20 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Dec. 15-17)

By Katie Griffith on Wed, Dec 13, 2023 at 7:34 am

We know you need something to do in between your sprints for holiday gift searching, Cincinnati. There's tons of festive events around town. Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker premiers this weekend, there's a Holiday decoration swap, a toy drive and plenty of live music. The local music scene's Santamania returns for another year of live bands at The Mockbee, and Radio Artifact is hosting an acoustic session of music. Scroll down to see our weekend picks.

To suggest a future weekend event for our weekly events article, email CityBeat arts & culture reporter Katie Griffith at [email protected].

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.

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Photo: Kevin Lush

Merry Swiftmas at Factory 52

When: Dec. 16 from 3-8 p.m.
Where: Factory 52, Norwood
What: Taylor Swift-themed Christmas party.
Who: Factory 52
Why: Christmas, but make it Taylor Swift-ified.

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Hue 12 Photography

Santamania at The Mockbee

When: Dec. 15 & 16
Where: The Mockbee, Brighton
What: Live music
Who: Tons of local bands including Vacation, Tweens and Shellshag.
Why: It's a perfect snapshot of Cincinnati music.

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Photo: Mikki Schaffner Photography

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Every Christmas Story Ever Told

When: Dec. 13-30
Where: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Downtown
What: Live theater
Who: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Why: A hilarious twist on classic holiday tales.

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Photo: Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Facebook

KSO Presents Merry Christmas, Darling

When: Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University
What: Live performance inspired by The Carpenter’s 1978 album A Christmas Portait.
Who: Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and vocalist Denise Parroco
Why: This is the KSO's first Christmas program since 1999.

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Photo: Sawicki Photography

Blues, Jazz and Appetizers with Ben Levin

When: Dec. 15 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Epic Event Gallery, Downtown
What: Live music
Who: Pianist and vocalist Ben Levin
Why: Blues, jazz AND appetizers.

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Photo: Hi-Fi Cincy Facebook

North Pole Night & Santa Party

When: Dec. 15 from 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Hi-Fi Cincy, Mt. Adams
What: DJ/dance party and live artist showcase.
Who: Adventure Club
Why: Festive fun, drink specials, art and music.

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Photo: Allison Babka

Cincinnati Cyclones' Star Wars Night

When: Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Heritage Bank Center, Downtown
What: Cyclones hockey game dressed as your favorite Star Wars character.
Who: The Cincinnati Cyclones
Why: May the force be with you.

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Photo: freestocks via Unsplash

Holiday Decoration Swap at Fibonacci Brewing Company

When: Dec. 16 from 12-8 p.m.
Where: Fibonacci Brewing Company, College Hill
What: Annual decoration swap
Who: Fibonacci Brewing Company
Why: If it's not your grandma's 100-year-old nutcracker, it could probably use an upgrade.

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Photo: Elliot Sloman, Unsplash

Open Mic Poetry Ugly Sweater Edition

When: Dec. 15 from 8-11 p.m.
Where: Oasis at Grace, College Hill
What: Poetry reading and open mic.
Who: MoPoetry Phillips, hosted by God's Grace Poet
Why: Open mics are more approachable when everyone's wearing an ugly Christmas sweater.

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Photo: Alphas Improv Facebook

Elfed Up at Clifton Comedy Theatre

When: Dec. 15 & 16 from 8-10 p.m.
Where: Clifton Comedy Theatre, Clifton
What: Live comedy show
Who: Alphas Comedy
Why: Sketch, improv and stand-up comedy written by the women of Alphas.

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Photo: Erin McKenna, Unsplah

Toyz in the Neighborhood Toy Drive

When: Dec. 17 at 10 a.m.
Where: Dohn High School Sports Complex, Avondale
What: Toy drive
Who: The YANI Collective
Why: Toys donated/purchased are for kids 3-14 years old. The Freestore Foodbank is also providing 300 food boxes for the event.

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Photo: Jana Bemol, Unsplash

Adult Skate Night

When: Dec. 16 from 12-10 p.m.
Where: Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center, Over-the-Rhine
What: Skate party for adults.
Who: OTR CRC
Why: The rink will be adorned with holiday lights.

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Photo: OLEA Ensemble Facebook

Wind Blows Lotus Leaves

When: Dec. 17 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Well, Camp Washington
What: Performance of newly commissioned work by musical artist Owen Hopper.
Who: OLEA Ensemble and Owen Hopper
Why: The work is based on movements from Guang Pian Yang tai chi. Music will be accompanied by a demonstration of tai chi movements and you can join in.

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Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker

When: Dec. 14-24
Where: Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine
What: Cincinnati Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker.
Who: Presented by Sheakley Family and Cincinnati Ballet
Why: It's a classic Cincinnati holiday tradition.

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Photo: Rhinegeist

Art on Vine

When: Dec. 17 from 12-6 p.m.
Where: Rhinegeist Brewery, Over-the-Rhine
What: An arts and crafts market featuring handmade goods from local artists.
Who: Art on Vine and participating vendors.
Why: Shop local.

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Photo: Christmas in Loveland Facebook

Christmas in Loveland

When: Dec. 16 from 4-8 p.m.
Where: Downtown Loveland
What: Loveland transforms into a Christmas wonderland with holiday activities, live entertainment, food and more.
Who: Little Miami River Chamber Alliance
Why: There's also a dog costume contest.

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Photo: Freedom Center Facebook

Black Santa Cincinnati

When: Dec. 17 from 1-5 p.m.
Where: The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, The Banks
What: Visit Black Santa Clause
Who: The Voice of Black Cincinnati
Why: Free photo opportunity, plus a DJ and museum tours.

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Photo: Radio Artifact Facebook

Cincy Goes Acoustic

When: Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Radio Artifact, Northside
What: Live music
Who: Radio Artifact and Urban Artifact
Why: Performances by Veronica Grim, Rtist, St Mary, St Michael and Life in Idle

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Photo: PAC Facebook

December Final Friday at Pendleton Art Center

When: Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.
Where: Pendleton Art Center, Pendleton
What: Local artisans
Who: Pendleton Art Center
Why: PAC moved final Friday up so it comes in time for holiday shopping.

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Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Museum Center

Holiday Junction

When: Now-Jan. 8
Where: Cincinnati Museum Center, West End
What: Holiday Junction featuring Duke Energy Holiday Trains
Who: Cincinnati Museum Center
Why: Another Cincinnati holiday tradition.

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