Whether you’re a fan of butterflies or futbol, Cincinnati is jam-packed with events this week. Here’s a look at the biggest, best and most interesting things happening around town in the next seven days.
Have an event you’d like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we’ll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.
Monday, May 26Memorial Day ceremonies
Communities pause and remember fallen U.S. military with wreath-laying ceremonies and parades.
Details: Head to Cincinnati.com and search for “Memorial Day” to see our full list of events.
Hang with the butterflies at Krohn
This year’s Butterfly Show lets you step into a Gothica Botanica-themed butterfly garden, where shadowy foliage and deep-hued blooms set the stage for hundreds of iridescent butterflies.
Details: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Aug. 10, Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Cincinnati-oh.gov.
Meet mermaids at the aquarium
Your favorite shimmering stars of the sea glide and twirl through the water with their tropical fish friends as part of the Mermaids Make Waves special event.
Details: daily except Tuesdays, Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Runs May 24-June 22. Included with admission. Newportaquarium.com.
See the Zoo Babies (last chance!)
Get a look at these cuddly creatures before the Zoo Babies event ends. Make your visit even more memorable by participating in the Zoo Babies Expedition scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes.
Details: daily, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Cincinnatizoo.org.
Tuesday, May 27Watch ‘Moana 2’ at Washington Park
Grab your lawn chairs and movie snacks for an outdoor movie on Washington Park’s Civic Lawn. This week’s OTR Cinema movie: “Moana 2.”
Details: 9-11 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. Washingtonpark.org.
Wednesday, May 28FC Cincinnati uses the force vs. Dallas
It’s Star Wars Night on the pitch. The pre-match party starts at 4 p.m. at Washington Park.
Details: 7:30 p.m., TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. Fccincinnati.com.
Catch some free summer concerts
This is the opening week for both Wednesdays in the Woods and Greenhills Concerts on the Commons. Enjoy a new performer each week.
Burnet Woods: 7-9 p.m., 3251 Brookline Ave., Clifton. Music by Comet Bluegrass Allstars. Free. Cliftonculturalarts.org.
Greenhills Commons: 7-9 p.m., 24 Farragut Road, Greenhills. Music by Mickey James and the Hauer Swing Band. Free. Facebook.com.
Thursday, May 29Bring the family to Frontier Days Festival
Enjoy something new on each day of this three-day festival. On Thursday, catch a parade and live band. On Friday, stop by the Makers Market and Big Six Wheel for Charity. Saturday, come to the Youth Market and dunking booth.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Riverside Park, 425 Victor Stier Drive, Milford. Frontierdaysmilford.com.
Kick off summer at Adult Swim: Pride
Ziegler Pool is bringing DJ Boywife. 3CDC brings the bar. You bring the swimsuits, towels and a valid ID. This event is 21-up.
Details: 7-10 p.m., Ziegler Pool, 1322 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine. Facebook.com.
Friday, May 30Celebrate art at Summerfair
Three-day, more-than-50-year-old festival of music and art.
Details: noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Coney Island, Kellogg Avenue at I-275, Anderson Township. Summerfair.org.
Meet ‘Ink Master’ stars at a tattoo festival
At the Cincinnati Villain Arts Tattoo Festival, special guests include TV stars from “Ink Master” and featured tattoo artist Jack Hatchet. Entertainment includes tattoo contests, sideshow artists that include contortionists, magicians and burlesque. Unique vendors and exclusive merchandise.
Details: 2-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $40 3-day pass, $20 per day. Villainarts.com.
Feast on Italian cuisine at CincItalia Festival
Italian food is the star attraction here, with traditional fare like stromboli, pasta, pizza, lasagna, cannoli and gelato. Enjoy live music by DV8 on Friday, plus cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, games, rides and more.
Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 3-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-9 p.m. Sunday, Harvest Home Park, 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot. Friday is ages 21-up only. Facebook.com.
Watch experimental performances at Fringe Festival
Uncensored, experimental performances from more than 40 independent local, national and international theater artists. Features 26 primary lineup productions, over 190 performances, 32 world premieres, Kids Fringe performances on weekend afternoons, free nightly after-hours events at the Know and new this year, Conceptual Fringe.
Details: 1-10 p.m. weekends, 6-10 p.m. weekdays (excluding Mondays), Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs May 30-June 14. $330 all-access pass, $90 5-ticket flex pass, $20 single tickets. Knowtheatre.com.
Support Midwestern artists at Midwest Friends Fest
Now encompassing two days, this music festival features 42 bands from Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton, Columbus and national acts that include Signals Midwest, Mike Adams at His Honest Weight, Kat and the Hurricane, Leisure Hour, Cinema Stare, The Tisburys and Super City.
Details: 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday, Southgate House Revival, whole house, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. $40 2-day pass, $30 Saturday only, $20 Friday only. Midwestfriendsfest.com.
Get your funny bone hit by Harland Williams
Stand-up comedy with that guy you know from “RocketMan” and “Half Baked.”
Details: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Funny Bone Comedy Club, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township. $32-$37. Liberty.funnybone.com.
Shop for art on Final Friday
Art lovers unite on Final Friday. Browse and buy art directly from the artists. There are more than 250 studios over four buildings. Shops will host artists, and there will be pop-up bars and live music.
Details: 5-9 p.m., Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Over-the-Rhine. Browse and buy art directly from the artists. There are more than 250 studios over four buildings. Valet parking is $10. Free admission. Itsfinalfriday.com.
Get groovy with Friday Flow
Enjoy live R&B music every Friday. Just pull up a chair – or get up and dance instead. There will be a new performer each week. This week’s is Kaiya Hamilton.
Details: 6-10 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. Washingtonpark.org.
Grab a bite to eat at Great Parks Burgers & Brews
Soak in those summer nights on the deck at Lake Isabella every other Friday. Enjoy live music from local artists, refreshing beverages, burgers and hot dogs grilled onsite. This week’s musical artist is Ed Sax.
Details: 6-9 p.m., Great Parks’ Lake Isabella, 10174 Loveland-Madeira Road, Symmes Township. Greatparks.org.
See country music singers Riley Green and Ella Langley
This sold-out concert is part of Riley Green’s “Damn Country Music” Tour. Performance will include special guests Ella Langley, Vincent Mason and Wyatt McCubbin.
Details: 7 p.m., Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. Bradymusiccenter.com. SOLD OUT.
Saturday, May 31Go for a shopping trip
Browse more than 100 vendors and small businesses at The Morrow Market. Saturday is the opening day of the season, with other dates to follow. Or, if you’re wanting a spookier vibe, head to the Hamilton Witches Market. This night market will feature crystals, plants, books, jewelry, oddities, curiosities and psychics.
The Morrow Market: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Morrow Arts Center, 10 Miranda St., Morrow. Browse more than 100 vendors and small businesses. Morrowartscenter.com/events.
Hamilton Witches Market: 6-9 p.m., Butler County Courthouse, 101 High St., Hamilton. Free. Thewitchesmarket.com.
Celebrate FC’s Pride Night at TQL Stadium
Your favorite Cincy soccer team is celebrating Pride night. Come for a good game and to show support for the LGBT+ community.
Details: FC Cincinnati vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m., TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. Fccincinnati.com.
Race a 5k at the Redlegs Run
This charity event offers a 10K, 5K, one mile and Gapper’s Kids Fun Run. Participants receive custom race medal, shirt and chip-timing with live results. Celebrate at the post-race party in the fan zone. Also included is a view-level ticket to the June 17 game.
Details: 8 a.m., Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Reds.com.
Celebrate German heritage
The German-American Day Celebration promotes the German heritage of the Greater Cincinnati area and serves as a fundraiser for the German Heritage Museum.
Details: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. Findlaymarket.org.
Grab a drink (or 2) at the Oxford Wine & Beer Festival
Sample wines at the premium wine lounge, grab a beer in the beer garden, grab some grub from the food court and shop from local merchants and artisans. There will be a kids’ corner, so the whole family can attend.
Details: 2-10 p.m., Uptown Parks, Oxford. Oxfordwinefestival.com.
Groove to the beat at Stereo 25 DJ Festival
Music lovers, this one is for you. This free event is a celebration of DJs and electronic music.
Details: noon-10 p.m., Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, Downtown. Free. Cincinnati-oh.gov.
Celebrate Pride at Signs & Spouses
Registration includes heavy appetizers, dessert, Champagne toast, dancing, cash bar and vow renewal ceremony officiated by Jim Obergefell. This event coincides with Glow & Behold: Cincinnati’s Historic LGBTQ+ Bar Signs exhibit.
Details: Signs & Spouses: A Sparkling Celebration of Marriage Equality, 6-10 p.m., American Sign Museum, 1330 Monmouth Ave., Camp Washington. Tickets: Americansignmuseum.org.
Sunday, June 1Taste a variety of foods at the Lebanon Mediterranean Food Festival
Experience authentic, homemade Middle Eastern food. Your patronage will help refugees and victims in the Middle East.
Details: noon-6 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua, 2530 Victory Parkway, Walnut Hills. Free admission and parking. Thetasteoflebanon.com.
Ring in Pride Month
Sunday marks the first day of Pride Month. Wear a colorful ensemble and attend a local event to celebrate. Here are a couple of them.
Northern Kentucky Pride: noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Goebel Park, 502 Philadelphia St., Covington. Nkypridecenter.org.
Smoke & Queers Burlesque Troupe: 8:30 p.m. Sunday, MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Motrpub.com.
Shop for antiques at the Tri-State Antiques Market
Find a new piece for your collection at Indiana’s largest antiques and vintage-only market, featuring over 200 vendors with a wide variety of vintage and retro goods. Concessions are available for purchase.
Details: 6 a.m.-3 p.m., Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway, Lawrenceburg. $5, free parking. Lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.