September
Director’s Cut: A Celebration!
Cincinnati Ballet CEO and artistic director Victoria Morgan has selected a group of all-star performers to celebrate her 20th season with the company to showcase some of her favorite works and choreographers, plus two world premieres. 8 p.m. Sept. 16; 2 and 8 p.m. Sept. 17. Tickets start at $32. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cballet.org.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Oktoberfest is Zinzinnati’s giant, weekend-long German street party with Bavarian food, wiener dog and beer stein races, the world’s largest chicken dance, a brat-eating competition, a “larger-than-life” Glockenspiel, German dancing and more. 5 p.m.-midnight Sept. 16; 11 a.m.-midnight Sept. 17; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 18. Free admission. Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets, Downtown, oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.
The City Flea
This curated urban flea market hosts one of its final outdoor markets of the season. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 17. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com.
Fifty Fest 2016
Fifty West hosts three stages of live music, featuring 10 bands, and more than 20 breweries. Enjoy meals from all over the city, including food from Fifty West’s scratch kitchen. Noon-midnight Sept. 17. $10. Fifty West Brewing Company, 7668 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township, fiftywestbrew.com.
Hudepohl 14k Brewery Run
“The race that thinks it’s a party.” This 8.7-mile course takes participants past the city’s old breweries. 8 a.m. Sept. 17. $45-$55. Mehring Way, next to the Moerlein Lager House, hudy14krun.com.
Music in the Woods
The Imago Earth Center hosts the 15th-annual Music in the Woods festival, featuring live music, food and a silent auction. Imago is committed to the preservation of urban nature, and this fest provides a perfect opportunity to support the center’s environmental programs. 4-11 p.m. Sept. 17. $25; free children 12 and under. Imago Earth Center, 700 Enright, East Price Hill, imagoearth.org.
Cincinnati Beer Run
Celebrate craft beer with a 2.5-mile run from Newport through downtown Cincinnati. Enjoy samples of craft beer along the course. Walkers welcome. 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23. $30-$60. Newport, Ky., cincinnatibeerrun.com.
Cincinnati Zombie Walk
Dress like a zombie, go on a walk, bring a canned food item to donate to the Freestore Foodbank. The walk ends at Duke Energy Convention Center, where an after party will be sponsored and decorated by the Dent Schoolhouse. 7:15 p.m. Sept. 23. Free to walk; $10 after party. Walk starts across from the Freestore Foodbank, 1141 Central Parkway, Downtown, facebook.com/cincinnatizombiewalk.
Cincinnati Comic Expo
A comic expo featuring famous sci-fi and fantasy film and TV stars like Dr. Who’s John Barrowman, legends like Stan Lee, panels, costume contests, zombie walks and more. Sept 23-25. Tickets start at $25. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, cincinnaticomicexpo.com.
MidPoint Music Festival
This Indie music festival features local, national and international acts, including Band of Horses, Wolf Parade, Future Islands, Reggie Watts and Lucero. Sept. 23-25. $50 per day. Various venues, mpmf.com.
Newport Oktoberfest
A Munich-style Oktoberfest featuring authentic German food and drinks, live continuous German entertainment and a giant festival tent. Sept. 23-25. Free admission. Festival Park, Riverboat Row, Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., newportky.gov.
Fire Up the Night
Watch the Philippines, South Africa and Greece take on America in a global fireworks competition over Lake Como. The winner will be determined by a judging panel and audience text vote. Sunlite pool will be empty so that there is plenty of seating to view the light show. Tickets include parking, classic rides and admission. Gates open at 4 p.m.; fireworks begin at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24. $25 per carload. Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., California, coneyislandpark.com.
OFFF Cincinnati 2016
Engage with artists and designers from around the world through inspirational talks and workshops. Héctor Ayuso returns to Cincinnati to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the OFFF design conference. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sept. 24. $25-$50. School for Creative and Performing Arts, 108 W. Central Parkway, Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org, contemporaryartscenter.org.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Denton Affair hosts an every-other-Saturday interactive screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live cast. Viewers are encouraged to come in costume and to bring flashlights, noisemakers and bells. 11:55 p.m. Sept. 24 and every other Saturday. $9.75. Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, esquiretheatre.com.
The Sound of Music National Tour
The hills are alive! Broadway in Cincinnati presents the spirited musical tale of the Von Trapps, Maria and Nazi-occupied Austria. Sept 27-Oct. 9. Tickets start at $30. The Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Romeo and Juliet at CCM
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music musical theater students take on this Shakespeare classic. Witness the deadly feud between the Montagues and the Capulets in a subversive retelling of the Bard’s iconic story. Sept. 29-Oct. 2. $15-$31. Patricia Corbett Theatre, University of Cincinnati, Clifton, ccm.uc.edu.
Weekend of Fire
This steamy Jungle Jim’s event celebrates spicy foods by filling the Oscar Event Center with the hottest sauces, marinades, rubs and everything in between. Feeling brave? Enter the Arena of Fire to truly challenge your taste buds. 6-10 p.m. Sept. 30; 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Oct. 1; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 2. $10 two-day pass; $6 general admission. Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com.
Cincinnati Remodel & Design Show
Discover the latest trends, products and companies for your next remodeling projects. Noon-7 p.m. Sept. 30; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 1; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 2. $8. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, hartproductions.com.
Porkopolis Pig & Whiskey Festival
The second-annual Porkopolis Pig & Whiskey Festival Cincinnati will descend upon downtown for two days of pork, whiskey and craft beer. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, citybeat.com.
Donauschwaben Oktoberfest
Featuring live music, authentic German dancing, and over 25 beers, this fest welcomes fall with a wunderbar time. 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Sept. 30; 1 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Oct. 1; noon-8 p.m. Oct. 2. $3. Donauschwaben Park, 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Colerain, cincydonau.com.
A Prayer For Owen Meany at the Playhouse in the Park
Based on the novel by John Irving, this tale of friendship and faith set in the 1960s follows Owen and childhood friend John. Linked through tragedy, John and Owen walk different routes of discovering their faith and losing it. Through Oct. 1. $35-$68. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mount Adams Circle, Mount Adams, cincyplay.com.
Da Vinci – The Genius at the Museum Center
An in-depth look at the work of Leonardo da Vinci, comprised of more than 17 themed galleries with more than 200 pieces and life-size reproductions of 70 inventions. Through Oct. 9. $19.50 adults; $17.50 seniors; $12.50 kids. Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, cincymuseum.org.
Old West Fest
Step back in time and mosey into an authentic Wild West town dating back to 1878. Come in your best period attire (there’s a costume contest each day) for cold sarsaparilla, a covered wagon ride, can-can dancers and (fake) gun fights. The final weekend, Oct. 15-16, is a Halloween Ghost Town-themed event. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 16. $12.00-$24.99. 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg, Ohio, oldwestfestival.com.
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Prepare thyself for adventure. The Ohio Renaissance Festival’s recreated 30-acre, 16th-century village crams 400 years of fun into one day, with human-powered rides, hearty food and drink (turkey legs, beef stew in a bread bowl, mead), games of skill and unique arts and crafts. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 23. $21.95; $9.95 children. 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville, renfestival.com.
Covington is Haunted Tour
A bit of history and horror in a 90-minute walking tour. Learn about neighborhood feuds and haunted mansions. Through Oct. 29. $20. Tour starts at Molly Malone’s, 112 E. Fourth St., Covington, Ky., americanlegacytours.com.
Newport is Haunted Tour
Led by a cloaked guide, tour the streets of Newport by night to learn about tales of murder, suicide and even a decapitation or two. Through Oct. 29. $20. Tour begins at 18 E. Fifth St., Newport, Ky., americanlegacytours.com.
Queen City is Haunted Tour
On this guided walking tour of downtown and OTR, hear stories of grisly murders, ghastly deaths and other disturbing tales buried deep within Cincinnati’s storied past. Through Oct. 29. $20. Tours begin at 1332 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, americanlegacytours.com.
Sandyland Acres Haunted Hayride and Farmers Revenge
Ride a wagon into haunted horrors of cinemas past and present. Through Oct. 29. $20 combo tickets. Sandyland Acres, 4172 Belleview Road, Petersburg, Ky., sandylandacres.com.
Country Pumpkins Fall Festival
A fall fest on a 25-acre dairy farm with hayrides, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, straw-bale maze and more. Leashed pets are welcome. Through Oct. 31. Free admission. 1835 Sherman Mount Zion Road, Dry Ridge, Ky., countrypumpkinsky.com.
Jack-O-Lantern Junction
A Halloween exhibit at EnterTRAINment Junction with a trick-or-treat maze, kid-friendly ghosts, a mini Halloween train display, an indoor pumpkin patch and more. Through Oct 31. $13.95 adult; $11.95 senior; $9.95 kids. EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester, entertrainmentjunction.com.
Kinman Farms Fall Fest Adventure
Hay rides, a corn maze, pony rides, a bonfire, fall décor and more. Weekends through Oct. 31. Prices vary. Kinman Farms, 4175 Burlington Pike, Burlington, Ky., kinmanfarmsfallfest.com.
Dent Schoolhouse
A haunted house in a haunted school (the janitor did it). Lights-out tour on Nov. 4 and 5. Through Nov. 5. $20-$35. 5963 Harrison Ave., Dent, frightsite.com.
The USS Nightmare
Nicknamed the “Death Dredge” by the retired steamboat’s cursed crew, the USS Nightmare has been the site of 112 historic, mysterious and accidental deaths. Find out if angry spirits still roam the eerie ship during a half-hour, two-floor tour. It’s dark, it’s sinister and it’s been consistently ranked one of the top haunted attractions in the area for more than two decades. Come aboard, if you dare. Through Nov. 5. $28-$30. 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., ussnightmare.com.
Glenn Brown at the Contemporary Arts Center
The first solo museum exhibit to display the work of London artist Glenn Brown, who creates abstracted representational paintings. Through Jan. 15. Free admission. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, contemporaryartscenter.org.
October
DevouGrass Festival
Features live Bluegrass music, artisan vendors, hands-on creative stations for kids and food trucks. Benefits the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky. Noon-dusk Oct. 1. Free. Devou Park Bandshell, 1700 Montague Road, Covington, Ky., devougrass.com.
FotoFocus biennial 2016
This month-long arts biennial features the finest in contemporary photography and lens-based art. FotoFocus features exhibitions, film screenings, lectures and performances by artists, curators, critics and art world professionals, all based on one theme: “Photography, the Undocument,” which explores the boundaries between facts and fabrications. Oct. 1-31. Various venues, fotofocusbiennial.org.
Sunflower Festival
Stroll through fields of tall, golden sunflowers, pick some for yourself, take a hayride and enjoy food from food trucks, plus music, crafts and local artisans. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. $8 adults; $5 children. Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Road, Evendale, gormanfarm.org.
Mermaids Return to Newport Aquarium
For a limited time, see mystical mermaids swim through the aquarium and get to know them during daily meet-and-greets. Oct. 1-16. Free with admission. Newport Aquarium, 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, Ky., newportaquarium.com.
Mercantile Library’s Niehoff Lecture
Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will deliver the 29th Niehoff Lecture, a series that features prominent authors, in the Westin Hotel’s Presidential Ballroom. 7-10p.m. Oct. 1. $175 Mercantile members; $200 general admission. The Westin Hotel, 21 E. Fifth St., Downtown, mercantilelibrary.com.
Hyde Park Art Show
Celebrate the 50th-annual art show by purusing more than 200 booths of local art at the largest one-day art show in the Greater Cincinnati area. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 2. Free. Hyde Park Square, Hyde Park, hydeparksquare.org.
Kentucky Wool Festival
A festival that promotes sheep and wool products complete with homemade craft vendors, live Bluegrass and Americana music, cloggers, county festival food, sheep-shearing and border collie-herding demonstrations, plus a tent full of wool. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 7-9; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 9. $5. 48 Concord Caddo Roaf, Falmouth, Ky., kywoolfest.org.
Pulp at Know Theatre
A “genre-bending literary noir comedy” about a washed-up private investigator whose life soon begins to imitate literature after taking on a case of suspects who all write for different pulp magazines. Oct. 7-Oct. 29. $25. Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, knowtheatre.com.
Oak, Toast & Two Aging Barrels
A celebration of Kentucky’s bourbon heritage with tastings, dinners, education and more. Oct. 7-9. Sixth and Main streets, Covington, Ky., mainstrasse.org.
Amy Schumer Live
Stand-up comedian, actress, writer, producer and director Amy Schumer kicks off her first live tour at the BB&T Arena. 6:30 p.m. doors; 8 p.m. Oct. 8. $42-$102. Bank of Kentucky Center, 500 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, Ky., thebbtarena.com.
Fall-O-Ween
Coney Island’s annual family-friendly fall festival. Enjoy trick-or-treat trails for kids, a Fright Lights musical show, barnyard friends and more. Weekends Oct. 8-23. $11. Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., California, coneyislandpark.com.
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival
Since 1970, the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival has celebrated sauerkraut with a full festival featuring everything from sauerkraut pizzas, fudge, donuts, cookies and pies. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 8; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 9. Free admission. 10 B N. Main St., Waynesville, Ohio, sauerkrautfestival.com.
Customer Appreciation Day at Stricker’s Grove
Stricker’s Grove is a family-owned and -operated private amusement park (only open to the public four times a year), featuring classic amusement park rides with free popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy (and booze available for purchase). Noon-8 p.m. Oct. 9. $12.50. Stricker’s Grove, 11490 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, strickersgrove.com.
Iron Fork
CityBeat hosts this food competition in which local chefs battle it out to win a Golden Fork award. 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 9. Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State 3520 Central Parkway, Clifton, citybeat.com.
Vanessa Williams with the Cincinnati Pops
Classical meets contemporary during this one-night-only, sure-to-sell-out performance by multi-talented artist Vanessa Williams and the Cincinnati Pops. Known for her roles on Desperate Housewives and The Good Wife, Williams has also released chart-topping R&B hits. 7 p.m. Oct. 9. $25-$125. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Cincinnati Chocolate Festival
A festival for chocolate-lovers of all ages, featuring samples from local sweeteries, celebrity chef demos, contests and more to indulge your chocolate cravings. Admission includes five tasting tickets, and proceeds benefit the Isaac M. Wise Temple Sisterhood. Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 11. $10. Xavier University’s Cintas Center, 1624 Herald Ave., Evanston, cincinnatichocolatefestival.com.
Cincinnati Craft Brewers Oktoberfest
Listermann Brewing Company has teamed up with Cincideutsch, a group of local German-speakers, to host this craft beer event. Kids and dogs welcome. 5 p.m.-midnight Oct. 14; noon-11 p.m. Oct. 15. Free admission. Listermann Brewing Company, 1621 Dana Ave., Evanston, listermannbrewing.com.
Dada Rafiki: I See You Sister
Join international respected and award-winning poet Annie Ruth as she presents one of the most inspirational multi-cultural celebrations of music, dance, spoken word,and song in Cincinnati. 7 p.m. Oct. 14. $22.25-$32.25. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
The Elephant Man at Cincy Shakes
The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents Bernard Pomerance’s Tony award-winning play about the life of Joseph Marrick, whose physical deformities lead him to see a life of beauty, as well as harsh cruelty. Oct. 14-Nov. 5. $38-$42. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 719 Race St., Downtown, cincyshakes.com.
Heritage Village Haunted Village
The headless horseman rides at the historic Heritage Village. Oct. 14-29. $8. Heritage Village Museum, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, heritagevillagecincinnati.org.
Johnny Mathis: The 60th-Anniversary Concert Tour
The longest-running artist on Columbia Records is celebrating his 60th year in the music industry. 8 p.m. Oct. 14. $52.50-$132.50. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Third-Annual Oakley Masquerade
With a silent auction, photobooth, a beach-style night club, costume party and a four-hour open bar included with the purchase of a ticket, this is a premier Halloween party. All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. 8 p.m. Oct. 14. $33-$48. 20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, oakleymasquerade.com.
Van Gogh: Into the Undergrowth at the Cincinnati Art Museum
Centered on the Cincinnati Art Museum’s “Undergrowth with Two Figures,” the exhibition explores the significance of the forest interior to the art of Vincent van Gogh. Oct. 15-Jan. 8. $10; $5 children; free for members. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
Books by the Banks
For all the bookworms looking to get cozy — and educated — this fall, the 10th-annual Books by the Banks festival celebrates reading and literacy with a variety of book talks, panels and discussions by local, regional and national authors and illustrators. Meet more than 100 local writers and national bestselling authors while celebrating the tenth anniversary of the festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 15. Free. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, booksbythebanks.org.
Cincinnati Halloween Masquerade
The Pandora Society invites you to party with the most elegant ghouls, goblins, witches and wizards (or whatever else you’d like to dress as). Caberet, belly dancing, live music, vendors and a costume contests. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 15. $15-$20. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, Ky., thepandorasociety.com/halloween.
Northern Kentucky Wine Festival
Tastings from Kentucky wineries, food and entertainment. Tickets include four drink samples. 3-10 p.m. Oct. 15. $10. MainStrasse Village, Main St., Covington, Ky., mainstrasse.org.
Zombie Ball
Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite undead characters — zombies, vampires and mummies — or creatively interpret the theme. Open bar from 7-10 p.m. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 15. $75 couple: $40 single. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, pyramidhill.org.
Coppelia
A story of how a toy-maker’s latest creation comes to life, as told in this comedic ballet that is returning back to the Cincinnati Ballet for the first time since 2001. Paired with the melodic music of Leo Delibes played by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Oct. 21-23. $32-$103. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cballet.org.
Ubahn Fest
A literal underground music festival — located in a Metro Transit center underneath Second Street — featuring an eclectic lineup of EDM and Hip Hop performances across two stages. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 21 and Oct. 22. $49-$89. 220 Central Ave. between Pete Rose Way and Third Street, Downtown, ubahnfest.com.
Picturing the West: Masterworks of 19th-Century Landscape Photography at the Taft Museum of Art
The 41 photographs in Picturing the West capture the scenery and spirit of America’s western frontier during the second half of the 19th century. This exhibit is presented in part with FotoFocus. Oct. 22-Jan. 15. $20 adults; $15 children. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown, taftmuseum.org.
Guided Ghost Tour of Music Hall
The Cincinnati Research & Paranormal Studies team leads guided paranormal tours to explore, investigate and document the otherworldly. Bring your own equipment. 7 p.m. Oct. 23. $25. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatiarts.org.
MainStrasse Dog Costume Pawrade
Costumed dogs parade around MainStrasse Village. Oct. 23. Free. Sixth Street, Covington, Ky., mainstrasse.org.
CPI New Voices
The Cincinnati Playwright Initiative, a grassroots art organization of local playwrights, directors, actors, and theater supporters interested in bringing new plays to the Cincinnati stage, presents two new shorts written by Robert Cooperman. 7:30 p.m. Oct 25. $8. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
John Witherspoon at Funny Bone
Known as one of America’s funniest on-screen dads, John Witherspoon is known for his roles as “Pops” on The Wayan’s Brothers, or as Craig’s father from the Friday trilogy. 7:30 p.m. Oct 28. $25. Liberty Funny Bone, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township., liberty.funnybone.com.
Halloween Gala
Music by Naked Karate Girls. Benefits the Children’s Dyslexia Centers of Cincinnati. 6 p.m. Oct. 29. $50; Cincinnati Masonic Center, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, halloweengala.org.
Fall Fest
Brought to you by 3CDC, Washington Park is kicking off the beginning of autumn with a weekend full of family fun and attractions. Oct. 29-30. Free Admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org.
Halloween Skate Party
A costume party at Fountain Square’s ice rink. Noon-11 p.m. Oct. 29. Free. Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.
The Malice Ball
An Over-the-Rhine masquerade party. Proceeds benefit the Over-the-Rhine Chamber’s Business First Grant Program. 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. $30; $25 advance. Christian Moerlein Brewery, 1621 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine, otrchamber.com.
Burger Farm Pumpkin Festival
A family-friendly fall festival with pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival rides, pick-your-own pumpkins and more. Weekends in October. $3 admission. Free parking. Burger Farm and Garden Center, 7849 Main St., Newtown, burgerfarms.com.
HallZOOween
Trick-or-treat around the zoo and participate in themed activities like special animal encounters and Hogwarts Express train rides. Select weekends in October. $18; $13 kids; $10 parking. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
November
Octonauts Live and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure
The Disney Jr. series brings their live stage show to the U.S. for the first time. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2. $29.50-$39.50. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
American Voice featuring Sara Evans
Sara Evans brings her hit songs to life with the help of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. 8 p.m. Nov. 4; 8 p.m. Nov. 5; 2 p.m. Nov. 6. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Billy Elliot: The Musical by Cincinnati Music Theatre
The show named by TIME Magazine as the “Best Musical of the Decade”’ comes to the Aronoff and tells the story of a young boy’s struggle to make his dreams come true. Nov. 4-12. $20-$24. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatiarts.org.
Holidazed & Confused Revue by The Second City
The Second City offers a holiday experience full of seasonal sketches to prepare you for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and everything in between. Nov. 5-Dec. 31. $30-$68. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mount Adams Circle, Mount Adams, cincyplay.com.
Best of Baroque: Handel & Bach
Experience the music of the Baroque period, led by Ton Koopman and featuring soloists from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Nov. 11-13. $23-$107. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market
More than 100 different vendors sell gifts, apparel, home décor, gourmet food and more. Nov. 11-13. $9; free for kids. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, hartproductions.com.
Altius Quartet
Chamber Music Cincinnati presents a rising-star quartet every two years in honor of LaSalle Quartet violinist Henry Meyer, this year’s choice being the Altius Quartet. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15. $30. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new Broadway production of the hit musical comes to Cincinnati as part of its North American tour. Nov. 15-27. $44-$135. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Northern Lights
Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali makes his CSO debut with violinist Jennifer Koh as the orchestra captures the beauty of the Northern Lights via music. Nov. 18-19. $22-$87. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., cincinnatiarts.org.
Forgotten Cincinnati: Photographs from the 1880s at the Taft Museum of Art
A time capsule of late-19th-century Cincinnati, captured on film by an unknown photographer. Nov. 18-Feb. 26. $20 adults; $15 children. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown, taftmuseum.org.
Holiday Lights on the Hill
This drive-through experience features more than a million lights and lasers in their holiday displays. Nov. 18-Jan 1. $20-$25 per car. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, pyramidhill.org.
Crafty Supermarket Holiday Show
This handmade holiday market features more than 100 craft vendors and makers. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 19. Free admission. University of Cincinnati Recreation Center, 2820 Bearcat Way, Clifton, craftysupermarket.com.
PNC Festival of Lights
The Cincinnati Zoo continues one of the Tri-state’s favorite holiday tradition: the 34th-annual PNC Festival of Lights. Check out more than two million LED lights that illuminate the zoo all winter long. Nov. 19-Jan. 1. Free with zoo admission. $18 adults; $13 children. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St, cincinnatizoo.org.
Christkindlmarkt
Sip hot mulled wine and browse vendors with handmade nutcrackers, ornaments, toys and more. Nov. 20-22. $3. Germania Park, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Colerain, germaniasociety.com.
Victorian Christmas
Visit Christmas past at the Hillforest Historical Foundation. Nov. 20-Dec. 30. $6; $3 kids. 213 Fifth St., Aurora, Ind., hillforest.org.
A Christmas Carol at the Playhouse in the Park
The classic Dickens tale returns to charm holiday audiences. Nov. 23-Dec. 31, $30-$85, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mount Adams Circle, Mount Adams, cincyplay.com.
One City, One Symphony
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is center stage for this year’s One City, One Symphony performance. Featuring all-American music the show is tied together with the theme of home. 8 p.m. Nov. 25-26. $23-$107. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Darkest Night at the Gnarly Stump at Know Theatre
Residents of a secluded Appalachian town gather on the darkest night of the year at the local pub, The Gnarly Stump, to share songs and ghost stories. This year, an outsider arrives and reports the disappearance of her sister, blurring the lines between story and reality. Nov. 26-Dec. 17. $25. Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, knowtheatre.com.
Joe Bonamassa
Recognized as one of the greatest guitarists of his generation, Bonamassa brings his Blues-Rock style to Cincinnati in support of his solo album, Blues of Desperation. 8 p.m. Nov. 30. $82.50-128.50. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
December
Holiday Pops with Melinda Doolittle
Cincinnati’s holiday tradition is back with John Morris Russell’s Home for the Holidays program — a blend of holiday favorites featuring American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle. Dec. 2-4. $25-$95. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
The Nutcracker
The Cincinnati Ballet presents its annual performance of the famous holiday classic. The ballet performs Tchaikovsky’s most popular work set to live instrumentation by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Dec. 9-18. $32-$85. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatiarts.org.
Eamonn McCrystal & Chloë Agnew in Concert
Emmy award winning Irish tenor Eamonn McCrystal and Celtic Woman Chloë Agnew, join forces for an evening to celebrate Irish culture, great music and Christmas. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13. $35-$55. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatiarts.org.
Christmas Town
The Creation Museum’s annual event presents a look at the story behind Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. The event features a live nativity scene and a garden of festive light displays. Dec. 16-30. Creation Museum. 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, Ky., creationmuseum.org.
Over The Rhine Christmas with the Pops
Folk duo Over The Rhine bring their unique voice and musical style to holiday favorite songs with the Cincinnati Pops. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20. $25-$99. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown., cincinnatiarts.org.
Straight No Chaser
The 10-piece, male acappella group brings its tour to Cincinnati to celebrate 20 years as a group. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20. $39.50-$69.50. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Shen Yun 2017
With a goal of reviving 5,000 years of lost Chinese culture, Shen Yun brings the spirit of this lost civilization to life through celebration, music and dance. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22-23. $67-$147. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
The Snowman with the Pops
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra performs Howard Blake’s score live as the movie The Snowman plays over the stage. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23. $15-$20. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
This article appears in Sep 14-21, 2016.