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
November 22–December 29
A Christmas Carol
Playhouse in the Park
Through December 29.
November 23–December 30
Alice in Wonderland
Ensemble Theatre
November 26
Opening Day: Let It Glow!
Cincinnati Art Museum
The Alice Bimel Courtyard will be transformed into an immersive outdoor light-filled winter wonderland, complete with a 30-foot-tall interactive snow globe. Through January 5.
Free admission
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
Thursday
Opening Night: Light Up Middletown
6–10p
Drive-through light display from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve—open in all weather and on holidays. Through December 31
Admission by cash donation
Read more about what to do this Holiday season
Friday
Opening Day: Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland
Newport Aquarium, 9a–6p
Playful penguins, colorful holiday lights, and a flurry of magical bubbles. Meet cheerful elves straight from the North Pole and join in the fun as Scuba Santa fills the Theater with bubbles. Through December 24.
Included with admission and membership
Opening Day: Christmas Tree Sale
Findlay Market, 11a–6p
Purchasing a tree supports Findlay Kitchen, Findlay Launch, and Findlay Learn. Goods include 4–6′ trees, 6–8′ trees, 8–10′ trees, wreaths, garland, tree stands, ornaments (only $5 with tree purchase), and Findlay Market playing cards. Through December 22.
Jingle Jams
Washington Park, 4–7p
Merry mix of live holiday music, drinks, and festive vibes.
Opening Day: Santa’s House Experience
Factory 52, 4–8p
Weekends: Saturdays 4–8p and Sundays 1–6p (first-come, first-served)
Weekdays: private visits Monday–Friday 9a–7:30p (book online)
Each visit includes a 15-minute experience with Santa. There will also be a Letters to Santa station. Through December 22.
Opening Night: Yuletide Village
Renaissance Park, 5–9p
Holiday lights, festive shows, and a Yuletide Market full of gifts, as well as hot food and drinks available for purchase. Through December 21.
Opening Night: WinterFest
Kings Island, 5–10p
Experience Kings Island transformed into a holiday wonderland, with more than seven million lights, ice skating, entertainment, activities, festive attractions, holiday shopping, and seasonal treats. Through December 31.
Admission starting at $29.99
Prolink’s Light Up the Square
Fountain Square, 6–9p
Kick off the holiday season with Fountain Square’s annual tree lighting celebration. Festivities begin at 5p with live music, followed by a special appearance by Santa Claus, then a dazzling fireworks display.
Art Attack
Braxton Cincinnati, 7–11p
Curated pop-up art show of local artists displaying pieces for sale the night of the event. Showcasing artists will be on sight during the event and open for discussion about their artwork and making connections with the community.
Friday and Saturday
That One Mailman and Friends
Funny Bone Liberty Twp
Friday: 7p and 9:30p
Saturday: 5:30p and 8:30p
Friday–Sunday
Telford Tannenbaums
Alive & Well/Telford Avenue, 10a–8p
Classic Christmas tree lot complete with various sizes of Fraser and Balsam Firs, fresh wreaths, wine box gifts, holiday packages, holiday cocktails, and more.
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: December 6–8, 11–23.
Coach Class seats starting at $30
Holidays on the Farm Giveback Weekend: Project Connect
Parky’s Farm
Donate a new, warm winter coat in any size for children and teens.
[Small Business] Saturday
Opening Day: Town Hall District Passport Program
Westwood Town Hall District, November 30–December 7
• Get a Passport card from a participating business
• Shop and dine at participating businesses on November 30 through December 7, and receive a
sticker on your card for each business where you make a purchase
• Return your Passport card to a participating business by December 7 to be entered to win prizes
donated by participating businesses and valued at more than $200 – one grand prize winner and
up 12 winners in total.
To be entered to win, you must collect at least 6 stickers and be at least 18 years old. If you collect 9 stickers, you will be entered twice. If you collect all 12 stickers, you will be entered 3 times.
Holiday Craft Fair
Beechwoods High School, 9a–3p
Beechwoods Bands host the inaugural craft fair featuring handmade gifts, food and drinks, and free parking.
$3 admission
Winter Hiking Challenge: Nutcracker Hike with Cincinnati Ballet
Smale Riverfront Park, 10a
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: December 7 and 14; January 4, 11, 18.
Free; register here
Madcap Puppets presents: The Nutcracker
Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 11a and 1p
$10 (children under 1 free)
Crafty Supermarket Holiday Show
Music Hall Ballroom, 11a–5p
100+ makers in one space for a holiday shopping extravaganza.
Check out the Tour de Cincinnati Shop Local Guide
4th Annual Pride Winter Market
Washington Park, 11a–5p
Shop during Small Business Saturday and invest in LGBTQ+ owned and affirming vendors featuring apparel, personal care, art, and craft products.
WestSide Holiday Market
Westwood Town Hall, 12–5p
Small business pop-up market showcasing over 100 local vendors, food trucks, and family friendly activities. The Market will be hosting a meet and greet with Cincinnati Bengals players Jordan Battle (#27/Safety) and Trayveon Williams (#32/RB) from 1 to 3.
Winter Market
Samuel Adams Cincy Taproom, 12–5p
Have a pint while you shop local for gifts.
7th Annual Holiday Market
Streetside Brewery, 1–4p
One of Streetside’s favorite traditions, complete with vendors new and returning.
‘oliday Market
Urban Artifact, 1–5p
Unique local artisans and vendors, music, and more.
Free admission
Annual Tree Lighting and Artisan Market
Port Bellevue Parking Lot, 4–8p
Santa’s arrival, complimentary hot cocoa bar, and kids zone (free crafts, petting zoo, fake snowball fights). Tree lighting ceremony at 6.
Mad Hatter Party
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
Christmas With the Celts
Memorial Hall, 7:30p
Saturday and Sunday
Home Alone with the Cincinnati Pops
Music Hall
Watch the movie as the Pops play the score.
Sunday
Court Street Crawl: A Bengals Tailgate
Court Street Plaza, 10a–1p
Food and drink specials, live music, and more activities.
Holiday Brunch Cruise
BB Riverboats, 12–2p
Holiday Brunch, sightseeing, and Dixieland Jazz Band.
Winter Market
Wandering Monsters, 12–4p
Shopping event featuring local vendors, specialty drinks, and giveaways.
Winter Market
Northside Tavern, 4–10p
20+ vendors, including vintage clothing, handmade goods, art, home decor, and so much more. There will also be live music from 7 to 10.
Holiday Family Funday: German Christmas
Taft Museum of Art, 10a–4p
Free music, art-making, and gallery experiences. Additional dates: December 8, 15, and 22.
Registration not required but encouraged
Craft & Draft: Holiday Greeting Card 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. Additional dates: December 8, 15, and 22.
Out in the Outdoors: Stars and Cider
Woodland Mount (Weston Shelter), 6–8p
Monthly series for outdoor exploration designed for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Sip mulled cider by the fire and find peace and quiet in the winter while observing Jupiter and Saturn through telescopes on the New Moon.
December 1–31
Holiday Book Drive
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.
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 Cyclones vs. Kalamazoo Wings
Heritage Bank Center
Wednesday at 7:30p
Thanksgiving Eve + $2 beers
Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Wheeling Nailers
Heritage Bank Center
Friday at 1:30p
Black Friday matinee featuring Peanuts. $5 craft drafts and seltzers, $1 popcorn, $3 burgers.
Xavier Musketeers WBB @ Eastern Michigan
Sunday at 2p
Watch: ESPN+
Xavier Musketeers MBB (22) vs. South Carolina State
Cintas Center
Sunday at 4:30p
Watch: FS1; Listen: 55KRC
Week 13
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Paycor Stadium
Sunday at 1p
Watch: CBS/Paramount+; 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
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.
ETC Produce
954 E McMillan (Walnut Hills)
New storefront and independently owned grocery store in Walnut Hills.
Tickets and Registration for Future Events
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)
16 Lots Brewing Company Closes Both its Breweries Permanently [citybeat.com]
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 Poorhouse Kept the Impoverished Out of Sight and [Mostly] Out of Mind [cincinnatimagazine.com]
Cincy on the Big Screen [cincinnatimagazine.com]
New Self-Service Wine Bar to Open in Downtown Cincinnati [citybeat.com]
OpenTable Names Six Ohio restaurants on its Top 100 List—All From Cincinnati (Again) [cincinnati.com]
Skyline Chili Introduces Limited-Time Mac and Cheese Ways [citybeat.com]
Summerfair Cincinnati’s Poster Design Contest Now Open [citybeat.com]
Team of Frisch’s Senior Managers Acquires Several Locations, Future Branding Rights [citybeat.com]
Where To Eat, Drink And Stay In Cincinnati, Ohio [forbes.com]