10 Things to Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Dec. 2-4)

Dark Charge Winter Block Party at Braxton Brewing Co. 

3-11 p.m. Dec. 2; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Dec. 3
From the event’s website: “For the past 8 years on the first Saturday in December, Braxton has held a winter block party to celebrate the collision of bourbon and beer through the release of our Dark Charge barrel-aged imperial stout. We call it the Dark Charge Winter Block Party. Now it’s back, and this year for the first time ever, it's two days long. Join us at our Covington, Kentucky taproom for an incredible celebration of community, our rich history, and the 2022 Dark Charge release." VIP tickets and rooftop heated “igloos” are available on top of general admission. Read CityBeat digital content editor Katherine Barrier's full writeup to learn more. 3-11 p.m. Dec. 2; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Dec. 3. Braxton Brewing Co., 27 W. 7th St., Covington, darkchargeday.com.

Redsfest at Duke Energy Convention Center 

3-10:30 p.m. Dec. 2; 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Dec. 3
Look, we're not telling you that this year's Redsfest at Duke Energy Convention Center is going to make any fans feel good about this past season, but hopefully it might stir some enthusiasm for next year. Redsfest, a Cincinnati Reds fan gathering and activity convention, is returning this year for the first time since 2019 –  just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The family-friendly event will feature current and former player appearances, autograph and photograph sessions, batting cages, pedal cars, mascot performances and other entertainment on Dec. 2 and 3 at Duke Energy Convention Center in Downtown. Read CityBeat managing editor Allison Babka's full writeup to learn more. 3-10:30 p.m. Dec. 2; 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, duke-energycenter.com.

Market Bleu at Contemporary Arts Center

6-10 p.m. Dec. 3
This quarterly event features handcrafted products and fine art made by local creatives. Stop by Market Bleu at the Contemporary Arts Center to find unique gifts to help make the holidays more enjoyable for friends and family. Have a drink while you browse this nighttime bazaar and let it turn your Saturday evening into a fun night out while supporting local artists and artisans. 6-10 p.m. Dec. 3. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. 6th St., Downtown, marketbleu.com.

Styx at Hard Rock Casino Ballroom

8 p.m. Dec. 3
If you're a regular karaoke goer, you'll know it's about to get ugly when someone is slated to sing a Styx song — no one can handle the vocal range achieved by the band's former head singer/songwriter Dennis DeYoung in songs like "Come Sail Away" or "Mr. Roboto." That is, except for the new singer, Lawrence Gowan. Check out Styx at Hard Rock Casino Ballroom to see how it's done. Even though the show's in a casino, it's a safe bet you'll have a great time. 8 p.m. Dec. 3. Hard Rock Casino Ballroom, 1000 Broadway, Downtown, hardrockcasinocincinnati.com.

'A Christmas Carol' at Covedale Center for the Performing Arts

8 p.m. Dec. 2-3; 2 p.m. Dec. 4
Since this beloved holiday show won't be performed at Playhouse in the Park this year while the theater arranges a brand new script, set and production, give A Christmas Carol at Covedale Center for the Performing Arts a chance to fill the yuletide void. Miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge gets haunted so thoroughly he turns from exploitative capitalist to full-blown socialist — a true Christmas miracle. 8 p.m. Dec. 2-3; 2 p.m. Dec. 4. Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 3
Like a scene straight from a Hallmark holiday film, the 33rd-annual Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival brings some quaint Christmas charm to downtown Lebanon on Dec. 3. The day includes two processions — one at 1 p.m. and a candle-lit one at 7 p.m. — with horses from clydesdales to pint-sized ponies pulling carriages decked out in holiday finery. And there's more than just bells on bobtails to enjoy that day: Lebanon is also hosting a Christmas Festival from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., with live entertainment, craft vendors, holiday activities and plenty of food, from funnel cakes and roasted almonds to barbecue. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 3. Downtown Lebanon, lebanonchamber.org/carriage-parade.

Chanukah Bazaar at Adath Israel Synagogue

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4
This holiday market is known for its "exquisite dreidel collection from all over the world," according to the market's post on the CityBeat events calendar. On top of dreidels, find spices, jewelry, hand-crafted gifts, artwork and much more from more than two dozen vendors, including food from Cafe Alma, Sweet Butter Bakery and Graeter's Ice Cream. A ticketed gift raffle is available to play. Support local Jewish artists while shopping for loved ones this holiday. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4. Adath Israel Synagogue, 3201 E. Galbraith Rd., Avondale, kellywalsh.space/sisterhood/giving/chanukah-bazaar.

CCM Choral: Feast of Carols at Corbett Auditorium

2 p.m.and 5 p.m. Dec. 4
From the event's website: "A Cincinnati holiday tradition for more than 100 years, CCM's annual Feast of Carols embraces a variety of seasonal songs ranging from the classic and traditional to the contemporary." This performance features CCM Chamber Choir, Chorale and Concert Orchestra, UC Choruses and Cincinnati Youth Choir, along with guest choirs from Lakota East High School, Sycamore High School, Walnut Hills High School and May Festival Youth Chorus. 2 p.m.and 5 p.m. Dec. 4. Corbett Auditorium, 290 CCM Boulevard, University of Cincinnati's Main Campus.

Pincinnati Pinball Show at Holiday Inn and Suites Eastgate

2 p.m.-midnight Dec. 2; 10 a.m.-midnight Dec. 3; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec 4
Leave your quarters at home; all the pinball machines will be set for free play at this three-day show and tournament. Pincinnati Pinball Show at Holiday Inn Eastgate, which runs Dec. 2-4, gives you the chance to challenge more than 120 machines and compete against the region's best pinball wizards in daily tournaments. Play machines from the 1970s through present day in this dazzling pinball spectacle. Free entry for children 12 and under. Read CityBeat special section editor Maija Zummo's full write up. 2 p.m.-midnight Dec. 2; 10 a.m.-midnight Dec. 3; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec 4. Holiday Inn and Suites Eastgate, 4501 Eastgate Blvd., pincinnati.com.

Samuel Adams Utopias Tasting and Tour at the Cincinnati Taproom

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec 4
From the Sam Adams website: "Utopias. One of the world's most sought after and extreme beers. Get yourself a taste of this elusive liquid on our Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom Tour and Tasting. Included is a 1.5 oz tasting of 2019 Utopias, a flight of 4 Taproom Exclusive Brews, a tour of our R&D Brewhouse, and our Barrel Aging Room 21 Cellar in our Production Brewery." Utopias is a barrel-aged beer that's reached 28% alcohol by volume, so sip with care. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec 4. Sam Adams Cincinnati Taproom, 1727 Logan St., Over-the-Rhine, samadamscincy.com/hours.