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Top 9 weekend things to do in the Tri-State

Weekend of Dec. 16

Take a magical drive through a mile of twinkling holiday light displays at Holiday in Lights in Sharon Woods.
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Posted: 12/16/2011

By: Sarah Beth Hensley, WCPO Digital

Looking for something to do this weekend? WCPO and CityBeat have teamed up to bring you the top 9 weekend things to do in the Tri-State.

1. Revisit a Holiday Classic
Same story, new twist. While The Nutcracker has always been a well-known seasonal and box office mainstay for the Cincinnati Ballet, the company took a risk with this year’s "New Nutcracker." With additions in both clothing and background, each production now boasts 200 costumes, 20 sets, 15 scenes and more than 80 children per cast. Dance over here for the rest of the details.

2. Drive Through a Winter Wonderland
Looking for family-friendly fun this holiday season? Take a magical drive through a mile of twinkling holiday light displays at Holiday in Lights in Sharon Woods. The holiday fun doesn’t have to end there. Santaland in the Sharon Centre is included in the cost of the holiday lights and offers photos with Santa, an indoor playground, a train display and so much more to put you in the holiday spirit. Get more of the jolly details here .

3. Light up Over-the-Rhine
Help spread Christmas cheer throughout Over-the-Rhine Friday at the Light up OTR event. The annual celebration brings a little extra light to the area as luminaries light the way to the 25-foot Over-the-Rhine Christmas tree. Even local cyclists can get in on the fun with illuminated bikes along the path. The fun begins at 7 p.m., but it doesn’t end early — at 10 p.m. teams and guests can meet back at Neon’s for some post-light up enjoyment. Get more enlightening information here .

4. Watch Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Instead of watching reruns of The Grinch, A Christmas Story or Frosty the Snowman, get out and see a new onstage twist of some of the holiday staples. The show, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) is a production by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Four actors take 90 minutes to remind us of all the holiday stories we tune in to year after year and offer a new twist on some of the tales. Shows are Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and although the show recaps some of the stories kids love, it may not be the best option to bring the little ones because of mature content. Go here to get more details about the show.

5. Grab a New Poster or Two
It’s time to ditch the old New Kids on the Block poster and get a few new ones, just in time for the holidays. Powerhouse Factories is presenting its collection of classic rock photos along with tons of new work at Friday’s Pass the Flask Holiday Party. From 7 p.m. to midnight attendees can cash in on a buy one, get one half off deal on the entire stock — sure to please anyone on your holiday gift list. Get more information here .

Next page: Laugh with a newlywed and see a whole new world

6. Listen to Local Horse Lovers
A local band is combining their passion for horses and music to bring life to their newest CD. The Kentucky Struts celebrate their new release Saturday at the Southgate House in Newport. In their CD, The Year of the Horse, the band recorded a song each month of the past year and added images of horses that depict the song. Also, 50 percent of the album’s proceeds will go to horse rescue organization Speak Up for Horses. Gallup over here for more information.

7. Laugh with a Married Man
Comedian Auggie Smith got married a few weeks ago and he’s not only excited about finding the love of his life, but also all the new material it brings. “Now I’m going to be really funny, because we all know how funny married comedians’ material is,” Smith said. He said he will incorporate some of the trials of being married for the first time at 41 into his routine. He’ll also tackle jokes about social media, real life experiences and national events. Smith performs at Go Bananas Thursday-Sunday. For the rest of the hilarious details, go here .

8. See a Whole New World
While this art display won’t include singing cartoons, a genie or magic carpets, it was certainly inspired by that. When artist Sheida Soleimani was 6, her Iranian upbringing became the focus of intrigue among her Cincinnati classmates and they wanted to know if she had a flying carpet like Aladdin. That misconception is now the inspiration the exhibition, A Whole New World. In the gallery, all kinds of carpets are showcased. Go here for more information.

9. Drink It Down
Abigail Street is Over-the-Rhine’s new wine bar, which hopes to bring a new flavor the area. Abigail’s owners, Daniel and Lana Wright, are positioning their new place as a wine bar, and the innovation here is wine on tap in addition to wines by the bottle and the glass. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of food to try too. The menu at Abigail Street is made up of almost two dozen small plates, influenced by a range of regions in the Mediterranean. To get more information about the wine bar as well as a full review, go here .