CINCINNATI — Holiday fun continues as historic downtown Loveland celebrates Christmas, the 27th annual Egg Nog Jog 5K takes place in Mount Adams and Fiona takes the stage with the Cincinnati Ballet for the annual performance of "The Nutcracker" this weekend.
FOOD & DRINK
CurioCity Series - Dinosaur Hall: 6-9 p.m. Thursday. Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. $10 members; $15 non-members. Ages 21 and older. You're never too old to be awed by dinosaurs. Adult beverages might actually add to the experience of wandering through the Cincinnati Museum Center's new Dinosaur Hall. So grab your friends and prepare for an event that includes a cash bar and light bites. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
MadTree Hard Cider Release: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday. MadTree Taproom, 3301 Madison Road, Oakley. Not the biggest fan of craft beer? MadTree has brewed up something different for you. The local brewery has partnered with Beiersdorfer Orchard in Southeast Indiana to craft its first hard cider, 42 Mile. The team at MadTree describes the semi-sweet cider as a drink "that strikes a balance of sweetness and dryness to create a crisp apple finish." The cider, which is gluten-free, will be available on tap at MadTree. (It cannot be sold in growlers due to Ohio liquor laws.) www.madtreebrewing.com
COMMUNITY
Walk on Woodburn: 6-9 p.m. Friday. 2500-2800 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills. Free. This month's Walk on Woodburn will be decked out with merriment when members of the Music Resource Center and the New Thought Unity Center sing carols. Woodburn merchants will provide the food, drinks and unique gifts to buy for friends and families. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Egg Nog Jog 5K: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. Chapter, 940 Pavilion St., Mount Adams. $25 adults; $20 ages 18 and under. Wind your way through Mount Adams during the 27th annual Egg Nog Jog 5K. Top male and female runners and walkers will receive awards. The first 500 people across the finish line will receive medals. runsignup.com
City Flea Holiday Market: 4-9 p.m. Saturday. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Come enjoy the charm of Washington Park and Over-the-Rhine during the holiday season while supporting local entrepreneurs and artists. Hundreds of creative gifts will be for sale, along with drinks and food. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Christmas in Loveland: 4-9 p.m. Saturday. Historic downtown Loveland, Railroad Avenue, Loveland. Free. Historic downtown Loveland is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays with its quaint train depot, restaurants and stores near the Little Miami Trail. There will be carriage rides, cookies, hot chocolate and a chance to meet Santa Claus, too. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincinnati Cyclones "Star Wars" Night: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown. $15. It will be a classic battle of good versus evil when the Cincinnati Cyclones face off against the Wichita Thunder during "Star Wars" night presented by the YMCA. The Cyclones will be wearing special "Star Wars"-inspired jerseys during the game while some of your favorite characters from a galaxy far, far away visit U.S. Bank Arena. usbankarena.com
All Things Local Cincy & Ohio: Noon-7 p.m. Sunday. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. Get in that last-minute shopping on Sunday at Rhinegeist. Art on Vine and All Things Local Cincy & Ohio have joined forces to bring you one of the largest local arts and crafts sale this weekend. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
MUSIC & MORE
House Party: 5-8 p.m. Thursday. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown. Free. Ever crashed a party hosted in the former home of a U.S. president? The Taft Museum is giving you the chance to do just that Thursday evening with this free event. There will be a salty Santa, karaoke, food, drinks and a chance to craft your own swirl-painted ornament during this very special house party. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
"RENT": 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $31-$109. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of "RENT," the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning story at the Aronoff Center. There will be multiple showtimes of the touring Broadway production of the musical through Dec. 23. www.cincinnatiarts.org
"The Nutcracker": 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $36-$85. This Cincinnati holiday tradition returns to Music Hall with a twist Thursday. Members of the Cincinnati Ballet will perform "The Nutcracker" with Fiona, everyone's favorite hippo! www.cballet.org
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "The Ghost of Christmas Eve": 4 and 8 p.m. Friday. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown. $41.50-$79.50. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to U.S. Bank Arena on Friday for two magical performances. Get into the holiday spirit -- a portion of the proceeds from the show will go to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the Alzheimer's Association, St. Joseph's Orphanage, the Music Resource Center and Toys for Tots. usbankarena.com
Vocal Arts Ensemble: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday; 4-6 p.m. Sunday. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $12 student; $25-$35 adult. The Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati will kick off its 2018-2019 season with a candlelight Christmas performance. Assistant conductor Stephanie Nash will lead the ensemble and special guests from the Cincinnati Collaborative Ringing Project in this musical holiday tradition. www.vaecinci.org
Gary Owen: 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. $28-$78. Cincinnati native Gary Owen will once again deliver his special brand of stand-up comedy at the Taft Theatre. Owen, along with his family, appeared on BET's "The Gary Owen Show." Owen also has appeared on the big screen in films such as "Meet the Blacks" and "Think Like A Man." He also recently appeared in the comedy special "I Got My Associates" on Showtime. tafttheatre.org
