WEDNESDAY 04 ATTRACTION: PNC Festival of Lights The Festival of Lights is back for its 37th year of wintery amazement. Voted the No. 1 zoo light show in the country by readers of USA Today, 3 million LED lights (that’s 284 miles of lights) transform the zoo into a dazzling display of color and festive cheer. New this year is an immersive Northern Lights experience and Fiona’s Fairyland, where five fairy hippopotamuses will be hidden for visitors to find. Ride the Toyland Express train past the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, snack at the two S’mores-n-More stations, meet the “royal sisters” at the Frozen Wonderland, catch a Madcap black light puppet show and snap a pic with Santa, who will start taking visitors an hour before the festival begins. Whatever you do, make sure to do it with a cup of hot cocoa (spiked or not) in hand. Through Jan. 4. Free with zoo admission. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale Photo: Hailey Bollinger
WEDNESDAY 04 ATTRACTION: A Zinzinnati Holiday at Krohn Conservatory The Krohn’s annual holiday display’s theme is A Zinzinnati Holiday and the conservatory’s cache of tropical and lush green plants will be complemented by “representations of Cincinnati’s historical architecture,” fragrant holiday floral displays, model trains and mini Cincinnati buildings constructed out of whimsical natural materials. Through Jan. 5. $10 adults; $7 youth; free ages 4 and under. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiparks.com. Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Parks
WEDNESDAY 04 ONSTAGE: The Naughty List OTRImprov is bringing its “unscripted holiday dinner show” back to Arnold’s Bar & Grill for the eighth year. The improv comedy troupe will be lambasting everything we love and hate about the holidays using audience suggestions. OTRImprov (a Best Of Cincinnati Best Improv Troupe winner multiple year’s running) will be creating scenes on the fly with games, jokes and some seasonal cheer. “The Naughty List provides an incredibly unique holiday entertainment experience, where no performance is ever the same as the last but all of them ensure that you get a say in how the evening goes, whether you’re a Buddy the Elf or an Ebeneezer Scrooge,” says director Chris Wesselman. Arnold’s will also be offering an a la carte menu before the show. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4; Tuesday, Dec. 10; Wednesday, Dec. 11; Tuesday, Dec. 17; Wednesday, Dec. 18; and Thursday, Dec. 19. $10 Dec. 4; $20 all other shows. Arnold’s Bar & Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, OTRimprov.com. Photo: OTRImprov
WEDNESDAY 04 EVENT: Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum lights up for the 20th year. The Holiday Lights on the Hill drive-thru light display features two-and-a-half miles of creative, glowing scenes and an additional new projection-mapped sculptural installation overseen by Brave Berlin, part of the team behind the BLINK art and light festival. This is the park’s second year collaborating with Brave Berlin and this year’s display is a stepping-stone to the park’s Journey BOREALIS, a “top-tier art and holiday destination,” arriving in November 2020. Through Jan. 5. $20 per car load Monday-Thursday; $25 per car load Friday-Sunday. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, pyramidhill.org Photo: Nick Daggy
WEDNESDAY 04 EVENT: Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods Instead of braving the chilly weather to check out some holiday lights, kick back in your car and take a joy ride through a mile-long stretch of Sharon Woods. Dial the radio to Warm 98 — the illuminations are synchronized to the music. New this year are Pixel light displays and more lighted trees. After or before, take the kiddos to the wonder-filled Santaland, open through Dec. 23. A portion of proceeds benefit A Child’s Hope International to help feed children around the globe. 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Through Dec. 31. $15 per vehicle. Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, holidayinlights.com. Photo: facebook.com/HolidayinLights
THURSDAY 05 ONSTAGE: Merry Wives of Windsor Cincy Shakes’ Merry Wives of Windsor is a farce that follows Sir John Falstaff and his attempts to woo two wealthy wives. Through Dec. 7. $28-$66. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincyshakes.com. Photo: Mikki Schaffner Photography
THURSDAY 05 ONSTAGE: A Christmas Carol The tradition returns. Watch as the miserly Scrooge miraculously transforms his view of humanity (just in time for Christmas), realizing it’s never too late to change your ways. Through Dec. 29. $30-$98. Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Mount Adams, cincyplay.com. Photo: Mikki Schaffner Photography
FRIDAY 06 MUSIC: The Skivvies The Undie Rock duo bring their “I Touch My Elf” holiday show to Ludlow Garage 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, $15-$35, Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. Photo: Jacqueline Patton Photography
FRIDAY 06 EVENT: A Christmas Nightmare at The Dent Schoolhouse The ghouls of favorite horror attraction the Dent Schoolhouse get in the holiday spirit with A Christmas Nightmare, a freaky yuletide take on the classic haunt. Dent’s classrooms and hallways will be illuminated with lights, garlands and Christmas trees, while willing participants wander through scenes staffed with evil Christmas creatures. Krampus and his twisted cohorts will be deciding if you’ve been naughty or nice, and Charlie the janitor will be Santa Charlie; admission tickets include a photo op. 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7; 6-11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14. $25-$55. The Dent Schoolhouse, 5963 Harrison Ave., Dent, frightsite.com. Photo: Provided by Dent Schoolhouse
FRIDAY 06 EVENT: Redsfest 2019 Reds fans have a chance to get up close and personal with some of their favorite players during Redsfest 2019. Major leaguers, minor leaguers, coaches, broadcasters and alumni slated to appear include Luis Castillo, Joey Votto, Kyle Farmer, Marty Brennaman, Eric Davis, Todd Benzinger, Thom Brennaman, plus tons more (see a full list online). There will also be activities spread throughout the event like batting cages, speed pitch, a mascot meeting room and third-floor kids fun zone. And expect plenty of merch and memorabilia booths. 3-10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. $25 adults two-day; $17 adults single day; $12 kids two-day; $7 kids single day. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, mlb.com/reds/fans/redsfest. Photo: facebook.com/events/700484377044128
FRIDAY 06 EVENT: Unsilent Night at Washington Park Head to Washington Park for an evening of unconventional caroling. Things kick off around the fire pits on the porch, where hot chocolate and boozy beverages will be available along with crafting supplies to create some wearable art. Then, at 6 p.m., grab your phone (or a boombox) and press play on Phil Kline’s original composition “Unsilent Night,” which was “written specifically to be heard outdoors in the month of December,” says an event description. Each “caroler” will get one of four tracks in a cassette, CD or MP3 to play together to create the music. Each part comes together to make a greater whole. Time Out New York said, “Phil Kline’s postmodern boombox caroling walk is more than just performance art: It’s a demonstration of community.” Hosted by the Contemporary Arts Center. 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org. Photo: Taylor Davidson of Narratively
SATURDAY 07 MUSIC: Dopapod Prog/Jam collective Dopapod heads to Madison Theater. 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, $18, Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington, madisontheater.com. Photo: Ben Wong
SATURDAY 07 MUSIC: Pink Talking Fish Pink Talking Fish brings the music of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish to Ludlow Garage. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. $20; $25 day of. Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. Photo: Sean Bernand
SATURDAY 07 MUSIC: Band of Friends Irish Blues/Rock guitarist and singer Rory Gallagher died in the mid ’90s following a liver transplant, but his legacy lives on in the artists inspired by his music. Gallagher — who reportedly turned down a gig playing guitar with a little band called The Rolling Stones in the early ’70s — is still the source of celebrations and tributes all over the world. One of the Gallagher torchbearers burning brightest is Band of Friends, which was formed earlier this decade by longtime Gallagher cohort and bassist Gerry McAvoy. Band of Friends — which is fronted by noted Blues/Roots/Rock guitarist Davy Knowles — performs music from throughout Gallagher’s storied career, but McAvoy shies away from calling it a “tribute band,” saying in a press release, “The interpretations of the material can be quite spontaneous and unique… It’s not a note-for-note replica of Rory’s material or concerts from decades past.” The Band of Friends visited Greater Cincinnati earlier this year, kicking off the first leg of their U.S. tour at the Southgate House Revival in March, just months after BoF drummer Ted McKenna (another Gallagher collaborator and Sensational Alex Harvey Band member) died from complications after routine hernia surgery. Brendan O’Neill is playing drums on the latest leg of the group’s tour. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. $22; $25 day of show. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com. Photo: Provided by Soundtrex
SATURDAY 07 FILM: White Christmas Sing-a-Long at The Esquire Theatre If you’ve been dreaming of singing about a white Christmas, the Esquire is turning its theater into an interactive White Christmas event, where crowd participation — and belting the lyrics to “Sisters” — is highly encouraged. The 1954 holiday classic stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two musical World War II soldiers who attempt to save their former commanding general’s Vermont lodge from ruin (and pay tribute to the “Old Man”) with spirited singing sister duo Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. There’s romance, costuming by Edith Head, weird song-and-dance numbers about choreography and a very concerning minstrel show number, liverwurst sandwiches and buttermilk and some light cross dressing. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 1, 4 and 7 p.m Sunday, Dec. 15. $15. Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, esquiretheatre.com. 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. $15. Mariemont Theatre, 6906 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, mariemonttheatre.com. Photo: facebook.com/EMKtheatres
SATURDAY 07 EVENT: Ohio Explored Holiday Maker Mart Website Ohio Explored is hosting its annual Cincinnati maker mart weekend. Head to Urban Artifact to shop from hand-picked vendors who will be offering everything from apothecary items and artisan eats to jewelry, ceramics and fiber art. You can preview a full list of vendors who will be present online. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8. Free admission. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock Road, Northside, ohioexplored.com. Photo: Ohio Explored Facebook
SATURDAY 07 EVENT: Covington Winter Night Bazaar If you need more shopping opportunities this weekend, head to the Covington Winter Night Bazaar, a descriptively named outdoor maker mart with fire pits and festive lighting. This year’s event has a Krampus Night theme, so expect the horned goat-man of European Christmas lore to be wandering the fest with a couple of wooden switches and a bag to carry off naughty children (or adults). There will be more than two dozen vendors, plus hot buttered rum from Second Sight Spirits. 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Free admission. Covington, rcov.org/covingtonnightbazaar. Photo: facebook.com/renaissancecovington
SATURDAY 07 EVENT: Ugly Sweater Crawl: OTR Dress in your best, worst holiday sweater and join the fourth-annual Ugly Sweater Crawl through Over-the-Rhine. Think tacky and get ready to toss back a few discounted drinks at participating bars including 16-Bit Bar+Arcade, MOTR Pub, Mr. Pitiful’s and more. Tickets include your very own ugly sweater crawl T-shirt, a koozie, DJs playing holiday tunes and a map to the bars. 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. $19.99; $25 last-minute tickets; $17.99 group rate. 16-Bit Bar+Arcade, 1331 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/uglysweaterbarcrawls. Photo: Bar Crawl USA
SATURDAY 07 EVENT: Dark Charge Day Braxton Brewing Co.’s fifth-annual celebration of bourbon-barrel-aged stouts is back. For 2019’s Dark Charge Day, the brewery is releasing multiple barrel-aged Dark Charge variants coinciding with a winter block party featuring live music from the likes of the Hot Magnolias, Young Heirlooms and Arlo McKinley; food; and limited beer bottle sales. Braxton will also be releasing a special “cakebox” of beers. The “handcrafted trio of imperial pastry stouts is aimed to satisfy your sweet tooth,” says Braxton. There will also be a slew of specialty dishes from the Coppin’s, Rich’s Proper Food & Drink, Flipdaddy’s and more. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Free; $75 VIP. Braxton Brewing Co., 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, darkchargeday.com. Photo: Provided by Braxton