This month’s event roundup is brought to you in partnership with our friends at Recreations Outlet.
We love taking our kids to play at Recreations Outlet, but it’s especially nice to have this local gem in our back pocket for those rainy days. And with summer coming up quickly, play time at Recreations Outlet is also a great way to test out the equipment before you buy for your own backyard!
Off the Hill Touring Plays: Five Little Monkeys
Through May 19
Various Locations in Cincinnati & NKY
Various times depending on location
FREE – $5 depending on location
Going shopping, baking cakes, sitting in trees and jumping on beds! In this zany play, told in cumulative verse, five silly simian siblings insist on doing things their own way. Monkey mayhem ensues, despite their mama’s warnings. Based on the bestselling books by Eileen Christelow, this day-in-the-life of the monkey family incorporates Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake, Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree and Five Little Monkeys Go Shopping.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Taft Jr.: Making Messes
May 2
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11:15am-12:15pm
FREE for children and Taft members; Regular admission pricing for non-members; Questions: [email protected] or (513)684-4517.
Taft Jr. welcomes visitors 3 to 5 years old, along with their caregivers, on the first Thursday of each month from September-May. This month: Get a little messy at Taft! Learn about the tools a painter uses, hear a story about different ways to paint, and make your own drip-paint masterpiece.
Baby & Me Story Time
May 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30
Blue Manatee Literacy Project Bookstore
3094 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
9:30-10am
FREE
This storytime is specially geared toward the littlest Manatees. Parents bring your infants 0-18 months for storytime by one of the manaTeam members. The selected books are staff favorites from the store and they love reading them aloud. This is a wonderful bonding experience and also starts the journey of creating lifelong book readers.
The Children’s Theatre Presents: Sleeping Beauty
May 3-5
Taft Theatre
317 E. Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Various evening and matinee performances
Tickets start at $26.50
A clever take on the classic fairy tale, this new rock musical comedy is packed with humor, heart and a powerful message! The impulsive but courageous Princess Aurora (who prefers to be called Rory) defies the age-old tradition of attending ‘Princess School’, and sets out on her own to discover all the Kingdom has to offer. But along the way, she encounters her evil Fairy Godmother, the magnificent Magnilda, who placed a curse on Aurora when she was a child, causing her to fall into a deep sleep. This sleeping beauty will awaken only with a kiss from her true love. Once she is fully awake and ready to rock, the feisty Princess Rory begins a whirlwind quest to defeat Magnilda and restore order to the Kingdom.
Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Family Fun Festival
May 4
Smale Riverfront Park
166 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
8am-3pm
FREE admission
The Family Fun Festival celebrates a day of achievement and fun for participants and families of all ages! The Party features a live band, Michelob Ultra beer, food vendors selling and sampling, charities providing hospitality to their participants, interactive activities and much more! It is an opportunity for those participating in the days’ events to relax, recover and revel in their achievement of completing their endurance event!
The Family Fun Festival is held throughout the day after the 10K, 5K, Kids Races, PigAbilities and Flying Fur. The expected attendance for the Victory Party is about 25,000 participants and spectators throughout the day and is free and open to the public.
National Train Day
May 4
Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad
127 South Mechanic Street, Lebanon, OH 45036
12, 2, & 4pm
$14 adults, $5 children ages 2-16, age 1 and under FREE
Join the LM&M Railroad as we celebrate the importance of trains in America. The LM&M Railroad will be offering FREE locomotive cab tours in the Lebanon Station to all passengers and the general public. Weather permitting, select vendors and presenters from local railroad related organizations will be set up in the station area. On board you will travel through the country side of Warren County in Southwestern, Ohio. During your ride you can listen to our informative passenger conductors describe railroad history and operations.
Outdoor Archery: Basic Compound Bow
May 4
Winton Woods – Adventure Outpost
10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
10am-12pm & 1-3pm
$20/person; Registration required
Aiming for a new way to enjoy the great outdoors? Try out your skills with a little target practice! An Adventure Outpost instructor will guide you through the basics of shooting a compound bow and teach you the archery steps to success. All equipment is provided. For ages 10 and up. Make sure to register online.
Family First Saturday: Art in Motion
May 4
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-4pm
FREE
Designed with the whole family in mind! Performances, artist demonstrations, storytelling, scavenger hunts, tours, and hands-on art making activities are just the start of the fun for the whole family. There’s a different theme each month, so be sure to come to every one, and bring your best friends!
Cincy-Cinco Latino Festival
May 4-5
Fountain Square
Fifth & Vine Streets, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Saturday: 12pm-11pm; Sunday: 12pm-6pm
FREE admission
Cincy-Cinco is a non-profit venture designed to share all of Latin American culture with the Cincinnati community in a fun, family-oriented festival. The festival offers a way to learn about the rich heritage of Latino music, dance, and the best Latino food in town.
Linton PB&J Concert: Music with Madcap: The Story of the Ugly Duckling
May 4
Lakeside Presbyterian Church
2690 Dixie Highway, Lakeside Park, KY 41017
10-10:45am & 11:30am-12:15pm
$6 for an individual ticket (child or adult); $20 for a Flexible Ticket Book (4 tickets)
May 11
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
7701 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
10-10:45am & 11:30am-12:15pm & 1-1:45pm
$6 for an individual ticket (child or adult); $20 for a Flexible Ticket Book (4 tickets)
The clarinet, cello, piano join Madcap Puppets to tell the story of The Ugly Duckling through the music of Beethoven! Don’t miss the music, storytelling, and warm and fuzzy fun!
Family Dinner Cruise
May 5 & 19
BB Riverboat
101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071
6:30pm
Dinner Buffet $46 Adult, $31 Children, Sightseeing Only $25 Adult, $17 Children
Experience the Mighty Ohio River with the whole family on this Sunday Family Dinner Cruise. Guests will enjoy a wonderful buffet meal, a two-hour river cruise and special entertainment. And with an earlier cruise time, you can have great family fun and still get the kids to bed on time. Cruise schedule may change during off-season months. See all of the up-to-date special packages when you choose a specific date in the online reservation system.
WWE Monday Night RAW
May 6
U.S. Bank Arena
100 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
7:30pm
Tickets start at $19
See your favorite RAW WWE superstars like:
Braun Strowman VS Baron Corbin
Finn Balor VS Bobby Lashley
Plus… Seth Rollins, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Elias, RAW Tag Team Champions The Revival and many more!
Thursday Art Play: You Da Mom!
May 9
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10:30-11:30am
$5 for non-members, FREE for members
Looking for some last minute Mother’s Day presents? Join us as we create handmade gifts that your mom will actually want. Decorate a ceramic trophy and fill with flowers. Design a lovely tea towel and create a heartfelt card. Stick around for kid-friendly yoga in the UnMuseum following each Art Play session.
Nature Night
May 9 & 23
Embshoff Woods
4050 Paul Road, Delhi Township, OH 45238
6:30pm
FREE
It’s turtles and snakes and frogs … oh my! Learn how nature survives and adapts in our ever-changing world during these free evening programs at Embshoff Woods.
Superhero Night with Florence Freedom Professional Baseball
May 10
UC Health Stadium
7950 Freedom Way, Florence, KY 41042
6:05-10:05pm
Tickets start at $10
Marvel superheroes will take over our concourse. Fans will have the chance to take pictures and interact with them! After every Friday night home game, Elite Pyrotechnics will light up the sky with the most intense fireworks show around!
Appalachian Festival
May 10-12
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45228
Friday: 9am-9pm; Saturday: 10am-9pm; Sunday: 10am-6pm
$10, $5 age 55, $2 ages 5-11, FREE ages 4 and under
One of the springtime’s most popular family festivals held along the scenic Ohio River at historic Coney Island. The Appalachian Festival is a Mother’s Day Weekend tradition that is celebrating its 50th year of bringing the Appalachian culture to life. This three-day festival features traditional Appalachian music, handmade crafts, storytelling, dancing, an authentic pioneer village, mouthwatering food, and much more.
Five Little Monkeys
May 11
Memorial Hall
1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
2pm
FREE, tickets required
Going shopping, baking cakes, sitting in trees and jumping on beds! In this zany play, told in cumulative verse, five silly simian siblings insist on doing things their own way. Monkey mayhem ensues, despite their mama’s warnings. Based on the bestselling books by Eileen Christelow, this day-in-the-life of the monkey family incorporates Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake, Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree and Five Little Monkeys Go Shopping.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Asian Food Fest
May 11 & 12
The Banks
Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Saturday: 12-10pm & Sunday: 12-8pm
FREE admission
New this year, the Asian Food Fest will be located on Freedom Way between Elm and Walnut Streets!
Features authentic food from mostly all countries from Asia including Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, India, Korea, Japan and many more. Chef Hideki Harada and his wife will be serving up some Japanese delights while Pho Lang Thang will be going back to its roots of the first food fest and will be dishing out some Pho!
Coney Island: Mother’s Day Brunch
May 12
Moonlite Gardens or Moonlite Pavillion
6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45230
Check out the link above for pricing & reservation options.
It’s Mom’s Big Day so treat her to a delicious all-you-can-eat brunch buffet in historic Moonlite Gardens or Moonlite Pavilion at Coney Island. Once the brunch is over, take a stroll along the Ohio River and spend extra time with her winding through the 50th Anniversary Appalachian Festival filled with history, culture, music, and crafting.
Art on Vine at Rhinegeist
May 12
Rhinegeist Brewery
1910 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-7pm
FREE admission
Art show featuring fine art and handmade goods for sale from 70+ local Cincinnati artists.
Madcap Puppets presents Wonderful Wizard of Oz
May 17
Stanbery Park
221 Oxford Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
7-8:30pm
FREE
Travel down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, Toto, and their best friends; Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Tin Man. Madcap brings this epic adventure to life with breathtaking puppets in this enchanting, family-friendly classic.
The City Flea
May 18
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-4pm
FREE admission
The City Flea is Cincinnati’s original curated, urban flea market that takes place once a month at Washington Park and various other locations throughout the year. Since its conception in 2011 The Flea has seen dozens of vendors grow from hobby to full time business and it is with much pride that we consider ourselves not only a monthly market, but a small business incubator, community organization, and city advocate. The Flea is a place to keep your dollars local, support small business and experience YOUR city in a unique and engaging way. Our vendors range from vintage dealers to artisan pizza makers to plant studios. We have something for everyone.
Rosa Parks
May 18
Bi-Okoto African Drum and Dance Theatre
5601 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45212
6-8:30pm
$10, FREE children ages 5-12
Take in a performance by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s touring division, TCT On Tour.
When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man more than fifty years ago on December 1, 1955, she was tired and weary from a long day of work, little did she know that this simple act would significantly change the course of our nation.
Adapted by TCT’s Deondra Kamau Means. Ideal for children in grades 3-8.
National Kids to Parks Day
May 18
Cincinnati Parks – Multiple Locations
Cincinnati, OH
All day
FREE
Sat., May 18, various sites and times 10 a.m. – Noon: Scavenger Hunt – Smale Riverfront Park 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Canoeing and Camping Skills – Burnet Woods Noon – 2 p.m.: Creek, Critters and Clay – California Woods Nature Preserve Join us in celebrating the 9th annual National Park Trust’s, Kids to Parks Day (KTP Day). Our Explore Nature! staff and partner organization, Camping and Education Foundation, are hosting a variety of activities for families and kids of all ages to find their own outdoor adventure. If it is close encounters with live animals, exploring a stream or trying out canoeing for the first time, we have these and more fun outdoor play experiences. Call 513-321-6070 for more information or visit us on Facebook.
Shakespeare in the Vineyard: Romeo and Juliet
May 18
Vinoklet Winery and Restaurant
11069 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45252
7pm
FREE performance
The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company will be at the winery again in the Vinoklet Winery Amphitheater in 2019 for two performances.
Food & Wine & Beer will be available. Sorry, no pets and,please, no outside food or drink. Bring a blanket or folding chair and enjoy the show on the beautiful hillside facing the stage. Food, beer, & wine will be available outside for those that don’t dine in the restaurant.
Civil War Weekend
May 18 & 19
Heritage Village Museum
11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH 45241
Saturday: 10am-5pm & Sunday: 10am-3pm
$10; Museum members, veterans and active duty military (with a military I.D.), and children ages 4 and under are free.
Civil War Weekend at Heritage Village Museum brings re-enactor soldiers and civilians to the Village. Each year’s event includes a daily battle. Artillery, infantry, and civilians from both sides of the conflict will be on hand to tell the story. Meet Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, see living history scenarios in our 19th-century buildings, and participate in hands-on activities.
3rd Sunday Fundays: Once Upon a Time
May 19
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-4pm
FREE
Join the Taft for some fairy tale fun! Create your own story with our artworks at the Art Cart. Enjoy a performance of the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Rumpelstiltskin at 2 p.m. While Rumpelstiltskin may not want people to know his name, celebrate yours with a paint-and-peel project.
Seating is limited for the performance and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
TRICK! Starring Sir Pat-Trick
May 25
Falcon Theatre
636 Monmouth Street, Newport, KY 41071
7-8:15pm
$10 children, $20 adults
Trick! is a fast-paced 70-minute evening of pure family entertainment! This new and exciting show, geared towards the entire family, is a throwback to the days of Vaudeville, starring award-winning magical entertainer Sir Pat-Trick, who takes the audience on a whimsical journey of laughter, wonder, and just downright silliness. Watch as Sir Pat-Trick performs feats of mind-blowing magic and sleight of hand, along with vaudeville-style juggling, slapstick, and audience participation.
Autism Family Exploration
May 25
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
9-11am
FREE
This program is designed for families with children with developmental disabilities to explore the Art Museum before public hours. Families or individuals are welcome to explore the museum at their own pace, or participate in the day’s activities. Upon entrance, visitors will receive a sensory-friendly map which includes a visual scavenger hunt. Families are welcome to participate in an art making in the Rosenthal Education Center and hands-on learning centers in the galleries.
Taste of Cincinnati
May 25-27
Downtown Cincinnati
5th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Saturday & Sunday: 11am-11pm; Monday: 11am-9pm
FREE admission
What began as a small, one-day festival in 1979 has grown to become a 3-day celebration of the Cincinnati region’s best culinary delights spread along 5+ blocks in Downtown Cincinnati. Featuring 100+ delectable dishes from more than 40 local restaurants plus traditional carnival rides and games, and continuous live entertainment from local and national recording stars performing on multiple stages, including the all new Music Bash at Taste of Cincinnati. Taste of Cincinnati is sure to satisfy the whole family!
Wednesdays in the Woods: The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars
May 29
Burnet Woods – historic bandstand
3251 Brookline Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
7-9pm
FREE, contributions encouraged
Come celebrate everything great about summer at our spirited series of 11 free weekly concerts, this week featuring the musical stylings of The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars. Good friends, good tunes, good food, good times with a variety of hands-on art making activities for the kids – all at the historic 1911 Burnet Woods bandstand!
REC Reads
Wednesdays
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11:30am-12pm
FREE
Bring your toddlers or preschoolers to the Rosenthal Education Center for a morning of art-themed storybooks, songs, and sensory activities. This 30-minute program will get your little one excited about art in a fun and interactive way.
Astronomy Friday
Fridays
Cincinnati Observatory Center
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
8:30-10pm
$7, $5 ages under 18; FREE for Observatory members; Please call 513.321.5186 for reservations
In awe with the beauty of the night sky? Have questions about the Universe? This is where you can get the answers. Astronomy Fridays include short presentations on a wide variety of topics and plenty of time for your astro questions. Tour of the Cincinnati Observatory, which as a National Historic Landmark played an important role in the history of Cincinnati and our nation. Once dark, we will view the Moon, planets and deep space treasures through the historic 1845 telescope. (The program is held rain or shine; telescope viewing if clear skies). The topics and the night sky change week-to-week/month-to-month so you can visit often to hear and see something new.
Zoo Babies
May 1-30
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220
10am-5pm
Included with Zoo admission
Help celebrate the newest arrivals at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden during May. Six-foot-tall stork statues displayed throughout the Zoo will lead visitors to all of the cutest little baby faces.
Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation
Through May 31
OMNIMAX Theater
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Daily 10am-5pm
Member Adult: $6, Member Child: $5, Non-member Adult: $9, Non-member Child: $7,
Volcanoes are often seen as destructive, but for billions of years, volcanoes have created our world. With over 500 active volcanoes, our planet is bursting at the seams with these forces of mass construction.
Travel around the world: dodge boulders at the edge of an active volcano in Indonesia, descend to a boiling lava lake in Vanuatu, visit incredible acid ponds, geysers and mineral deposit fields in Ethiopia, walk the archaeological ghost town of Pompeii, dive beneath the waves to hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ocean and witness the spectacular 2018 Kilauea eruption in Hawaii.
Butterfly Show: The Butterflies of Ecuador
Through June 16
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-5pm daily, Closed Mondays
$7 Adults, $4 Children (ages 5-17), FREE ages 4 and under
Thousands of butterflies flutter freely in the showroom among a themed garden design celebrating “The Butterflies of Ecuador.”
SkyStar Observation Wheel
Through June 16
The Banks
150 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Various times depending on day of the week
$12.50/person
Enjoy unique views of downtown Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and the Ohio River from aboard the 150 foot Skystar Observation Wheel. Each of the 36 gondolas is enclosed, climate controlled and can hold up to six passengers. The SkyStar experience consists of four revolutions and lasts approximately 12 minutes.
Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs
Through August 18
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Daily 10am-5pm
Member Adult: $12.50, Member Child: $8.50, Non-member Adult: $19.50, Non-member Child: $12.50; FREE Children 0-2
Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs unveils the mysteries and explores the realities of daily life in ancient Egypt. This extraordinary exhibition looks beyond popular culture’s fantastical portrayals to examine the lives of commoners and god-kings and queens alike. More than 350 original artifacts dating back over 4,500 years, stunningly detailed models of once-lost cities and landscapes and vivid interactive multimedia spaces will combine to conjure up ancient Egyptians’ economic, mythological and cultural world. Egypt will bring the land of pharaohs back to life at Cincinnati Museum Center.
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man
Through September 2
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11-5pm
FREE
Fresh from the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, stunning immersive room-sized installations, mutant art vehicles, creative costuming, films, jewelry and more will transport Cincinnati Art Museum audiences to the Burning Man gathering.
Burning Man attracts more than 70,000 active participants from all over the globe who gather in the desert outside Reno, Nevada. This thriving temporary metropolis is a hotbed of artistic expression and innovation through its shared principles. Both a cultural movement and an annual event, Burning Man is one of the most influential happenings in contemporary American art and culture.\
