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.].
Dates to Know in Cincinnati: November
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 10–23
6th Annual Winter Canned Food & Clothing Drive
HighGrain (Silverton & Brentwood)
Non-perishable foods, winter clothing, and personal care items. Drop off at either location.
Thursday
Opening Night: 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
Friday
Opening Day: What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine
Cincinnati Art Museum, 11a
The unforgettable art and satire of MAD, from its start in 1952 as a popular humor comic book to its evolution into a beloved magazine. Through March 1.
Tickets
Opening Day: UC Health Ice Rink
Elm Street Plaza, 3p
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.
Fifth & Vinyl at Winterhaus
Fountain Square, 5–8p
Festive beats and vintage vibes from a live DJ straight from the turntable. There will be cozy drinks and classic records all night long.
Free admission
Opening Day: The Christmas Ranch
Open daily, Sunday–Thursday, 5–9p and Friday and Saturday, 5–10p (closed Thanksgiving)
Walk-through experience with lights, shops, bonfires, and train and wagon rides.
$37 per car load, $47 per oversized van (10+ visitors), no buses or RVs, free parking
Opening Night: 2025 Winter Nights & River Lights
Purple Purple Bridge, 6p
Christmas lights and holiday decorations spread across the bridge, with events happening throughout the installation.
Free admission
Opening Night: A Christmas Carol
Playhouse in the Park
Through December 28.
Aquarium After Dark
Newport Aquarium, 7:15–11p
Exclusive after-hours admission to Newport Aquarium with pizza party, scheduled activities, self-guided twilight tour with scavenger hunt, and more.
Tickets
Opening Night: Miracle at the Overlook
Overlook Lodge
Immersive holiday pop-up bar experience where you can enjoy a welcome shot and two festive holiday cocktails in themed glassware.
Tickets required
Holidays in Cincinnati 2025
Friday–Sunday
Holiday Open House
White Oak Garden Center
Weekend of cookies, marshmallows, hot cocoa, giveaways, and more.
Free admission
Holiday Shopping Expo
Lawrenceburg Event Center
Weekend of shopping from a selection of boutiques, crafters, upcycled and repurposed goods, specialty stores, local business, and more. Local group performances, wine tasting, and door prizes.
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. Additional dates: November 29–30, December 5–7, 11–23
Coach Class seats starting at $30
Saturday
Day One: Crosstown Shootout Blood Drive Challenge
Donate blood at either UC or Xavier’s campus blood drive, or at any of the seven Neighborhood Donor Centers (mention your favorite team!), and receive an exclusive Crosstown Shootout t-shirt. Through December 5.
The OFF Holiday Market
Summit Park, 10a–4p
Shopping, ice skating, and beer.
Free admission
Junior League Tour of Kitchens: Cheers to 15 Years
East Walnut Hills, 11a–2p
This year’s event will showcase beautiful East Walnut Hills homes, local chefs, and unforgettable entertaining inspiration. Proceeds support our mission of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact.
5th Annual Pride Winter Market
Washington Park, 11a–5p
Shop handcrafted goods from LGBTQ+ owned and affirming small businesses. The Porch will be open with concessions and beverages available for purchase.
Free admission
Opening Day: 4th Annual Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt
Moerlein Lager House, 12p
All ages German-American Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt, complete with food, beverages, merchandise, holiday lights, choral music, themed character visits, ice rink, Igloo boardwalk, and musical entertainment.
Free admission
‘oliday Market
Urban Artifact, 1–5p
Unique local artisans and vendors, music, and more.
Free admission
Lights Up
Liberty Center, 3–7p
Annual holiday kickoff event featuring a parade, visit from Santa, and lighting of the tree in The Park.
Light Up the Levee
Newport on the Levee, 3–9p
A full lineup of festive fun, including live music, fireworks, face painting, silent disco, and a visit from Santa Claus, as well as the lighting of their 50-foot tree.
Free admission
Fountain Lighting
Hyde Park Square, 4–6p
Storytime with Hyde Park Library from 4–4:30, photos with Sparky at the firehouse, live music, and holiday themed drinks available at participating businesses.
Free admission
Sparkle Up the Night: Hamilton Tree Lighting Pre-Party
Wildfire, 4–7:30p
Stop by Wildfire on your way to the Tree Lighting for complimentary hair flitter application and Light Up Accessories for purchase.
Hamilton Tree Lighting
Marcum Park, 5–8p
Annual tree lighting ceremony featuring live reindeer, carriage rides, jingle bell bracelets, free train rides, crafts and games, canned food drive, and more.
Free admission
Cuisine Art Cocktails
Contemporary Art Center, 7–11p
The CAC’s largest fundraiser of the year, which celebrates the contemporary culture of Cincinnati with an artful collaboration between community, chefs and mixologists, creatives, and business leaders.
Tickets
Saturday and Sunday
Holiday Bazaar
Queen City Clay
Over 60 artists’ handmade pottery, jewelry, and sculpture available for purchase ahead of the gift-giving season. There will also be food trucks and coffee.
Sunday
Wicked: For Good Drag Brunch
The Clubhouse at Rhinegeist, 11a
A morning filled with performances, food, and glittering company. Your ticket includes exclusive admission to The Clubhouse, a brunch buffet, performances by Vanta Black, Fifi LeFay, and Connor Ria, a photo opportunity with the cast, and more
Tickets (VIP available)
Art on Vine Holiday Market
Rhinegeist, 12–6p
Shop local fine arts and handcrafted goods for the holidays.
Free admission
Pre-Match at the Park: Playoffs Edition
Washington Park, 1:30p–4p
Music, vendors, food trucks, family-friendly soccer games, inflatable FCC slide, photo-ops, and more.
Free admission
Dine to Donate with Cincinnati Animal CARE
Chipotle at 3638 W Fork Road, 5–9p
25% of proceeds to benefit Cincinnati Animal CARE. Four ways to guarantee your purchases count:
– Show the cashier a digital flyer prior to paying
– Show the cashier a paper flyer prior to paying
– Order online and pick up Chipotle for your fundraiser by using the Promo Code 2ETFX8Q on the Chipotle app or website
– Flying flyer-free? Just mention the fundraiser to the cashier prior to paying
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 admission
Sports
Xavier Women’s Basketball vs. Ohio University
Cintas Center
Thursday at 6:30p
Watch: ESPN+
UC Men’s Basketball vs. Louisville
Heritage Bank Center
Friday at 6:30p
Watch: ESPN2; Listen: 700 WLW
Week Twelve: Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots
Paycor Stadium
Sunday at 1p
Watch: CBS; Listen: 700WLW, ESPN 1530, and 102.7 WEBN
UC Women’s Basketball vs. Canisius
Fifth Third Arena
Sunday at 2p
Watch: ESPN+; Listen: FOX 1360
MLS Cup Conference Semi-Finals
FC Cincinnati v. Inter Miami
TQL Stadium
Sunday at 5p
Watch: Apple TV; Listen: Fox 1360
All college sporting events listed are Division I home games only. Events are subject to change or cancellation. Please click on the link for more information.
through November 23
The Heart Sellers
Playhouse in the Park.
Click here for the Playhouse’s 2025–26 season schedule
through December 6
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 7:30p
Click here for the 2025–26 season schedule
through January 4, 2026
Recall. Reframe. Respond. The Art of Paul Scott.
Cincinnati Art Museum
Working with new ceramic forms or repurposing antique pieces, Scott breaks, reassembles, erases, and adds details using screenprinting, engraving, and collage processes to create new “historical” patterns. Broadly, his works address updated narratives about art, history and American experiences.
Free admission
through January 11, 2026
Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking
Taft Museum of Art
For thousands of years, people around the world have treasured textiles dyed with indigo. A synthetic version, developed in the 1880s, still colors today’s blue jeans. This exhibition presents twenty quilts created between the early 1800s and 2015.
Tickets (admission to the museum is FREE on Sundays and Mondays)
through April 12, 2026
Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.
Cincinnati Museum Center, 10a
An exhibition the world needs you to see. Be a witness.
Through this daunting selection of more than 500 original artifacts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland, as well as more than 20 institutions and museums all over the world, Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. portrays the complex reality of the notorious camp while sharing firsthand stories from those who survived, and those who perished.
Tickets
New To Do
Salazar
101 W Fifth Street
Mon–Thurs, 5-10p
Fri–Sat, 4–10p
Sun, closed
2025 Winterhaus
Fountain Square
With the move of the ice rink to Elm Street Plaza, Winterhaus is a cozy, glass-enclosed tented retreat in the heart of the city, complete with daily programming, a full bar, and space for everything from co-working to private events.
Prim
70 W Fifth Street
Tues–Thurs, 4p–midnight
Friday, 4p–2a
Saturday, 2p–2a
Sunday, 4p–midnight
The Barket
Findlay Market
Montclair Street
3134 Harrison Avenue, Westwood
Fresh cut flowers, retail wine, home goods, and gifts.
Open daily, 10a–6p
Now Available: Teddy Lou, Bell Guru
STEM picture book by local author Chris Demeropolis.
Tasty Bird Vintage
2533 Gilbert Avenue (Walnut Hills)
Curated selection of housewares, furniture, and clothes from the ’30s through the ’90s.
Mon, closed
Tues–Thurs, 11a–6p
Fri–Sat, 11a–8p
Sun, 11a–6p
Stumps Lanes and Cinful Eats
5536 Bridgetown Road
Casual bowling alley offering open play and leagues, plus pizza and yard games
Mon, 4–9p
Tues–Thurs, 9a–9p
Fri–Sat, 9a–11p
Sun, 12–9p
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue
Now open seven days a week, 10a–5p
Tokyo Pie
633 Madison Avenue (Covington)
Mon–Wed, 4p–12a
Thurs–Fri, 4p–2a
Sat, 11a–2a
Sun, 11a–12a
Japanese inspired pizzas and nightlife
Little Matcha
332 Scott Street (Covington)
First matcha forward cafe in Cincinnati/Covington, featuring matcha, hojicha, genmaicha, and viet.
Nice Life
1150 Main Street (OTR)
Retro cocktail bar and dance hall
Solhaus
15 W 14th Street (floor 2)
Yoga studio in OTR
Tickets and Registration for Future Events
Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt Holiday Beer Extravaganza
Moerlein Lager House, November 28 and 29
Local breweries bring their most festive seasonal brews to the riverfront, as well as live music and entertainment and The Cincy Hat onsite for purchases. Plus: The Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt will have food, festive drinks, and gifts.
Tickets
3rd Annual ReMADE 2025
Art Academy of Cincinnati, December 5, 6–9p
Sustainable art event, gallery show, and annual fundraiser; an evening art, music, and community, highlighting the creative talent and original works of Cincinnati’s remarkable artists, as well as Indigo Hippo’s mission to broaden arts accessibility, reduce waste, and inspire possibility through creative reuse.
Tickets include complimentary bites
14 Delicious Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants in Greater Cincinnati [citybeat.com]
Allez Bakery to Open New Location in Madisonville [citybeat.com]
Barb Cooper Shows You How to Eat Your Way Through the City [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Cincinnati Animal CARE Partners With Good Plates Eatery on Holiday Meal Distributions [citybeat.com]
Cincinnati’s Very Own Prophet Predicted the End of the World. Repeatedly. [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Iconic Greater Cincinnati Restaurants & Bars Every Visitor Needs to Try [citybeat.com]
MindPeace is Creating a Culture of Wellness in Local Schools [cincinnatimagazine.com]
New Exhibition Reflects on “MAD” Magazine at the CAM [cincinnatimagazine.com]
The Reading Rooms of Cincinnati [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Restaurant Focusing on Small Plates, Wine and Private Events to Open in Former Somm Wine Bar [citybeat.com]
