37 free things to do and get in Cincinnati and around the Cincinnati area, including 10 attractions, 8 entertainment, 6 kids & family.
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Open during park hours
Everybody's Treehouse, Mt. Airy ForestCincinnati
Everybody's Treehouse in Mt. Airy Forest reopened in fall 2026 after renovations. Ramps lead up into a 1,500-square-foot treehouse built around living trees and designed so kids and adults of all abilities can get 'up in the trees'. It's part of a public city park.
Verified Oct 27 · cincinnati-oh.gov
No catch
Tuesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm (Thursday until 8pm); closed Mondays
Cincinnati Art Museum
General admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is free every day it's open, Tuesday to Sunday, with late hours until 8pm on Thursdays. Parking is free too. Some special exhibitions are ticketed, such as The Art of Charley Harper (through March 7, 2027).
Verified Oct 27 · cincinnatiartmuseum.org
No catch
Tuesdays 6–9pm, Nov 3 – Dec 29, 2026
Winterhaus at Fountain SquareCincinnati
Every Tuesday from November 3 through December 29, a different local jazz act plays The Johnson Foundation stage at Winterhaus on Fountain Square, 6–9pm.
Verified Oct 28 · myfountainsquare.com
No catch
Mon–Thu 9am–8pm, Fri–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 1–5pm
Oxford Lane LibraryCincinnati
Lane Libraries' Library of Things lets you check out acoustic guitars, ukuleles, banjos, a mandolin and sewing machines from the Oxford branch, plus seeds from the Lane Seed Library and kids' Launchpad tablets. Instruments and sewing machines are picked up and returned at the Oxford Lane Library.
Verified Oct 27 · lanepl.org
No catch
Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm (choice shopping ends 3:30pm)
Freestore Foodbank Liberty Street MarketCincinnati
Freestore Foodbank's Liberty Street Market is a choice pantry where you pick your own groceries for free, Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm. Protein items are for people who shop in person. Bring a photo ID and household verification (address, birth certificate or medical card). Shopping ends 30 minutes before closing; if you can't shop in time you may get a pre-packed emergency box.
Verified Oct 27 · freestorefoodbank.org
Catch: Bring photo ID and household verification (address, birth certificate or medical card)
Park grounds open daily, 9am–4pm; house tours when the Taft Education Center is open
William Howard Taft National Historic SiteCincinnati
The birthplace and boyhood home of President William Howard Taft in Mount Auburn is a National Park Service site with no entrance fee. Start at the Taft Education Center for the park film and exhibits, then take a guided or self-guided tour of the restored house. Free parking on Auburn Avenue and behind the house.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
During museum hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm (Thursday until 8pm)
Rosenthal Education Center, Cincinnati Art Museum
Inside the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Rosenthal Education Center is open during museum hours for free hands-on artmaking and activities for families. Museum entry is free as well, so it's an easy indoor outing with kids.
Verified Oct 27 · cincinnatiartmuseum.org
No catch
Fri, Nov 6, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Fairfield Community Arts CenterCincinnati
MetroParks of Butler County brings live animals to the Fairfield Community Arts Center on Friday, November 6, 6:30–7:30pm, to show how wildlife sleeps, migrates or adapts through winter. All ages; free, no registration.
Verified Oct 28 · reservations.yourmetroparks.net
No catch
Monday and Wednesday 4–7pm, Friday 1–6pm
Empower ToolsCincinnati
Empower Tools, a tool-lending shop run by Kenton County Public Library inside Covington's Hellmann Creative Center, lends up to 3 tools at a time for 7 days to adult cardholders. Register in person during shop hours with a valid ID and your cell phone, and sign a yearly borrower's agreement. Tools can't be held or renewed, and late tools are fined $5 a day each.
Verified Oct 27 · kentonlibrary.org
Catch: Kenton County Public Library card required (adults 18+, account in good standing) · Register in person with valid ID and cell phone
Wednesday 10am–5pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday–Sunday 10am–4pm; closed Mon–Tue
Contemporary Arts CenterCincinnati
The Contemporary Arts Center downtown is free for visitors 18 and under and for SNAP/EBT recipients. General admission for everyone else is $12. Children 12 and under need an adult with them.
Verified Oct 27 · contemporaryartscenter.org
Catch: Only for: visitors 18 and under, and SNAP/EBT recipients ($12 for other adults) · Visitors 12 and under must come with an adult
Sat, Nov 7, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meadow Ridge MetroPark (archery range)Cincinnati
Bring your old jack-o'-lantern to Meadow Ridge MetroPark on Saturday, November 7, 1–3pm, and watch it launched from pumpkin-slinging machines (the machine builders do the launching). Pumpkins can be carved or whole but must be free of paint and decorations, 30 lb max. Meet at the archery range. Free, all ages, no registration.
Verified Oct 27 · reservations.yourmetroparks.net
No catch
Sundays and Mondays, 10am–5pm (museum closed Tuesdays)
Taft Museum of ArtCincinnati
The Taft Museum of Art, a 200-year-old historic house with the Duncanson murals and a collection of more than 800 objects, is free on Sundays and Mondays. On other days adult admission is $15. Youth 17 and under, students, teachers and military with ID are free every day.
Verified Oct 27 · taftmuseum.org
No catch
Sun, Nov 8, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
National Underground Railroad Freedom CenterCincinnati
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the riverfront is free on Sunday, Nov 8, 2026, one of its Fifth Third Community Days. Regular adult admission is $21.50. The museum tells the stories of freedom's heroes from the Underground Railroad to today; plan on 3–4 hours. Reserve tickets online or in person; last entry 4:30pm.
Verified Oct 27 · freedomcenter.org
Catch: Free tickets: reserve online or in person
Tue, Nov 10, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Corbett Auditorium, CCM, University of Cincinnati
The UC Choruses (Alta Petit, Juncta Juvant and the Cabaret Singers) sing choral classics and new works on Tuesday, November 10, at 7:30pm in Corbett Auditorium at UC's College-Conservatory of Music. About 60 minutes. Admission is free.
Verified Oct 27 · uc.edu
No catch
Fri, Nov 13, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Boone County Public Library, Main Library (Meeting Room ABC)Cincinnati
Boone County Public Library's Main Library hosts a Colonial Ball on Friday, November 13, 6:30–8pm: colonial-inspired games, door prizes, refreshments and a lesson in a historic dance. For adults.
Verified Oct 28 · boone.libnet.info
No catch
Mon, Nov 16, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Corbett Auditorium, CCM, University of Cincinnati
The CCM Wind Ensemble plays music spanning 112 years, from Holst's Second Suite in F to Gala Flagello's punchy Bravado, on Monday, November 16, at 7:30pm in Corbett Auditorium. About 75 minutes. Admission is free.
Verified Oct 27 · uc.edu
No catch
Wed, Nov 18, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Boone County Public Library, Main Library (Meeting Room A)Cincinnati
Bring holiday decor you no longer want and take home something new at Boone County Public Library's Winter Decor Swap, Wednesday, November 18, 1–4pm. Leave decor, take decor.
Verified Oct 28 · boone.libnet.info
No catch
Thu, Nov 19, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Boone County Public Library, Scheben Branch (Meeting Room AB)Cincinnati
Families build their own sweet creations at Gingerbread Construction, Thursday, November 19, 6–7pm, at Boone County Public Library's Scheben Branch. Registration required.
Verified Oct 28 · boone.libnet.info
Catch: Registration required (limited seats)
Tue, Nov 24, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Corbett Auditorium, CCM, University of Cincinnati
"Romantic Titans: Faith and Fire": the CCM Concert Orchestra performs Berlioz's Le Corsaire overture, Schumann's Konzertstück for four horns and Mendelssohn's "Reformation" Symphony on Tuesday, November 24, at 7:30pm in Corbett Auditorium. About 75 minutes. Admission is free.
Verified Oct 27 · uc.edu
No catch
Request any time through Cincinnati 311; installs scheduled as alarms are available
Cincinnati Fire Department (request via 311)
The Cincinnati Fire Department and the American Red Cross install free smoke alarms in homes within the City of Cincinnati. Request one through the city's 311 service; requests are filled on a rolling basis as alarms become available. Residents outside the city can call the Red Cross at 1-844-207-4509.
Verified Oct 27 · cincinnati-oh.gov
Catch: Only for: residents within the City of Cincinnati · Request through 311; filled as alarms are available
Classes several times a week; appointments by request (see the library calendar)
Downtown Main LibraryCincinnati
The library's adult education program offers free classes (recent examples: Adobe Photoshop basics, block printing, drawing, learning apps) and free one-on-one appointments with staff at the Downtown Main Library for job searching and other goals. Book an appointment online, in person or by phone.
Verified Oct 27 · chpl.org
Catch: Library card required · Appointments must be booked ahead (online, in person or by phone)
Several sessions each week at different branches (see the ESOL calendar)
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library branches
The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library runs free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes and conversation groups at several branches, from beginner English to intermediate, plus online classes. Check the library's ESOL calendar for this week's sessions.
Verified Oct 27 · chpl.org
No catch
Reserve a pass online; dates depend on each attraction
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
With a Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library card you can reserve a free Discovery Pass to local attractions such as Krohn Conservatory, the Contemporary Arts Center, Children's Theatre of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub. Library cards are free for Ohio residents, and for Boone, Campbell and Kenton County, Kentucky, residents who have a card from their local library.
Verified Oct 27 · chpl.org
Catch: Library card required (free for Ohio residents and Boone, Campbell and Kenton County, KY, cardholders) · Reserve a pass online in advance
During Hebron Branch hours, through January 3, 2027
Boone County Public Library, Hebron BranchCincinnati
Through January 3, 2027, the Hebron Branch of Boone County Public Library hosts Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites, an interactive exhibit from Minnesota Children's Museum where kids play inside scenes from The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Snowy Day and Where's Spot?
Verified Oct 28 · bcplundiscovered.org
No catch
