BLINK Festival
This annual festival is the largest light, art and projection mapping event in America. Thirty blocks of downtown Cincinnati will be turned into an outdoor art museum as projection mapping lights up buildings with stunningly beautiful murals and designs. Check it out on Oct. 10-13 from 7-11 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, visit www.blinkcincinnati.com.
“Masterchef Junior” LIVE!
This live, theatrical version of the popular competition reality show features kids aged 8-13. The live show will include head-to-head cooking competitions between past all-stars and fan favorites, and a Q&A session. Check it out at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35-$125. For more information, call 513-621-2787 or visit www.cincinnatiarts.org.
Machine Gun Kelly and Young Thug
This major co-headlining rap tour features Machine Gun Kelly, who released his fourth album, “Hotel Diablo,” last July, and Young Thug who, after several mixtapes, released his debut studio album, “So Much Fun,” last August. See them at the PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati on Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $23.50-$65. For more information, call (513) 232-6220 or visit www.riverbend.org.
GRiZ: Ride Waves Tour
This DJ, saxophonist and practitioner of “future-funk” released his sixth studio album, “Ride Waves,” earlier this year. See him at the PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $23.50-$44.50. For more information, call (513) 232-6220 or visit www.riverbend.org.
CinCityCon 2019
This board game and RPG convention features tournaments, casual play, miniatures, LARPing, seminars, cosplay, a game design contest and kids’ games. There’s a special event for just Magic: The Gathering for beginners and experts. Check it out at the Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Cincinnati, on Oct. 11-13. Hours are noon-midnight Friday, 9 a.m.-midnight Saturday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25-$55 (adult) and $10 (kids). For more information, visit www.cincitycon.com.
Lebanon Oktoberfest
If you missed the big one downtown or just don’t like huge crowds, Lebanon is throwing its own Oktoberfest party. Enjoy craft beer, German food, live music, craft vendors, a pooch parade, and a kids’ zone. Check it out along Mulberry Street in Lebanon on Oct. 12 from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, check out the Lebanon Oktoberfest Facebook page.
50th Annual Sauerkraut Festival
The annual sauerkraut festival doesn’t just serve up heaping mounds of unique sauerkraut dishes. It’s an arts and crafts festival featuring over 450 artisans from 25 states. Peruse the art while munching from over 60 food items in downtown Waynesville on Oct. 12-13. Fest hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-897-8855 or visit www.sauerkrautfestival.com.
Cincinnati Coffee Festival
A must-attend for coffee lovers. This fest includes free samplings of the world’s finest coffees, teas, pastries and other food pairings. Also meet professional roasters and baristas, attend demos and events such as the Coffee Olympics, and listen to live music. Check it out at the Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Cincinnati, on Oct. 12-13 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $15-$40. For more information, call 513-460-3365 or visit www.cincinnaticoffeefestival.com.
Charlie Daniels Band
The Devil is coming down to Lawrenceburg. This legendary country band has released over 30 studio albums, in addition to several singles and compilation, live, and Christmas albums. Their last studio album was 2016’s “Night Hawk.” See them at the Lawrenceburg Events Center, 777 Hollywood Blvd., Lawrenceburg, Ind., on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $29 and up. For more information, visit www.thelawrenceburgeventcenter.com.
George Thorogood
The “Bad to the Bone” singer has sold over 15 million albums with his band, The Destroyers. He released his first solo album, “Party of One,” in 2017. See him at the Jack Cincinnati Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Cincinnati on Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30. For more information, call (513) 252-0777 or visit www.jacksentertainment.com/cincinnati.
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