8 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Jan. 14-16)

This weekend promises penguin parades, a chili festival and a shopping pop-up. Oh yeah, and the Bengals are taking on the Raiders in the NFL playoffs.

Here's a list of things to do this weekend, plus two events on Monday.

Friday, Jan. 14

Penguin Days at the Cincinnati Zoo
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will be hosting penguin parades and special animal encounters this winter. On top of unique animal presentations, the zoo is offering discounted admission for visitors through March 11. Catch penguin parades at 11 a.m. Fridays through Sundays and holiday Mondays through Feb. 28. The animals will make their way from the zoo’s Bird House to the Children’s Zoo entrance. You can follow the penguins back the same route later at 2:30 p.m. as they return to their indoor habitat. In order for the king penguins to go outside it must be below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Zoo hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $8-$9 for adults. 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.

Saturday, Jan. 15

Bengals vs. Raiders Tailgate at The Banks
The Bengals may have lost to intrastate rival the Cleveland Browns during the regular-season's final game, but the team still will advance to the AFC Wild Card this weekend. The No. 4-seed Bengals will host the No. 5-seed Las Vegas Raiders at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Paul Brown Stadium downtown. If you don't have tickets to the game, the NFL says it will air live on NBC, Peacock and Universo. The Banks is also hosting a tailgate pre-game. There will be music from DV8, a jersey makeover, booze and more. 1-4:15 p.m. Jan. 15. Free admission. The Banks, Downtown, facebook.com.

Great Parks Winter Hike Series
Great Parks of Hamilton County is hosting a winter hike series. Each week will feature a "challenging" 4- to 5-mile hike at a different area park. After each hike concludes, guests can enjoy a bowl of soup. This week, the hike takes place at Sharon Woods and features chicken and wild rice soup. Preregistration is required. 10 a.m. Jan. 15. A parking permit is required to enter Great Parks, which cost $10 per year for Hamilton County residents. 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, greatparks.org.

Chili Fest at Findlay Market
Cincinnati’s adoration of chili will be put on full display during Findlay Market’s Chili Fest. Fest attendees may sample various spice-inspired dishes, drinks or treats from over 20 merchants. You can also grab a brew from Cartridge Brewing, and enjoy the live music at Race Street Station during the day. While the atmosphere is free, one Chili Fest sample requires one ticket. Food includes options like chili and cornbread from Cartridge Brewing, Moroccan chickpea chili from Dean's Mediterranean Imports and veggie chili from Herban Vegans. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 16. Free to attend; tickets are $10 for five samples or $20 for 12. 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, eventbrite.com.

Sunday, Jan. 16

Art on Vine at Rhinegeist
A craft market mingles with craft beer at Art on Vine’s indoor winter market beneath the vaulted ceiling of Rhinegeist’s Over-the-Rhine taproom. Once a small college project, shoppers can now browse the wares of up to 80 local artists, crafters and creators peddling fine arts and handmade goods while sipping on something sudsy. Noon-7 p.m. Jan. 16. Free admission. 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, artonvinecincy.com.

Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick at the Cincinnati Art Museum
Reopening after taking a wellness break, the Cincinnati Art Museum is offering free admission during the final weekend of Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick. The collection of cut-paper and silhouette work, among other media, features more than 80 works and spans 1994 to 2019. "Her work incorporates stereotypes to examine the narratives that feed into racism, sexism, sexuality and identity. Drawing on mythology, art history and American history, Walker’s art challenges viewers to take a critical and haunting view of the past while proposing questions around the challenges we continue to face collectively today," says the CAM. Through Jan. 16. Free admission. 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Monday, Jan. 17

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March and Program
Cincinnati's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March, presented by the MLK Coalition, leaves from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and makes its way to Washington Park. Once the march concludes, there will be an interfaith prayer service at the park followed by a program at Music Hall at noon. Due to the rise in COVID cases, the program will not be open to the public but will stream on the coalition's website. Iris Roley, a local social activist who focuses on police reform and was an original member of the Black United Front, is the keynote speaker. Metro will join the march and motorcade with two buses, including its Rosa Parks Bus, to help those who can't walk the full distance. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17. Free. Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks, mlkcoalition.org.

Betty White: 100 Years Young
A special tribute to Betty White and her seven-decade TV and film career will play at select Cincinnati movie theaters on Monday, Jan. 17. White died at the age of 99 on Dec. 31. The Fathom Events production will include clips from White's iconic performances in The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Hot in Cleveland and others, and remembrances from many of her castmates and friends, including Ryan Reynolds, Carol Burnett, Valerie Bertinelli, Jennifer Love Hewitt and more. The film — Betty White: 100 Years Young — was originally slated to commemorate White's 100th birthday. Upon her passing, producers Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein said in a statement they want to move forward with the screening to celebrate White, her life and her legacy. 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at Cinemark Oakley Station, 3025 Disney St., Oakley; AMC Newport on the Levee 20, Newport on the Levee, Newport; Western Hills 14, 5870 Harrison Ave., Western Hills. Tickets are available at fathomevents.com.

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