Editor's note: An earlier version of this story gave the incorrect date for the Ja Rule and Ashanti concert at Cincinnati Music Hall on Saturday. The performance takes place 8 p.m. Sunday. The story listing has been updated.
The Night Before Thanksgiving
No one is exactly sure how the night before Thanksgiving became the biggest party night of the year (or if that statement is even true). There are a lot of ways to go out with friends and enjoy a few drinks though. Check out this list of the biggest parties happening Wednesday night here.
A Host of Holiday Events
There's a lot of holiday cheer happening this weekend. So much that we created a nifty holiday events guide.That said, here are two of the bigger holiday experiences you'll probably want to attend this weekend.
Macy's Light Up the Square: Is there a better way to kick off the holiday season? Enjoy an evening of ice skating, live music, food and drinks that culminates with the tree lighting on Fountain Square the day after Thanksgiving. 6-11 p.m. Nov. 24. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Free.
Kings Island Winterfest: Select nights starting Friday through Dec. 30. Kings Island Amusement Park, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. Free admission for Gold Pass members; $25 general admission. Winterfest, a Cincinnati holiday tradition, returns to Kings Island Amusement Park after more than a decade's absence. Enjoy lights, live entertainment and more than 17 rides at the park.
One City, One Symphony
Are you visiting home for Thanksgiving? Then why not savor the weekend with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra? The CSO will perform Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 6" and the world premiere of "Abound" by composer Emily Cooley.
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $15-$99. cincinnatisymphony.org
Greater Cincinnati Winterfair
Rather than fight the crowds at retail stores Friday, why not find a unique, handcrafted gift at Winterfair? The annual three-day crafter and studio event is hosted at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center this year.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 W Rivercenter Blvd., Covington. $7. winterfair.org
Talib Kweli Album Release Party
Hip-hop fans won't want to miss this opportunity to see rap legend Talib Kweli perform songs from his latest album "Radio Silence." Saturday's event is part of a monthly series Kweli hosts in conjunction with owners of Revel OTR called Beats. Wine. Life. You can learn more about that series here.
10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday. Revel OTR, 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. $39.01. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Dawg Yawp Tour Homecoming & Live Video Shoot
Party with popular local band Dawg Yawp this Saturday at the Woodward Theater and you might end up in a music video as well. The band will play new material and be joined by Us, Today and Mike Oberst of the Tillers. Want to know more about Dawg Yawp before you go? Check out the band's 2016 WCPO Lounge Acts performance.
7 p.m. Saturday. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Ages 18 and up.
$12 in advance; $14 day of show. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
AMC Theaters at Newport at the Levee
Why is a movie theater on this list? Because it is holiday movie season and what better place to watch than in a newly renovated theater. AMC just finished its $8 million renovation to the Newport on the Levee cinema complex that first opened in 2001. Enjoy plush recliners, a Dolby Cinema auditorium and expanded concession menu. You can see some of the upgrades here.
Thursday. AMC Theaters, 1 Levee Way, Newport. www.amctheatres.com
Bengals versus Browns Tailgate
Show pride in the hometown team Sunday at the Bud Light Tailgate Zone before the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Cleveland Browns. Or commiserate with Browns fans before the teams square off at Paul Brown Stadium 1 p.m.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Bud Light Tailgate Zone, 121 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Ja Rule and Ashanti
After a busy Thanksgiving and shopping on Friday, attending this concert by Ja Rule and Ashanti may be the perfect way to end the long holiday weekend. The R&B and pop stars are guaranteed to deliver a phenomenal show inside Springer Auditorium.
8 p.m. Sunday. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $43.50-$88.50. www.cincinnatiarts.org
