Things to Do in Cincinnati This Week – May 4 – May 10, 2026
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Another week, another reason to get out and explore! This week is honestly one of the most packed we’ve seen in a while, and that’s saying something. Whether you’re looking for world-class BBQ on the riverfront, live music, indie makers, butterfly migrations, arena football, or a reason to finally get that tattoo you’ve been thinking about, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky have you covered from Friday through Sunday. From the grand opening of Krohn’s Butterfly Show to Star Wars Night at Great American Ball Park to the 55th Annual Appalachian Festival in New Richmond, there is genuinely something for everyone this week. Here’s everything on our radar for May 4–10!
⭐ The One We’re Most Excited About
Smoke on the River BBQ Fest – May 8–10
If there’s one thing happening in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky this week that you absolutely cannot miss, it’s this. Smoke on the River brings together the tristate’s best pitmasters for a full weekend of BBQ along the Ohio River at Newport’s Festival Park, with the Cincinnati skyline as your backdrop and free admission all three days. We’re talking ribs, brisket, smoked wings, pulled pork, and about ten vendors competing for the title of your new favorite. Oh, and did we mention there’s free live music all weekend too? Yeah, this one’s a no-brainer.
📍 Newport Festival Park, Newport, KY
🕐 Fri 5–11pm | Sat 12–11pm | Sun 12–9pm
🏟️ Free
🔗 More info: Cincy Fests
Things to Do in Cincinnati on Friday, May 8
Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros
Kick off the weekend with a Reds game on the banks of the Ohio River. Great American Ball Park has some of the best views in baseball, and a Friday night game is one of those classic Cincinnati summer experiences that never gets old.
📍 Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
🕐 Friday, May 8 · 6:40pm
🏟️ Tickets vary
🔗 More info: MLB
Villain Arts Tattoo Festival
One of the country’s biggest traveling tattoo festivals rolls into Cincinnati this weekend, bringing hundreds of artists, live entertainment, tattoo contests, and vendors under one roof. Whether you’re looking to get inked, browse incredible artwork, or just soak up the energy of a seriously fun event, this one delivers. Entertainers include a suspension crew, contortionists, and performers, it’s equal parts art show and spectacle.
📍 First Financial Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH
🕐 Fri May 8, 2–11pm | Sat May 9, 11am–11pm | Sun May 10, 11am–8pm
🏟️ $20 day pass | $40 3-day pass | Free for kids under 12
🔗 More info: Villian Arts
Things to Do in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 9
Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros – Star Wars Night
This isn’t just any Reds game, Saturday is Star Wars Night, which means the ballpark goes full galaxy-far-far-away mode with themed festivities and a Grogu bobblehead giveaway for fans in attendance while supplies last. If you’ve got a Star Wars fan in your life, this is a pretty easy sell.
📍 Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
🕐 Saturday, May 9 · 4:10pm
🏟️ Tickets vary
🔗 More info: MLB
Cincinnati Slingers vs. Utah Great 8s
If you’ve never caught an arena football game, this is a great excuse to try it. The Cincinnati Slingers host the Utah Great 8s at Heritage Bank Center for a night of fast, high-energy indoor football, quick-strike offense, big hits, and a crowd that stays loud from kickoff to the final whistle. Arena football moves at a completely different pace than the outdoor game, and that electric indoor atmosphere is something else.
📍 Heritage Bank Center, Cincinnati, OH
🕐 Saturday, May 9 · Doors 5:30pm | Kickoff 6:30pm
🏟️ Tickets from $57
🔗 More info: Visit Cincy
Crafty Supermarket
One of Cincinnati’s most beloved indie craft events is back for its spring show, and with 100+ makers, a live DJ, hands-on activities, and local food vendors, it’s basically a full day out in one building. This juried show draws artists and makers from across North America, so the selection goes way beyond your typical craft fair. Pro tip: get there early, the first 100 shoppers score swag bags.
📍 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, OH
🕐 Saturday, May 9 · 11am–5pm
🏟️ Free admission | Merchandise prices vary
🔗 More info: Visit Cincy
55th Annual Appalachian Festival
Now in its 55th year, the Appalachian Festival transforms the charming riverfront village of New Richmond into a living, breathing mountain village for Mother’s Day weekend. Think artisan crafts, traditional Appalachian music, Native American dancers, storytelling, and food, all along the Ohio River. It’s the kind of event that feels genuinely unlike anything else happening in the region this weekend.
📍 Village of New Richmond, Ohio
🕐 Saturday May 9, 10am–9pm | Sunday May 10, 10am–6pm
🏟️ $15 adults | $5 kids (5–17) | Free for kids 4 & under
🔗 More info: Appalachian Festival
Krohn Conservatory Butterfly Show: Destination Monarch – Opens May 9
One of Cincinnati’s most beloved annual traditions is back, and this year’s theme follows the monarch butterfly’s epic migration from the U.S. all the way to the Oyamel Fir Forests of Mexico. Krohn’s butterfly show is always a stunning experience, and the Destination Monarch concept adds a whole layer of storytelling to what’s already a visually jaw-dropping exhibit. A great excuse to finally get to Eden Park if you haven’t been yet.
📍 Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park, Cincinnati, OH
🕐 Opens Saturday, May 9 | Runs through August 9
🏟️ $12 adults | $8 children (5–17) | Free under 5
🔗 More info: Krohn Conservatory
Things to Do in Cincinnati on Sunday, May 10
Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros
Round out your Mother’s Day weekend with an afternoon at the ballpark. A day game on the river is hard to beat, grab a seat, soak up the views, and enjoy a little Cincinnati baseball before the week starts again.
📍 Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
🕐 Sunday, May 10 · 1:40pm
🏟️ Tickets vary
🔗 More info: MLB
🔄 Recurring & Ongoing
Things running all week, all month, or every weekend. Updated as things change.
Cincy Top 10 Sites & Bites City Tour · Daily, 10am · From $69/person Cincinnati’s top-rated food tour covers four neighborhoods, a streetcar ride, and tastings that hit all the classics, Belgian waffles, Cincinnati chili, goetta, Graeter’s ice cream, and more. A great way to see the city if you’re visiting for the first time (or want to play tourist for a day). Meets at Taste of Belgium at The Banks.
Covington Farmers Market · Every Saturday · 9am–1pm · Free Fresh local produce, vendors, and community vibes every Saturday morning through October. 📍 629 Washington St, Covington, KY
FSQ Eats – Fountain Square · Mon & Wed–Fri · 11am–1pm · Free to attend Local food trucks on the plaza in the heart of downtown. Check Street Food Finder for the daily lineup.
Live Music at Magnolia Rose · Every Friday · 6–8pm · Free Live music every Friday evening at this charming Hyde Park flower shop and garden boutique, a low-key, lovely way to end the week. 📍 4024 Plainville Rd, Cincinnati
Newport Farmers Market · Every Saturday · 9am–12pm · Free Locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, honey, eggs, flowers, and more, all KY Proud vendors. Selection changes with the season so there’s always something new to discover. 709 Monmouth St, Newport, KY
Pickleball Tuesdays · Every Tuesday · 6–8pm · Free Outdoor pickleball at Austinburg Neighborhood Park in Covington, all skill levels welcome, no registration required. Just show up with your paddle (or borrow one) and play.
Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White · Through May 17 · Wed–Mon, 10am–5pm · Tickets required Rarely seen etchings from the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, this is one of only four U.S. venues to host it, and it’s closing soon. Don’t let this one slip by. 316 Pike St, Cincinnati, OH
Starlite Drive-In · Every Fri & Sat · Box office opens 7pm · From $6 Double features every weekend at Amelia’s beloved drive-in. Check the site for the weekly movie lineup.
Jazz at the Square – Fountain Square · Every Tuesday · 5–8pm · Free Live jazz from local acts every Tuesday night: May lineup includes the Evan Gidley Trio, Brooks Giles Quartet, Organized Gentlemen, and Marc Fields Sextet.
That’s everything on our radar for the week of May 8–10! Whether you’re staying close to home in NKY or crossing the river into Cincinnati, or honestly doing both this weekend, there is no shortage of things to do. This might be one of the most action-packed weekends we’ve seen all year, and we are absolutely here for it. Drop a comment below and let us know what you’re checking out this week, we love hearing from you!
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Brie Allbritten is a big foodie and reluctant extrovert exploring Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky one meal, event, and hidden gem at a time, usually with her partner in tow. She writes about all of it at Cincy + NKY Wanderlust.
