December is packed with everything you need to celebrate the holidays, close out the year and welcome a new one. With events ranging from a dynamic festival to record release shows, a live radio broadcast, a homecoming performance and more, there’s plenty happening all month to showcase what makes the city special this holiday season. Here are just a few concerts from local artists you should check out this month.

Ben Levin (album release) with Candace Ivory and Sonny Hill at The Redmoor Ben Levin, a torchbearer for Cincinnati’s most influential musical traditions, bridges the legacy of King Records artists and session players with the sounds of today. Rooted in R&B, boogie-woogie piano, blues and early rock and roll, he crafts a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. Levin celebrates the release of A Holiday Blues Revue alongside Candace Ivory and Sonny Hill at the stylish Redmoor during this festive holiday soirée. 7 p.m. Dec. 5. $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The Redmoor Event House, 3187 Linwood Ave., Mt. Lookout, eventbrite.com. Photo: Angie Lipscomb
Mary Henry (album release) and Devils Cross Country (album release) with ROD and Corker at Northside Tavern Mary Henry (pictured) releases their first full length record titled Stag with a dual record release celebration alongside Devils Cross Country, who release their record Possession is Ninetenths with the help of locals Corker and ROD. Mary Henry has become a band to watch since appearing on stages in the city in recent years, blending rays of melody with dark-toned dissonance for something palatable but still fulfilling in all the right ways. Devils Cross Country have gained their own share of attention recently with their atmospheric noise pop. Support the newest generation of Cincinnati punk Saturday night. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. $8. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsidetav.com. Photo: Millie Desmarais
Sam Stansfield, Bill Fox (Cleveland) and Bill Mike at MOTR Pub Underground legend of sorts Bill Fox makes a rare appearance with an appropriate lineup featuring Sam Stansfield (pictured), a local bedroom pop extraordinaire, along with Bill Mike to round out the bill. It’s sure to be a highlight of the month among many. 9:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Free. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com. Photo: Bear Levi
Siren Suit, Girl Gordon and Marsha at Radio Artifact Siren Suit (pictured), Girl Gordon and Marsha get together for a rare live music experience with an in-studio performance broadcast online and over the airwaves on 91.7 FM WVXU from the gigantic church-turned-venue and brewery Urban Artifact/Radio Artifact in Northside. 8 p.m. Dec. 7. $15. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside, cincyticket.com. Photo: Jared William Bowers
Vacation, Nervosas (Columbus) and Badman at Northside Tavern Essential Cincinnati punk band Vacation is raw rock and roll power and dynamic punk abandon. They’ll be playing as the original trio lineup for a couple of special shows this month with Columbus friends Nervosas. Locals Badman will be opening the Cincinnati edition of this standout show this month. Time TBA, Aug. 21. Price TBA. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside. Photo: Provided by Vacation
Erika Wennerstrom at The Loon Ohio native and former Cincinnati musician Erika Wennerstrom returns home for a special intimate solo three-night stand marking the occasion at the newly opened and relocated The Loon Wine Bar in Northside. Wennerstrom and her band The Heartless Bastards have become one of the most critically praised American rock and roll bands over the years. Celebrate the reopening of The Loon and coming home for the holidays at one of these shows if you’re lucky enough to get in. 8 p.m. Dec. 13, 14 and 15. $30. The Loon Wine Bar, 4027 Hamilton Ave., Northside, theloonwinebar.com. Photo: Aaron Conway
Annie D, Wonky Tonk and Anna Applegate & the Alibi at MOTR Pub Three of the city’s most talented female singer-songwriters on one bill, under one roof. Multi-instrumentalist Annie D releases her new single “Embrace for Impact” this month with a handful of performances, including this one featuring longtime local heartfelt roots singer-songwriter Wonky Tonk and compelling vocalist Anna Applegate backed by her band, the Alibi. 9:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Free. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com. Photo: David DeWitt
All-Seeing Eyes, Jalpas, Irisoul, Sir Gregory F.K. at MOTR Pub Local legends All-Seeing Eyes (pictured) supported by hard-hitting band Jalpas, garage rock one-man act Sir Gregory F.K. and Irisoul will keep the spirit going the day after Christmas for this late December barn burner. Put on your new underwear, socks and holiday best and get on out to get on down. 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Free. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com. Photo: Austin Vince
Tweens at MOTR Pub Local punk favorites Tweens perform on the MOTR stage after the release of a handful of new recordings over recent months. The date also marks the opening of MOTR’s most recent visual artist on display, Jessie Boone, whose paintings are simultaneously subtle and vibrant with stylized takes on realism and focused views on the world. 9:30 p.m. Nov. 24. Free. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com. Photo: Andy Licardi
Abiyah and RADAR (Dayton) at Southgate House Revival Local genre-defying vocalist Abiyah (pictured) celebrates one year since the release of her first full-length album Strangers Love Me with a performance to mark the occasion. The album features Abiyah’s blend of influences incorporating everything from new wave to post-punk, alt-hip-hop and dancehall reggae. The record also features punk legend Alice Bag guesting. Abiyah will be joined by two other Cincinnati favorites on backing vocals for the performance, Dana Hamblen of Fairmount Girls and Culture Queer and Beth Harris of The Hiders and backup vocalist for Heartless Bastards. Dayton band RADAR will also perform. The record and merch will be available at the Southgate House Revival’s Local Music Merch Market earlier in the day from 1-6 p.m., along with many other local artists’ work. 9:30 p.m. Dec. 28. Free. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. 6th St., Newport. Photo: Provided by Abiyah
Bunk News Weird Year’s Eve Featuring Sons of Silverton, DJ Raregroove and more at MOTR Pub and Woodward Theater Local performance visuals group and experience creators Bunk News, known for their work at BLINK, adding visuals for live performances and the yearly river cruise/show Pelicans on The Breeze, will be supplying a variety of sights, sounds and experiences to ring in the New Year again this year alongside music from Sons of Silverton (pictured), Ernie Johnson From Detroit, Henry Sugar, Noahimean, Siss, Gremlin and DJ Raregroove across two venue stages. The Woodward Theater, renamed “The Woodweird Theater” for the night, and MOTR Pub, or “The HolyMOTR Mountain,” across the street will both host performances and the party throughout the night. 9 p.m. Dec. 31. $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St. and MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com. Photo: Andrew Doench