in partnership with
and heard every Friday on the Weekend Rundown with JonJon and Friends on
Tour de Cincinnati does the research for fun things to do around the city so you don’t have to! Check out the list below for goings on ranging from markets and live music, to brewery fun and food events. Events are subject to change or cancellation. Be sure to click on their respective links for more information.
Categories listed below include:
- Weekend Rundown
- Sporting Events
- New To Do
- Tickets and Registration
- Local news Roundup
You can also listen to the Weekend Rundown with JonJon on Kiss107 every Friday. If you are unable to tune in on the radio, you can listen to Kiss on the iHeartRadio app or you can listen live here.
[If a link is broken, feel free to reach out for information.]
November–January
Cheers to Saving Lives
A Hoxworth Blood Center initiative featuring blood drives at 20 area breweries and bars throughout the holiday season. Donors can save lives while earning a t-shirt, brewery discounts, and gift cards for their next visit. The first blood drive will be on November 2 with more dates running through November, December, and January.
Click here for the complete schedule and for more about the gift from each.
November 22–December 29
A Christmas Carol
Playhouse in the Park
Through December 29.
November 23–December 30
Alice in Wonderland
Ensemble Theatre
November 26–December 20
6th Annual Gold Star Teacher Award Nominations
Gold Star and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati have teamed up to give your favorite teacher the chance to be awarded $7000 in grants and experiences, including:
• $2,000 grant for their classroom and $1,000 donation to their school
• Cheese coney vouchers for all students and meal vouchers for all staff
• Gift basket with school supplies and $500 in gift cards ($250 to Amazon for supplies and $250 spa gift card)
• Choice of experience: Taking 30 students to a Children’s Theatre MainStage Performance (Frozen Jr.) or hosting a TCT On Tour Production or Workshop at their school
Nominate your favorite teacher to win $7000 in grants and experiences here
November 30–December 7
Town Hall District Passport Program
Westwood Town Hall District
• Get a Passport card from a participating business
• Shop and dine at participating businesses on November 30 through December 7, and receive a
sticker on your card for each business where you make a purchase
• Return your Passport card to a participating business by December 7 to be entered to win prizes
donated by participating businesses and valued at more than $200 – one grand prize winner and
up 12 winners in total.
To be entered to win, you must collect at least 6 stickers and be at least 18 years old. If you collect 9 stickers, you will be entered twice. If you collect all 12 stickers, you will be entered 3 times.
December 1–February 1
Holiday Lights Recycling
Great Parks
Keep holiday lights out of landfills and give them a new life. In partnership with Cohen Recycling.
Look for marked bins at six locations: Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, Glenwood Gardens, Miami Whitewater Forest, Sharon Woods, Winton Woods, and Woodland Mound.
Opening Week
REC the Halls
Cincinnati Art Museum, Tuesday–Sunday, 11a–5p
Holiday card making and winter decoration crafting.
Free
Read more about what to do this Holiday season
Wednesday
ReMade Fundraiser: A Sustainable Art Experience
Woodward Theater, 6–9p
This annual fundraiser celebrates 8+ years of creativity and environmental sustainability and features an evening of art, music, and community, highlighting the creative talent and original works of Cincinnati’s gifted artists, as well as Indigo Hippo’s ongoing mission to broaden arts accessibility, reduce waste, and inspire possibility through creative reuse.
Your ticket includes light bites and drinks, silent auction, ReMade gallery show and auction, free artist-led experiences, photo ops, and more
Holiday Dinner Cruise
BB Riverboats, 7–9p
Sightseeing and holiday meal.
Thursday
Sip & Shop
Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center, 4–8p
30+ vendors selling handcrafted and fine art goods. There will also be food and drinks, and a photo op with Krampus.
Free admission; parking available on 7th Street
Opening Night: Light in the Forest
Cincinnati Nature Center, 5:30–9p
Celestial walk through the illuminated woods, featuring light displays and interactive activities, as well as music, food trucks, drinks, and holiday shopping. Through December 29.
Member adult $14; member child $6; nonmember adult $18; nonmember child $8
Light Up College Hill
5923 Hamilton Avenue, 6–9p
Tree lighting, train rides, Santa visits, snow globe, live reindeer, baby goats, silent auction, activities with local businesses, scavenger hunt, Winter Market in the West lot (1618 Cedar Avenue), live performances, and more.
Free admission
Friday
Winter Menu Release
Fable Cafe, 7a
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
Heritage Bank Center, 3p
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve and more.
Jingle Jams
Washington Park, 4–7p
Merry mix of live holiday music, drinks, and festive vibes.
Free
Winter Open House
Civic Garden Center, 4:30–6:30p
Celebrate the year with the CGC community, complete with live music, holiday refreshments for the family, and more.
Free; RSVP here
First Friday: Holiday Edition
Eastern Avenue (Columbia Tusculum), 5–8p
Holiday drinks and light bites, special discounts, festive fun, and more.
Free admission
Holly Dazed
Visionaries + Voices, 5–8p
Exhibit opening reception as well as a market with artwork and artists selling individual wares.
Free admission and refreshments; open to all ages + abilities; ADA accessible
Records Market
Northwood Cider Co, 5–9p
Featuring Feel It Record Shop and Have Mercy Vintage.
Free admission
Opening Night: Die Hard is a Christmas Movie
Know Theatre
A shot-for-shot remake of the perennial action classic, set inside the suburban home of a family on the brink of collapse.
Friday and Saturday
Essex Studios Art Walk
Essex Studios
Free admission
Friday–Sunday
North Pole Express by LM&M Railroad
Experience the wonder of the holiday season by journeying down the train tracks of Warren County, Ohio. Passengers spend time with Santa and his elves on the one hour and 15 minute festive train ride. Remaining dates: December 11–23.
Coach Class seats starting at $30
Holidays on the Farm Giveback Weekend: Toys for Tots
Parky’s Farm
Donate an unwrapped toy. Group Sales, Inc. will match donated toys up to $1,000.
Saturday
Holiday Market
Findlay Market, 8a–6p
Farmers and outdoor vendors + dozens of full-time merchants selling holiday gifts, food and decor. Bundle up, grab your friends, and support local this holiday season.
Free admission
Winter Hiking Challenge
Mt. Airy Forest, 10a
With Dr. Barbara Walker from the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati. Inspired by the Scandinavian tradition of Friluftsliv (“open-air living”), the Winter Hiking Challenge invites you to explore the outdoors, stay active, and connect with a community of nature lovers. Additional dates: December 14; January 4, 11, 18.
Free; register here
Wake N Skate with DJ V Vibez
OTR CRC, 10a–2p
Annual pancake breakfast with FREE coffee and pancakes all morning.
10a: yoga
11a–12:30p: family skate
12:30–2p: 18+ skate
Free with CRC membership or $5 drop-in fee; skate rentals included
13th Annual Holiday One Stop Shop
Wyoming Civic Center, 10a–3p
The Civic Center is transformed into a Holiday Bazaar where you can support local vendors while shopping for jewelry, personalized stationery, monogramming, spirit wear, and more. Food will be available.
Free admission
14th Annual Clay Alliance Holiday Pottery Fair
Clifton Rec Center, 10a–3p
Featuring more work from than 25 local clay artists.
Free admission and parking
CAM Kids Day: Museum Magic
Activities designed for all ages, from hands-on gallery stops to mixed media art making.
Free admission; drop-in and pre-registered programs available
Holly Jolly Jamboree and Market
Vine Street OTR, 11a–4p
11 high school choirs competing for cash prizes in a holiday choir competition, as well as a holiday market complete with ~60 vendors with discounts for Holly Jolly shoppers.
Free admission
2024 Norwood Christmas Town
Norwood Middle School and blocks around Elm and Station Avenues, 11a–6p
Free activities for the whole family, including a carousel, carriage rides, petting zoo, nativity scene, craft vendors, food trucks, and more.
Free admission
10-Year Dark Charge Winter Block Party
Braxton Covington, 11a–midnight
Celebrate 10 years of Dark Charge with variants, live music, food, and interactive activations.
Free admission
Dad Day
Rhinegeist, 12–6p
Dad beer release, holiday-themed cocktails, dad plaid photo booth, and Find the Pickle. Followed by Krampus After Dark, which brings a bit of eldritch folklore to the season. Grab a beer or cocktail, enjoy a live DJ set, and take a photo with Krampus himself.
Free admission
Holiday Market
Rhinegeist Annex
Each $15 ticket includes your first beverage and access to explore the magical market inside the Annex private event space and the winter wonderland rooftop holiday village.
Guests under 21 are $8 and kids 6 and under are free
Holiday Open House
Cincinnati Observatory, 1–4p
Tours, safe solar viewing (weather permitting), holiday refreshments, food trucks, local vendors, and shopping in the gift shop.
Free admission
Opening Day: The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Santa Claus: The Musical
Taft Theatre, December 7–8, 13–15
Remaining Mainstage season:
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat (February 15–24)
Disney’s Frozen Jr (April 25–May 4)
Holiday Celebration with Light Up Wyoming
Village Green and Wyoming Avenue, 6–8p
Visit Santa and a live reindeer display, do some holiday shopping, enjoy holiday music, grab a bite to eat, and experience the tree lighting ceremony.
Free admission
Market Bleu Winter Quarter Market
Contemporary Arts Center, 6–10p
Quarterly event at the CAC where you can enjoy a drink while shopping unique handmade goods from regional artisans and artists.
Free admission
Check out the Tour de Cincinnati Shop Local Guide
Saturday and Sunday
The City Flea Holiday Market
Factory 52, 11a–4p
First weekend of City Flea Holiday Markets, featuring 50+ vendors, as well as the Gatherall Food Hall, Aces Kitchen & Pickleball, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Hi-Wire Brewing, and Fretboard Brewing.
Free admission
Sunday
Second Sunday Brunch Pop-Up with Chef Tyler Stemmer
Fable Cafe, 9a–sell out
Featuring caramelized onion and goat cheese quiche, goetta reuben egg sandwich, bourbon pecan waffles, and kimchi rice bowl.
Holiday Family Funday: Festive Folk
Taft Museum of Art, 10a–4p
Free music, art-making, and gallery experiences. Remaining dates: December 15 and 22.
Registration not required but encouraged
The Ultimate Holiday Craft Expo 2024
Hilton Cincinnati Airport, 10a–4p
Free admission
Mainstrasse Village Christkindlmarkt
Mainstrasse, 10a–5p
Festive traditional German Christmas market vibes, featuring vendors, food, drinks, music, family fun, and activities for kids.
Free admission
Winter Market 2024
Mojave East, 11a and 1:30p
Curated list of unique vendors, live music, food, and drinks. Santa will also be making an appearance.
$5 general admission, $20 VIP admission
Market on Main
Woodward Theater, 11a–4p
Support small businesses this holiday season with more than 30 unique vendors, food trucks, specialty cocktails, build-your-own bouquet bar, photo booth, and more.
Free admission
8th Annual Holiday Bazaar
Fern, 12–5p
Makers, shops, food and drinks, and festive vibes.
Free admission
3rd Annual Holiday Market
Northwood Cider Co, 2–6p
Sip on a cider while browsing 10 vendors for gifts this holiday season.
Free admission
Craft & Draft: Holiday Ornament Making
Washington Park, 3–5p
Each Craft & Draft class requires tickets, and prices will vary for each class. Included in your ticket price are live instruction, all required materials, and one drink from the Sherwin-Williams Porch Bar. All classes are led by James Reynolds with Not Your Average Paint & Sip. Remaining dates: December 15 and 22.
Cincinnati Civic Orchestra Holiday Concert
The Grove Event Center, 4–6p
The Cincinnati Civic Orchestra is one of our nation’s oldest all-volunteer symphony orchestras and is performing its 96thseason of free concerts for appreciative audiences throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. ArtsConnect has continued this tradition and invites you to experience this 60-piece orchestra, live and up close, with songs you know and love.
Free admission
December 1–31
Holiday Book Drive
During the month of December, you can donate your $10 store credit (year-round program where customers receive $10 store credit for every $100 spent) to purchase books for students at Spencer, a local Cincinnati Public School.
Ongoing
Union Terminal Rotunda Tours
Cincinnati Museum Center
Fridays at 1:30p, 2:30p, and 3:30p
Saturdays at 11:30a, 12:30p, and 1:30p
Sundays at 12:30p, 1:30p, and 2:30p
Free
through December 7
William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
through January 5
CAMaraderie: Artists of the Cincinnati Art Museum
Western & Southern Galleries, Cincinnati Art Museum
CAMaraderie will showcase a variety of artworks made by museum staff across different departments.
Free admission
Sports
Cincinnati Bearcats WBB vs. Western Illinois
Fifth Third Arena
Friday at 6:30p
Bearcat Bingo Night
Watch: ESPN+; Listen: FOX 1360
Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Wheeling Nailers
Heritage Bank Center
Saturday at 4p
Marvel Matinee and $2 Donatos pizza slices
Xavier Musketeers WBB @ BGSU
Saturday at 7p
Cincinnati Bearcats MBB vs. Howard
Fifth Third Arena
Sunday at 2p
Watch: ESPN+; Listen 700 WLW
Week 14
Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys
Paycor Stadium
Monday at 8:15p
Watch: ESPN; Listen: 700 WLW, ESPN 1530, 102.7 WEBN
Check out the Bengals Game Day Guide
Events are subject to change or cancellation. Please click on the link for more information.
New To Do
Braxton Union
8901 US 42 Hwy
Taproom and green space featuring food by Dewey’s Pizza and Graeter’s Ice Cream.
Mellotone Beer Project
1429 Race Street
Taproom and kitchen in the former Taft’s Ale House space, serving scratch-made modern American dishes.
Alien Records OTR
1207 Vine Street
Buy/sell; specializing in vinyl LPs
Well Made Vintage
341 W Fourth Street
ArtWorks’ Hannan ArtPark
2429 Gilbert Avenue (Walnut Hills)
ArtWorks’ new gathering space.
Italianette Maineville
15 E Foster Maineville Road
Locations in Silverton, College Hill, and now Maineville.
Generations Vintage
4019 Hamilton Avenue
Catch-A-Fire Pizza College Hill
5920 Hamilton Avenue
Catch-A-Fire’s fourth location. Others include Blue Ash, Lebanon, and Westwood.
Carmelo’s
434 Madison Avenue (Covington)
Quintessential Italian American dishes
Biscuit Love
1602 Pleasant Street (OTR), open daily 7a–3p
Breakfast and lunch favorites with a twist centered around its biscuits
HighGrain Lunch Combo
Both locations (Silverton and Brentwood), 11a–2p, Monday through Friday
Get a sandwich or wrap, side, and non-alcoholic drink for $12.
ArtsWave App
One stop location for Cincinnati arts, entertainment, sports, and more.
Dancefix
934 E McMillan (Walnut Hills)
Join Dancefix for a weekend of FREE dance and fitness classes as well as a giant dance party to celebrate their new headquarters.
ETC Produce
954 E McMillan (Walnut Hills)
New storefront and independently owned grocery store in Walnut Hills.
Tickets and Registration for Future Events
Cincy Winter Beerfest
Cintas Center, 12p and 6:30p
Sample hundreds of local and regional craft beers, as well as craft wineries and distilleries.
Tickets
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Mainstage 2024–25 Season
Taft Theatre
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat (February 15–24)
Disney’s Frozen Jr (April 25–May 4)
Cincy Wine Fest
Freestore Foodbank, March 6–8p
Sip on wine (more than 800from around the globe) and support more than 30 local nonprofits.
Tickets
16 Lots Brewing Company Closes Both its Breweries Permanently [citybeat.com]
America’s River Roots Festival to Host Nine Riverboats in Cincinnati Next Year [citybeat.com]
Cincinnati Goes for Gold [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Cincinnati Magazine Readers’ Choice Voting [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Cincinnati Reds Announce 2025 Post-Game Concert Lineup [citybeat.com]
Esquire Names Cincinnati Spot on Best New Restaurants in America List [cincinnati.com]
Give Blood and Get a Free Puffer Jacket from Hoxworth [citybeat.com]
Oakley Kitchen Announces Closure of Food Hall [citybeat.com]
OpenTable Names Six Ohio restaurants on its Top 100 List—All From Cincinnati (Again) [cincinnati.com]
Summerfair Cincinnati’s Poster Design Contest Now Open (through January 11) [citybeat.com]
Team of Frisch’s Senior Managers Acquires Several Locations, Future Branding Rights [citybeat.com]
