Top 10 things to do Christmas weekend in Cincinnati: Dec. 22-24

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·4 min read

With Christmas Day rapidly approaching, we hope you've gotten the presents wrapped and the tree trimmed. Now it's time to breathe out and relax with one of the fun events taking place this weekend. It's your final chance to catch some of the holiday happenings around town, so don't delay.

1. 'Christmas with C.S. Lewis'

In his early life, C.S. Lewis felt the story of Christ's birth was a feel-good myth. That changed after an encounter with his good friend J.R.R. Tolkien. Starring David Payne, this powerful, yet intimate portrayal allows you to spend an evening with the man whose books have changed millions of lives.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Jarson-Kaplan Theater at Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $64. Cincinnatiarts.org.

Prepare to be wowed with "A Magical Cirque Christmas," coming to Aronoff Center for the Arts on Friday, Dec. 22.
Prepare to be wowed with "A Magical Cirque Christmas," coming to Aronoff Center for the Arts on Friday, Dec. 22.

2. 'A Magical Cirque Christmas'

This holiday variety show features world-class entertainers and favorite holiday music for the whole family. Limited seating remains.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $49.50-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.

3. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Based on a beloved service offered at King's College in Cambridge, England, this service takes an imaginative approach to liturgy, weaving scripture and song. The program will also be available via livestream.

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., Downtown. Free. Cincinnaticathedral.com/livestream.

4. Bombs Away! Comedy: Kamari Stevens

Cincinnati's robust comedy scene brings another fine act to the stage. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Kamari Stevens is a New Orleans-based comedian known for his storytelling performances. Catch him live, with openers Gabby Lowry, Karinne Turnbow and Alex Taylor.

Details: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside. $15, $10 advance. Bombsawaycomedy.com.

5. Christmas with No Promises

Kindle your holiday spirit with this Cincinnati-based professional a cappella ensemble as they unwrap seasonal favorites by Pentatonix, Peter Paul & Mary, John Coltraine, Blondie, Manhattan Transfer and more. Guest artist Micah Davis adds lead vocals to this heart-warming, family-friendly program. This is a full-length program with two sets.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre, 801 Matson Place, Price Hill. $25. 513-241-6550; cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

6. Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Wheeling Nailers

Hey, every household needs at least one nutcracker during the holidays, right? If you've been slacking, head to the Cyclones game this weekend because the first 3,000 through the door receive a free holiday Cyclones nutcracker. There's also a concession special for 513 Friday: $5 craft draft and seltzers, $1 popcorn, $3 cheeseburgers.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. Tickets $21-up. Cycloneshockey.com.

Santa has been scuba diving at the aquarium since 2003.
Santa has been scuba diving at the aquarium since 2003.

7. Last chance for Scuba Santa's Water Wonderland

This is your final weekend to experience this one-of-a-kind Cincinnati holiday tradition. Visit Scuba Santa in his Water Wonderland filled with curious sea turtles and other fishy friends, playful penguins, colorful lights and magic bubbles.

Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Ends Dec. 24. newportaquarium.com.

The exterior of Grandma's House at the Christmas Ranch in Morrow.
The exterior of Grandma's House at the Christmas Ranch in Morrow.

8. Last chance for The Christmas Ranch

It's also the final weekend to experience the magic of The Christmas Ranch. This Christmas theme park features more than 350,000 lights synchronized to music, an animated toy factory, a pedestrian-only Christmas Village filled with holiday shops and plenty of holiday cheer.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow. Ends Dec. 23. $37 per carload, $47 per oversized van (10+ passengers), free parking. thechristmasranch.com.

This is the final weekend to experience Cincinnati Ballet's "The Nutcracker" this year.
This is the final weekend to experience Cincinnati Ballet's "The Nutcracker" this year.

9. Last chance for Cincinnati Ballet: 'The Nutcracker'

Another holiday spectacular winding down for the season is Cincinnati Ballet's "The Nutcracker." If you've yet to follow Clara to the amazing Land of Sweets, now's the time to get crackin'. The Cincinnati Ballet takes you on a magnificent journey featuring dazzling sets, stunning costumes and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performing Pyotr Tchaikovsky's iconic score.

Details: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Ends Dec. 24. $29-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.

One of the longest running shows in U.S. theater history, "Late Night Catechism" is a one-nun comedy that's part catechism class, part stand-up routine. It runs Nov. 4-Dec. 17 at Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park.
One of the longest running shows in U.S. theater history, "Late Night Catechism" is a one-nun comedy that's part catechism class, part stand-up routine. It runs Nov. 4-Dec. 17 at Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park.

10. Last chance for 'Late Night Catechism'

This one-nun comedy is one of the longest-running shows in Chicago and U.S. theater history, and you only have a few more days left to get in on the act. Sister gets her chance to teach catechism class the way she wants, and the audience becomes part of the class in this playful and compassionate send-up of Catholic culture. Limited seating remains for this popular show.

Details: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Playhouse in the Park, Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre, 962 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Ends Dec. 23. $33.50-up. Cincyplay.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do Christmas weekend in Cincinnati: Dec. 22-24