As we inch closer and closer to Christmas, there are plenty of opportunities in Greater Cincinnati to celebrate the joys of the season, whether you’re in the mood for holiday concerts, gingerbread-making contests or drunken Santa revelry. If you need to escape the holiday merriment, there are events for that too, including a Taylor Swift birthday celebration, book fair and more. Keep scrolling for a short list of events taking place throughout Greater Cincinnati this weekend.

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.

Catch the Holiday Pops at Music Hall 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Get into the holiday spirit with a little help from the Cincinnati Pops and conductor John Morris Russell. The Pops perform a variety of holiday favorites with help from vocalist Michael Preacely and singers from the Classical Roots Community Mass Choir and May Festival Chorus, as well as dancers from the Studio for Dance. The program is full of Christmas classics like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Silent Night.” Remaining shows Dec. 10-12. $25 adults; $20 students; $15 under 17. cincinnatisymphony.org. Photo: Provided by CSO
Richard W. James: No True Scotsman at Weston Art Gallery When: Dec. 13-15 Where: Weston Art Gallery, Downtown What: Miami University assistant professor Richard W. James used fabric, wood and clay to create the works of art in Richard W. James: No True Scotsman, now on display at Weston Art Gallery. Who: Weston Art Gallery Why: Read CityBeat’s interview with James and learn more about the exhibit here. Photo: Alanna Marshall
A John Waters Christmas When: Dec. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Ludlow Garage, Clifton What: Legendary filmmaker John Waters brings his Christmas special back to Cincinnati this weekend for more of the trash humor that we love so much. Who: John Waters Why: Read CityBeat’s interview with John Waters here. Photo: Greg Gorman
Santamania at The Mockbee When: Dec. 13 and 14 Where: The Mockbee, Brighton What: One of the city’s essential events, Santamania is a yearly tradition that’s been happening (in every sense of the word) now for over a decade — a Christmas miracle straight from a beer-soaked, punk-loving Santa to you. Actually put together by local comedian and musician John Hays, this year, like always, the lineup consists of the biggest bands in the city like Tweens, The Harlequins, Leggy, Maura Weaver and The Dopamines along with Vacation (pictured) playing with the original three-piece lineup for the first time in years and a reunited Mardou. Who: The Mockbee Why: Give your holiday season a bit of shimmer. Photo: Tim Mossholder, Unsplash
Taylor Swift’s 35th Birthday Party at The Birdcage When: Dec. 13 from 7-10 p.m. Where: The Birdcage, Over-the-Rhine What: We’ll take any occasion to celebrate Taylor Swift, but this one is especially sweet. On Friday, T-Swift turns 35, so get your ass down to the Birdcage to celebrate this special occasion. Who: The Birdcage Why: Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Taylor Swift era. Photo: Brittany Thornton
Black Santa at the Forest Park Public Library When: Dec. 14 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Forest Park Public Library, Forest Park What: A visit from Black Santa. Who: The Voice of Black Cincinnati Why: This visit with Black Santa is free! Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Museum Center
Holiday Market at Findlay Market When: Dec. 14 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine What: There will be dozens of local artisans selling their holiday-gift-ready wares alongside market vendors. Who: Findlay Market Why: Take in the charm of the market during the holiday season and get some gifts for your loved ones. Photo: Provided by Findlay Market
Christmas in Loveland When: Dec. 14 from 3-8 p.m. Where: Downtown Loveland What: Christmas in Loveland will transform the city’s downtown area into a Christmastime oasis, offering carriage rides, children’s train rides, holiday shopping and more. Who: Christmas in Loveland Why: If you’ve been craving a holiday adventure straight out of a Hallmark movie, here’s your chance. Photo: Provided by Christmas in Loveland
Books 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 Unsplash
Cincinnati SantaCon When: Dec. 14 from noon to midnight Where: Various venues in downtown Cincinnati, Covington and Mount Adams What: The annual Cincinnati SantaCon bar crawl returns this Saturday, Dec. 14, marking its 17th year of filling the streets of Cincinnati with drunken Santas. The crawl will begin at noon and go until midnight, stretching across various venues in downtown Cincinnati, Covington and Mount Adams, offering Christmas-themed shots for the Santas to enjoy along the way. Who: Cincinnati SantaCon Why: Hundreds of drunk Santas — it truly is a sight to behold. Photo: Aidan Mahoney
Gingerbread Brauhaus at the Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom When: Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m. Where: Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom, Over-the-Rhine What: Makers Bakers Co. will host the Gingerbread Brauhaus contest that will feature custom gingerbread kits designed to look like miniature breweries for participants to test their decorating skills on. Who: Makers Bakers Co. and Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom Why: The winner will receive a specially curated prize basket. Photo: Glenn Brunette/Wikimedia Commons
Art on Vine Holiday Gift Sale When: Sunday, Dec. 8, 12-6 p.m. Where: Rhinegeist Brewery, Over-the-Rhine What: Art on Vine is returning to Rhinegeist this weekend with up to 80 local vendors offering apparel, fine art, handcrafted goods and more, along with food from local vendors and restaurants. Who: Rhinegeist Brewery and Art on Vine Why: Finish up your holiday shopping and support small businesses all in one. Photo: Provided by James Jenkins