Jen Kirkman "All New Material, Girl" Tour
If you're a fan of in-your-head, cerebral comedy, then you won't want to miss comedian Jen Kirkman's visit to the Taft Theatre. Kirkman's comedic insight often comes with bite: She is not afraid to delve into current events, as she did in a recent interview regarding recent sexual harassment revelations surrounding Louis C.K.
8 p.m. Thursday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. $25. tafttheatre.org
Arcade Legacy opening
Get ready, gamers. The third Arcade Legacy will open Friday in Newport with more than 50 classic arcade games, six pinball machines and multiple home gaming consoles. You can play all the games for as long as you like for one flat fee. Just be aware that unlike Arcade Legacy's Northside bar location, the Newport game shop does not serve alcohol.
Noon-midnight Friday and Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday; 2 p.m.-midnight Tuesday; 2 p.m.-midnight Wednesday and Thursday. Arcade Legacy, 1765 Monmouth St., Newport. $10 ages 12 and up; $6 ages 4-11; children under age 4 play free with paying adult. www.arcadelegacyohio.com
Germania Society's Christkindlmarkt
The Germania Society of Cincinnati's Christkindlmarkt is a local holiday tradition with a little something for everyone: live entertainment, German music, a children’s lantern parade, petting zoo, caroling and carriage rides. Traditional German food and drink also will make spirits bright while you shop and wait for a visit from Santa Claus. The best part? The market is held inside heated tents at Germania Park.
5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Germania Park, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Colerain Township. $3 admission. Ages 12 and under free. germaniasociety.com
Holiday in Lights
Driving through Sharon Woods to see holiday lights has been a holiday tradition for more than 27 years, and this year will be no different. The Hamilton County park will transform into a winter wonderland with thousands of sparkling light displays. Warning: Make sure everyone uses the restroom first; wait times to drive through the woods can be long.
5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. Runs through Dec. 31. Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. $13 per vehicle; $45 for buses and 15-person passenger vans. www.holidayinlights.com
PNC Festival of Lights
It will probably be too cold out to catch a glimpse of everyone's favorite hippo Fiona, but that won't make a trip to the 35th annual PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden any less magical. Just remember to take time to marvel at the festival's more than 3 million lights in between buying Fiona merch.
5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. $12-$17. cincinnatizoo.org
Pour Over Coffee Festival
Take the chill out of the air and put some pep in your step during Saturday's Pour Over Coffee Festival in Newport. This inaugural event will showcase local cafes and roasteries. There also will be live music, local food and an after-party featuring local beer.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 7 Court Place, Newport. $10 pre-sale; $12 at the door. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
A Taste of Lebanon Festival
My stomach rumbles whenever I look at the food listed on the Taste of Lebanon's website. Vendors will sell kibbee, grape leaves, tabouleh, baklava and falafel at the Lebanese- and Mediterranean-themed festival. Authentic live music and dance performances also will entertain guests as they eat.
Noon-6 p.m. Sunday. St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church, 2530 Victory Parkway, East Walnut Hills. Free. www.staparish.org
A Night of Jazz with Gregory Porter
End the weekend with a smooth night of jazz at Cincinnati Music Hall. Two-time Grammy Award winner Gregory Porter, whom NPR has called “the next great male jazz singer,” will perform a 90-minute set with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
7 p.m. Sunday. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $20-$115. cincinnatisymphony.org
O.F.F. Winter Market at MadTree
Make someone's spirit bright this holiday season by finding that perfect gift at the O.F.F Winter Market at MadTree Brewing on Sunday. The market, which is typically hosted in Oakley Square during the summer, is an eclectic gathering of artists, bakers, chefs, scavengers, mobile boutiques and other vendors.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. MadTree Brewing, 3301 Madison Road, Oakley. Free admission. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Bonus: 'The Future is Female'
Sometimes we need to stop and quietly reflect upon where we are as a society. Saturday's opening of new art exhibit "The Future is Female" at the 21c Museum Hotel is the perfect opportunity to do just that. The exhibit illuminates the persistent struggle for gender equality through the works of 43 female and feminist artists. Artist Zoë Buckman will join museum curator Alice Gray Stites for a lecture to open the exhibit, which will be followed by a party celebrating the fifth anniversary of 21c's opening.
Begins at 5 p.m. Saturday. 21c Museum Hotel, 609 Walnut St., Downtown. Free. For more information visit the Facebook event page.
