1. Maifest
Celebrate the region’s German culture with beer, food and craft vendors, live entertainment and fun activities for all ages, including Hit Seekers open play wiffle ball all three days. Friday events include the opening ceremonies with Maibock beer tapping and live music with Project Doyle and Hoopty. Saturday: Cincinnati Enzian Dancers Maypole dance, home run derby, stein hoist competition and live music with Jam Band Jovi, Zinzinnati Bierband, DJ Nat Jones and Varner-Netherton Revival. Sunday: Children’s Entrepreneur Market, home run derby, Gapper & Mr. Red pretzel eating contest, and live music with Matt Waters & the Recipe, and Tracy Walker Band.
Details: 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Goebel Park, 501 Philadelphia St., Covington. facebook.com.
2. May Festival
The oldest continuous choral festival in the Western Hemisphere takes place right here in Cincinnati. Featuring the May Festival Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, this year's festival features five unique concerts performed over two weekends. On Friday, experience Haydn's joyous "The Creation," while Saturday's theme is "Anthems," spotlighting four unique anthem interpretations, including the world premiere of Julia Wolfe's choral work "All that Breathes."
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May Festival continues May 23 with "Voices of the Earth," celebrating the natural wonders of earth, and on May 25, Julia Wolfe's Her Story invokes the words of historical figures and the spirit of pivotal moments in women's history.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs May 17-25. $16-up. mayfestival.com.
3. Dillsboro Homecoming Festival
For more than 50 years, this small town has held a big homecoming festival. Featuring a range of festivities and a midway of rides and games, it's packed with fun for the whole family. The festival opens Wednesday, with the majority of events taking place during the weekend. On Friday, there's a frog jumping contest, live music with Resurrection and fireworks. Saturday morning begins with the Flying Frog 5K walk/run followed by a parade at 11 a.m., a barbecue chicken dinner at noon, Tri-State Wrestling at 1 p.m., live music with The Renegades at 7 p.m., and headliner Shenandoah at 8:30 p.m.
Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 5 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Dillsboro. Free admission. facebook.com.
4. Oakley Beer Fest 2
Oakley Beer Fest returns for another round this weekend with more than 30 breweries and spirits, over 80 flavors to sample, and 10 unique food vendors. There's also a stein hoist competition and a cigar patio. Your ticket includes eight tasting cups and a snack, plus live music with Bronson Arroyo Band, Brad Martin, Ryan Alfred, Hillary Hahn, and an afterparty with Audio Graffiti. A portion of proceeds benefits Cincinnati Animal CARE. Ages 21-up.
Details: 3 p.m. Saturday, Element Eatery, 5350 Medpace Way, Oakley. $99 VIP includes early entry, 16 tasting cups and unlimited snacks, $45 general, $15 designated driver. Cincyticket.com.
5. Lytle Park Wine Festival
If wine is more your vibe, this new festival, hosted by Lytle Park Hotel Autograph Collection, unites wine enthusiasts with some of the world's finest vintners. It's your chance to sample wines from a variety of featured wineries, paired with culinary delights from chef Joe Helm at each station. Your ticket includes a commemorative wine glass, wine, food and live music. For an additional fee, you can opt for a private tasting with the winery of your choice, featuring its private library collection.
Details: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Lytle Park Hotel, 311 Pike St., Downtown. $145 grand tasting, $75 additional per person for private tasting at 4 p.m. eventbrite.com.
6. The Road Trip Market
Northern Kentucky’s premier open-air boutique features over 100 vendors of vintage, antique, handmade and repurposed goods. You'll find furniture, clothing, home decor, jewelry, florals, body care and more from small businesses throughout the region.
Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington. VIP entry 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday. theroadtripmarket.com.
7. Crafty Supermarket
This juried, indie craft show spotlights more than 100 crafters, artists and makers from all over North America. It's a great day of craft shopping where you get the opportunity to meet face-to-face with your favorite creatives.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Music Hall Ballroom, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. Craftysupermarket.com.
8. Spring Fling Festival and Craft Show
This fifth-generation farm, dedicated to teaching children and families about agriculture and land preservation, opens to the public this weekend for its annual Spring Fling. Shop over 130 artisans and small businesses, and enjoy live music and food trucks. Kids can take pony rides, mine for gems, meet farm animals including adorable baby goats, see fire truck demonstrations and more.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Benton Farm, 11946 Old Lexington Pike, Walton. $3, free ages 12-under. bentonfarm.com.
9. Malts in Ault
Sample from a selection of international brews crafted by independent brewers. Your ticket includes 20 tastings and live music by The Hanky Panks. The Steak It Easy food truck, which also offers vegetarian options, will be onsite, and soft drinks are available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Ault Park Advisory Council.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday, Ault Park Pavilion, 5090 Observatory Circle, Mount Lookout. $40. Aultparkac.org.
10. Dayton Lane May Promenade
Step back in time to the early 1900s and relive the opulent lifestyle of Hamilton's industrial barons during this self-guided walking tour of Dayton Street and Campbell Avenue and the insides of 10 elegant historic homes. Dapper gentlemen riding penny-farthings, live jazz and horse-drawn carriage rides add to the experience.
Details: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, 712 Dayton St., Hamilton. Rain or shine. $25. givebutter.com.
11. OTR Museum Fundraiser
Historian Andrew Houghtaling discusses the newly published translation of Frederick Finnup’s memoir “The Story of My Life.” Finnup was a Prussian immigrant who lived in Cincinnati for 20 years and fought with a local regiment during the Civil War. Your ticket includes a discussion, a copy of the book and a catered breakfast. A portion of proceeds benefits the OTR Museum.
Details: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, First Lutheran Church, 1208 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. $65. Otrmuseum.org.
12. I Do’s & Brews
This crafted wedding experience is designed to suit all couples, regardless of budget, style, venue or partner. It features over 50 local wedding and event professionals, and admission includes a complimentary beverage and custom gift bag.
Details: noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Ages 21-up. $15. humanitix.com.
13. Art openings
- After (Work) Hours: Exhibition features works of CAC staff. Enjoy catering from Kebobske food truck, and DJ sets from Ben Lehman. There's an afterparty with DJ Boywife at 9 p.m. at Alice (1432 Main St., Over-the-Rhine).
- Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Opening reception is free; afterparty $10. Reservations: cincycac.org.
- Common Ground: Portraits of Cincinnati Area Artists by Michael Wilson: Exhibit features 59 black and white portraits of visual, literary and musical artists by renowned photographer.
- Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, The Annex Gallery, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Runs through July 26. Free.
- For a Better World: Exhibit features original drawings and poems of 2024 SOS ART book about peace and justice.
- Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, The Annex Gallery, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Runs through July 26. Free.
- Prints by Greater Cincinnati Artists: Exhibit features 26 prints donated by 13 artists to benefit SOS ART.
- Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, The Annex Gallery, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Runs through July 26. Free.
14. Dirty Hands Plant Swap and Sale
On Friday, bring potted perennials, bulbs, trees and shrubs to be swapped. You will receive “bucks” to use Saturday to buy plants. Swappers get first dibs at 9 a.m., general sale begins at 10 a.m.
Details: 6-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-noon, Fort Wright Fire Department, 409 Kyles Lane, Fort Wright. facebook.com.
15. Other legit shopping experiences
- Artisan Fair: Juried art vendors, live music, farmers market, food, beer and raffles.
- Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, ArtsConnect, 9158 Winton Road, Springfield Township. Free admission. theartsconnect.us.
- Cincy Vintage Market: Score some unique vintage finds at this curated market of local and out-of-state vendors.
- Details: noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Hi-Wire Brewing, 4600 Beech St., Norwood. Free. facebook.com.
- Asianati Indie Bazaar: Shop handmade and curated goods by AAPI makers and sellers, enjoy live entertainment and food from AAPI sellers.
- Details: 1-7 p.m. Sunday, Humble Monk Brewing Co., 1641 Blue Rock St., Northside. Free. asianati.com.
Coming up: Cincinnati's Favorite Beer winner's party
Barleycorn's Brewhouse and The Cincinnati Enquirer are teaming up to host a wild party celebrating Crazy Norse, this year's Cincinnati's Favorite Beer bracket winner. There will be specials on Crazy Norse all night, giveaways, and be sure to be there for the trophy presentation at 7 p.m.
Details: Tuesday, May 21, 6-11 p.m., Barleycorn's Brewhouse, 402 Licking Pike, Wilder, Kentucky.
