Goodnight, Thursday.

Here we are, approaching the weekend! Find some great holiday fun with our list of Things to do for Your Weekend.

A few of my favorites include: Crafty Supermarket at a new spot - Factory 52, the Reindog Parade in Mt. Adams, and Jake Speed and the Freddies at Taft Museum of Art.

As a reminder, I do not send out a newsletter on Friday or Saturday. See you back here on Sunday evening, 8pm!

ESSENTIALS FOR THE WEEKEND:

Weather: 
Friday: Mostly sunny with a high of 58° | 2% chance of precipitation
Saturday: Rain with a high of 62° | 82% chance of precipitation
Sunday: Morning showers, high of 46° | 62% chance of precipitation

Friday’s Do: There’s a Holiday Sip and Shop happening in Over-the-Rhine. Participating businesses will be open until 9pm. Along with the extended hours, each participating shop will have a drink of choice for shoppers to sip on as they shop ;) like hot cocoa, sparkling cider, etc.

SIGN UP:

Registration opens on December 9 for a Wings of Wonder collaborative event for Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum and the Cincinnati Zoo. The trainers from the Cincinnati Zoo will bring 3-4 birds of a feather for an up-close, interactive program. Learn what unique stories and facts make these birds the stars of the Wings of Wonder. This event takes place in Spring Grove's Norman Chapel on January 7, 1-2pm.

There’s a Hallmark Christmas Murder Mystery happening at Basil 1791 (Hamilton) on December 10, 6-8pm. This Queen City Murder Mystery Co. show will feature all of the fun elements of a Hallmark Christmas movie (girl moves to a small town, girl meets boy, learns the true meaning of Christmas and falls in love) along with a touch of homicide :) Tickets required.

The American Sign Museum is hosting a Holiday Edition Signs and Songs on Thursday, Dec. 14, 7-9pm. The Matt Tolentino Band returns to perform holiday favorites in their unique presentation of hot jazz that will be sure to warm up a cold December night. Enjoy refreshments during the performance from a cash bar. Tickets required.

GOOD TO KNOW:

Looking for something different to do this weekend? Head downtown and take the streetcar around town for some fun stops! We put together a suggested route for you...

Get a Streetcar map here.

This route has you starting with parking at The Banks.

Park and then head to an event at The Banks before you hop on the streetcar:

You’ll find Cincincinnati Christkindlmarkt at the Banks next to Moerlein Lager House. Stroll the grounds, enjoy some seasonal snacks, do some shopping, sing some carols, and have a cold one!

Hop onto the streetcar at stop #1.

Rise it all the way up to Stop #7 and it will let you out right by Vine Street in Over the Rhine. Enjoy a bite to eat at any one of the great eateries in the area. Some of our favorites include Bakersfield (great guac and queso), Kruegger’s, 1215 Wine Bar (for a nice cup of coffee or glass of wine), MadTree Alcove for a beer... you really can't go wrong here!

Get back on at #7 and head to the next stop = #8, Washington Park. Walk the park and enjoy the seasonal decor and their Winter Market.

Hop back on at Stop #8 and head up to Stop #10 - Findlay Market. Stop in Maverick Chocolate for a hot chocolate. Finish up some shopping at Findlay Market and the surrounding businesses. Pick up some English muffins from Blue Oven (if you can, soooo good). Hop back on at the same stop.

If you're into beer, Stop #11 is Rhinegeist. Their taproom is HUGE and their beer is great. The streetcar stops right in front of the brewery. Hop back on at the same stop.

Watch for all the beautiful murals and charming architecture as you head south on the streetcar.

Next stop is #17: You'll get off just north of the Aronoff (Walnut and 7th). Admire their trees and then pop into the Contemporary Art Center (across the street) to see the new Creativity Center on the 6th floor. You can also explore the galleries at the 21C Museum Hotel. Hop back on at the same stop.

Stop #18 is just a little south of Fountain Square. Walk past the Westin and take a left on 5th Street for Fountain Square. See the giant Christmas tree and do some ice skating. Stop in at the new-ish location for March First Brewing. Walk a block down to the Foundry to see the Shillito Elves in the windows (5th Street, across from the Omni/Hilton Hotel).

Hop back on at Stop #18 and return to the Banks.

COMING SOON 📅

12/5-12/17: Mrs. Doubtfire is coming to the Aronoff Center, presented by Broadway in Cincinnati.

12-8: Crib of the Nativity, the live nativity scene that’s out in the lawn of the Krohn Conservatory, will be open and ready for visitors, 9am-9pm. Free.

12/9-12/10: City Flea will be at Factory 52 (Norwood) for their Holiday Market, 12-4pm both days. They’ll have 50+ vendors and will have new vendors each day. Shop local at this outdoors event.

12-9: Holiday Open House at the Cincinnati Observatory, noon to 3pm. Free.

12-12: A Balloon Glow will be happening in Middletown starting at 7pm. Come out and watch some of Southwest Ohio's balloon pilots light up the night sky. Weather dependent.

PIC OF THE DAY:

I know this is from last Thursday but I’m going to leave this here in case you do the streetcar tour I mention above. This place is close to Findlay Market and would be a fun addition.

This comic book store looks very much like a comic book store… until you head to the secret bar in the back! Pennifold’s Pub is all decked out for some holiday magic with a Wizard PopUp Bar theme. So fun!

Of note: the comic book store and the bar have different opening and closing hours so be sure you check out each site (links above) before you head out.