Top 12 things to do in Cincy this weekend. (Hint: Redsfest is No. 1)

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·7 min read
Redsfest is the official annual winter warm-up of the Cincinnati Reds. It features games and activities for kids of all ages, including interactions with past. current, and future stars of the Cincinnati Reds.
Redsfest is the official annual winter warm-up of the Cincinnati Reds. It features games and activities for kids of all ages, including interactions with past. current, and future stars of the Cincinnati Reds.

1. Redsfest

Meet current and former Reds players, coaching staff and broadcasters, get autographs and photos with them, meet Reds mascots, try your hand at the batting cages, speed pitch and miniature golf, and kids have an entire floor of fun activities like trampolines, bounce houses, themed musical performances, player story time and more. On Friday evening, help five-time All-Star George Foster celebrate his birthday.

Details: 3 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday, Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. $35 weekend pass, $25 single day. reds.com.

2. Light in the Forest

Enjoy light displays and interactives as you stroll through the forest at Rowe Woods, beautifully lit for the holidays. It showcases all-new light displays by six regional artists, plus live music, food trucks, drinks and holiday shopping.

Details: 5:30-9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Rowe Woods, Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford. Runs Dec. 1-30. $12-$15, $8-$10 children. cincynature.org.

"Fiona: The Musical" opens Nov. 29 at Ensemble Theatre in Over-the-Rhine.
"Fiona: The Musical" opens Nov. 29 at Ensemble Theatre in Over-the-Rhine.

3. 'Fiona: The Musical'

Follow Fiona’s journey from a premature baby to a larger-than-life heroine as the world's favorite hippo makes her musical debut in this world premiere play from Cincinnati native Zina Camblin and composer David Kisor.

Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Ensemble Theatre, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Nov. 29-Dec. 29. Ensemblecincinnati.org.

4. 'White Christmas'

With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and based on the beloved film, this play comes just in time for the holiday season. After World War II, veterans Bob and Phil begin a successful song and dance act. With romance in mind, they follow two singing sisters to their Christmas gig at a Vermont resort lodge.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill. Runs Nov. 30-Dec. 23. $33, $30 seniors and students. 513-241-6550; cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

5. Victorian Christmas Tour & Tea

Residents of Newport's historic East Row neighborhood open their homes to the public on this self-guided walking tour. Visit eight distinct historic homes decorated for the holiday with garlands, greenery and the best holiday finery. The popular Victorian Christmas Tea Service is already sold out.

Details: 1-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Historic East Row Neighborhood, Newport. $20 tour, free ages 12-under. Eastrow.org.

6. Horse-drawn Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival

Head to Lebanon for a Christmas festival unlike any other in the area. The highlight of the festival is two horse-drawn carriage parades, taking place at 1 and 7 p.m. The evening parade is done via candlelight. Throughout the day, you can enjoy entertainment and activities like visits with Santa, live music, dance groups, readings of "The Other Side of Christmas" and plenty of unique holiday shopping opportunities.

Details: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Mulberry, Mechanic and Broadway streets, Lebanon. Free. lebanonchamber.org.

7. Essex Studios Holiday Art Walk

Explore a diverse collection of Cincinnati talent under one roof. More than 100 resident artists open doors to the public for browsing and buying, plus you can enjoy live music, food trucks, and guest speakers in the auditorium.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Essex Art Studios, 2511 Essex Place, Walnut Hills. Free admission and parking. essexstudioscincinnati.com.

8. David Choate’s 'Hot Chocolate'

Cincinnati’s largest African American Nutcracker experience is brought to life by Revolution Dance Theatre, Cincinnati’s Black ballet company. With David Choate's imaginative choreography, original music and stellar production values, this holiday spectacular is sure to please.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theatre, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Runs Dec. 1-9. $35-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.

Braxton Brewing's annual winter block party celebrating the release of it's Dark Charge imperial stout and variants, takes place Saturday.
Braxton Brewing's annual winter block party celebrating the release of it's Dark Charge imperial stout and variants, takes place Saturday.

9. Dark Charge Winter Block Party

For the past eight years, Braxton Brewing has hosted an annual winter block party to celebrate the release of its barrel-aged imperial stout, Dark Charge. The brewery also releases several limited-edition Dark Charge variants. In addition to the bourbon-tinged beer releases, you can enjoy live music from DJ Jay Kay, Tracy Walker, Zeb South and the Kentucky Hot Heads, and Jeremy Short, and enjoy Dark Charge-infused bites from local food vendors.

Details: 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Braxton Brewing, 27 W. Seventh St., Covington. Celebrate the 2023 Dark Charge release. Free admission. Darkchargeday.com.

10. Black & Brown Faces: Verified

This multimedia exhibition features the work of 15 Midwest artists of color and explores the impact of Black and Brown culture, invention and innovation on the development of American and global culture. Verified is the third exhibition of the Black & Brown Faces series created by Paloozanoire in partnership with the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Dec. 2-Jan. 21. Free. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

11. FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew

FCC hosts arch-nemesis Columbus Crew in the ultimate "Hell is Real" showdown: the MLS Cup Eastern Conference final. Whichever team wins will head to the MLS Cup final on Dec. 9. If you were unable to get a ticket to the match, you can still join in the pregame festivities in Washington Park (1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine) or watch the game with other fans at one of the official pub partners.

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. fccincinnati.com.

12. Shop local, anywhere!

  • First Friday Holiday Market: Enjoy a holiday night gift market and shop local businesses in cheery Bellevue.

    • Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 331 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue.

  • Holiday Market: Enjoy a bustling outdoor market filled with unique gifts, plus more than 50 full-time businesses stocked with holiday goodies.

    • Details: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. findlaymarket.org.

  • Joyful and Jolly: Holiday Neighborhood Passport: Explore over 20 local shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. For every four businesses visited, you can enter to win prizes valued at over $1500.

    • Details: 9 a.m.-midnight Saturday, East Walnut Hills. Free admission. facebook.com.

  • Holiday Pottery Fair: Shop ceramic works from the Clay Alliance, a nonprofit organization supporting clay artists in and around Greater Cincinnati. More than 20 local clay artists will be participating.

    • Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Ave., Clifton. Free admission. facebook.com.

  • Pride Winter Market: Shop LGBTQ+ owned and affirming businesses at this outdoor market at Washington Park.

    • Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. washingtonpark.org.

  • Market Bleu Winter Market: This quarterly night market features handcrafted products and fine arts from across the region.

    • Details: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Free admission. marketbleu.com.

  • The Ultimate Holiday Craft Expo: Shop jewelry, sweet treats, clothing, handmade keepsakes, toys, one-of-a-kind gifts and more.

    • Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Hilton Cincinnati Airport, 7373 Turfway Road, Florence. Free admission. eventbrite.com.

  • MainStrasse Christkindlmarkt: Based on the traditional Christmas markets popular throughout Germany, you can shop unique gifts from vendors from around Greater Cincinnati, and enjoy food, drinks, music and fun activities for the children.

    • Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 602 Main St., Covington. Free admission. Facebook.com.

  • Holiday Art Market: Shop locally-made gifts at this pop-up winter market.

    • Details: noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Hi-Wire Brewing, 4600 Beech St., Norwood. hiwirebrewing.com.

  • Northside Tavern Winter Market: Shop over 20 vendors of vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, art, ceramics, home decor, kitchen wares, baked goods and more.

    • Details: 4-10 p.m. Sunday, Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside. Free admission. facebook.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 12 things to do this weekend in Cincinnati: Dec. 1-3