Look out, Cincinnati — drunken Santas will be taking over downtown this weekend. SantaCon is back for its annual party-like-a-Santa bar crawl. If you’re looking for a holiday event this weekend, you’re in luck — there are numerous events destined to get you into the holiday spirit. There’s also a Krampus appearance and a few haunted holiday attractions. The Cyclones are giving away Christmas ornaments, the Cincinnati Pops are playing their holiday show and there’s plenty of other live music opportunities. Scroll down to see our weekend event picks.

To suggest a future weekend event for our weekly events article, 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.

Cincinnati SantaCon When: Noon to midnight on Dec. 9 Where: Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Mt. Adams and Covington What: An insane amount of people, everywhere, dressed as Santa Claus, partying. Who: SantaCon Why: You have to be able to say you’ve been at least once. Photo: Megan Waddel
Polar Express Pajama Party When: Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m. Where: Showcase Cinema de Lux Springdale 18, Springdale What: Movie screening and cookie decorating Who: Showcase Cinemas Why: Free hot chocolate. Photo: Erin McKenna, Unsplah
A Visit from Krampus at Third Eye Brewing Company When: Dec. 8 from 5-8 p.m. Where: Third Eye Brewing Company, Sharonville What: A visit from Krampus in the flesh. Who: Krampus and Third Eye Brewing Why: A portion of the proceeds go to supporting Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati. Photo: Public Domain
Working Model Train Display at Kenton County Library When: Dec. 9 from 2-5 p.m. Where: Kenton County Library, Erlanger What: Model train display Who: Local chapter of the National Model Railroad Association Why: Who doesn’t love a model train display during the holidays? Photo: Kenton County Public Library’s Facebook
Brimstone Haunt’s A Scary Little Christmas When: Dec. 9 Where: Brimstone Haunt, Wilmington What: Haunted attraction with a holiday twist. Who: Brimstone Haunt Why: It’s merry and it’s scary. Photo: Brimstone Haunt’s Facebook
Holly Dazed Exhibit at Northside Studio + Gallery When: Dec. 8 from 6-8 p.m. Where: Northside Gallery, Northside What: Exhibition and craft show Who: Visionaries + Voices Why: Original artwork and unique, handmade gifts. Photo: freestocks via Unsplash
Holiday BRIGHT Ride When: Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Downtown and Over-the-Rhine What: An illuminated bike ride and festive holiday celebration. Who: Art on the Streets Why: A chance to decorate yourself and your wheels. Photo: Mikki Schaffner
Winter Market at Washington Park When: Dec. 9 & 10 Where: Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine What: Outdoor market featuring local vendors Who: Washington Park Why: Support small businesses (and maybe find a perfect, locally-made holiday gift). Photo: Washington Park Facebook
Shop Hart of the Westside Banquets & Boutiques When: Dec. 9 & 10 from 12-5 p.m. Where: Hart of the Westside Banquets & Boutiques, Western Hills What: Antique and thrift shopping. Who: Hart of the Westside Banquets & Boutiques Why: (Ugly) Christmas sweaters for $5. Photo: Hart of the Westside’s Facebook
Lizard Boy: A New Musical at Know Theatre  8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10; 3 p.m. Dec. 11 From the show’s post on the CityBeat events calendar: “A queer rock musical about a boy who looks like a lizard. There’s only one day a year that scale-covered Trevor can blend in with the crowd: ‘Monster Fest.’ Tired of hiding, he sets out to make a love connection – but Fate might just be calling him, instead. Featuring lush indie-rock melodies, this comic-inspired queer fable is a timely reminder of the restorative powers of loving and being loved.” This is the show’s final weekend. 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10; 3 p.m. Dec. 11. Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, knowtheatre.com/lizard-boy.  Photo: facebook.com/knowtheatre
Black Santa at the Cincinnati Museum Center When: Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Cincinnati Museum Center, West End What: A visit from Black Santa. Who: Cincinnati Museum Center Why: A visit with Santa is included with admission. Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Museum Center
6. 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: Rhinegeist
A Christmas Nightmare at Dent Schoolhouse When: Dec. 8 & 9 Where: Dent Schoolhouse, Dent What: A haunted house with jingle bells. Who: Dent Schoolhouse Why: Krampus, the “Dent Grinch” and Santa Charlie will be there. Photo: Provided by Dent Schoolhouse
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
Cincinnati Cyclones’ Christmas Ornament Giveaway Night When: Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Heritage Bank Center, Downtown What: Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game versus Toledo Walleye Who: Cincinnati Cyclones Why: Hockey fan or not, a Cyclones game is a wintertime must-do. Photo: Bryan Houston
Heartless Bastards at Woodward Theater When: Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Where: Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine What: Live music Who: Heartless Bastards Why: Check out CityBeat’s preview of the show and interview with frontwoman Erika Wennerstrom here. Photo: Aaron Conway
Band of Helping Hands Blue Christmas & Toy Drive When: Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Where: Band of Helping Hands, Covington What: Live music and toy drive Who: Band of Helping Hands, live music from G-Miles and the Ky Cuzins and The Feels Why: Have fun and donate to charity. Photo: Band of Helping Hands’ Facebook
Cincinnati Black Pride’s blackOUT Christmas Party When: Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Where: Esoteric Brewing, Walnut Hills What: Holiday celebration and ugly Christmas sweater contest. Who: Cincinnati Black Pride Why: A chance to show your support for Cincinnati Black Pride and wear your ugliest Christmas sweater. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
15. Urban Artifact 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside “I love this adorable little brewery. It’s the place to go for any connoisseur of light, refreshing fruity beers and the best part is everything is vegan!” — Heather B. Photo: Brittany Thornton
Flora Mania Opening Reception at Lloyd Library When: Dec. 8 from 5-7 p.m. Where: Lloyd Library and Museum, Downtown What: An exhibit on flowering plants. Who: The Lloyd Library and Museum Why: The exhibit explores scientific and artistic responses to flowers. Photo: Lloyd Library’s Facebook

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...