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.
Plan ahead: check out these can’t-miss events in Cincinnati this November
November 19–December 1
Funny Girl
Aronoff Center
Thursday
Opening Night: PNC Festival of Lights
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 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 5 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas).
Included with zoo admission
Read more about what to do this Holiday season
Friday
Autumn Acoustics: Hilary Hahn
Washington Park, 4–7p
Embrace the cozy vibes of Fall on Friday and Saturday nights at the Sherwin-Williams Porch.
Free
Opening Day: 3rd Annual Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt
Moerlein Lager House
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. Through January 5.
Free admission
Opening Night: A Christmas Carol
Playhouse in the Park
Through December 29.
Opening Night
The Christmas Ranch
Open daily November 22–December 23 (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; save $5 when you make reservations online
Opening Night: Holidays on the Farm
Parky’s Farm, Friday–Sunday (Nov 22–Dec 8), 5–9p; nightly (Dec 13–23, 31), 5–9p
Under the glow of lights there will be wagon rides, pony rides, carolers, farm animals, good trucks, open fire pits, and more. There are also theme nights—Frozen, December 17; The Polar Express, December 23—as well as community giveback events and a New Year’s Eve event. Through December 31 (select nights).
$17 general admission; $12 kids 3–12 and seniors 62+; free for ages two and under; tickets here
Opening Night: Deck the Y’alls
Thomas More Stadium
The stadium is transformed into a winter wonderland full of two million lights choreographed to music, 50-foot animated tree, interactive experiences, entertainment, and food and drinks available for purchase. Through January 1.
Tickets
Opening Night: 2024 Winter Nights & River Lights
Purple Purple Bridge
Christmas lights and holiday decorations spread across the bridge, with events happening throughout the installation. Through January 5.
Free admission
Friday–Sunday
Holiday Shopping Expo at the 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.
Mustard Seed Market
Clermont County Fairgrounds
100+ talented makers, locally owned businesses, one of a kind artists, and thoughtfully crafted curators. Additional activities include spring-inspired hayride, Sunflower Planting Patch (plant your own sunflower!), and food trucks.
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. Additional dates: November 29–December 1, December 6–8, 11–23.
Coach Class seats starting at $30
Saturday
Tessa’s Kitchen Pop-up
Fable Cafe, 9a–sell out
The OFF Holiday Market
Summit Park, 10a–4p
Shopping, ice skating, and beer.
OTR Woman-owned Business Crawl
OTR, 11a–4p (meet at 1421 Main Street)
Shop small, sip, snack, and meet business owners.
$20 ticket includes wristband for discounts, map of businesses and suggested routes, raffle entry, and shopping bag for first 100 attendees
Abolitionists & African Americans in Walnut Hills
Harriet Beecher Stowe House, 1–3p
Walking tour to learn about the women and men who built and invested in Walnut Hills.
$12
Sign Crafting Saturday
American Sign Museum, 1–3p
Explore the skills needed to become an expert sign maker as a family. Play with different materials each month as you learn about different elements of sign making. Every fourth Saturday of the month.
Free with regular museum admission
Light Up the Levee
Newport on the Levee, 3–7p
A full lineup of festive fun, including live music, fireworks, and a visit from Santa Claus, as well as the lighting of their 50-foot tree.
Lights Up
Liberty Center, 3–8p
Annual holiday kickoff event featuring a parade, visit from Santa, and lighting of the tree in The Park.
Opening Night: Cincinnati’s Nights of Lights
Clermont County Fairgrounds
Coney Island’s holiday tradition is in a new location this year. Through January 5.
$30 (+$3 service fee) per carload up to 8 people; $50 (+$4 service fee) for carloads of 9+ people (no limos, RVs, or buses longer than 21 feet)
Opening Night: Alice in Wonderland
Ensemble Theatre
Through December 30
Cuisine Art Cocktails
Contemporary Arts Center, 7p
The CAC’s largest annual fundraiser, featuring an artful collaboration between the community, chefs and mixologists, creatives, and business leaders. All six floors will be activated with artists, performances, poetry, and tattooing.
Match Day with Break the Love
The Pitch, 7–10:30p
Watch Orlando Pride battle Washington Spirit to see who claims the 2024 NWSL Championship title. There will be friendship bracelets, giveaways, and complimentary drink tickets are limited to the first 100 guests—secure yours by clicking here.
21+
Norwood After Hours
The Gatherall at Factory 52, 8p–midnight
Live DJ, drink specials, late night food selection
Saturday and Sunday
Totally Rad Vintage Fest
November 23–24, NKY Convention Center, 10a–5p
Two days of vendors from across the country bringing the best in 80s, 90s, and 00s vintage. There will also be a vintage arcade, photo ops, Rad Rewind Museum, and immersive photo ops.
Pre-sale tickets available here
Holiday Bazaar at Queen City Clay
Handmade ceramics and gifts.
Sunday
Art on Vine: Shop Small Weekend
Rhinegeist, 12–6p
Shop local fine arts and handcrafted goods from over 80 artists and makers ahead of the holiday season.
Free admission
Pouring For Neighbors
Streetside Brewery, 1–4p
WNC hurricane relief, complete with basket raffles, gift card pull, and new and unused winter supply drive (coats, hats, blankets, gloves). $1 per pint, along with 15% of non-beer sales will be donated to WNC relief efforts between 1 and 4p.
Friendsgiving Dinner
Brink Brewing, 6p
Brink will provide the meat; attendees will bring a side or dessert to share.
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
through December 7
William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
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
Sports
Cincinnati Bearcats WBB vs. Georgetown
Friday at 5p
Atlantic Slam W
Listen: The Project
Xavier Musketeers WBB @ Kent State
Saturday at 1p
Watch: ESPN+
Cincinnati Bearcats MBB @ Georgia Tech
Saturday at 2p
Watch: ACC Network Extra; Listen: 700 WLW
Week 12
Cincinnati Bengals
BYE Week
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
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.
ETC Produce
954 E McMillan (Walnut Hills)
New storefront and independently owned grocery store in Walnut Hills.
Aglamesis Bros
Hamilton
The Davis Building, 304 Main Street
Tickets and Registration for Future Events
Mad Hatter Party
November 30, Ensemble Theatre, 6p
Celebrate in Mad Hatter style and see the holiday production of Alice in Wonderland (November 23–December 30). The best hat will get a prize, plus attendees will get to meet characters and try themed treats.
Tickets
ReMade Fundraiser: A Sustainable Art Experience
December 4, Woodward Theater, 6–9p
This annual fundraiser celebrates 8+ years of creativity and environmental sustainability and features an evening of art, music, and community, highlighting the creative talent and original works of Cincinnati’s gifted artists, as well as Indigo Hippo’s ongoing mission to broaden arts accessibility, reduce waste, and inspire possibility through creative reuse.
Your ticket includes light bites and drinks, silent auction, ReMade gallery show and auction, free artist-led experiences, photo ops, and more
Market on Main
December 8, Woodward Theater, 11a–4p
Vendor applications are now open.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Mainstage 2024–25 Season
Taft Theatre
Santa Claus: The Musical (December 7–16)
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat (February 15–24)
Disney’s Frozen Jr (April 25–May 4)
America’s River Roots Festival to Host Nine Riverboats in Cincinnati Next Year [citybeat.com]
Another Five Greater Cincinnati Frisch’s Restaurants Have Been Ordered to Close [citybeat.com]
Cincinnati Comes in at Number 11 on Stacker’s Most Fun Cities in the US List [stacker.com]
Cincinnati Named Third Best City for a Staycation in the US [wallethub.com]
Cincinnati Reds Announce 2025 Post-Game Concert Lineup [citybeat.com]
Cincinnati’s Absinthe Lovers Chased the ‘Green Fairy’ in Their Own Midwestern Way [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Clifton Heights’ Good Plates Eatery to Hand Out Free Thanksgiving and Christmas Meals [citybeat.com]
Does Red Mean Go or Stop? [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Five Offseason Questions for FC Cincinnati [cincinnatimagazine.com]
‘Largest Citywide Pinball Show Ever,’ Pincinnati, Returns to Eastgate This December [citybeat.com]
New Food-and-Beer-Lover Destination Featuring Braxton Brewing, Dewey’s Pizza, and Graeter’s Set to Open in Union [citybeat.com]
Skyline Chili Introduces Limited-Time Mac and Cheese Ways [citybeat.com]
Summerfair Cincinnati’s Poster Design Contest Now Open [citybeat.com]
Where To Eat, Drink And Stay In Cincinnati, Ohio [forbes.com]