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This weekend is going to be lit, Cincy. (And not just because recreational marijuana is soon to be legal). All the holiday light shows are live this weekend, including the PNC Festival of Lights at the Zoo. On top of that, there’s live music, craft fairs, tarot readings and astronomy events. Scroll down for our weekend picks.
To suggest a future weekend event for our weekly to-do picks, email CityBeat arts & culture reporter Katie Griffith at kgriffith@citybeat.com.
If you’re looking for even more to do every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to CityBeat readers.
No. 4 Best Bookstore: The Friends of the Public Library Warehouse
8456 Vine Street, Hartwell Photo: facebook.com/cincylibraryfriendsCircus Bizircus
When: Nov. 17 from 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Where: The Transept, Over-the-Rhine
What: A circus event with acts by Cincy Circus, a silent auction, live music and a light show.
Who: EmPath for Autism
Why: The event is designed to raise awareness for how someone with autism views and interacts with the world. Photo: William Fitzgibbon, UnsplashO.F.F. Market
10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 13
Each month, the O.F.F. Market brings together local small businesses, artisans, farmers and more to provide a different kind of shopping experience that puts community first. You’ll also find fun for the whole family beyond shopping thanks to Summit Park’s playgrounds, trails, restaurants, nature and splash scapes and more.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 13. Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, www.facebook.com/theoffmarket. Photo: Provided by O.F.F. MarketSummerfair Select
When: Nov. 18 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Weston Art Gallery, Downtown
What: Opening reception of the Summerfair Select exhibit.
Who: Summerfair select artists
Why: The exhibit features 12 Cincinnati artists featured by Summerfair who received Summerfair Aid to Individual Artists Awards. Photo: SummerfairIn the Pines Album Release Party
When: Nov. 18 from 7-11 p.m.
Where: Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine
What: Live music by local musicians
Who: In the Pines, Lung and Mol Sullivan.
Why: The event is celebrating In the Pines’ release of Painting by Numbers. Photo: provided by Clandestine PR6. Rhinegeist
1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
“Great atmosphere, great beer! Free parking lot across the street from the brewery. Kid-family friendly with games, cornhole, ping pong, etc.” — Morgan F. Photo: RhinegeistNational Agent Showcase
When: Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.
Where: Madison Live!, Covington
What: Live music
Who: Season 10, Trauma Illinois, Multimagic and Rockstead
Why: Local bands play for national music agents. Photo: Season 10 FacebookHoliday Mutt Market
When: Nov. 19 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: The Summit Hotel, Madisonville
What: A holiday market for you and your pet.
Who: Red Dog
Why: A professional photographer will be on site to capture a holiday memory of you and your doggo. Photo: Provided by RedDog SpecialsPNC Festival of Lights
When: Nov. 17-19
Where: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Avondale
What: Annual Festival of Lights opening weekend.
Who: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Why: It’s the 40th annual Festival of Lights. Photo: Hailey BollingerWinter Nights and River Lights
When: Nov. 17, 18 & 19
Where: Purple People Bridge
What: Festive light display
Who: Purple People Bridge
Why: City lights and bridge lights will make for a beautiful holiday display and evening activity. Photo: Purple People Bridge FacebookStar Party and Tarot Card Reading
When: Nov. 19 from 5-9 p.m.
Where: MadTree Taproom, Oakley
What: A night of stargazing, astronomy talks and tarot readings.
Who: Astronomer Dean Regas, tarot card reader Moira Reed and MadTree Brewing
Why: There will be four giant telescopes on site for stargazing. Photo: Petr Sidorov via UnsplashFireworks Party + Drag Brunch
Sept. 2 & 3
Newport’s 16 Lots is hosting Newport on the Levee’s first-ever Pride event in conjunction with Riverfest activities this weekend. The brewery’s Labor Day weekend party kicks off Saturday with a drag brunch at 10 a.m. with 16 Lot’s brunch fare, mimosas and Bloody Mary bar. The fun continues Sunday at 4 p.m., with a Riverfest fireworks watch party on the brewery’s deck. Tickets for the watch party include all-you-can-eat food, discounted parking and live music.
Sept. 2 and 3. 16 Lots Southern Outpost, 1 Levee Way, Newport, 16lots.com. Photo: facebook.com/16 Lots Southern OutpostReal Talk Queer Poetry Reading at Roebling Books and Coffee
When: Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
Where: Roebling Books and Coffee, Newport
What: Poetry reading
Who: Local poets
Why: “An introspective look at poetry through queer eyes.” Photo: Katie GriffithThe Solar System’s Time Capsules: Unlocking the Secrets of Asteroids & Comets
When: Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
Where: Thomas More University Observatory, Erlanger
What: An exploration of recent missions to discover how scientists study the formation of our solar system.
Who: Thomas More University Observatory
Why: Cosmic leftovers. Photo: Jeremy Thomas, UnsplashCincinnati DJ Awards
When: Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
Where: Tin Roof, The Banks
What: Award ceremony for Cincinnati DJs.
Who: Casual Socialite
Why: There will, at the very least, be good music. Photo: Tin Roof FacebookPictures with The Grinch
When: Nov. 18 from 12-3 p.m.
Where: CinCity Harley-Davidson, Norwood
What: Food and toy drive with photo opportunities.
Who: CinCity Harley-Davidson and The Grinch
Why: So your heart can grow a few sizes this season. Photo: Geoffery Moffett, UnsplashButterball
When: Nov. 17 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Redmoor, Mount Lookout
What: Live music
Who: The Almond Butter Band and The Redmoor Live Music
Why: The 3rd annual Butterball will feature Allman Brothers’ classic covers live. Photo: Wayne Litmer via FacebookRegal Rhythms Poetry Presents: Beth Warren AKA Black Widow’s Book Release Party
When: Nov. 17 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Oasis at Grace, College Hill
What: Book release and poetry reading
Who: Regal Rhythms Poetry Presents: Book Release Party Hosted by God’s Grace Poet, featuring DJ October and poets Sol and Cleocrt
Why: An evening of poetry and camaraderie. Photo: Trust Tru Katsande, UnsplashCincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Zoo Blooms Photo: Lisa Hubbard via The Cincinnati ZooStraight Street Hill Climb
When: Nov. 19 at 9 a.m.
Where: Straight Street, Clifton
What: Run, bike or walk up the infamous Straight Street hill.
Who: Straight Street Hill Climb
Why: To get to the top. Photo: Miguel A Amutio via UnsplashMustard Seed Market
When: Nov. 17, 18 & 19
Where: Clermont County Fairgrounds, Owensville
What: Holiday market
Who: Rustic Grains and participating vendors
Why: “Shop small and give to all.” Photo: Mustard Seed Market FacebookLight Up the Levee
When: Nov. 18 from 3-7 p.m.
Where: Newport on the Levee, Newport
What: A holiday celebration featuring a toy drive, live music, food and drinks and a tree lighting.
Who: Presented by Cincinnati Children’s
Why: Santa will be there. Photo: Newport on the Levee FacebookBooks by The Banks Festival
When: Nov. 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Duke Energy Convention Center, Downtown
What: Book signing and promotion event featuring local, national and regional authors.
Who: Books by the Banks
Why: Writing panels, contests and opportunities to meet writers. Photo: Tom Hermans via UnsplashAvant-Garde Arts and Crafts Show
When: Nov. 19 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: RSVP Event Center, Loveland
What: Arts and crafts show.
Who: Avant Garde Arts and Crafts Show
Why: A portion of proceeds benefit local nonprofit My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus. Photo: Provided by Great Parks
Katie Griffith is CityBeat’s arts and culture reporter. She proudly hails from the West Side of Cincinnati and studied journalism at the University of Cincinnati. After freelancing for CityBeat for many...
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