Every month Tour de Cincinnati creates a shortlist of notable events around Greater Cincinnati—large festivals, food weeks, entertainment, and ongoing series—to make sure you mark down these dates to keep in mind as you make plans in the coming weeks.
Fall is fully underway and with that comes respite from the heat and a lot of fun fall things to do.
Stay tuned for a complete roundup of all things Holidays in Cincinnati
Here are several important dates for local events in November to get in your calendars now:
November 1–30
Cyclones Blood Drive
Hoxworth Blood Center
Donate blood or platelets at any Hoxworth Neighborhood Donor Center or select mobile blood drive from November 1–30 and receive the NEW Cincinnati Cyclones performance hoodie (while supplies last).
November 2
Daylight Saving
Daylight saving ends on November 2, so remember to turn your clocks back one hour at 2a.
November 3
NCAA Men’s Basketball Season Opener
NKU Men’s Basketball vs. UC Clermont at Truist Arena, 7p
UC Men’s Basketball vs. Western Carolina at Fifth Third Arena, 7p
Xavier Men’s Basketball vs. Marist at Cintas Center, 7:15p
November 4
Election Day
Find your polling place, 6:30a–7:30p
Click here for Tour de Cincinnati’s Annual Voter Guide and to read more about voting in Hamilton County (and Ohio).
November 4
NCAA Women’s Basketball Season Opener
Xavier Women’s Basketball vs. New Haven at Cintas Center, 6:30p
UC Women’s Basketball vs. LeHigh at Fifth Third Arena, 6:30p
November 4–7
Fall Savor Cincinnati
Metropolitan Club
Cincinnati Magazine presents Savor Chef’s Table. Each ticket includes a five-course dining experience, all-inclusive cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, live chef demos, and signature swag bag.
November 6
NCAA Women’s Basketball Season Opener
NKU Women’s Basketball @ Marshall, 6p
November 7
Opening Day: The Great Gatsby
Music Hall
Through November 15
November 7
Layers of Exploration
Cincinnati Museum Center, 7p
Annual adults-only night at the museum, complete with light bites from local restaurants, creative cocktails, explosive programming and exclusive access to CMC’s world-class exhibits. All proceeds from the event support the general operating of Cincinnati Museum Center.
Ticket required; 21+
November 7–9
2025 Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market
Sharonville Convention Center
Hundreds of vendors, live carolers, photos with Santa, savory bites and sweet sips, free package check, giveaways, and so much more.
November 8
Hit Seekers Card Show
Braxton Covington, 9a–3p
30+ tables of the region’s top vendors, traders, and sports enthusiasts purveying sports cards, hobby boxes, Pokemon, and more.
Free admission
Northside Record Fair
Heart in Balance Event Center (4222 Hamilton Avenue), 11a–4p
Over 60 tables throughout two floors, featuring all genres and rare and hard-to-find albums.
$5 admission, ($10 early bird admission at 10a)
November 8–9
Inked 2025
Rhinegeist
Celebrate the annual release of their Imperial Stout with live tattooing of pre-selected flash art in the taproom. You can also peruse a variety of vintage offerings from the Rhinegeist Barrel Aged portfolio.
Free and open to the public; 21+
November 10–16
Cincinnati Pizza Week
$10 pizzas from area restaurants.
November 14
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Through December 6. Click here for the 2025–26 season schedule
November 15
Warm 98.5 Ice Rink Opening Day
Summit Park
Open daily through January 4 (with the exception of holidays).
November 13–15
Cincinnati Storytelling Festival
Know Theatre
Three-day immersive storytelling experience for all ages—from funny tales to spooky stories.
November 15
Books by the Banks
CHPL – Main, 10a–4p
Regional book festival with 100+ national, regional, and local authors; panel discussions; kids’ corner with arts and crafts, story time, and more; Teen Scene; 2025 writing contest. (Enter here.)
Free admission
November 20
PNC Festival of Lights
Cincinnati Zoo
Open Sunday–Thursday until 9p; Friday and Saturday until 10p
Come early for the animals; stay for the lights as the zoo is transformed into a “Wild Wonderland” for the 42nd annual Festival of Lights, featuring 4 million LED lights, North Polar Express Train (staring at 2p), statues in Fiona’s Fairyland, nightly Madcap puppet shows, Santa and costumed character visits (starting at 4p), Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, and snacks at S’mores-n-More stands. Through January 4.
Included with zoo admission
November 21–February 16
UC Health Ice Rink
Elm Street Plaza
A decades-old Cincinnati tradition formerly at Fountain Square, the ice rink will officially relocate to Elm Street Plaza for the 2025-2026 rink season. There will also be rentable igloos, pergolas, and warming tent.
November 29
Small Business Saturday
Have any questions or want specific recommendations about things to do? Just ask!
Looking for more detailed This Weekend in Cincinnati posts? Click here!
