CINCINNATI – There are tough choices ahead with so much to do in the Queen City this weekend.
That's why we're publishing this week's recommendations a day early to give you more time to decide.
Cincinnati Music Festival 2018
For more than 50 years, the Cincinnati Music Festival has drawn tens of thousands of people to the Queen City each summer. This weekend promises to be no different when headline acts Jill Scott and Charlie Wilson, along with The Roots, Common, MC Lyte, DJ Jazzy Jeff, After 7, Boyz II Men, Fantasia, Xscap3, Bootsy Collins House Party, The O'Jays and Keith Sweat, perform at Paul Brown Stadium.
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Paul Brown Stadium, 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Downtown. $50-$150. www.cincymusicfestival.com
'As One'
Find yourself moved and uplifted when the Cincinnati Opera performs "As One" at Music Hall this weekend. "As One" tells the coming-of-age story about a transgender woman, with two singers and a string quartet. This new chamber opera is 75 minutes long and follows Hannah as she tries to resolve the discord between herself and the outside world.
7:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday; 3 p.m. Saturday. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $35. www.cincinnatiopera.org
Walk the Moon
It's most definitely going to be a big musical weekend in Cincinnati. Homegrown pop sensation Walk the Moon will perform at Great American Ball Park on Saturday after the Cincinnati Reds play the Philadelphia Phillies. Your ticket to the game doubles as your chance to watch the band perform. Walk the Moon will take the stage approximately 20 minutes after the ballgame ends.
6:40 p.m. Saturday. Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. $12-$295. www.mlb.com
Wiz Khalifa & Rae Sremmurd
If going downtown isn't your thing, head to Riverbend for the Dazed & Blazed Summer 2018 Amphitheater Tour co-headlined by Wiz Khalifa and Rae Sremmurd. The multiplatinum-selling artists will be joined by Lil Skies and O.T. Genasis.
6 p.m. Saturday. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. $38-$98.50. www.riverbend.org
Jeremy Pinnell KY Homecoming
Local country music star Jeremy Pinnell has spent July on the road performing and promoting his second studio album "Ties of Blood and Affection." This Saturday Pinnell will celebrate his return to Northern Kentucky with a show at Octave in Covington. The show will be the first time in nearly a year that Pinnell has performed locally with his full band.
8 p.m. Saturday. Octave, 611 Madison Ave., Covington. $10. Ages 21 and up. www.theoctavebar.com
Adult Swim at Ziegler Park
Start your weekend with some grown-up fun at Ziegler Park. The park will host its inaugural adult swim starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. This 21-and-up event will feature music by DJ Diamond. The pool's bar will be selling Rhinegeist, Fifty West, Christian Moerlein, Taft's Ale House and Bud Light beer, as well as wine.
7:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday. Zieglar Park, 1322 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine. Ages 21 and up. $4. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincinnati Music Festival parties
With thousands of visitors coming to town for the 2018 Cincinnati Music Festival, the Queen City will be jumping this weekend. There will be a number of special events and afterparties pegged to the festival, which will take place Thursday-Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium. Check out our 2018 Cincinnati Music Festival party guide.
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DangerWheel
This unique neighborhood event involves teams of adults on big wheels racing downhill against each other. Festivities will start at noon Saturday with food trucks, burgers and brews. The first heat of racing will begin at 2 p.m. Race finals will begin at 9 p.m. and continue until a DangerWheel winner is declared.
Noon Saturday. DangerWheel, 378 E. 12th St., Pendleton. Free. www.dangerwheel.com
International Friendly
Add some worldly fun to your weekend with FC Cincinnati's international friendly game against La Liga's RCD Espanyol. The game versus the Barcelona-based club will include special pregame and in-game programming. FC Cincinnati also will celebrate its 2019 entry into Major League Soccer with a commemorative poster giveaway to fans. In-game programming will include guest speakers and a video presentation.
7:30 p.m. Saturday. Nippert Stadium, 2700 Bearcat Way, CUF. $15-$60. www.fccincinnati.com
Cincy Soul
Prepare to feast on some of the best eats this weekend during the third annual Cincy Soul food festival. Cincy Soul,which showcases local minority-owned businesses, will take place Friday-Sunday on West Freedom Way. Cincy Soul also will feed your need for great music with performances by legendary rapper Big Daddy Kane and soul singer Bilal on Saturday and a special performance by singer Estelle on Sunday.
6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
SprinkleFEST 2018
This event is tailor-made for anyone with a sweet tooth. SprinkleFEST is an evening-long party celebrating Busken Bakery's 90th anniversary in business. The bakery will transform its parking lot into a wonderland of treats including Donut Plinko, Sprinkle Sandboxes, Smile Face Tongue Tattoos, D.I.Y. Donut Dipping and sprinkles in every shape and color imaginable. There also will be a giant birthday cake for everyone to enjoy, too.
5-9 p.m. Saturday. Busken Bakery, 2675 Madison Road, Hyde Park. busken.com
