Top 13 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Sept. 27-29

We hope you've recovered from last weekend's Oktoberfest Zinzinnati because, whew, another stacked weekend of fun is upon us. The biggie is the return of Cincinnati's own gratisphere, the Kroger Wellness Festival, where a bonanza of samples, giveaways, discounts and goodies await. Additionally, it's opening weekend for the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial, where photography and film exhibitions play the starring role.

We've also got two new music festivals to check out, a Chinese cultural festival, a fall festival dedicated to autumn's finest fruit, a couple of notable art shows, a haunted house opening, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2024-2025 season and yes, the Oktoberfest celebrations continue unabated across the area.

1. Kroger Wellness Festival

This festival celebrates physical, mental and emotional health for the whole family. Experience fitness activities, cooking demos, panel discussions, exhibitions, workshops, live music from six stages, and over 200 experiences and food offerings. Friday’s music headliner is Third Eye Blind, and Saturday is Jason Derulo. Other celebrity guests include three-time MVP and World Series champion Alex Rodriguez, James Beard Award-winning chef Maneet Chauhan, cookbook author Chrissy Teigen, chef Bobby Flay, MMA star Dustin Poirier, former WNBA player Briana Butler and more.

NOTE: Y'all know the Wellness Fest gets super crowded because the freebies are unparalleled. To make it easier to navigate and more accessible to all, this year there are two major differences: the festival has moved from The Banks to an expanded footprint on Fifth Street, and you can no longer bring in carts, wagons, suitcases, strollers without children, duffle bags, oversized backpacks, roller bags and wheeled carriers of any kind.

Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Fifth Street between Main Street and Columbia Parkway, Downtown. Free. Kroger.com/wellnessfestival.

2. 2024 FotoFocus Biennial

The FotoFocus Biennial is a month-long celebration of photography, film and lens-based art held throughout Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton and Columbus that features exhibitions, performances, screenings, lectures, curator tours and receptions with international participants. The theme for 2024 is Backstories and encompasses 86 venues and 15 featured projects. Visit the website to pick up a free Biennial Passport, which offers free access to more than 100 projects and programs at museums and galleries, including the opening weekend programs. Here's a look at the featured projects opening this weekend.

• Southern Democratic: Curated by Phillip March Jones, this exhibition features 15 meditative vignettes, each comprised of works by different artists. At the heart of the exhibition is a silent conversation with photographer William Eggleston’s “Election Eve,” a 1976 collection of 100 original prints originally conceived as an assignment for Rolling Stone magazine, documenting the birthplace of Jimmy Carter.

  • Details: noon-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, The Carnegie, 1028 Scott St., Covington. Runs Sept. 26-Feb. 15. Free. Thecarnegie.com.

• Barbara Probst: Subjective Evidence: This is the first American survey of German photographer Barbara Probst, whose work questions the notion of truth in the face of multiple perspectives. The opening celebration also includes access to FotoFocus’ presentation of Chip Thomas and the Painted Desert Project. In addition, Alice OTR (1432 Main St., Over-the-Rhine) hosts the official afterparty.

  • Details: 8-10 p.m. Friday, Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Runs Sept. 27-Feb. 9. Free; afterparty is $10. Cincycac.org.

3. Discovering Ansel Adams

The Cincinnati Art Museum premieres this unprecedented exploration of the early career of Ansel Adams showing how, between 1916 and the 1940s, he developed from a teenage tourist with a camera to the country’s most celebrated photographer. The exhibition brings together approximately 80 photographs with unique ephemera, including handwritten correspondence, personal possessions and working materials. Featured works range from small, one-of-a-kind photographs from his teenage years to mural-sized prints of his iconic mature views.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Cincinnati Art Museum. 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Sept. 27-Jan. 19. $12. Admission is free for FotoFocus Passport holders from Sept. 27-Oct. 31. The exhibition is also free every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

4. Country Applefest

Browse more than 300 arts, crafts and food vendors at this popular fall festival, which also features live entertainment each day.

Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon. $1 per person, cash only. Ages 12-under free. Free parking. Countryapplefest.com.

5. Mount Healthy Haunted Hall

This year features Mount Healthy General Hospital, where procedures go awry in horrible ways. Your hospital admission also includes entry into four tents, backyard areas and a giant vortex. This haunted attraction typically has a number of classic favorites like Wolfman, Frankenstein and Zombies.

Details: 8-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7-9 p.m. Sunday, 7700 Seward Ave., Mount Healthy. Runs Sept. 27-Oct. 26. $18 fast pass, $12 general. Cash only, no refunds. Bring a canned good and get $2 off general admission. On Soupy Sundays, get $6 off admission by bringing two cans of soup (must be soup) to donate. hauntedhallinfo.com.

6. Mammoth Music and Arts Festival

This art and music festival features arts and crafts vendors, food and drinks, and 26 bands across four stages, indoor and outside. One of the highlights is a special Jockey Club Retrospective in the Southgate House Lounge that pays homage to Newport's renowned punk rock venue, which closed in 1988. The retrospective includes performances by former JC musicians and friends from the scene like The Idleaires (The Reduced), Spiderhand (The Dents, Ulterior Motives), The Tigerlilies (The Thangs), The Ric Hickey Trio (The Speed Hickeys), Pedro-X (SS-20), DJ Grover Smith and emcee "Handsome" Clem Carpenter, plus you get a sneak preview of new book “It’s a Freakshow Ace!: Punk Flyer Art for the Legendary Jockey Club 1982-1988” by Kelli Evans.

Details: 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Sixth Street between Saratoga and Monmouth streets, Newport. Free. Mammothnewport.com.

7. Talk Low Music Festival

This new music festival from Whited Sepulchre Records creates unique contexts for deep listening from artists all over the world, with styles ranging from ambient, experimental, and avant-garde jazz to indie rock and house. The festival also features free all-ages shows and workshops. Thursday's lineup: KMRU, Desert Liminal, Five Sided Stars at DSGN CLLCTV (4150 Hamilton Ave., Northside). Friday's lineup: Cambient documentary screening and Innerspace Collective from 7:30-9:30 p.m., followed by Galcher Lustwerk, DJ Boywife, Rawtime at DSGN CLLCTV. Saturday's lineup: Laraaji, Maria Chavez, Shermvn at Woodward Theater (1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine). Sunday's lineup: Joy Guidry, Niecy Blues, J-M-P Trio at Contemporary Arts Center (44 E. Sixth St., Downtown).

Details: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, 9 p.m.-midnight Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Sunday, various venues. $150 all shows plus T-shirt, tote bag and 1 album, $90 all shows, $20 single show. talklowfest.cargo.site.

8. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's season opener features Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Titan, led by guest conductor Dalia Stasevska. The program also includes Alberto Ginastera’s “Malambo” from Four Dances from Estancia and Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, featuring Chopin Piano Competition winner Bruce Liu in his CSO debut.

Details: 11 a.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Sept. 27-28. $15-up. Cincinnatisymphony.org.

9. Cincinnati Moon Festival

This family-friendly festival celebrates Greater Cincinnati's Asian community, traditions and the arrival of the autumn harvest moon. You'll find cultural exhibits, food tastings, performances, a lantern display, activities and more, showcasing the beauty and traditions of Chinese culture.

Details: 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Free. cincinnaticompass.org.

10. Art After Dark: The Remix with Talib Kweli

Enjoy music from acclaimed hip-hop artist and DJ Talib Kweli, performances by Heroes Rise, and free access to the final weekend of the special exhibition The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21 Century. There's a cash bar and food for purchase. Note: Art After Dark is very popular, and some of this month's programming takes place in the museum’s front parking lot, rain or shine. Consider using a ride share, as parking will be limited.

This is the final weekend for this special exhibition, and the museum is offering free admission all weekend. Don't miss out!

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

11. Art Affaire

The Greater Milford Area Historical Society hosts this juried fine art and craft show. You'll find around 100 local and regional juried artists working in mediums of painting, drawing, photography, paper, clay, mixed media, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, sculpture, wood, baskets and fiber. There's also live music, food, vendors and a new kids’ zone and youth market this year.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Main Street, Milford. Free. facebook.com/artaffaire.

12. Art Fair

Local artists set up shop along the Gallery Loop at Pyramid Hill for you to shop paintings, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking and glass from more than 60 regional and national artists. Enjoy family activities, food trucks, artist demonstrations and live musical performances, including a Sunday concert by the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra.

Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton. $5, free ages 12-under. pyramidhill.org.

13. Oktoberfest fun

We hope you are not all Oktoberfested out because there are three worthy celebrations this weekend.

• St. Agnes Oktoberfest: This fest features rides, kids' games, German grill and other food, beer, and live music. Music schedule is Naked Karate Girls on Friday, DV8 Saturday and School of Rock on Sunday.

  • Details: 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 4-8 p.m. Sunday, St. Agnes, 1680 Dixie Highway, Fort Wright. facebook.com.

• Oktoberfest at MPH Brewing: The pub converts to a proper Festhaus with biergarten and bier tent. Enjoy stilt walkers, face painting, games, a beautiful beer contest and more. At 7:30 p.m. watch the FC Cincinnati match with other fans in the biergarten.

  • Details: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, MPH Brewing, 7880 Remington Road, Montgomery. mphbrew.com.

• Sonder & Friends Oktoberfest 5K: The day begins with a 5K run/walk and kids' Root Beer Run followed by an all-day celebration of German beer, festive food, kids' activities and live music. Medals for all finishers, prizes for best Oktoberfest costumes.

  • Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sonder Brewing, 8584 Duke Blvd., Mason. Free; race is $35. sonderbrewing.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 13 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Sept. 27-29