Now that the J months are finally here, festival season is in full swing. Art lovers can explore Summerfair and Cincy Fringe, while foodies can pile their plates high at CincItalia. If live music is more your vibe, head to Midwest Friends Fest, or sip your way through the Oxford Wine and Craft Beer Festival.
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.
1. Summerfair
Get inspired at this three-day, more-than-50-year-old festival of music and art. Summerfair supports artists in visual and performing arts in the Queen City. Funds raised are put toward awards, scholarships and exhibitions.
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. $15 multi-day, $10 single day, kids 12-under free. summerfair.org.
2. Oxford Wine and Craft Beer Festival
Enjoy live music, merchant and artisan booths, treats and a beer garden.
Details: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Uptown Memorial Park, 4 N. Main St., Oxford. oxfordwinefestival.com.
3. Midwest Friends Fest
Now encompassing three days, this music festival features over 40 bands from Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton, Columbus and national acts.
Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. $40 general admission. Passes available for two- and three-day admission. midwestfriendsfest.com.
4. Cincy Fringe Festival
Celebrate the long-running Cincinnati summer theatre party. Experience uncensored, experimental performance from more than 40 independent local, national and international theater artists. The Cincy Fringe produces over 150 performances of over 35 theatre productions.
Details: May 29-June 13, 1-10 p.m. weekends, 6-10 p.m. weekdays (excluding Mondays), Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. $15 admission to any show, passes for multiple shows available. cincyfringe.com.
5. CincItalia
Italian food is the star attraction here, with traditional fare such as stromboli, pasta, pizza, lasagna, cannoli and gelato. Enjoy nightly live music, plus cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, games, rides and more.
Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 3-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Harvest Home Park, 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot. Friday is ages 21-up only. cincitalia.org.
6. All Saints Parish Festival
Enjoy bourbon tastings, face painting, Texas Hold’em, Blackjack, rides, children’s games and new musical performers each night.
Details: 6-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3-9 p.m. Sunday, St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 7754 Montgomery Road, Kenwood. allsaintsfestival.com.
7. Cincinnati Local Soap Box Derby
Children ages 7-17 can compete by driving their gravity-powered race cars. Those who don’t have one can borrow a racer.
Details: all day Sunday, 3604 Observatory Ave., Mount Lookout. cincinnati.soapboxderby.org.
8. Junefest
Enjoy inflatables, a booze toss, face paint, stilt walkers, gambling, food trucks and more.
Details: 7 p.m.-midnight (adults only) Friday, 4-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday, 927 Ellison Ave., Mount Lookout. riverviewcatholics.org.
9. St. Jude Bridgetown Festival
Hear bands and enjoy drinks, food, shaved ice and ice cream. There will be games and rides for the kids. The Bulldog Auction will run all weekend.
Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday, 3-10 p.m. Sunday, St. Jude Church, 5924 Bridgetown Road, Green Township. facebook.com.
10. Final Friday
Browse and buy art directly from the artists on Final Friday. There are more than 250 studios over four buildings, and shops will host artists. Artist of the month is Charlie Berger in studio 806.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Valet parking is $10. Free admission. pendletonartcenter.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do this weekend. Summerfair, Cincy Fringe, CincItalia
Reporting by Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
