Kings Island Winterfest
Winterfest, a Cincinnati holiday tradition, returned to Kings Island Amusement Park after more than a decade's absence this holiday season. You still have a few evenings left to enjoy the lights, live entertainment and more than 17 rides the park has to offer.
Thursday-Saturday. Kings Island Amusement Park, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. Free admission for Gold Pass members; $25 general admission. www.visitkingsisland.com
Playhouse in the Park’s 'A Christmas Carol'
Savor the season one last time by taking in one of the final performances of Playhouse in the Park's classic "A Christmas Carol" at the Marx Theater. The last show takes place on Saturday.
7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mount Adams Circle, Mount Adams. $30-$47. www.cincyplay.com
Christmas Nights of Lights
If you haven't experienced Coney Island's Christmas Nights of Lights, a two-and-a-half-mile drive-through animated light display set to festive music, now is the time. The lights go out, at least for this holiday season, on New Year's Day.
Dusk-10 p.m. daily through Monday. Coney Island Amusement Park, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. $6 per person; children age 3 and under free. coneyislandpark.com
Winter Sessions at the Redmoor
Give yourself an evening, or two, between Christmas and New Year's Eve to just chill. The Redmoor in Mount Lookout will host two evenings of live music. Thursday's "Side A" performers include Nathan E. Wells, Taylor Shannon and the Borderline Something. Friday's "Side B" show features Banducci and the Wheels, Watchfrogs and Freak Mythology. Proceeds from Thursday's show will benefit the local Adore-A-Bull Rescue. Money raised during Friday's performance will go to the Dragonfly Foundation.
7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday. The Redmoor, 3187 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout. All ages. $10 advance; $15 day of show. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Talib Kweli featuring K’Valentine
Get an early start on New Year's Eve with Beats. Wine. Life., the monthly party hosted by rapper Talib Kweli at Revel OTR. This month Kweli will share the stage with rapper K'Valentine. DJ Pillo will start the party, which also will feature "bubbly bottle specials" all evening.
Starts at 10 p.m. Saturday. Revel OTR, 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. $25-$35. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Happy Zoo Year
Have little ones and need to plan for an early night on New Year's Eve? Then this special event hosted by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is for you. Enjoy the Festival of Lights, Madcap Puppets, party favors and costume characters before an early countdown and fireworks show at 8:55 p.m. Sunday.
5-9 p.m. Sunday. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Included with zoo admission. cincinnatizoo.org
New Year's Eve Blast
What better way to ring in the new year than with friends, family and fellow Cincinnatians on Fountain Square? There will be music, food and drinks, and the ice skating rink will be open, too. Mix 94.9 will host the party.
6 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Free. myfountainsquare.com
Pavilion Caprice Party
There's no guarantee how long tickets will remain on sale for this fantastic New Year's Eve party, so you better buy them soon. The Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza will re-create the hotel's 1931 grand opening for New Year's Eve. The evening will include a buffet, unlimited sparkling wine centerpiece, music, a midnight Champagne toast and balloon drop. The best-dressed couple also will win dinner for two at Orchids.
7 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Sunday. Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown. $168.05. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Tap here for our complete list of New Year's Eve parties and activities.
New Year's Day Brunch
After a night of revelry, nothing is better than bottomless brunch to ease your way into the first day of the new year. That is exactly what you'll get at Nation Kitchen and Bar in Pendleton. Be patient, though: You might not be the only one seeking good eats come Monday morning.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday. Nation Kitchen and Bar, 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
