendors, live entertainment, and delicious food.
DARKSIDE OF BREWING TOURS
Runs through Nov 30
Experience the spooky history of Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood with a haunted brewery tour. Learn about the city’s past while sampling some of the best local brews.
DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’: THE MUSIC OF JOURNEY
October 26 | 7:30 PM
Relive the hits of Journey with the Dayton Philharmonic Rockin’ Orchestra. This concert at the Schuster Center is sure to be a night to remember.
October offers a diverse range of events across Ohio that promise fun, adventure, and community connection. Whether you’re exploring a pumpkin patch, enjoying live music, or getting lost in a corn maze, there’s something for everyone. Embrace the season and make unforgettable memories at these fantastic local events.