The Arts
The weather outside this week might be… frightful. But these shows and art exhibits will have your family feeling cheerful and bright this week (and beyond)! From shows, holiday programming, train exhibits and drive-through lights attractions … check out all of the fun happening through Dec. 12!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A holiday family favorite! Follow Scrooge as he makes a miraculous Christmas Eve transformation and realizes it is never too late to change his miserly ways. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park , 952 Mount Adams Circle, Cincinnati; 2 p.m.; tickets starting at $30 ; 513-345-2242 or https://cincyplay.com/tickets.
Elf The Musical, Jr. heads to
the Taft Theatre Dec. 4 – 13.
ELF THE MUSICAL JR.
The tale of Buddy the elf features a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts to discover a whole new world of hilarious hijinks. Watch as Buddy discovers he may not be an elf, but he can spread Christmas cheer to all of New York City. Taft Theatre , 317 East 5th Street, Cincinnati; 2 p.m.; starting at $10; 513-569-8080 or http://thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/elf.
EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME!) Hear all of the beloved classic tales and enjoy all of the most festive tunes in this high energy holiday show! The Otto M. Budig Theater , 1195 Elm Street, Cincinnati; 2 p.m.; tickets starting at $14; 513-381-2273 or https://cincyshakes.com/event/every-christmas-2021/.
HOLIDAY POPS Gather loved ones to make unforgettable memories in the grandeur of a Music Hall adorned with wondrous decorations and filled with joyful songs. Cincinnati Music Hall , 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati; 2 p.m.; starting at $25 for adults; 513-381-3300 or http://cincinnatisymphony.org.
FREE WOODLAND WONDERS HOLIDAY ART SHOW
This annual holiday art exhibition will feature the works of Charley Harper, John Ruthven and many others who are enchanted by woodland wonders. Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; included in admission, $9 adults, $4 children ages 4 – 12; free for members; 513-831-1711 or http://cincynature.org.
Fri 10
HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH THE MIGHTY WURLITZER
Don’t miss this festive holiday treat for the entire family, with the one-of-a-kind special effects and jingling bells that only the magical Mighty Wurlitzer can provide! Music Hall , 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati; 10:30 a.m., 7 p.m.; $32, $27seniors/students/groups; 513-621-2787 or https://www.cincinnatiarts.org/events/detail/happy-holidays-with-the-mighty-wurlitzer.
Fri 10 & Sat 11
REVOLUTION DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS “HOT CHOCOLATE” Experience the magic, joy and wonder of the holidays with Hot Chocolate, an eclectic and soulful retelling of the classic Nutcracker tale featuring dancing dolls, falling snow and the land of sweets. Aronoff Center , 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati; 8 p.m.; tickets starting at $30; 513-621-2787 or https://www.cincinnatiarts.org/events/detail/revolution-dance-presents-hot-chocolate.
Lovely Library Programming
A trip to the library is a great way to spend a rainy or cold day! Check out a holiday book to take home and snuggle up with, or check out one of these great seasonal offerings happening this week!
Mon 7
FREE CRYSTAL CLEAR: SCIENCE OF SNOW AND ICE (register) How cool can science be? Explore chemistry with “instant snow” and much more. Florence Branch- BCPL , 7425 U.S. 42, Florence; 6 p.m.; 8593422665 or http://bcpl.org.
FREE GIFT MAKING (register) Create a gift and even wrap it using the libraries craft supplies. Fort Thomas Branch CCPL , 1000 Highland Avenue, Newport; 4 p.m.; 8595725033 or http://cc-pl.org.
Tue 8
FREE BLUE’S CLUES WINTER PARTY (register) Arf, arf! Celebrate 25 years of our favorite blue dog by making your own handy-dandy notebook and searching for Blue’s clues around the Library. Hebron Branch BCPL , 1863 North Bend Road, Hebron; 6 p.m.; 18593422665 or http://bcpl.org.
Wed 8
FREE COOKIE DECORATING FOR KIDS (register) Join Delicious Designs to learn how to decorate Christmas themed cookies! Delhi Township , 5095 Foley Road, Cincinnati; 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; 513-369-6019 or http://cincinnatilibrary.org.
Thu 9
FREE STEAM TEAM FAKE SNOW (register)
Make fake snow to play with during this fun STEAM Team! Avondale Branch, 3566 Reading Road, Cincinnati; 513-369-4440 or cincinnatilibrary.org.
Sat 11
FREE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Indulge in a day of winter fun for all ages- first there will be live music from the Chris Comer Trio (12 – 1 p.m.), then enjoy The Nutcracker presented by Cincinnati Children’s Theatre (2 p.m.). Newport Branch CCPL , 901 East 6th Street, Newport; 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.; 8595725035 or http://cc-pl.org.
FREE JINGLE BABIES (register) Get jolly while reading books, singing and jingling along with everybody’s favorite holiday songs. Play a few reindeer games and even make a cute footprint craft. Fort Thomas Branch CCPL , 1000 Highland Avenue, Newport; 10 a.m.; 18595725033 or http://cc-pl.org.
FREE SNOWFLAKE SUN CATCHER (register)
Kiddos can celebrate the season and craft snowflake sun catchers. Greenhills Branch, 8 Enfield St., Cincinnati, Oh; 513-369-4441 or cincinnatilibrary.org.
A Day at the Levee
SCUBA SANTA AT NEWPORT AQUARIUM
See Scuba Santa swim underwater with a tank full of sharks and tell him what you want for Christmas! Meet cheerful elves straight from the North Pole and enjoy a Water Wonderland full of colorful holiday lights and festive music. Newport Aquarium, 1 Aquarium Way, Newport; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; included with general admission, free for members; 859-261-7444 or http://newportaquarium.com.
SANTA’S HOUSE ON THE LEVEE (register)
Santa Claus is coming to town, and he is making a stop at the Levee to take photos with everyone on the nice list. Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport; 4 p.m.; $40 includes 10 minutes with Santa and an email of all images from the photo session; 859-291-0550 or http://newportonthelevee.com/events.
FREE MOVIE NIGHT ON THE LEVEE Kick back and relax with a classic film on a jumbo LED screen.
December 9th – The Grinch (2018)
December 16th – The Santa Clause
December 23rd – The Polar Express
The Gallery at Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport; 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.; 8592910550 or http://newportonthelevee.com/movie-night-on-the-levee.
Learn more about lovely local locomotive attractions by clicking this link!
Discover Six Local Drive-Through Holiday Light Experiences (which are open rain or shine!) by clicking this link!