Shake off the snow, Cincinnati; it’s time to get out for the weekend (assuming this next wave of snow doesn’t keep us home again). Weather (pun intended) you want to warm up with some hearty chili and soup dishes, brave the cold for some quality bird-watching or just appreciate the winter from the warmth of a local brewery with a beer and a paintbrush, there’s plenty of things to do this weekend that will help you break that cabin fever.

In the event of more snow, check that the event is still happening before you go.

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.

Cirque du Soleil: Crystal When: Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. Where: Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway St., Downtown What: Cirque du Soleil is taking its stunning performances to a whole new sphere. Cirque du Soleil Crystal will feature world-class skaters and acrobats challenging the laws of gravity on the ice, following the story of protagonist Crystal’s journey to empowerment. Join her in a colorful, dreamlike world that suspends reality, with astounding visual projections and a soundtrack that blends popular music with the quintessential sounds of Cirque du Soleil. Who: Cirque du Soleil Why: Crystal’s journey will remind you that your creativity and imagination are boundless. Photo: Provided by Ticketmaster
Paint in Northside When: Friday, Jan. 10 from 7-9 p.m. Where: Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside What: Join The Paint Sesh at Urban Artifact to unwind with a fruit tart brew and the chance to paint a pretty winter scene — “Winter Birch Trees” (seen above). The event is open to people 21 and over of all artistic skills. Who: The Paint Sesh Why: A professional instructor will walk you through all the steps to create your own masterpiece. Photo: thepaintsesh.com
Isabel Hagen presented by Commonwealth Sanctuary When: Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Where: Commonwealth Sanctuary, 522 Fifth Ave., Dayton, Ky. What: Stand-up comedian and classically trained violist Isabel Hagen will perform several shows at Commonwealth Sanctuary this weekend. She’s been featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and was a New Face of Comedy at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal. She also has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in viola performance from the Juilliard School. Who: Commonwealth Sanctuary Why: We love a comedian with serious musical skills. Photo: facebook.com/commonwealthsanctuary
Venues Came Together for Vax Requirements Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Summer Salon: Words of Resistance and Resilience 2-4 p.m. Aug. 6 Calling all storytellers — The Well is partnering with 2023 Wellspring Fellow & poet Elena Estella Green to host an open mic-style salon this weekend. Whether it’s poetry, dance, music or storytelling, all are welcome to present their stories in the theme of resistance and resilience. This event will be held both in person at Camp Washington and online. If you plan to perform, please register beforehand. 2-4 p.m. Aug. 6. The Well, 2868 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington, thewell.world. Photo: Elliot Sloman, Unsplash
Winter Bird Walk When: Saturday, Jan. 11 from 9-10:30 a.m. Where: Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford What: Join Cincinnati Nature Center for a casual walk to observe a variety of winter birds along the trail. Beginners are welcome, and you are encouraged to bring binoculars. You must register ahead of time, and you’ll meet at the map kiosk outside the Rowe Woods Visitor Center. Who: Cincinnati Nature Center Why: Winter is the perfect time to pick up birding as a hobby thanks to the bare trees. Photo: Emily Egan
Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See When: Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks What: This new exhibit shares the troubling story of Emmett Till’s murder and his mother’s courageous actions to bring him justice and shine light on the toll of racial hatred and violence in the United States. A centerpiece of the exhibition is a bullet-riddled, vandalized historical marker that both commemorates a tragedy and illustrates the ongoing scourge of racism. It also aims to encourage visitors to make a ripple of justice in their own communities. Who: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Why: Because we can’t let the story of Till fade into history. Read more in CityBeat’s story about the exhibit. Photo: Provided by Northwest African American Museum
Rock, Fossil and Artifact Identification Day When: Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Archaeological Research Institute, 424 Walnut St., Lawrenceburg What: Do you have a rock, fossil or artifact that you haven’t been able to identify? Let a professional do it! You can also learn more about how to get involved with local archaeology and upcoming research, as well as meet the team at the Archaeological Research Institute. Who: Archaeological Research Institute Why: You could be holding onto something really special without even knowing it. Photo: Katherine Barrier
Chili Fest Weekend When: Saturday, Jan. 11 from 2-3 p.m. (Amateur Public Chili Cookoff); Sunday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Chili Fest Tasting) Where: Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine What: The hottest event in town returns to Findlay Market this weekend. The annual Findlay Market Chili Fest kicks off with an amateur public chili cookoff Saturday, followed by the chili tasting Sunday. Dozens of market merchants will have their own take on chili and soup to sample, from Eliza Jane’s Bakeshop’s Spicy Mocha Tres Leches to Mama Lo Hizo’s Mexican Style Chili. Each ticket you buy gets you one sample. Who: Findlay Market Why: Chilly weather = Chili bowls Photo: Aidan Mahoney
Sober Curious Cocktail Class When: Sunday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. Where: Fifty Fifty Gin Club, 35 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine What: Whether you’re sober, sober curious or just want to learn new mixology techniques, this class is for you. Fifty Fifty Gin Club will teach you how to make a no-, low- and full-proof cocktails that are more than just cranberry juice. Who: Fifty Fifty Gin Club Why: The course includes three cocktails, plus an introduction to bar tools, what you need to create your home bar, tips and tricks on entertaining at home, a spirit tasting, food pairings and what it means to be sober curious. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Second Sunday Showtime: A Taste of Ireland When: Sunday, Jan. 12 from 2-3:30 p.m. Where: Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3412 Clifton Ave., Clifton What: At this month’s free Second Sunday at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, you can learn more about Irish culture and enjoy traditional dance and music performances from the McGing Irish dancers and the Riley School of Irish Music. Who: McGing Irish Dancers and the Riley School of Irish Music Why: Because Irish culture is more than Guinness and leprechauns. Photo: cliftonculturalarts.org

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...