Happy holidays from CityBeat!

While we all don’t celebrate Christmas in the newsroom, it’s the time of year that holly-jolliness is just par for the course. Who couldn’t use a little holiday cheer when the sun goes down before dinnertime and everyone is riddled with seasonal affective disorder? The only cure better than a vitamin D supplement is a list of things to do in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky 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. Stay warm this weekend!

Santahain II: The Christmasing at The Southgate House Revival  8 p.m. Dec. 23 Hail Santa! Don you now your thrash apparel and get ready to throw down in the mosh pit at Santahain II: The Christmasing at The Southgate House Revival. This 18-band lineup is topped with Siegelord, The Mimics and Defiant State, covering a wide breadth of metal, indie and punk, so you know things will get heavy in all kinds of ways. 8 p.m. Dec. 23. The Southgate House Revival, 111 E. 6th St., Newport, southgatehouse.com. Photo: Google Maps
Santamania 2022 at Mockbee  6 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 Have yourself a punk rock little Christmas at the Mockbee this weekend as Santamania returns. Nearly 40 bands are slated to take three different stages in the venue for an overwhelming flurry of alternative underground music Friday and Saturday. Local favorites Tweens, Vacation, Fruit Loops, Slutbomb, Leggy and so, so many more are slated to take the stage over the two-night event. The show describes itself as a “wild-ass holly jolly Jingle Ball” that features some of the city’s most interesting musicians, so find a designated reindeer to get there and back safely, because shit’s about to get festive. 6 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17. The Mockbee, 2260 Central Pkwy., Brighton, facebook.com/events. Photo: Tim Mossholder, Unsplash
Light in the Forest at Cincinnati Nature Center  5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 23 Don’t let low temperatures scare you from a peaceful nature walk, especially on the Cincinnati Nature Center’s newly expanded trail for Light in the Forest. According to the park’s website you can enjoy a beautiful forest lit by new installations from five regional light artists. There will be added children’s activities and live music. Stick near the bonfire if you’d like, or take in the center’s historic home with nature-inspired decorations and holiday shopping.5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 23. Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, cincynature.org/things-to-do/light-in-the-forest. Photo: facebook.com/CincyNature
Jonathan Butler’s “O Holy Night” with Grace Kelly at Ludlow Garage Doors at 7 p.m.; show starts 8:30 p.m. Dec. 23 Have yourself a jazzy little Christmas this year as you celebrate with Jonathan Butler and Grace Kelly. From the show’s website: “Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. East Coast born and bred saxophonist, singer, and songwriter Grace Kelly recorded her first album at 12 years old. Grace, now 25, is a seven- time winner of the Downbeat Critics Poll and fivetime winner of ASCAP Composers Award.”Doors at 7 p.m.; show starts 8:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, ludlowgaragecincinnati.com/jonathan-butlers-o-holy-night-with-grace-kelly. Photo: Jeff Smith, Unsplash
Ugly Sweater Party at The Greenwich 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 24 From the party’s post on the CityBeat events calendar: “Don’t let Santa have all the fun this year. Be merry at The Greenwich’s Ugly Sweater Party! Our newly renovated space features a VIP lounge and beautiful smoking deck. Bring all your ho ho hos and get jolly off our drink specials. We guarantee you’ll be jingling all the way into Christmas!”6 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 24. The Greenwich, 2442 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, the-greenwich.com. Photo: Stte Funn, Unsplash
The Nutcracker at Cincinnati Ballet 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23; 1 p.m. Dec. 24 What song immediately comes to mind when you think of The Nutcracker? “March?” “Trepak: Russian Dance?” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy?” Even if you don’t know what it’s titled, there are so many iconic melodies to hum along to after a performance of The Nutcracker by Cincinnati Ballet.2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23; 1 p.m. Dec. 24. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cballet.org. Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Ballet
Take the day off. Dec. 25 Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, it’s nice to not burden kitchen, waitstaff and bartenders with business on a day most would rather spend with friends and family. If you do find someplace open for business, don’t be a grinch when it’s time to leave a tip. Photo: Clint Patterson, Unsplash