The temperatures are rising, the flowers are blooming, the kids are counting down the days until Summer break and the butterflies have returned to Cincinnati. Spring is in full swing! It’s time to get out and have some fun in the city! All over Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky there are some fantastic family friendly events going on in the month of May, and some of these events are even free to attend. Keep checking this post throughout the month because we’ll be adding events to the list as we hear of them. Happy Spring to you and your family from your friends at Family Friendly Cincinnati!
Family Friendly Things to Do in Cincinnati & NKY {May 2016}
Ongoing Events:
International Butterfly Show at the Krohn Conservatory: Butterflies of the Caribbean ~ March 26 – June 19, 2016 Open Daily 10:00am – 5:00pm $7 adults • $4 children • 4 & under are FREE! $12 Unlimited Admission Pins It’s a real treat for the family every year! Visit the Butterfly Show website to find a $1 off coupon.
Where the Wild Things Play at Washington Park on Sundays (through May 22nd) from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Let your little one get creative with a Cincinnati themed craft – there’s a different theme each week!
National Parks Adventure at the OMNIMAX Theater ~ The latest OMNIMAX adventure film is a must see for the whole family! It is absolutely breath-taking! “Take the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness. Through our five-story, domed OMNIMAX screen, soar over red rock canyons, up craggy mountain peaks and into other-worldly realms found within America’s most legendary outdoor playgrounds.” Visit the Cincinnati Museum Center website for ticket and showtime information.
The Cincinnati Reds are back in town, and you can watch their games for FREE on the big screens at Fountain Square! Visit the Fountain Square website for more details
Farmer’s Markets: With the warmer weather it’s the perfect time to visit a local Farmer’s Market! We have a HUGE list of local Farmer’s Markets you can check out: Farmer’s Markets in Cincinnati & NKY ~ cook fresh, cook local!
May 1 – 7 ~
Design LAB Exhibition 2016 May 1–May 7, 2016 The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Free In partnership with the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati, the Library introduces the Design LAB exhibit (former Architecture by Children exhibit), the final piece of an in-classroom design education program tailored to broaden and deepen student awareness, appreciation, and active participation in our built environment. Local professionals teamed up with educators to guide students through a real-world, themed design problem, emphasizing the development of: research and observation, critical-thinking, problem solving, verbal and visual communication, creative expression and presentation skills. This year’s project theme, ‘Learning Spaces’, challenged students to interview, research, program, design and build models of their ideal learning spaces. Students had the opportunity to create a 24” x 24” three-dimensional model and design process board. Selected projects for students in Kindergarten through grade 5 will be on display in the Atrium, and projects for students in grades 6–12 will be displayed near the MakerSpace.
Linton Music’s Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions – SPECIAL FREE PRESENTATION!! WEDNESDAY, May 4, at 6:30pm Williams Avenue Elementary School 2132 Williams Avenue, Norwood, OH 45212 FREE! Madcap Music-Making: The Story of the Frog Prince – SPECIAL FREE PRESENTATION!!
Our warm and fuzzy friends from Madcap Puppets help tell the story of The Frog Prince through the music of Brahms! Don’t miss the “ribbiting” music, storytelling, and fun! Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions brings families together for a musical encounter that provides a friendly, educational, and enjoyable introduction to classical music. Designed for ages two to six, these interactive concerts will touch, teach, and enrich your child’s life. Free Graeter’s cookies at every concert! Tickets available at the door, by calling 513.381.6868, or visit www.lintonmusic.org.
Cirque du Soleil presents TORUK at the US Bank Arena May 4-8. TORUK is Cirque du Soleil’s newest production and is based on the movie Avatar. It’s sure to be a memorable experience for the whole family! Read this post about TORUK for more details about the show.
Curb’d Parklet Reveal in Covington ~ Friday, May 6th Celebrate walkability and public art with Covington’s Curb’d unveiling! Walk the urban core between the 5 parklets to reveal their new (temporary)
homes.
Appalachian Festival May 6th – May 8th, or every Mothers Day Weekend Old Coney Island, Anderson township “We are a family oriented festival which celebrates our Appalachian Heritage thru entertainment, crafts, food, displays, Living History demonstrations, music, dance, storytelling all with Appalachian Connections. There is always something happening to entertain adults and children alike. We are the first large outdoor festival in the Greater Cincinnati Region each year. Plenty of parking and a low cost way to have family fun while contributing to the ACDA goal of helping our regional Appalachian descendants with food and educational grants.
FREE Comic Book Day ~ May 7th 2016. It’s the 15th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day! Your kids (and adults) will love visiting their local comic book store or library and walking out with cool new comics. Visit the Free Comic Book Website to find a location near you that will be distributing FREE comic books.
Rhinegeist Maker Day May 7, 2016, Noon-4 p.m. Rhinegeist Brewery and The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County ~ Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Brewery District Free The Library is holding its first Maker Day at Rhinegeist Brewery. This event will feature five maker stations with activities for all ages. The first 50 people at the event will receive a laser-etched pint glass with the Rhinegeist and Library logo.
Running of the Goats Saturday May 7th East 3rd Street between Court and Greenup ~ The famous Goebel Goats will be trotting through the streets of Covington from the Farmers Market to their summer home in Goebel Park, where we’ll celebrate the summer season together!
Linton Music’s Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions May 7, 2016 (10am & 11:30am & 1pm*)Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 7701 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236 $5.00 per person or $15.00 for Flex-Book of 4 tickets good at any PB&J concert. Children under 2 are free! Madcap Music-Making: The Story of the Frog Prince Our warm and fuzzy friends from Madcap Puppets help tell the story of The Frog Prince through the music of Brahms! Don’t miss the “ribbiting” music, storytelling, and fun! Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions brings families together for a musical encounter that provides a friendly, educational, and enjoyable introduction to classical music. Designed for ages two to six, these interactive concerts will touch, teach, and enrich your child’s life. 10am and 11:30am. $5.00 per person or $15.00 for Flex-Book of 4 tickets good at any PB&J concert. Children under 2 are free! Free Graeter’s cookies at every concert! Tickets available at the door, by calling 513.381.6868, or visit www.lintonmusic.org.
Duveneck Memorial Art Show ~ Saturday, May 7th, Noon to 5pm. Over 65 artists, food trucks and fun. George Rogers Clark park on Riverside Drive in Covington
The Phoenix Farewell ~ Saturday May 7th at the Madlot next to Braxton Brewery ~ Join us at Madlot as we say goodbye to the Artworks The Divine Proportion of All Things mural, featuring the image of a majestic phoenix. Also, a portrait photographer will be onsite to capture your family’s picture with the mural!
Clay Alliance Spring Pottery Fair May 7, 2016 DeSales Corner, Woodburn Ave. This is the premier pottery fair in the region. Over 50 of the best potters in our area unveil their latest creations in one of the most actively rejuvenating areas of the city. It is a great day to spend with the family on Mother’s Day weekend, see what the artists providing the dishes and serving ware for the trendiest new eateries are up to, or to find that truly exciting center piece that you were looking for. Join us for an excursion into local handmade ceramics of wide ranging uses and stay to explore this historic yet growing neighborhood.
May 8 – 14 ~
BB Riverboats Mother’s Day Cruises ~ Treat Mom to gorgeous views aboard the BB Riverboats Mother’s Day Cruise, you can choose Brunch OR Dinner! Visit the BB Riverboats Website for all the details.
Newport Aquarium Mother’s Day Breakfast ~ Sunday, May 8th. Enjoy breakfast, explore the aquarium and get up close and personal with the penguins! Visit the Newport Aquarium website for all the details.
Germania Maifest 5/13/2016 – 5/15/2016 Germania Society of Cincinnati 3529 West Kemper Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45251 Only $3, plus FREE Parking. 12 and under free. Free admission to active and retired military with current ID card. Maifest is the traditional German celebration of spring. Each year the Germania Society raises a stein to the blooming flowers and warming weather with our own Maifest celebration — the most authentic in Cincinnati. Members of the Germania Society are planting flowers, grooming the manicured wiesen (event meadow), preparing the wooded picnic grove, and decorating the pavilion in preparation for this year’s Maifest celebration! Stroll the beautiful Germania Park grounds surrounded by nature while enjoying traditional food, drink, and entertainment. Our fest features traditional German food, including whole roasted hogs, ruebens, wursts, and delicious German pastries. There’s live music (both German and American), dancing, and the crowning of the Mai Queen. We have carnival rides, games for kids, as well as games of skill and chance for the big kids, including Blackjack (on Saturday and Sunday only.) There is also a Kiddie Corner. Imported German merchandise and gifts, as well as local craft products will be for sale. And make sure you visit the spring flower market — just in time for planting!
CincItalia 5/13-5/15 Harvest Home Park Fairgrounds – 3961 North Bend Road in Cheviot CincItalia is Cincinnati’s true celebration of Italian heritage. The three-day festival is a showcase of Italian culture – offering entertainment from national music acts, cooking demonstrations, carnival rides, games, and authentic cuisine prepared by Italian restaurants and Cincinnati’s Italian cultural societies. Funds raised during the three-day CincItalia celebration allow Saint Catharine of Siena Parish and School to provide for the spiritual and educational needs of the Westwood community, as they have proudly done for more than 100 years. The festival also benefits San Antonio Italian Church and scholarship funds of the Italian societies. Friday is adults 19+, Saturday and Sunday are family friendly!
MainStrasse Village Maifest May 13, 14 & 15th 406 West 6th Street Covington KY 41011 Maifest celebrates spring with arts/crafts, music, food, an amusement midway and a Kinderplatz with rides for the and activities for the younger children. mainstrasse.org
Asian Food Fest May 14 -15 at Washington Park ~ Local restaurants serving up delicious cuisine, vendors, live performances, music and more!1, 2016 9285 Centre Pointe Drive West Chester OH 45069 14 BBQ Vendors, 14 Blues Bands, 99 Kegs of Beer, Budweiser Bar with Second Story Viewing Stand, Wine & Spirtis, 12 Dessert Vendors, over 50 Other Service and Food Vendors, 4 Bouncy Houses, Face Painting, Saturday Petting Zoo, Saturday 40 Hand-Picked Classic Cars and Hot Rods. Friday 5-11 Saturday 12-11
Linton Music’s Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions May 14, 2016 (10am & 11:30am) Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church 6474 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230 $5.00 per person or $15.00 for Flex-Book of 4 tickets good at any PB&J concert. Children under 2 are free! Madcap Music-Making: The Story of the Frog Prince Our warm and fuzzy friends from Madcap Puppets help tell the story of The Frog Prince through the music of Brahms! Don’t miss the “ribbiting” music, storytelling, and fun! Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions brings families together for a musical encounter that provides a friendly, educational, and enjoyable introduction to classical music. Designed for ages two to six, these interactive concerts will touch, teach, and enrich your child’s life. 10am and 11:30am. $5.00 per person or $15.00 for Flex-Book of 4 tickets good at any PB&J concert. Children under 2 are free! Free Graeter’s cookies at every concert! Tickets available at the door, by calling 513.381.6868, or visit www.lintonmusic.org.
May 15 – 21 ~
Our Lady Of Victory Festival May 20, 21, and 22 810 Neeb Road Cincinnati, OH 45233 Food, fun, games, prizes, bid n buy, Texas hold em, Live Music by Oh Brother Friday night, Rusty Griswolds Saturday night and Nick Netherton Band Sunday night. Braxton Brewing company and more.
The City Flea May 21: Washington Park 10:00am-4:00pm ~ The City Flea is one of the most interesting and unique markets around. Check out the works of awesome crafters and vendors while chowing at the food trucks and listening to fine tunes by the DJ. Take the whole family! Read more in this post: The City Flea
Cincinnati Library Comic Con May 21, 2016 Noon-5 p.m. Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Main Library, 800 Vine Street Free Set your phasers to “fun” for the fourth annual Cincinnati Library Comic Con noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Main Library. Highlights of the day include a gaming area, scavenger hunt, the drawing contest awards ceremony, MakerSpace demos, a screening of the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, trivia contests, creator booths, Starfleet Academy for Kids, free comic books, LEGO robotics and a performance by members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
May 22 – 31 ~
Furry Friends Festival May 27-28 at Washington Park: Bring your four legged friends to Washington Park for a dog-friendly festival that includes bluegrass music, craft beer, tasty food, pet vendors, pet photographers and more!
Kings Island is offering FREE entrance MAY 27 – 30 (Memorial Day Weekend) to the park for all military personnel, both active and retired all weekend long! Bring your Military ID with you to get in FREE and to purchase discount tickets for your family. Check out the Kings Island Website for more details.
Family Festival: UnMuseum Opening! May 28, 2016 Noon – 3:00pm Contemporary Arts Center 44 East 6th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 FREE! Stop by the 6th floor for the opening celebration of artist Tracy Featherstone’s newest addition to the UnMuseum. Come explore the different ways art interacts with your body! Join us as we design wearable sculptures, get creative with some body painting and make capes and headdresses from found objects. Don’t miss out on the artist talk at 2:00pm!
Taste of Cincinnati ~ May 28-30, 5th Street in Downtown Cincinnati. Try delicious food from over 4o different Greater Cincinnati restaurants, listen to awesome live music and try some local brews.
Memorial Day Parade in Park Hills ~ Monday, May 30th – This parade is wonderful for families. They have a wide variety of participants including local police & fire departments, political officials, antique cars, boy & girl scouts, veterans groups, and other fun entries. Candy is tossed and afterwards the city hosts a very nice flag raising ceremony to recognize our town’s fallen military heroes. They have a historical military reenactment with gun salutes, a soloist singing performance, and a speech by a local resident who is elected Grand Marshall of the parade based on his/her contributions to the community over the years. There is a bake sale and other refreshments available. The parade begins at 11:30AM and ends at the flag raising ceremony.
The 2016 City of Fairfield Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 30th. The parade will feature veterans groups, military units, the Fairfield High School Marching Band, community groups and organizations, the Fairfield Police Department, and Fairfield Fire and EMS units. The parade begins at 10am. The parade concludes with a brief ceremony at 11:00 am to pay tribute to our veterans, both past and present at Veterans Memorial Park.
