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.
Friday
Holiday Open House
The Annex of Oakley, 4–7p
Explore the creative space, connect with the community, get inspired for your next event in among the festive vibes.
RSVP here
Jingle Jams
Washington Park, 4–7p
Merry mix of live holiday music, drinks, and festive vibes.
Free
Sip and Shop
OTR, 4–8p
Exclusive discounts and libations while celebrating local businesses and bringing the community together.
Check out the Tour de Cincinnati Shop Local Guide
Holiday Sports Card Show
Northwood Cider Co, 4–9p
Find a gift for yourself or for the sports card collector in your life.
Free admission
Winterfest: Friday Night Fun
East Walnut Hills, 6–10p
Several vendors from this year’s East Walnut Hills Farmers’ Market, in addition to special holiday entertainment, including Christmas-themed stilt walker and carolers.
Free admission
Opening Night: Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Fresh and fun annual tradition that sends up everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss for 90+ minutes of high octane jollity and frivolity. Through December 29.
Friday and Saturday
A Christmas Nightmare
The Dent Schoolhouse
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. Additional dates: December 20–22.
Free
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
Holiday Pops
Music Hall
Cincinnati’s beloved holiday tradition returns with music, warmth, laughter, and seasonal inspiration for the entire family. Share unforgettable memories in the grandeur of a Music Hall.
Tickets starting at $26
Holidays on the Farm Giveback Weekend: Ronald McDonald House
Parky’s Farm
Donate individually packaged snacks, boxes of cereal, toiletries, and new toys (unwrapped).
Coming Soon: Frozen theme night, December 17
Saturday
Elton B Makes Art Pop-Up
Fable Cafe, 8a–3p
Illustrator selling t-shirts, stickers, greeting cards, ornaments, notepads, clay magnets, and more.
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
Sawyer Point, 10a
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. Additional dates: January 4, 11, 18.
Free; register here
Christmas Market
West Side Brewing, 10a
17 vendors inside the Bier Hall with holiday gifts, crafts, game day gear, and more.
Free admission
Christmas Open House
Painted Tree Cincinnati, 10a–8p
Painted Tree Crestview Hills, 10a–8p
Holiday Market
Pour Candle Bar, 11a–3p
Shop for gifts at an indoor market.
Free admission
Black Santa
Forest Park Public Library, 11a–5p
Presented by The Voice of Black Cincinnati.
Free photos with Santa. First come, first served.
Holiday Market
On the Rhine Eatery, 12–4p
Full bar, 40+ vendors, kids activities.
Free admission and free parking
Mt. Adams Reindog Parade
Monastery Event Center, 2p
Dogs (and owners) dress in their Holiday Best, and prizes are awarded in a variety of categories. The parade follows a circuit around central Mt Adams streets. Registration is from 1–1:45p.
Santa Paws
Streetside Brewery, 2–4p
Photos will be inside on the brewery floor. Please return to the patio if you’re hanging out with your dog after.
Suggested donation of $20 to Tusculum Street Fest (neighborhood nonprofit)
Winter Wonderland Book Fair
Northwood Cider Co, 2–6p
In partnership with Roebling Books, there will be cookbooks, crafting books, bestsellers, and seasonal must-haves. There will also be beans from Seven Hills Coffee Brewers and an assortment of teas that make perfect stocking stuffers, plus Roebling merch, puzzles, stickers, and apparel.
Free admission
Christmas in Loveland
Downtown Loveland, 3–8p
Visits from St. Nick and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole, carriage rides, live Nativity scene, and a sparkling Winter Wonderland.
Free admission
Holidays on Ludlow
Clifton Gaslight, 6–8p
Santa, music, beverages, and lighting of the trees at 6:15 (add your homemade ornaments).
Free admission
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. Additional dates: December 21–22.
Free, but please bring your own camera
Cincinnati Men’s Chorus: Holidays on Holiday
Memorial Hall, 2p
The City Flea Holiday Market
Washington Park
Saturday: 3–8p; Sunday: 11a–4p
Annual event at Washington Park: under the lights on Saturday from 3p until 8p for a night market.
Free admission
Sunday
Hops & Holly Holiday Market
Sonder Brewing, 10a–3p
Purchase family photos with highland mini cows, pet ponies, and pick up gifts while you shop local vendors for the day.
Free admission
Holiday Family Funday: Hanukkah
Taft Museum of Art, 10a–4p
Free music, art-making, and gallery experiences. Remaining date: December 22.
Registration not required but encouraged
Pata Roja Game Dey Pop-Up
The Woodward Theater, 12–4:30p
Watch party on the big screen and Pata Roja fare.
Art on Vine: Holiday Gifts Sale Week Two
Rhinegeist 12–6p
Local artists and makers showcasing and selling fine arts and handmade goods.
Free admission
Game and Comic Market and Swap
Northwood Cider Co, 1–5p
Local designers will have their games and comics to sell. You can also bring your gently used table top games and comics to swap with others.
Free admission
Craft & Draft: Wreath 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 date: December 22.
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.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Santa Claus: The Musical
Taft Theatre, December 13–15
Remaining Mainstage season:
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat (February 15–24)
Disney’s Frozen Jr (April 25–May 4)
Sports
Crosstown Shootout (Men’s)
Xavier Musketeers MBB @ Cincinnati Bearcats MBB
Fifth Third Arena
Saturday at 2p
Watch: ESPN+; Listen: 700 WLW
Crosstown Shootout (Women’s)
Xavier Musketeers WBB vs. Cincinnati Bearcats WBB
Cintas Center
Sunday at 1p
Watch: FloSports; Listen: Fox Sports 1360
Week 15
Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans
Sunday at 1p
Watch: FOX; 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
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
Cosmic Kids: Black Holes
Cincinnati Observatory, December 21 at 9:30a
Interactive program and craft
Additional Cosmic Kids dates: January 18 (Living in Space) and February 22 (Coding)
Tickets
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
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]
Give Blood and Get a Free Puffer Jacket from Hoxworth [citybeat.com]
Neil deGrasse Tyson to Bring Lecture to Cincinnati this Summer [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]
Taft’s Brewing Co. Announces Brand Acquisition, Closure of Brewpourium [citybeat.com]
Team of Frisch’s Senior Managers Acquires Several Locations, Future Branding Rights [citybeat.com]
Test Your Creativity at This ‘Gingerbread Brewery’ Decorating Contest in OTR [citybeat.com]
They Built This City: Some Early Women Contractors Made Their Mark in Cincinnati [cincinnatimagazine.com]
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