365Cin News: Thursday, December 12

Goodnight, Thursday 🌙 

Here we are with our last newsletter weekend list for the season!

We will be back with one more newsletter this year - watch for it on Sunday!

Have a great weekend, friends!

ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR WEEKEND

Weekend Weather ☁️ 

Friday: Expect a high of 40° with clouds. 4% chance of precipitation.
Saturday: Expect a high of 50° with clouds. 6% chance of precipitation.
Sunday: Expect a high of 54° with rain. 84% chance of precipitation.

FRIDAY EVENTS 📆 

Jingle Jams (at Washington Park) is a merry mix of live holiday music, great drinks, and festive vibes. This seasonal event on the Porch happens on Friday with music from Meaghan Richardson, 4-7pm.

Drop in at Parky's Farm for The Magic of Reindeer on Friday, 1-3pm. While their visiting live reindeer are out for viewing, you can hold an antler, feel some pelts, and learn all about what makes these extra furry friends unique. This is a free event at Winton Woods | Parky's Farm. To find this event, click the link above and when you get to their calendar, click on Dec. 13 to see it in the list.

Enjoy some live music at the Krohn Conservatory as you explore Solstice Glow in the evening, 5:30-7:30. Friday's musical guest is Vudu Childe (vocal/guitar). Tickets required.

SATURDAY EVENTS 📆 

Downtown Dazzle is happening at Fountain Square, 6-8pm. See Santa rappel from a Cincinnati skyrise and wait with anticipation for the sky to fill with a fabulous fireworks display! Come early and stay late – Saturdays at the Square are full of festive fun. Enjoy a drink or hot cocoa at Fountain Square’s Bar or make a holiday memory at the UC Health Ice Rink, presented by Fifth Third Bank! Ice skating admission is walk-up only, no reservations required.

The Reindog Parade will be brightening up the streets of Mt. Adams starting at 2pm. Santa will lead the parade of dogs in their holiday best accompanied by their two legged friends.

Main Street is the place to be this Holiday Season! Get into the holiday spirit with Merry Movies on Main at Ziegler Park. This week's featured holiday movie is Elf and will show at the park from 5 to 7pm. Be sure to leave some time to see the Shillito Elves (1312 and 1324 Main Street) and the nearby Main Street Pop-Up Holiday Market too (1312 Main St.).

Do some Winter Birding at Woodland Mound on Saturday starting at 8am. Take a walk in the park as you explore which birds are spending their winter break with us. This walk will take about two hours and will cover both paved and unpaved trails. Be sure to dress for the weather. Bring your own binoculars or borrow some if needed. To find this event, click the link above and when you get to their calendar, click on Dec. 14 to see it in the list.

The jolliest bunch of Santas will be singing some tunes as SantaCon takes on Downtown Cincinnati (The Banks, OTR, CBD), Covington, and Mt. Adams. The Cure Starts Now is their official charity and they will be supporting them again.

Sharonville hosts Christmas on the Loop on Saturday, 11am-3pm. Fun for all ages with horse-drawn carriage rides, downtown business open house with annual Sharonville ornament, music, food trucks, inflatables and inflatables!

Christmas in Loveland is happening on Saturday in Old Historic Loveland, 3-8pm. The event includes live music, a trolley ride around downtown, a children's train ride, horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping at the Holiday Market with over 25 local businesses, and more. Entertainment, vendors, and shopping can be found in the center of town next to the live nativity scene near Fleet Feet. North Pole magic can be found along Karl Brown Way in various businesses: children can enjoy a craft with Mrs. Claus and a visit with Santa himself! Bring your pup along for the best dressed pet costume and parade. New this year: a beard contest where gentlemen can showcase their best holiday beards!

Enjoy some live music at the Krohn Conservatory as you explore Solstice Glow in the evening, 5:30-7:30. Saturday's musical guest is Vudu Childe (vocal/guitar). Tickets required.

It's Findlay Market's annual Holiday Market Weekend 2! They will have dozens of local artisans alongside the normal lineup of merchants selling holiday gifts, food and decor.

Grab some great gifts at The City Flea's Holiday Market at Washington Park, 3-8pm.

Head to Burnet Woods for Nature Encounters on Saturday, 1-2pm. This week's theme is Pine Trees & Pinecone Birdfeeders. Head over to Trailside for a discussion on pine trees and pinecones. You'll discuss the different uses of pine trees throughout history and you will have the opportunity to make a pinecone bird feeder to attract birds to your winter yard! All materials provided.

SUNDAY EVENTS📆 

There's a Full Moon Hike scheduled at Woodland Mound on Sunday starting at 5pm. Let the moon be your guide as you walk through the woods. Listen to the hooting of owls and find the reflections of curious critters’ eyes in the moonlight. To find this event, click the link above and when you get to their calendar, click on Dec. 15 to see it in the list.

Art on Vine – The Holiday Gift Sale at Rhinegeist. 12-6pm

Taft Museum of Art hosts free Holiday Family Fundays on Sunday, 10am-4pm. This week's theme is Hanukkah. These special days offer a new experience each time you visit. Music, art-making, and gallery engagements throughout the day are sure to inspire your young creators. Museum admission is free for this event.

Enjoy some live music at the Krohn Conservatory as you explore Solstice Glow in the evening, 5:30-7:30. Sunday's musical guest is Dylan Firlie, Concertmaster Violinist. Tickets required.

Keehner Park is home to Sunday's Pioneer Christmas, 1-4pm. A holiday celebration straight out of 1800s America! The Cabin in the Clearing in Keehner Park, 7211 Barret Road, will be decorated for a traditional Christmas party, like the kind enjoyed on the western frontier. Take pictures with Santa and taste real pioneer food at this open house Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. 

Head to Third Eye Brewing (Sharonville) for Christmas Vacation Themed Trivia on Sunday, 4:30-6:30pm. Free to play and you can win prizes! Teams of up to 6. They will also be doing an ugly sweater contest with a prize for ugliest sweater!

Grainworks Brewing Co. is hosting Elf Trivia on Sunday starting at 5pm.

365Cincinnati thanks our sponsors for supporting this year’s Christmas in Cincinnati!

HOLIDAY EVENTS - NOW OPEN 🎅 

Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Trains at Cincinnati Museum Center: Nov. 9, 2024 - Jan. 6, 2025; Come experience a deep-rooted Cincinnati holiday tradition: Holiday Junction Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains. The exhibition, a display of hundreds of model trains zipping around a winter wonderland, has been a part of Cincinnati holidays since 1946. You'll also get to see Brickopolis, a room full of fantastical scenes created with LEGO bricks. Santa arrives on Friday (Nov. 29).

Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt: Nov. 22, 2024 - Jan.5, 2025. This festive event takes place adjacent to the Moerlein Lager House on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn and Stage in Smale Riverfront Park. The European, yet Cincinnati Holiday themed event features food, beverages, merchandise, holiday lights, choral and musical entertainment, character visits an ice rink, an Igloo boardwalk, and more. with a European, yet Cincinnati Holiday theme.

The Shillito Elves are returning to downtown windows this year! You can find them in the windows at 1312 and 1324 Main Street starting Nov. 22. You'll find The Mail Sorter, Little Woodshop, Pete the Painter, Lazzie Bear and Gift Wrap, and Elves at Home including the Piano Player, Ned the Newspaper Reader, and the Bunkbed Elves. The Main Street Pop-Up Holiday Market will be at 1318-1320 Main Street and will feature 9 shops (open weekends from noon to 8pm, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 22 - Dec. 22)

Fountain Square Ice Rink, Nov. 2, 2024 - Feb. 17, 2025; Rink amenities include 600 pairs of rental skates, the WGU Warming Tent, a full-service concessions tent with hot and cold snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, on-site parking, and restrooms. The rink is open to skaters of all ages. The rink operates seven days a week. No reservations required, all admissions are walk-ups only. The rink is all ice skating this year (bumper cars no longer on the rink).

Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo,  Nov. 21, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025. The Cincinnati Zoo will once again be transformed into a “Wild Wonderland” for the 42nd annual PNC Festival of Lights! In addition to admiring the beauty of 4 million LED lights, visitors can find the 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in a blacklight puppet show, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, or snack on one of their seasonal concessions. Santa will be available for visits starting at 4 p.m. through December 23. Tickets are required. Closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Deck the Y'alls Lightfest: Nov. 22 - Jan. 1, 2025 (closed on TDay, and a few Mondays - see site for details); This interactive sparkling wonderland features more than 2 million dazzling lights and ten immersive themed displays at Thomas More Stadium, located in Florence, KY. Guests will have the opportunity to walk around the field and can even skate on the outdoor ice rink located right on the first base line!

Holly Jolly Days is at the Behringer-Crawford Museum from Nov 16, 2024 - Jan 12, 2025. Visitors can look forward to new attractions, including 13 animated displays in the Holiday Toy Trains exhibit, a nostalgic "A Window Through Time" display with vintage Christmas decor, and a LEGO Makerspace for creative play.

Pyramid Hill Lights is an artful drive through adventure at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Nov. 15, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025. This art and nature filled route is illuminated by over one million lights and features installations by local artists.

Krohn Conservatory's Holiday Show - Solstice Glow, Nov. 2, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025. The seasonal display located in the main exhibition house, invites visitors to explore a botanically designed Cincinnati theme. Guests will experience an enchanting, immersive train display, winding their way through a miniature world of botanical models thoughtfully sculpted in natural plant material. Included are models of the famed Roebling Bridge, Great American Tower, P&G Towers, Fountain Square, Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park Water Tower, the Winton Place Rail Station, Mount Adams and its incline track, along with many other icons that represent the architectural diversity of the Queen City. G-scale model train tracks traverse the elegant flow of the walking path, and pass by a waterfall, which spills into a bubbling brook. Hand-sculpted cedar mountains combined with decorative grapevine stretch throughout the layout creating a perfect backdrop for the plants, trains and models. Open 10-8 on Thanksgiving Day.

Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction will be open Nov. 16, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025 (closed on Thanksgiving Day). See the magic of Christmas at the home of the World’s Largest Indoor Train Display. Take a “Journey to the North Pole”, where you can meet Mrs. Claus and Santa himself.

ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM! 🏈 

Cincinnati Bengals: Bengals vs. TN Titans, Sunday, 1pm, shown on Fox

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)

PERFORMING ARTS THIS WEEKEND: 🎭️ 

Broadway in Cincinnati: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Dec. 10-15
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