Weekend Rundown: December 15–17

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.

Be sure to 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.]

December 14–24

The Nutcracker at Music Hall
One of Cincinnati’s favorite holiday traditions.

December 14–28

Giving Machines in Cincinnati
Kenwood Towne Center
The Giving Machines are vending machines with cards representing items needed by global and local nonprofit organizations such as meals, bus tickets, shoes, books, childcare, and more. Donation item prices range from $5 to $100+. This initiative invites people to share goodness, spread kindness, and extend love through service during the holiday season. Available during all open hours at the Kenwood Towne Center.

Friday

December “Final Friday“
Pendleton Art Center, 5–9p
Get your shopping finished early! Explore over 200 artists in wide ranging media. Valet parking is available as well as many self-parking options.

Young Heirlooms’ Holiday
Dutch’s, 6–9p
Family friendly duo-style evening of music, storytelling, and merriment. Holiday music from 6 to 7 and covers and originals from 7 to 9.

Inaugural Snow Ball
Metropole, 6–11p
Ticket ($125/person) includes welcome drink, appetizers and reception-style dinner by Metropole, entertainment, and valet parking.

Click here to read more about Holiday Events in Cincinnati

Friday and Saturday

Bacon & Beer Flight Pairing
Grainworks Beer
Two-day pairing event crafted for beer enthusiasts and food lovers alike. Tickets available for purchase at the bar on the day of the event for $22/flight.

Friday–Sunday

NARNIA The Musical
Taft Theatre
The Children’s Theatre production based on C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
Presented by Nederlander Entertainment and Memorial Hall
$44–74

Saturday

5th Annual Reindeer Games
Braxton Brewing Company, 9a
Series of small interactive Holiday Games, Jubilee tapping, live music, photos with Santa, and more.

Holiday Cartooning Workshop
Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 9a–1p
One-day workshop where students will study the principles of animation and apply them to their own drawings of dancing snowmen, playful reindeer, mischievous elves and more! Students are encouraged to bring a snack and water bottle with them to the workshop.
Register here ($60)

Homes for the Holidays
Boone County Distilling, 11:30a–3:30p
Fred’s Mission Dog Adoption on hand with adoptable dogs; toys and dog care items for sale to help get you started; Erlanger Vet Hospital will have tables with giveaways; BBQ by Smoking This and That available for purchase and sweet treats and coffee available courteous of Memories Makers.

Madcap Puppets Presents ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Kenton County Public Library – Erlanger Library, 12–2p
Suggested for ages 4 and up.

obLITTERators
Rapid Run Park, 12–2p
Grab a trash bag and some gloves and join us as we get HANDS ON to get LITTER OUT of the parks.

Merry Swiftmas
Factory 52, 3–8p
Taylor Swift themed holiday part with dancing and crafts.

Fas & Las
St. Francis Seraph, 4–5p
YPCC and Cincinnati Boychoir celebrate family, holidays, and great choral music with crafts, activities, and photos with Santa. Ages 12 and under free.

Downtown Dazzle
Fountain Square, 6–10p
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.

Ugly Holiday Sweater Party
Hi-Wire Brewing, 7–11p
A night of drinks, dancing, prancing, and mixing. The best ugly sweater wins a $25 Hi-Wire gift card. Make a donation to their Holiday Coat Drive (new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, or scarves) and take $1 off your first beer.

Saturday and Sunday

Santa’s Workshop
Washington Park, 11a–2p
Ditch your annual trip to the mall and venture down to Washington Park with your family, your dog, or your friends to see Santa Claus. Bring your own camera.

Winter Market: The City Flea
Washington Park
Saturday: 3–8p
Sunday: 11a–5p
Regional artisans and crafters in cozily designed huts.

Sunday

Holiday Family Funday: Jazzy Holiday
Taft Museum of Art, 10a–4p
Free music, art-making, and gallery experiences.
Registration not required but encouraged

Art on Vine
Rhinegeist, 12–6p
Sip, shop, and be merry, featuring local artists and makers showcasing and selling fine arts and handmade goods.

Mount Adams Walking Tour
Meet at Mount Adams Bar and Grill, 1p
Guided walking tour of Cincinnati’s first suburb given by knowledgeable residents of Mount Adams. Tours every Sunday May through October.

Black Santa
Freedom Center, 1–5p
Children of all ages are invited to meet Black Santa, share their holiday wishes, and get their photo taken professionally. The celebration includes a DJ, museum tours, sponsors and special programs. Presented by The Voice of Black Cincinnati.

Cincy Hikes
Glenwood Gardens, 3:30p
2.7-mile (Garden Loop and Wetland Loop) hike followed by Cincy Hikes’ 4th Anniversary celebration at Third Eye Brewing.
RSVP required

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

Through December 23

North Pole Express
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

Through December 29

Fiona: The Musical
Ensemble Theatre
Based on the true story of the hippo that store the world’s heart. Showing through December 29.

Through December 30

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 30.

Sports

Xavier Musketeers WBB vs. SIUE
Cintas Center
Friday at 7p
Watch: FloSports

Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Kalamazoo Wings
Heritage Bank Center
Friday at 7:30p
Star Wars Night
$5 craft draft and seltzer, $1 popcorn, $3 cheeseburgers

Week 15: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Minneapolis Vikings
Paycor Stadium
Saturday at 1p
Watch: NFL Network, WLWT; Listen ESPN 1530, 102.7 WEBN, 700 WLW

Cincinnati Bearcats MBB vs. Dayton
Heritage Bank Center
Saturday at 6p
Watch: ESPN+; Listen 700 WLW

Xavier Musketeers MBB vs. Winthrop
Cintas Center
Saturday at 7:30p
Watch: FS1; Listen: 700 WLW

Cincinnati Bearcats WBB @ Southern Indiana
Sunday at 3p
Listen: 100.7/106.3FM

Events are subject to change or cancellation. Please click on the link for more information.