Southern Ohio packs the calendar this week, with Halloween season moving into high gear. The three-day Chillicothe Halloween Festival takes over Yoctangee Park Friday through Sunday, Portsmouth’s Art District fills with artists and musicians Saturday afternoon, and a Halloween trail event, a haunted train murder mystery dinner and a spooky symphony concert lean into the season. Saturday is also a big day for car lovers, with two car shows rolling into Chillicothe — one benefiting the local fire department, the other funding trade-school scholarships.
Monday, Oct. 5
Free HIV and Syphilis Testing — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dirty South Therapeutics, 67 E. Water St., Chillicothe. First Capital PRIDE and Equitas Health offer free, confidential testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C. No appointment needed; open to Ross County and surrounding-area residents.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1460880148724309/
Monday Night Community Bike Rides — 5:30 p.m. at Fifty West Brewing Co., 1 N. Paint St., Chillicothe. A free, hour-long group ride around town led by Aaron Lynch. First-timers earn a drink token, with another for every five rides after.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1997814487747753/
Tuesday, Oct. 6
The Original Farmers Market — 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 215 Market St., Portsmouth, across from the Market Street Cafe. Local producers bring produce, flowers and Amish canned goods to the weekly downtown market.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1026303753167301/
Chicken Fingers for A Cause with Chillicothe Civic Theatre — 4 to 9 p.m. at Raising Cane’s in Chillicothe. Mention CCT at the drive-thru, dine-in or takeout counter — or use code RCFUND96 for online and mobile orders — and 15 percent of net sales go to Chillicothe Civic Theatre.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1359871829273010/
Trivia Tuesdays at Oddfellows — 6 p.m. at Oddfellows, 526 2nd St., Portsmouth. DJ Geek Techneek hosts four rounds; winning teams earn a free round of bowling and the night’s top team takes a $25 Oddfellows gift card. https://www.facebook.com/events/2477733636025159/
Ohio River/Portsmouth Line Dancing — 7 p.m. at New Boston Eagles 2271, 3200 Rhodes Ave., New Boston. Guided, easy-to-follow line dance instruction with Aaron plus social dancing to audience requests. Open to the public. https://www.facebook.com/events/1512508747557483/
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Fall 2026 Chillicothe Line Dance Nights — 6:30 to 9 p.m. at American Legion Post 757. A 10-week line dance class series running through Nov. 18. $10 entry per person; beginners welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/events/24339321249078638/
Thursday, Oct. 8
Music Bingo Thursdays at Fifty West — 6:30 p.m. at Fifty West Brewing Co., 1 N. Paint St., Chillicothe. Cameron Mitchell hosts music bingo every Thursday, with gift cards for the different bingos.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1048352854294410/
Portsmouth Wind Symphony: Phantom Symphony — 7 p.m. at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, Portsmouth. The orchestra’s fall concert features spooky and mysterious works, including music from The Munsters and Little Shop of Horrors, with performers from Cirque d’Art Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/events/4535452546771288/
Murder Mystery Dinner: The Haunted Train — 6:30 p.m. at 4404B State Route 125, West Portsmouth. An evening of dinner and detective work aboard a fictional haunted train, following a Hollywood horror director’s wife tormented by ghostly visions.
https://www.facebook.com/events/908272875477378/
Karaoke at the Grove of Pike County — 9 p.m. to midnight at The Grove of Pike County. A laid-back karaoke night with a welcoming crowd. https://www.facebook.com/events/1168761875012029/
Friday, Oct. 9
Chillicothe Halloween Festival — starts today, 11 a.m., at Yoctangee Park, Chillicothe. A three-day festival of vendors, food, live entertainment and inflatables, with a haunted tent, coffin races, a costume contest, a car show and cruise-in, trunk or treat and a new Zombie Run 5K for 2026.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2457746691359765/
Billy and the Jets: Elton John & Billy Joel Tribute — 7:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre, Chillicothe. A tribute concert performing the hits of Billy Joel and Elton John.
https://www.facebook.com/events/27665538113135852/
Board Games and Conversation — 6 to 8 p.m. at the United Way of Ross County, Chillicothe. A free, peer-led NAMI Connections support group for adults who have experienced mental health symptoms, built around board games and conversation in an LGBTQIA+-focused, welcoming space. https://www.facebook.com/events/1224670266403543/
Teen Activities Group — 7 to 9 p.m. at The Landrum Youth Empowerment Center, Chillicothe. The monthly youth group meets for teens ages 13 to 17 in an LGBTQ-centered, welcoming space.
https://www.facebook.com/events/4565814110351919/
Saturday, Oct. 10
First Capital Toy & Game Show 3 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ross County Fairgrounds, 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe. More than 50 vendor tables of collectibles, comics, LEGO, VHS and Funko, plus food trucks and door prizes drawn at 3:30 p.m., including a Nintendo Switch 2. Early bird admission $10, general admission $5, cash only; kids 10 and under free. https://www.facebook.com/events/1433447241923500/
Coffee & Chat — 10 a.m. to noon at the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library Main Library. The library’s weekly Saturday morning gathering with coffee and snacks, open to all ages.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1565974904447730/
Springfield Township Car & Bike Show — registration starts 10 a.m. at 1124 E. Main St., Chillicothe. A $10-entry car and bike show with trophies across categories — Best Ford, Best GM, Best Mopar, Best Jeep, Best Import, Best Rat Rod and Chiefs’ Choice — plus motorcycle awards. All proceeds benefit the Springfield Township Fire Department and Rescue; fire trucks on site, food and drinks available, family friendly. https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthernOhioBulletinBoard/permalink/3411788155678057/
2nd Annual David Landman Memorial Car Show — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rural King on North Bridge Street, Chillicothe. A car show honoring David Landman, well known in the local car community, with all proceeds funding a memorial scholarship for students pursuing trade school. https://www.facebook.com/events/1219808833001352/
Portsmouth Art Walk — 1 p.m. at 825 Gallia St., Portsmouth. The October Art Walk brings artists, music and art activities to Portsmouth’s Art District, with Corduroy Brown and Fox & Clover on the IPA Source stage and artists and crafters along the Roy Rogers Esplanade and Gallia Street sidewalks.
https://www.facebook.com/events/4406497059619684/
Community Give-Back — 2:30 p.m. at Clayton Homes, Chillicothe area. A small-business appreciation event with drinks, food, candy and costume fun for kids — bring them in costume and grab a cotton-candy drink. https://www.facebook.com/events/1599724728195114/
Trail & Treat — 5 to 7 p.m. at Buzzard’s Roost, 514 Red Bird Ln., Chillicothe. A free family Halloween trail event. Tickets are required and sales close at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1091517347179634/
Boos Cruise BYOB Wine and Canvas — 7 p.m. at 522 2nd St., Portsmouth. A Halloween-themed BYOB paint night where guests paint a ghostly boat scene — no experience needed.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1457399792927654/
Sunday, Oct. 11
Chillicothe Halloween Festival (final day) — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Yoctangee Park, Chillicothe. The festival wraps its third day with vendors, entertainment, contests and the new Zombie Run 5K.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2457746691359765/
