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Top 9 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Dec. 8-11

Posted at 1:00 PM, Dec 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-12 13:26:42-05

OTR aGlow Photo Walk

Enjoy a holiday-themed picture-taking scavenger hunt through Over-the-Rhine. Chris Glass with PhotoCorps will lead participants on a tour of Over-the-Rhine, with more than 40 businesses and historical buildings lit up for the event.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday. Park + Vine, 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. For more information visit the event Facebook page.

Cincinnati Ballet’s 'Nutcracker'

A beloved holiday tradition returns this weekend. The Cincinnati Ballet’s “Frisch’s Presents the Nutcracker” opens Friday at the Aronoff. You know the story -- a girl’s Nutcracker doll comes to life as a handsome prince and introduces her to a colorful world full of exotic characters. Tchaikovsky’s music is just as beautiful as ever, performed live by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Runs through Dec. 18. Aronoff Center for the Arts, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $32-$100. cballet.org

Urban Artifact can release party

Northside craft brewery Urban Artifact will debut its first canned beers with an all-out party at its taproom. The initial launch will include Finn, a Berliner pale ale, and Sliderule, a chocolate raspberry Gose. Urban Artifact also will have live music to celebrate the occasion.

4 p.m.-midnight Friday. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside. Free admission. For more information visit the Facebook event page.

Cyclones Hockey: Pucks & Pinot - Hanover Winery Tasting

The Cincinnati Cyclones are taking tailgating to a whole new level Friday when the team opens U.S. Bank Arena for some pre-game wine tasting. There also will be live music, appetizers and a commemorative gift at the event, which is open only to those who purchase a game ticket.

6-7:30 p.m. Friday. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown. $35. For more information visit the Facebook event page.

Cincinnati Santacon

Hop on free shuttles dressed as Santa Claus, then enjoy a day-long pub crawl to Monk's in Mount Adams; Holy Grail at the Banks; Taste of Belgium at the Banks and in Over-the-Rhine; and back to Jack Cincinnati Casino. Though the ride is free, Santacon organizers ask participants to donate to the Cure Starts Now.

Noon-midnight Saturday. Starts at Jack Cincinnati Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Downtown. Free admission. www.cincinnatisantacon.com.

Ugly Sweater Crawl

Break out your ugliest holiday sweater and head to 16-Bit to join a bar crawl through Over-the-Rhine. Entry into the crawl will get you an ugly sweater bar crawl koozie, a map of participating bars, drink specials, admission to the afterparty and the opportunity to donate an unwrapped gift to Toys for Tots.

Noon-8 p.m. Saturday. 16-Bit Bar + Arcade, 1331 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine. Ages 21 and up. $25. For more information visit the Facebook event page.

Doggy parades

Who doesn't love seeing dogs dressed in holiday costumes? The annual Mount Adams Reindog Parade kicks off the four-legged festivities at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Monastery (1055 St. Paul Place, Mount Adams). Proceeds from the event benefit the local chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Then at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the OTR Rail Dog Parade steps off at Washington Park (1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine). Both events are free. 

For more information about the Mount Adams Reindog Parade visit its Facebook event page. For more information about the OTR Rail Dog Parade visit its Facebook event page. 

Jingle Bell Run

Everyone is welcome to wear holiday attire for the Jingle Bell Run, an annual 5K run and walk that begins at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The event raises money and awareness for the Arthritis Foundation.

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Northern Kentucky Convention Center, One West RiverCenter Blvd., Covington. $35 adult and $25 for 17 and under through Dec. 19; $40 for race day registration. For more information visit the Facebook event page.

Luminaria

It's the 41st year for Mount Lookout’s holiday festival of lights. This year’s event will include Light Up Mount Lookout Square, and many shops will decorate their storefronts and keep extended hours. The Cincinnati Observatory also will be open to show off the lights. Both telescopes will be open for viewings and refreshments will be provided. Two shuttles will run between the square and the observatory.

6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday. Mount Lookout Square, 3175 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout. Free admission. mtlookout.org/luminaria