November is steadily creeping onward, which means more and more holiday attractions are opening. This weekend, multiple drive-thru light shows are kicking off their season, with more to come next week.
There are also several local shopping opportunities for those who want to start checking names off their gift list.
Here are 12 things to do this weekend, from reveling in early holiday cheer to cheering on the USMNT in their soccer match against Mexico at TQL Stadium. Oh, and Cincinnati Pizza Week runs through Sunday. Yum.
Friday, Nov. 12
Cincinnati Pizza Week is back for its sixth year, offering $9 pizzas (minimum 10-inch pies) plus specials on Great Lakes beer through Nov. 14. Pizzas range from your standard cheese and pepperoni to more exotic toppings like MacKenzie River Pizza’s Steak Chimichurri or Sorrento’s Norwood Assembly, featuring salami, pepperoni, roma tomato, sweet Italian sausage and diced pickle, topped with homemade oil and vinegar red sauce. Download the Pizza Week Passport app to track your journey. And see 10 of the most over-the-top pies you can enjoy through Sunday. Through Nov. 14. $9 pizza. Get details and menus at cincinnatipizzaweek.com.
Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island
Coney Island transforms into a drive-thru Christmas show during Christmas Nights of Lights. Enjoy the warmth of your car while lights manipulated to resemble dancing candy canes, glowing snowmen, colorful tunnels and giant holiday trees are synchronized to Christmas tunes both classic and new, available via your car radio. The two-and-a-half-mile-long display features more than 1 million lights. Nov. 12-Jan. 2, 2022. $7 per person; free for 3 and under; available at the gate. 6201 Kellogg Ave., California, coneyislandpark.com.
USMNT vs. Mexico Watch Party at The Banks
The USA vs. Mexico soccer match at TQL Stadium — the hottest ticket in Cincinnati — may be sold out, but you can still experience the thrills. There will be a watch party for this week's hotly anticipated 2022 World Cup qualifier Friday night at The Banks in downtown. The party will include music from DJ Prymtime, opportunities from the U.S. Army and TQL. Fans can get freebies and register to win a jersey signed by former USMNT player Geoff Cameron at the FC Cincinnati table. Food and drinks at 18 Banks establishments will be available to purchase and enjoy throughout the DORA. The USMNT vs. Mexico match will be broadcast on the big screen hanging from the Cincinnati Reds' Hall of Fame Museum. 7 p.m. Nov. 12; kick-off at 9:10 p.m. Free. The Banks, Downtown, fccincinnati.com/watchparty.
Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market
The Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market brings upwards of 300 vendors to the Duke Energy Convention Center for a weekend of shopping. Hundreds of Greater Cincinnati boutiques, artisans and craftspeople will be set up with booths offering enough items to check everyone off your list. Santa is even stopping by for meet-and-greets. If you need a break, the Wine Down lounge features wine and cheese plates, plus comfy chairs. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 12; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 13; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 14; Girls Night Out 4-7 p.m. Nov. 12 and 13; Early Bird 8-10 a.m. Nov. 13. 8 online and $10 door; Early Bird admission is $15; Girls Night Out tickets are $5. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, cincinnatiholidaymarket.com.
Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods
The nostalgic mile-long holiday spectacle returns this year, featuring more than 1 million lights decorating over 250 vignettes along a woodland path depicting "everything from Santa Claus and his elves, to every animal on the ark," says the website. There's also an option to buy some special effects glasses ($2 for one pair and three pairs for $5) to enhance the drive. The park has walkable tours of the lights on Dec. 1 and Dec. 29. No cars will be allowed on those nights. Purchase your tickets in advance online or by card at the gate; no cash. Nov. 12-Dec. 30. $17 per car/truck/SUV; $55 bus; $7 walking ticket.11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, holidayinlights.com.
Light Up the Fair at Boone County Fairgrounds
Located at the Boone County Fairgrounds, this Northern Kentucky drive-through light display spans two miles long with over a half a million dazzling lights and is synchronized to music through each visitor’s car radio. Nov. 12-Jan. 1, 2022. $7 per person; free for children under 4 and first responders. 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, facebook.com/LightUpTheFair.
Saturday, Nov. 13
Need Your Love at the Playhouse in the Park
Antonio Michael Woodard vividly reincarnates early Rhythm & Blues performer Little Willie John in Need Your Love, a world premiere production by playwright KJ Sanchez at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Born in 1937 in Arkansas, William Edward "Little Willie" John’s entire but brief recording career was with Cincinnati’s King Records. The 90-minute production of Need Your Love (no intermission) covers the arc of John’s diverse, tragic career, with Woodard transforming into the historic singer. Read CityBeat's review. Through Dec. 12. Tickets start at $30. 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Mount Adams, cincyplay.com.
Sam Adams Utopias Release
Cincinnati's Sam Adams taproom celebrates its third anniversary with a very, very special beer release. The brewery is bringing back its biennial Utopias, a 28% ABV beer with a retail price (which includes its special copper brew kettle decanter) of $240... that is also illegal in 15 states for its high alcohol content. Sam Adams' Cincinnati taproom is one of only two places you can enjoy the beer — which is barrel aged and this year features a Michigan balaton cherry finish — on draft. In addition to the rare brew, the weekend celebration includes live music, Boston Lager brats, other Utopias-cask-aged brews and a special Utopias-inspired cheesecake. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 13; 11 a.m.-6 p.m Nov. 14. $15 tickets for pours of the beer can be purchased in advance at samadamscincy.com. 1727 Logan St., Over-the-Rhine, samadamscincy.com.
Sunday, Nov. 14
Trains and Traditions Holiday Floral Show at Krohn Conservatory
Krohn Conservatory is upping the whimsy factor this winter with floral show Trains and Traditions, a Cincinnati Holiday. Now open, the exhibit features "a tapestry of colorful poinsettias, charming garden railways and beautiful replicas of Cincinnati landmarks created out of 'botanical architecture' by local artisans Applied Imagination," according to a release. Through Jan. 9, 2022. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for those ages 5-17 and free for kids 4 and under. 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, cincinnatiparks.com.
Holiday Junction at the Cincinnati Museum Center
The Cincinnati Museum Center's Holiday Junction is back for its 75th year. Visitors can find everything from LEGO builds “featuring whimsical scenes and characters from your favorite books and movies” to historic trains, to scavenger hunts at their winter wonderland. Of course, Santa will be there getting his sleigh ready and feeding his reindeer. The main mini train display features 300 rail cars and 60 locomotives going past tiny townspeople and various vignettes, including the Cincinnati skyline made of custom-cut art. Through Jan. 3. $16.50 adults; $12.50 kids and seniors; $7.50 for 1-2 year olds; free for those younger than 1. 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, cincymuseum.org.
Art on Vine at Rhinegeist
Monthly artist-focused pop-up Art on Vine is indoors this Sunday at Rhinegeist. Head to the brewery for, yes, great beer, but also the opportunity to shop from local makers. "Art on Vine was created to provide a unique, fun, one-on-one art buying experience while celebrating and supporting artists financial independence," says the pop-up's website. Noon-6 p.m. Nov. 14. Free. 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, artonvinecincy.com.
Second Sunday on Main
Second Sunday on Main is back, inviting the neighborhood to "shop small" this weekend. More than 100 local vendors and boutiques will be offering holiday gifts. In between browsing, stop by the Braxton Brewing Biergarten lounge, catch live music from local musicians and drop off blankets and coats at the TRIIIBE Foundation drive (1344 Main St.). Noon-5 p.m. Nov. 14. Free. Main Street, between E. 12th and Liberty streets, Over-the-Rhine, secondsundaysonmain.org.
Sign up for our weekly newsletters to get the latest on the news, things to do and places to eat delivered right to your inbox.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
