Enjoy this list of the best local events and things to do this weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio. This list includes Christmas and holiday events, fun shows, tours, family friendly things to do, and more weekend events.
All event details were accurate at the time of this posting but event details do occasionally change. You should always double check with the event source before you head out the door.
Things to Do This Weekend in Cincinnati, November 22-24:
Holiday Events Opening this Weekend:
🌲Holidays on the Farm, Parky’s Farm (opens Nov. 22)
🌲Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt (opens Nov. 22)
🌲Festival of Lights, Cincinnati Zoo (opens Nov. 21)
🌲Deck the Y’Alls Lightfest (opens Nov. 22)
Find more Christmas in Cincinnati events and happenings here
FRIDAY, NOV. 22:
Holiday Wonderland Laser Show is happening at Haile Planetarium at NKU, 8:30-9:30pm. Experience the magic of the holiday season at Haile Planetarium with a spectacular laser light show set to your favorite holiday tunes! Tickets required.
Aquarium After Dark is the Newport Aquarium’s new 21+ event, 7:30pm+. Explore the Aquarium while enjoying a variety of food stations and a cash bar, playing games and visiting all your favorite animal friends. Special event tickets required.
Enjoy some Autumn Acoustics on the porch at Washington Park on Friday and Saturday, 6-9pm. This week’s featured music comes from Grady Burton (Friday) and Jonathan Cody White (Saturday).
SATURDAY, NOV. 23:
Head to Liberty Center for Lights Up 2024, 3-5pm. The event kicks off with a parade of local organizations and holiday characters. Santa will then light the tree. The event also includes: live music from The Chuck Taylors, a pop-up ice skating rink, live reindeer, a holiday balloon artist, free train rides, and more.
Light Up the Levee is happening at Newport on the Levee, 3-7pm. Snap pics with Santa, craft toys with a friendly elf, join in on exciting reindeer games, and slide on the inflatable slide. They’ll have live music from The Whammies and an ice sculptor demonstration. A candlelight procession starts at 6pm. Santa lights the tree at 7pm and then they’ll end the night with Rozzi fireworks.
Fairfield’s Parade of Lights is Saturday starting at 5pm. They’ll have indoor and outdoor activities includeing food trucks, holiday vendors, live music, and activities for the kids. The parade starts at 6pm. They’ll have the tree lighting after the parade and will follow that up with fireworks at Village Green Park.
The OFF Holiday Market will be at Summit Park, 10am-4pm. This is an outdoor market.
Enjoy some Autumn Acoustics on the porch at Washington Park on Friday and Saturday, 6-9pm. This week’s featured music comes from Grady Burton (Friday) and Jonathan Cody White (Saturday).
Enjoy the Burnet Woods History Walk to Celebrate 150 Years on Saturday as part of their Nature Encounters, 1-2pm. Join Cincinnati Parks Staff for a walk around Burnet Woods. As you walk, they will discuss the general history of the park, see some pictures of what the park looked like in years past, and discuss the history of Trailside Nature Center – formally known as Trailside Museum.
Pictures with the Grinch is happening on Saturday, 12-3pm, at CinCity Harley-Davidson. Strike a pose with the Grinch and create the perfect holiday card that’s both naughty *and* nice! Fur babies are welcome (on a leash). They’ll also have a toy drive, ShowDogs Hot Dogs food truck, holiday coloring pages for the kids, and bake sale.
SUNDAY, NOV. 24:
It’s time for Movie Mornings at the Rink (Fountain Square Ice Rink that is), 10am – noon. On select Sundays throughout the season, head to the ice rink to enjoy a Sunday morning movie played up on the LED Board while you skate! This Sunday’s movie is Ice Age.
Art On Vine will be at Rhinegeist for their Shop Small event, 12-6pm.
Performing Arts:
Broadway in Cincinnati: Funny Girl, Nov. 19-Dec. 1
Playhouse in the Park: A Christmas Carol, Nov. 22-Dec. 29
Playhouse in the Park: The Second City Anniversary Show, Oct. 24-Dec. 22
Ensemble Theatre: Alice in Wonderland, Nov. 23-Dec.30
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company: Twelfth Night, Nov. 15-Dec.7
Tours Offered This Weekend:
Take a free Public Tour of the Cincinnati Art Museum, offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. No need to register – meet in the lobby.
Union Terminal Rotunda Tours are offered by Heritage Program docents at Cincinnati Museum Center on Fridays – Sundays. During a 45-minute tour of the 1933 train station, docents explain the architecture, construction and art of one of the finest examples of the Art Deco style. Hear details about the world-famous mosaic murals. These limited capacity public tours are first come, first served and will depend on availability. Tours are free; there is a charge to park.
Rookwood Pottery offers Behind the Scenes Tours of Rookwood on most Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets required.
Take a tour with Cincinnati Food Tours and savor some local food and culture. Times vary, but tasting tours are offered weekly at Findlay Market and in other delicious neighborhoods. Information and reservations at www.cincinnatifoodtours.com.
Special Exhibitions and Season-Long Events:
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Trains at Cincinnati Museum Center, Nov. 9 – Jan. 6, 2025
Cincinnati Art Museum: Discovering Ansel Adams, now thru Jan. 19, 2025
Krohn Conservatory: Solstice Glow, Nov. 2, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025
NOTE: The Contemporary Arts Center, 21C Museum Hotel, and the Weston Art Gallery (events listed below) are all within walking distance of one another. Make a day of it!
Contemporary Arts Center: Chip Thomas and the Painted Desert Project (thru Jan. 5), Kahill Robert Irving: Ground Water from screen Falls Street (thru Dec. 30), Barbara Probst: Subjective Evidence (thru Feb. 9), Terra Futura (thru Feb. 10)
21C Museum Hotel Galleries: Queen City of the West (thru Dec.), Revival (thru Sept., 2025), and FotoFocus Biennial, backstories (thru Sept., 2025)
Weston Art Gallery: Richard W. James: No True Scotsman (Nov. 15-Jan.19), Julie Byrne: My Boat (Nov. 15-Jan.19), Pamela Hignite: Memory Keepers (Nov. 15-Jan. 19)
Root for the Home Team!
Cincinnati Bengals: no game this week
University of Cincinnati (away): UC vs. Kansas State, time listed as TBD
All events were accurate at the time of this posting but things do happen and events do occasionally get canceled or postponed. You should always double check with the event source before you head out the door. Links for each event are provided so that you can be sure the date is still accurate before you head out.
