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11 Things to Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Dec. 9-11)

By CityBeat Staff

Whether you want to pretend it’s summer with one of the Beach Boys, or go full holiday spirit with the drunkest Santa brigade ever, there’s plenty of things to do across the city this weekend. Do you want to learn about even more events and attractions throughout the week, or have something planned that you’d like to advertise for free to the public? Be sure to visit CityBeat’s events calendar.

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Photo: Glenn Francis, Wikimedia Commons

Al Jardine's Endless Summer Beach Party at Ludlow Garage

8:30 p.m. Dec. 9
Al Jardine is a Beach Boy who still gets around. This Friday catch Al Jardine's Endless Summer Beach Party at Ludlow Garage to witness one of the founding members of The Beach Boys play their hits from across the decades. Bring your good vibrations and maybe Jardine will wish they all could be Cincinnati girls instead. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.

Photo: facebook.com/knowtheatre

Lizard Boy: A New Musical at Know Theatre

8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10; 3 p.m. Dec. 11
From the show's post on the CityBeat events calendar: "A queer rock musical about a boy who looks like a lizard. There’s only one day a year that scale-covered Trevor can blend in with the crowd: 'Monster Fest.' Tired of hiding, he sets out to make a love connection – but Fate might just be calling him, instead. Featuring lush indie-rock melodies, this comic-inspired queer fable is a timely reminder of the restorative powers of loving and being loved." This is the show's final weekend. 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10; 3 p.m. Dec. 11. Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, knowtheatre.com/lizard-boy.

Photo: facebook.com/hallebration

Halle-Bration! at New Vision United Methodist Church

4-8 p.m. Dec. 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 10
Celebrating the market’s 10th anniversary this year, Halle-Bration! at New Vision United Methodist Church is heralded as “the premier pipeline for African American entertainment and shopping,” according to a release. Highlighting local African American businesses, visitors can expect workshops on a variety of health, culture and lifestyle topics along with food, drink and live entertainment over this two-day event. Santa will be there with gifts for the first 200 children while you enjoy live music from recording artist Lavieena Campbell and get a football autographed by former Bengals running back Ickey Woods. 4-8 p.m. Dec. 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 10. New Vision United Methodist Church, 4400 Reading Rd., Avondale, newvision-umc.org.

Photo: Provided by Dent Schoolhouse

Dent Schoolhouse's “Christmas Nightmare”

6-10 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10
It's a holiday house of horrors at the Dent Schoolhouse as it transforms from a Halloween attraction into "A Christmas Nightmare" for two days only. On Dec. 9 and 10, Charlie the Janitor becomes Santa (Satan?) Charlie and welcomes in a slew of ghouls including Krampus, Mrs. Claws and some evil elves — all bent on terrifying visitors instead of bringing cheer. The halls may be decked with Christmas garlands and lights, but harbingers of yuletide destruction have taken over to "bring a grizzly twist on this beloved holiday," says Dent. Expect frights, fun and some freaky festive photo ops. Admission is on the hour, every hour. 6-10 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10. Dent Schoolhouse, 5963 Harrison Ave., Dent, dentschoolhouse.com.

Photo: Adam Doty

Mt. Adams Reindog Parade

2 p.m. Dec. 10
What’s better than a puppy parade? If you don’t like dogs, probably a cat parade, but good luck keeping that orderly. The Mt. Adams Reindog Parade is a celebration of doggos in the holiday spirit, bedecked in their finest wintry garb and guaranteed to make you go “awwwww.” This costume contest/dog parade welcomes dogs of all sizes as long as they know how to play nice, because Santa doesn’t brings gifts to naughty dogs. 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Mt. Adams, mtadamscincy.org.

Photo: Provided by Alphas

Alphas on Christmas Vacation at Clifton Comedy Theatre

8 p.m. Dec. 10
This holiday season it's important to shop locally to support our region's entrepreneurs, but let Clifton-based sketch comedy troupe Alphas handle the locally sourced laughs. Alphas on Christmas Vacation at Clifton Comedy Theatre is a variety show featuring sketches, improv, stand-up and a heap of holiday chuckles. To learn more about Alphas, read CityBeat staff writer Sean M. Peters' interview with the troupe. 8 p.m. Dec. 10. Clifton Comedy Theatre, 404 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, improvcincinnati.com/shows.

Photo: facebook.com/cincycac

Family Festival: Please Play! at Contemporary Arts Center

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10
From a release: “Celebrate the unique works of art that encourage interactive play at Contemporary Arts Center’s new Creativity Center during Family Festival: Please Play! Visitors can design your own 3-D game with clay foam, collaborate on a giant maze and send a fleet of mini robots through it, then noodle around with some pasta-themed creations inspired by artist Abby Peitsmeyer’s inclusive artwork. The Art Lab will be filled with all the sensory-friendly supplies you’ll need to build a recycled city with some help from Indigo Hippo. And some special guests from The Play Library will be on hand to create a giant playland filled with interactive games and toys.” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. 6th St., Downtown, contemporaryartscenter.org.

Photo: 3CDC

Santacon 2022

Noon-midnight Dec. 10
You better watch out, Cincinnati: SantaCon is coming to town. This annual debacle consists of bar-hopping Santa Clauses who sing carols and drink themselves onto the naughty list with Christmas “spirits” across the city. The yuletide drinking expedition begins at Hard Rock Casino at 11 a.m. for early bird registration, while the party then spreads its hedonistic Christmas cheer across more than 50 venues in Downtown, Mt. Adams and Covington. The event’s website expects 10,000 Santas to participate across the city. Don’t sit on Santa’s knee if his nose is redder than Rudolph’s — it’s not Christmas magic, it’s just alcohol-induced rosacea. Noon-midnight Dec. 10. Citywide, cincinnatisantacon.com.

Photo: Provided by CSO

Holiday Pops at Music Hall

11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 11
From the event’s post on CityBeat's events calendar: “It’s not the holidays until it’s Holiday Pops! Experience the splendor of Music Hall decked out like a winter wonderland, and feel the warmth as JMR and the Pops perform beloved holiday classics. The Annie Moses Band, who wowed Pops audiences at Riverbend last summer, adds to the joy that makes Holiday Pops the perfect tradition.” 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 11. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatisymphony.org.

Photo: twitter.com/bengals

Bengals vs. Browns at Paul Brown Stadium

1 p.m. Dec. 11
The forecast is good for a bit of tailgating down at The Banks this weekend as the Bengals take on the Browns. You don't have to be as enthusiastic about Joe Burrow as NKU student Haven Wolfe seemed to be after having oral surgery in a viral video, but a little hometown pride is good enough. 1 p.m. Dec. 11. Paul Brown Stadium, 1 Paycor Stadium, Downtown, bengals.com.