Back-to-school, the end of summer… there are lots of things to be not-so-happy about this month. However, we like to take a glass-half-full approach, and say there’s lots of reasons to be pretty happy this month! 26, in fact. From touch-a-trucks to Shakespeare in the Park, free fitness classes to free Parks (Great and Cincinnati) events, there is free family fun in Cincinnati all month long!
Here are 26 free things to do in Cincinnati this August:
Shakespeare in the Park
Through Sept. 4
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues its tradition for over a decade of performing Shakespeare in the Park in communities across the tri-state area with The Merry Wives of Windsor and Romeo and Juliet this summer! CSC provides one of the largest programs for free outdoor Shakespeare in the nation, both in number of stops and the radius of the region visited. Admission to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Shakespeare in the Park Tour is free and open to the public.
Great Parks Free Entry Day
Aug. 1
As a special thank you for their continued support of Great Parks, Hamilton County residents can enjoy free entry into any Great Park on the first day of June, July and August without the need for a Motor Vehicle Permit. All Great Parks.
Smale Family Fun featuring Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Aug. 1 from 7-9 p.m. at Smale Riverfront Park
Join us for FREE family fun! This special Smale Fun Day features William Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
Krystal Peterson & The Queen City Band at Wednesdays on the Greene
Aug. 2 from 7-9 p.m. at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center
Join us for this week’s Wednesdays on the Green – free evening concerts every Wednesday at 7pm – featuring the musical stylings of Krystal Peterson & The Queen City Band! We’ve lined up musical performances from May 31 – August 9, and we can’t wait for a summer filled with music, dancing, hands-on art making for kids, picnics, summer treats and shared memories. Kick back in the grass, enjoy the show and meet some new friends on the beautiful lawn at CCAC. This week’s food vendors are Slice Slice Baby and TBA!
Try It! Fitness Classes
Every Tuesday in August at Winton Woods/Harbor
Take part in a free outdoor fitness class in the park! Weekly classes are taught by YMCA of Greater Cincinnati instructors and rotate offerings between hip hop aerobics, kickboxing, cardio combo and Zumba. Don’t forget your water bottle!
Free Movies for Kids
Aug. 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kenwood Theatre, Esquire Theatre, Mariemont Theatre and Eastgate Brew & View
Catch the LEGO Batman Movie at the final Free Movies for Kids show of the summer!
Summer Cinema at Washington Park
Wednesdays in August
Summer Cinema features a free movie screening every Wednesday at the Park! Dust off those lawn chairs, grab a picnic basket, and join us for a fun, relaxing evening over on our civic lawn.
Montgomery Touch a Truck
Aug. 3 from 9-11 a.m. at Weller Park
Free; held rain or shine!
Creature Feature
Aug. 4 at 11 a.m. at Woodland Mound
Join the naturalist at the wet playground today to see a few live animals before the little ones play.
Free Junior Clinic
Aug. 5 from 1-2 p.m. at Winton Woods/Meadow Links & Golf Academy
This free one-hour introduction teaches basic safety, etiquette and full swing fundamentals to junior golfers. For ages 7–17.
St. Bernard Grand Prix
Aug. 5 from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at St. Bernard High School
The Greater Cincinnati Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program open to any child at least 7 and 17 years of age. Children compete by driving their racers in one of two levels of gravity powered racing cars built from kits purchased from the All-American Soap Box Derby.
Splash Splash Bash
Aug. 6 from 2-4 p.m. at Winton Woods/Harbor
Wear clothes that can get wet, because you are in for a messy good time as we play all sorts of water games. Explore the world of water as nature’s essential ingredient. All ages will want to drop by and get in on the act, with hands-on fun and learning for all.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at Wednesdays on the Green
Aug. 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center
Join us for this week’s Wednesdays on the Green – free evening concerts every Wednesday at 7pm – featuring a performance by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
Smale Family Fun Day
Aug. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Enjoy a full day of fun at Smale Riverfront Park with entertainment for all ages, including Grammy nominee Zak Morgan! Bring a picnic and make it a family day at the park. Be sure to visit Parks Naturalist booth. For event details, visit the park calendar at www.cincinnatiparks.com or https://www.facebook.com/CincyParks/.
Animals Alive
Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at Woodland Mound/Seasongood Nature Center
Discover what kinds of animals may live in your own backyard and meet a few up close!
Boone County Touch a Truck
Aug. 12 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at England-Idlewild Park
Enjoy checking out all of the trucks! Many local companies participate in this fun family event!
Cincinnati Parent KidsFest
Aug. 13 from 1-4 p.m. at Coney Island’s Moonlite Pavilion
Sponsored by Cincinnati Union Bethel. Join us for our popular Cover Kid Contest, face painting, caricatures, Princesses and Superheros, pony rides, a trampoline provided by Recreations Outlet and tons of booths all with giveaways, drawings/activities and more. We will be in the Moonlite Pavilion. Event is FREE for the whole family (minus $9 for parking per car load) and your family can visit Coney Island for ONLY $7.50 to enjoy Sunlight Pool or the amusement park after. Deal is only good that day. This is a do not miss event!
Kids Flea
Aug. 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. a Washington Park
The first Kids Flea was held last year, and we can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for our awesome local kid makers. Kids Fleas held in conjunction with the regular City Flea market.
Cardboard Boat Regatta
Aug. 19 in New Richmond, OH
Don’t miss the 25th anniversary of this one-of-the-kind event! 70 boats will compete in 2017. Free.
Dog Days of Summer Funday
Aug. 20 from 1-4 p.m. at the Taft Museum
Celebrate one of our favorite four-legged animals this Funday! Make your own canine-related craft, visit the dogs in the Taft collection, and learn how animals are seen in another culture at the Art Cart. Join us at 2 p.m. for a presentation by SPCA Cincinnati on how to be a good friend to any dog you meet, and practice your skills with an SPCA ambassador dog. FREE. No reservations required.
National Geographic Photo Ark
Daily through Aug. 20
The National Geographic Photo Ark is a compelling and visually powerful project that aims to photograph species before it is too late. In addition to creating an archival record for generations to come, this project is a hopeful platform for conservation and shines a light on individuals and organizations working to preserve species around the world. Exhibit FREE with Zoo admission.
Eclipse Day
Aug. 21 at Glenwood Gardens/Cotswold Overlook
See the partial solar eclipse happening today in Cincinnati! The moon is expected to cover a large portion of the sun causing a spectacular sight. The eclipse will begin near 1 p.m. and end about 4 p.m. Join us at the Cotswold overlook anytime between these hours to view this phenomenon and learn more about it.
Taste of Blue Ash
Aug. 25 and 26 at Summit Park
Taste of Blue Ash Food & Music Festival is a two-day event featuring a variety of food, live music, and family fun! The festival is scheduled for August 25 & 26th at Summit Park. The festival will run from noon-11PM on both days, and also feature local performers. In addition to the great music lineup, concert-goers will be able to choose from a wide variety of local food truck and unique food vendors over the two-day period! The event is free and open to the public.
Monarchs on the Move
Aug. 26 at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve/Ellenwood Nature Barn
Discover the secret lives of these winged marvels as we discuss their life cycle and their massive migration. Learn how to attract them to your yard and how to check in on their migration progress.
Raptor Inc. Open House
Aug. 27 from 1-4 p.m.
Visit RAPTOR Inc. during our OPEN HOUSE EVENTS on the last Sunday of each month (March-November) between 1pm and 4pm and help support local bird of prey conservation! Meet our LIVE! avian ambassadors up close, learn about the important role raptors play in our environment, participate in fun activities and share some treats! The events are FREE and FUN for the whole family!
Newport Aquarium Summer Family Hours
Through Sept. 1
Sundays through Fridays, one kid (age 2-12) gets in free after 4 p.m. with the purchase of one full-priced adult ticket. This offer is available between May 28 and September 1, online only. Visit https://www.newportaquarium.com/Visitor-Tips/Aquarium-Events/Summer-Family-Hours for your discount.