Halloween parties
Costumes. Music. Cocktails. Halloween is full of creepy fun, and I can’t wait to turn up at one of the many parties happening this weekend. (Check out our Halloween party guide here.) I’m going to the Malice Ball masquerade party, which will feature DJ ETrayn, a scary photobooth and yummy drinks mixed by bartenders from Thunderdome Restaurant Group. Whether you are partying or going trick or treating, have a happy Halloween!
Malice Ball: 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Bockfest Hall, 1619 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine. $25 advance (online registration ends Oct. 29 at noon), $30 door. Ages 21 and up. For details, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Disney on Ice
You’re never too old for a little Disney magic. Disney on Ice returns to U.S. Bank Arena on Thursday, and the show, “Dare to Dream,” features a mix of familiar characters, including Rapunzel, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Princess Tiana.
7 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St. $13-$89. usbankarena.com
Ice Rink on Fountain Square
The ice rink on Fountain Square is opening Friday. (Yes, even though it’s barely cold enough for knee-high boots.) It has a new name for its 10th anniversary: the O’Keeffe’s Ice Rink, presented by Fifth Third Bank. On Friday, guests will receive free skate rentals with cost of admission. There will be a costume contest and a Halloween Skate Party on Saturday, with prizes for best costumes and free skate rentals for anyone wearing costumes. On Sunday, there will be free skate rentals all day for anyone wearing Bengals gear, plus a morning tailgate and watch party for the Bengals game in London.
5-11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Rink admission: $6, skate rentals $4. Open daily through Feb. 20. myfountainsquare.com
Art After Dark
This Friday’s edition of Art After Dark at the Cincinnati Art Museum is Halloween-themed. “Into the Hallow’s Night” will feature self-guided ghost tours, Halloween-inspired dance performances by Pones and a costume contest. There also will be guided tours of "Van Gogh: Into the Undergrowth," a preview of new exhibit "Employed: A Staff Art Exhibition," live music by DJ Diamond, food and drinks.
5-9 p.m. Friday. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Free admission. For details, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Yo-Yo Ma
Grammy-winning cellist Yo Yo Ma has been celebrated worldwide as a classical music icon. He will perform with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on Friday. Although the show is technically sold out, the CSO website says a few single seats may remain.
8 p.m. Friday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St. Call 513-381-3300 for remaining ticket availability. cincinnatisymphony.org
Run Like Hell
It’s one of the most festive 5Ks you’ll ever run. The 25th annual Run Like Hell, the Halloween-themed charity 5K benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, will take runners on a winding course that passes through a cemetery. A party at the finish line will feature craft beer, free food and soft drinks, and live music. Wear your best costumes (though that octopus costume might be kind of hard to run in) and get ready for a spooky good time.
7:30 p.m. Friday. Race starts and finishes at 3614 Woodburn Ave. $40 advance registration, $45 on race day; $10 for party-only ticket. Cincyrunlikehell.com
Queen City Exchange grand opening
When new bar Queen City Exchange hosts its grand opening Saturday, patrons will be asked one question: How much are you willing to pay for a pint of your favorite craft beer? The bar's dynamic-pricing system is tied, much like the stock market, to demand: The more popular that any one of the 41 craft beers on tap is, the more its price will rise. Fewer buyers mean lower prices, much like stocks traded on Wall Street.
Noon-2:30 a.m. Saturday. (Food trucks available at 6 p.m.) 32 W. Court St., Downtown. Free admission. For details, visit the event’s Facebook page. www.facebook.com/QueenCityExchange
FallFest
Get into the fall spirit at Washington Park’s FallFest this weekend. There will be live music from bands including Comet Bluegrass All-Stars, the Tillers and Jake Speed & the Freddies. There also will be family-friendly entertainment, such as performances by Madcap Puppets and magician Charlie Cadabra, plus vendors selling crafts and baked goods.
Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St. Free admission. washingtonpark.org
Warsaw Avenue Film Fest
This year’s Warsaw Avenue Film Fest spotlights Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and will feature films about Hispanic culture, life, death, rituals and traditions. There also will be music by Toca Madera, performances by Pones and food from Veracruz Mexican Grill.
5-10 p.m. Saturday. Warsaw Firehouse, 3120 Warsaw Ave. Free admission. For more details, visit the event page on Facebook.
Bonus things to do
Taste of Belgium at the Banks: The wait is finally over for Taste of Belgium's newest location, and the menu looks delicious. Here's a preview before it opens Friday.
Cheer on the Bengals in London: The game starts early Sunday, and plenty of local bars are opening early, too, for the fans. Here's where to cheer on the team.
