Things to do in Cincinnati this week: Nov. 29-Dec. 5

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·10 min read

Monday, Nov. 29

HOLIDAY: Christmas at the Junction, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Entertrainment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester. Runs Nov. 16-Jan. 1. Extended hours until 8 p.m. beginning Dec. 11. 513-898-8000; entertrainmentjunction.com.

RECREATION: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, Todd Creech Park, 305 W. Tate St., Lawrenceburg. Protective roof over rink, fire pit, indoor restrooms and skate distribution. Daily through Jan. 9. $8 ages 13-up, $6 ages 12-under. downtownlawrenceburg.com.

Tuesday, Nov. 30

THEATER: David Sedaris, Music Hall.

Wednesday, Dec. 1

FAMILY: Christmas Lights with the Hormans, 11:30 a.m., Fitton Center for the Arts, 101 S. Monument St., Hamilton. Learn how this family puts together its incredible light show each year. fittoncenter.org.

HOLIDAY: Festival of Trees, Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield. See beautifully decorated trees Dec. 1-17. Trees will be donated to families in need afterward.

HOLIDAY: Light in the Forest, 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Rowe Woods at Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford. Not your typical holiday lights show. This show produces original works of moving art using the natural environment as a canvas. Runs Dec. 1-Jan. 2. Closed Dec. 24-25. $12, $7 children. cincynature.org.

MUSIC: Playboi Carti, BB&T Arena.

Playboi Carti plays BB&T Arena on December 1.
Playboi Carti plays BB&T Arena on December 1.

THEATER: Cinderella, Ensemble Theatre, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. What do you get when you combine a nearsighted bookworm heroine, two fabulously self-absorbed stepsisters, one devilishly diva stepmother, along with a self-empowering Well-Wisher? A fun spin on the classic fairy tale that demonstrates being smart is true beauty! Runs Dec. 1-30. ensemblecincinnati.org.

Thursday, Dec. 2

COMEDY: Tony Woods, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Go Bananas Comedy Club, 8410 Market Place, Montgomery. Runs Dec. 2-5. Ages 18-up except ages 21-up Saturday. $10-$15. 513-873-7233; gobananascomedy.com.

EXPO: Afterhours Bridal Show, 6-9:30 p.m., Sample Space at the Banks, 140 Marian Spencer Way, Downtown. From gowns to decor and food samples. Free. Register: abridesmafia.com.

FILM: Movie Night on the Levee, 7-9 p.m., Newport on the Levee, One Levee Way, Newport. Dec. 2: Elf. Dec. 9: The Grinch. Dec. 16: The Santa Clause. Dec. 23: The Polar Express. Free.

HOLIDAY: Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Monday, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Runs Nov. 12-Jan. 3. $10. cincymuseum.org.

MUSIC: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve and Other Stories, Heritage Bank Center.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra

MUSIC: Devotchka, Woodward Theater. With Milquetoast & Co.

THEATER: Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some), Cincinnati Shakespeare Co., 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs through Dec. 26. cincyshakes.com.

THEATER: Elf the Musical, Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill. Runs Dec. 2-Dec. 26.

Friday, Dec. 3

CHARITY: Panorama of Cincinnati Art, 5-8 p.m., Cincinnati Art Galleries, 225 E. Sixth St., Downtown. More than 150 works by Cincinnati artists. Benefits Taft Museum of Art's Love This House campaign. $100. 513-381-2128; cincyart.com.

COMEDY: Chico Bean, Funny Bone Comedy Club, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township. Runs Dec. 3-5. Ages 21-up. liberty.funnybone.com.

CRAFT SHOW: Hometown Christmas Craft Show, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Eastgate Mall, 4601 Eastgate Blvd., Union Township. 513-675-3708; hometowncraftshows.com.

CRAFT SHOW: Hamilton ChristkindlMarkt, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton. Vendors with German products, ornaments, beer steins, nutcrackers and more. Traditional German food, live music.

EXPO: Pincinnati: Greater Cincinnati Pinball Show, Holiday Inn Eastgate, 4501 Eastgate Blvd., Union Township. Over 130 pinball machines from the 1970s-present free to play, daily tournaments with prizes and more. Runs Dec. 3-5. $50 weekend pass, $20 per day, free ages 12-under with paying adult. pincinnati.com.

FAMILY: Nutcracker Rocks, 7:30 p.m., Fitton Center for the Arts, 101 S. Monument St., Hamilton. $5-$7. fittoncenter.org.

FAMILY: Citiscapes at Walworth Junction, noon-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 3107 Walworth Junction, East End. Tour luxury, upscale show homes decorated for the holiday season, enjoy holiday festivities for the entire family, and free parking. Sponsored by Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati. Runs Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12. $10. cincycitiscapes.com.

HOLIDAY: Light the Hill, 6:15 p.m., Seton High School, 3901 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill. Tree lighting ceremony.

HOLIDAY: Christmas in the Village, downtown Waynesville. Runs Dec. 3-5.

MUSIC: Norm Lewis: Naughty and Nice, 8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. cincinnatiarts.org.

Norm Lewis, one of Broadway’s most sought-after leading men, is coming to Cincinnati to ring in the holiday season with his musical director/arranger, Broadway’s Joseph Joubert, and their swinging’ band. They'll be at Aronoff Center for the Arts Dec. 3-4.
Norm Lewis, one of Broadway’s most sought-after leading men, is coming to Cincinnati to ring in the holiday season with his musical director/arranger, Broadway’s Joseph Joubert, and their swinging’ band. They'll be at Aronoff Center for the Arts Dec. 3-4.

MUSIC: Holiday Pops, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Cincinnati’s beloved holiday tradition returns with music, warmth, laughter and seasonal inspiration for the entire family. Gather those dear to you to share unforgettable memories in the grandeur of a Music Hall adorned with wondrous decorations and joyful song. Runs Dec. 3-12. cincinnatisymphony.org.

MUSIC: Elves on Elder, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs weekends Nov. 26-Dec. 18. Dec. 3: Erwin Stuckey. Dec. 4: Jess Lamb & the Factory. Dec. 10: Camille Saba Smith. Dec. 11: Tinsel & Tango Latino Night. Dec. 17: Josh Strange. Dec. 18: Hemp & Harmonies Holiday Edition. Free.

THEATER: Making God Laugh, The Drama Workshop, 3716 Glenmore Ave., Cheviot. Runs Dec. 3-19. thedramaworkshop.org.

Saturday, Dec. 4

ART: Charley Harper Holiday Show, 11 a..m.-5 p.m., Fabulous Frames & Art, multiple locations.

ART: Queen City Visual Narrative: An Exploration of Cincinnati's Iconography, noon-3 p.m., 1628 Ltd., 11 Garfield Place, Downtown. Features 18 local and regional artists. Maximum 40 persons per viewing session, each session lasts 45 minutes. Runs through Feb. 25. Free, but reservations required. eventbrite.com.

ART: Open Studios, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Brazee Studios, 4426 Brazee St., Oakley. 13 studio artists working in paint, printmaking, paper, pastels, textiles, glass, wood and more will open their studios to the public to view and buy directly from artists.

ART: Showcase of Arts, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Woman's Art Club of Cincinnati, The Barn, 6980 Cambridge Ave., Mariemont. Holiday sale featuring works by 40 curated vendors. Fresh pine wreaths from local Girl Scouts. 513-272-3700; artatthebarn.org.

BARS: Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, noon-8 p.m., Mr. Pitiful's, 1323 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Registration at Mr. Pitiful's. Crawl includes Pins, Revel, Below Zero Lounge, Eatery OTR, The Drinkery, OTR Live for after party. Includes koozie, lanyard with holiday bingo card, themed discount drink specials, DJs, digital map and more. $15. eventbrite.com.

Dig out your ugliest holiday sweater and join in the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, which starts at Mr. Pitiful's in Over-the-Rhine Saturday.
Dig out your ugliest holiday sweater and join in the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, which starts at Mr. Pitiful's in Over-the-Rhine Saturday.

CHARITY: Firefighter Community Ball, 7-11 p.m., New Riff Distilling, 24 Distillery Way, Newport. Benefits Newport Professional Firefighters Local 45 IAFF. $65. 859-466-9944.

FESTIVAL: Braxton Dark Charge Day, 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Braxton Brewery, 27 W. Seventh St., Covington. Celebration of brewery's bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout. Includes winter block party. $400 8-person Igloo Experience, $80 VIP.

HOLIDAY: East Row Victorian Christmas Tour, 3-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, East Row Historic District, Newport. This self-guided walking tour features six distinct homes in the neighborhood that will be partially open for tours. There will also be an exterior home and stained glass window lighting event, luminaries throughout the neighborhood and a holiday block party on Saturday along Seventh St. with food trucks and live music. $10, free for ages 12-under. Pick up tickets on the day of the event at Roebling Books, 601 Overton St. or order in advance at eastrow.org/victorian-christmas-tour-and-tea.

HOLIDAY: Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Downtown Lebanon. Carriage rides, Santa visits, entertainment, shopping, food, holiday lights and music. Parades at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

HOLIDAY: Christmas Tree Lighting, 4-7 p.m., Burlington Commons, 2950 Washington St., Burlington. Refreshments including snacks and hot cocoa.

HOLIDAY: Santa Skates, noon-1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown.

HOLIDAY: Downtown Dazzle, 5-7:15 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown.

HOLIDAY: County Christmas, 5-7 p.m., Williamstown. Parade through downtown, pancake supper with Santa, wagon rides, live nativity, iceless ice skating, magic show, vendor/merchant open house, carrousel and giant snow glove. Frost's Fun 3K run/walk. 800-382-7117; wtownky.org.

HOLIDAY: Price Hill Holiday Glow, 6-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dunham Recreation area, Guerley Road, Price Hill. Drive-thru holiday light extravaganza. Free.

MUSIC: MusicFest, 7 p.m., Princeton High School, 150 Viking Way, Sharonville. Sycamore Community Band performs new, commissioned work by world-renowned composer James Curnow at this gala concert honoring Peter Metzger Jr. for his lifelong service to community bands and public education. Reception follows performance. Free. 513-697-0868.

MUSIC: Mason Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Classics, 7:30 p.m., Mason First United Methodist Church, 6315 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason. Features the Mason Chorale and Hallelujah Ringers (Karen Mail director), Trumpeter’s Holiday, soprano and harp soloists and includes a Christmas carol audience singalong and the inimitable Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. $10, $5 students, free ages 6-under.

MUSIC: Shakey Graves, Bogart's. With Tre Burt.

MUSIC: The Queens of Soul Jazz featuring Althea Renee and Jeanette Harris, Memorial Hall.

HOLIDAY: Drive-Thru Christmas Play and Live Nativity, 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Burlington Bible Church, 6529 Rogers Lane, Burlington. Hot chocolate and cookies as you drive through.

RECREATION: Arctic Dash, Camp Kern, 5291 State Route 350, Oregonia. Obstacle course friendly to all levels from beginner to elite. 513-932-3756.

RECREATION: Springdale Santa 5K, 9 a.m.-noon, Springdale Parks & Recreation, 11999 Lawnview Ave., Springdale. 5K and 1 mile fun run. Dress up as Santa or festive wear and run. Cookies, cocoa and music afterward. Proceeds benefit Springdale Offering Support. $15. eventbrite.com.

SHOPPING: Ludlow Vinyl, HiFi & Sneaker Bazaar, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Bircus Brewing, 322 Elm St., Ludlow. Buy, sell and trade old vinyl records, vintage stereo equipment and sneakers/streetwear. Free admission. eventbrite.com.

SPORTS: Cincinnati Cyclones v Indy Fuel, 7:30 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. DC Comics Night. cycloneshockey.com.

THEATER: Elf the Musical Jr., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Runs Dec. 4-12. tafttheatre.org.

TOURS: Historic Home Tour, 1-5 p.m., Harding Museum, 302 Park Ave., Franklin. Holiday home tour featuring historic homes, museums and churches in Franklin and Carlisle. Includes refreshments, holiday music, carolers and photo ops with Santa from 3-5 p.m. at the Carlisle Lions Club. $20. eventbrite.com.

TOURS: Tour of Kitchens: Holiday Home Edition, noon-4 p.m., Junior League Cincinnati's Columbia Center, 3500 Columbia Pkwy, Columbia Tusculum. Self-guided tour of participating homes includes holiday-themed light bites and beverage pairings, curated by Cincinnati caterers and local chefs. Extensive holiday market for guests to shop local businesses. Advance tickets only. $35. 513-871-9339; jlcincinnati.org/tourofkitchens.

Sunday, Dec. 5

CRAFT SHOW: Holiday Market, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., The Redmoor, 3187 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout. Shop local vendors and enjoy live music. Bar will also be open.

CRAFT SHOW: MadTree Winter Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., MadTree Brewing, 3301 Madison Road, Oakley.

MUSIC: Chvrches, PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation. With Donna Missal.

CHVRCHES perform at PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation on Dec. 5.
CHVRCHES perform at PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation on Dec. 5.

MUSIC: Handel's Messiah, 3 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., Downtown. Stephan Casurella conducts Collegium Cincinnati. $15. eventbrite.com.

MUSIC: Westside Community Band: Holiday Treasures, 2 p.m., Mount St. Joseph University Theater, 5701 Delhi Road, Delhi Township. Bring new, unwrapped toy to donate. Face masks required. Free. 513-328-4853; westsidecommunityband.org.

RECREATION: Bud Light Tailgate Zone at The Banks, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Freedom Way between Main and Walnut streets. Pregame party with live music, Bud Bar, jersey makeover and more. Free admission.

SPORTS: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m., Paul Brown Stadium, One Paul Brown Way, Downtown.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Things to do in Cincinnati this week: Nov. 29-Dec. 5