After a surprise snow last weekend, it looks like spring is back in Cincinnati! And, aside from baseball, nothing says “spring in Cincinnati” like a day at Kings Island. Our favorite theme park opens this weekend — and we are excited to usher in another season of fun!
Another sign of spring? The Cincinnati Flower Show at Yeatman’s Cove. Whether you have a green thumb or prefer buying $4.99 bouquets from the supermarket, you won’t want to miss this show!
Without further ado, here are our top five events for this April 16-17 weekend (courtesy, of course, of our fabulous Online Calendar).
Opening Day at Kings Island
Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH 45040
Kings Island opens for its 45th season Saturday, April 16. Challenge the world’s longest wooden (The Beast) and longest steel inverted (Banshee) roller coasters. Take a spin on the Grand Carousel celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Spend the day with your kids in Planet Snoopy. Be among the first to see our new stage show, Hollywood Nights. Make plans now to be part of all the fun and excitement of Opening Day!
Celebrate EARTH!
Saturday, April 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Music Hall, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Bring the family to celebrate Earth Day through song and music, including “Circle of Life” from The Lion King and Debussy’s La mer (“The Sea”). Stunning visuals will play above the stage to help bring nature center stage at Music Hall. Our friends at Taking Root will be providing each child at this concert with their very own bare root tree sapling to take home and plant! FREE Family Fun Zone starts at 9:30 am.
For more events celebrating Mother Nature, check out Celebrate Earth Day in Cincinnati
Wild Kratts LIVE!
Sat., April 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
In this live version of the wildly popular PBS KIDS® television show, animated Kratt Brothers, Martin and Chris, ‘come to real life’ in a classically Wild Kratts story. Off ‘To the Creature Rescue’, the Emmy-nominated Kratt Brothers activate some fan favorite Creature Power Suits to confront a comic villain. Through hilarious pratfalls and amazing animal ‘wow facts’, the Wild Kratts team rescues their favorite invention from Zach’s clutches so the animals of the creature world are safe once again.
Cincinnati Flower Show
Sat., April 16 – Sun., April 17
Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Horticultural and food enthusiasts will enjoy elaborate garden displays, creative containers, brimming window boxes, dramatic table settings, inspiring lectures, great shopping with plant and garden vendors in the Marketplace and tantalizing treats and culinary inspirations at the Fine Food Show and special events.
Third Sunday Funday: Once Upon a Time
Sunday, April 17, 1-4 p.m.
Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Learn all about the art of fairy tales during this story book Funday! Make a dragon to take home, explore how artists tell stories at the Art Cart, and enjoy a performance of Henny Penny by ArtReach at 1:30 p.m. (ideal for kids in grades K–4).
Let’s get outside and make it a great weekend! (If you have younger kiddos, we suggest kicking off — pun intended — the weekend at Nordstrom’s Shoe Tying Clinic.)