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 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
December
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
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.
through December 23
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.
Coach Class seats starting at $30
Thursday
Opening Night: The Nutcracker at Music Hall
Cincinnati’s favorite holiday tradition.
Friday
The Magic of Reindeer
Parky’s Farm (Winton Woods), 1–3p
Live reindeer out for viewing, hold an antler, feel some pelts, and learn all about what makes these extra furry friends unique.
Free
Jingle Jams
Washington Park, 4–7p
Merry mix of live holiday music, drinks, and festive vibes.
Free
Solstice Luminary Event
Woodland Mound, 5:30–7:30p
Celebrate the longest night of the year with beautiful views and a self-guided luminary-lit stroll on the shared-use trail, then return to the Nature Center lawn to warm yourself by the fire with a hot beverage, learn about winter solstice and its traditions, and make your own luminary craft to take home.
Free
Friday–Sunday
Metamora Christmas Walk
Whitewater Canal State Historic Site
Lanterns lining the canal, luminaries lighting the pathways and holiday decorations throughout the entire village. Plus carolers, visits with Santa, vendors, and more.
Free admission
Holidays on the Farm Giveback Weekend: Shelter House
Parky’s Farm, 5–9p
Donate new socks, toiletries, laundry detergent, or flip flops.
An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
presented by Nederlander Entertainment and Memorial Hall
$45–75
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
Check out the Tour de Cincinnati Shop Local Guide
Cosmic Kids: Black Holes
Cincinnati Observatory, 9:30a (K–2nd) and 11a (grades 3–5)
Interactive program and craft
Additional Cosmic Kids dates: January 18 (Living in Space) and February 22 (Coding)
Tickets
Return of the Mac Day
Streetside Brewery, 10a
A day celebrating their coffee blonde, including original Mac and variants Chai Mac, Hiker’s Mac, and Donut Mac.
ArtisanFest513 Holiday Market
Washington Park, 11a–4p
Featuring adoptable pets, music, family games, and small business vendors from across the Tristate.
Milford Christmas Crawl
Old Milford, 12–8p (registration starts at noon at Cincinnati Distilling)
Bar and business crawl set in enchanting Old Milford around the DORA. There will be Christmas drink specials, festive decorations, and community fun.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Fibonacci Brewing Company, 12–11p
Celebrate the shortest day of the year (and the subsequent return of the light) with activities all day, tarot readings in the evening, and beverages. Chris Lee will be playing music in the evening.
Pup Pictures with Santa
Hi-Wire Brewing, 1–5p
Complimentary pup pics with Santa with the purchase of a beverage.
Merry Market Tour
Findlay Market, 2–3:30p
Each tour will feature tastings from a curated selection of vendors, offering seasonal treats and a unique handmade good to take home.
Tickets $35
Holiday Market
Rhinegeist Annex, 5–8p
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
Downtown Dazzle
Fountain Square, 6–8p
See Santa rappel from a Cincinnati skyrise and watch a fireworks display. Music and festivities start at 6:30p and the Downtown Dazzle show begins at 7. Enjoy a drink or hot cocoa at Fountain Square’s Bar or have fun at the ice rink.
6th Annual Reindeer Games Pub Crawl
Braxton Covington, 6p
Wear your your favorite sweater or festive outfit for a night of drinks, games, and holiday cheer. Get your scorecard at Braxton at 6, then make your way to The Well and Olde Tavern. There will be interactive holiday games at each stop to earn points and compete for prizes like brewery swag.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Murder Mystery Party
Northwood Cider Co, 7–9p
Immersive game play, festive vibes, bring your own dinner or have food delivered.
21+; tickets
Saturday and Sunday
Santa’s Workshop
Washington Park, 11a–2p
Bring your family, your dog, your friends, and anyone else you can think of to come meet Santa.
Free, but please bring your own camera
Elton B Makes Art Pop-Up
Know Theatre, Saturday from 5:30–7:30p and Sunday from 12–2p
Shop small and support local theatre—Elton B Makes Art will be popping up before Die Hard is a Christmas movie performances.
Sunday
Weekly Sunday Drag Brunch
Bloom OTR, 11a–2p
Hosted by Jessica Dimon and music with DJ Charlee. Seating at 11, show at 11:30. Parties of more than four must book tickets together. Every Sunday.
18+; tickets here
Holiday Gift Market
Tiki Tiki Bang Bang, 11a–4p
Support local vendors and shop in the heated and tented Bang Bang Bay Chalet. There will also be specialty drinks for the occasion.
Queer Community Craft Fair
Tillie’s Lounge, 2:30–6p
Support local [queer] artists and get last-minute holiday gifts.
Craft & Draft: Cookie Decorating
Washington Park, 3–5p
Each Craft & Draft class requires tickets, and prices will vary for each class. Included in your ticket price are 4 pre-baked sugar cookies to decorate with royal icing and add sprinkles/decorations to further personalize. Lovely Benford from Bonded By Batter Cakery will the guest facilitator.
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
December 1–31
Holiday Book Drive
The Bookery
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.
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
Performing Arts
A Christmas Carol
Playhouse in the Park, November 22–December 29
Alice in Wonderland
Ensemble Theatre, November 23–December 30
Die Hard is a Christmas Movie
Know Theatre, December 6–22
A shot-for-shot remake of the perennial action classic, set inside the suburban home of a family on the brink of collapse.
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, December 13–29
Fresh and fun annual tradition that sends up everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss for 90+ minutes of high octane jollity and frivolity.
Sports
Cincinnati Bearcats MBB vs. Dayton
Heritage Bank Center
Friday at 8:30p
Watch: ESPNU; Listen 700 WLW
Xavier Musketeers MBB vs. Marquette
Cintas Center
Saturday at 12p
Watch: FOX; Listen: 700 WLW
Xavier Musketeers WBB vs. Temple
Raising the BAR Invitational (Berkeley, California)
Saturday at 11p EST
Week 16
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
Paycor Stadium
Sunday at 1p
Watch: FOX; Listen: 700 WLW, ESPN 1530, 102.7 WEBN
Check out the Bengals Game Day Guide
Cincinnati Bearcats WBB @ Kansas State
Sunday at 2p
Watch: ESPN+; Listen: FOX 1360
Events are subject to change or cancellation. Please click on the link for more information.
New To Do
Mercantile Library
414 Walnut Street
Reopened in the historic Mercantile Building after a $5.3 million renovation.
Breadsmith Bellevue
315 Fairfield Avenue
Artisan scratch breads.
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.
Tickets and Registration for Future Events
Winter Hiking Challenge
January 4, 11, and 18 at 10a (various locations)
With Adventure Crew. 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.
Free; register here
2025 Chili Cook-Off Participant Registration
Findlay Market, January 11
During Chili Fest weekend, the Chili Cook-Off is open to the public to 20 participants. Must use a minimum of three ingredients sourced from Findlay Market.
Registration is $10; apply here
Cincy Winter Beerfest
Cintas Center, February 1, 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 6–8
Sip on wine (more than 800from around the globe) and support more than 30 local nonprofits.
Tickets
BrewRiver Creole Kitchen Launches Fundraiser in Effort to Keep Doors Open [citybeat.com]
Bygone Bests From the Class of 2000 [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Cincinnati Magazine Readers’ Choice Voting [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Class of 2000s Most Likely to Succeed [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Esquire Names Cincinnati Spot on Best New Restaurants in America List [cincinnati.com]
For a Century, Cincinnati’s Fashionistas Fawned Over a Shade Called ‘Invisible Green’ [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Get Comfy This Winter with These 7 Library Fireplaces [chpl.org]
Give Blood and Get a Free Puffer Jacket from Hoxworth [citybeat.com]
The Hottest New Greater Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars of 2024 (Part One) [citybeat.com]
The Hottest New Greater Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars of 2024 (Part Two) [citybeat.com]
Interstellar-Themed Bar Galaxie Lands in Covington [citybeat.com]
It Was 25 Years Ago Today [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Neil deGrasse Tyson to Bring Lecture to Cincinnati this Summer [citybeat.com]
Northern Kentucky Restaurateurs Announce Closures of Two Covington Concepts [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]
Thriftmas Could Save the Planet and Your Walnut [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Time Travel in Silverton [cincinnatimagazine.com]
