Cheers! The weekend is finally here. Raise a glass at Jungle Jim’s International Wine Festival and take your pick from over 400 wines. And you know what pairs well with wine? Pizza. And Cincinnati Pizza Week is serving up some great deals on specialty pies!
Those who love a good story can meet and greet with authors at Books by the Banks and listen to professional storytellers at Cincinnati Storytelling Fest. Sports fans, cheer on the Bengals and the Cyclones at their home games this weekend.
And for those waiting for the fa-la-la-la festivities to begin, start celebrating now at Holiday Junction and Holly Jolly Days on their opening weekends.
Have an event you’d like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we’ll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.
1. Jungle Jim’s International Wine Festival
Sample more than 400 wines from around the world. Enjoy pours from top wineries, gourmet bites and receive a commemorative glass.
Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, The Oscar Station, 8871 N. Gilmore Road, Fairfield. Admission varies for drinkers, non-drinkers and VIP. junglejims.com.
2. Bengals vs. Steelers game
The Cincinnati Bengals face the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.
Details: 8:20 p.m. Sunday, 1 Paycor Stadium, Downtown. bengals.com.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey pressures Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
3. Books by the Banks
Calling all booklovers! Head downtown to meet over 120 national, regional and local authors, and attend an author panel to hear important discussions about reading, writing and publishing. Feel free to bring the kids who can enjoy the family fun zone.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library Main Branch, 800 Vine St., Downtown. booksbythebanks.org.
The future of Books By the Banks, a Downtown book festival launched in 2008, is in doubt given cuts in federal funding.
4. Cincinnati Storytelling Festival
Hear favorite tales from national and local professional storytellers from a variety of backgrounds. Whether you love fairytales, scary stories or folktales, all will be represented at the Storytelling Festival. Head to the website for a full breakdown of the schedule, as events vary each day.
Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, 6-9:45 p.m. Friday, 2-9:45 p.m. Saturday, Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. cincystoryfest.com.
5. Art on Vine
Browse goods from over 80 of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s best independent fine artists, crafters and culinary makers at this holiday market.
Details: noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. artonvinecincy.com.
6. Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Indy Fuel
Watch the Cincinnati Cyclones take on Indy Fuel this week. The Cyclones will be honoring those previously and currently serving in the U.S. military by wearing “Top Gun” inspired jerseys.
Details: 7:05 p.m. Friday, Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. cycloneshockey.com.
Cincinnati Cyclones forward Noah Kane (11) and Toledo Walleye forward Brandon Hawkins (16) battle for possession of the puck in the first period of a EHCL game between the Cincinnati Cyclones and Toledo Walleye, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Heritage Bank Center in Downtown Cincinnati.
7. Holly Jolly Days
Admire holiday toy trains racing through a miniature metropolis. Kids can interact with the display by pushing buttons that control various features in the town. Take a gander through a museum full of vintage Christmas decor for a nostalgic look back at how the holiday was celebrated throughout the years.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Behringer-Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Road, Covington. Closed on national holidays. $12, $10 ages 60-up, $5 ages 3-17. Runs Nov. 14-Jan. 10. bcmuseum.org.
8. Holiday Junction
At Holiday Junction featuring Duke Energy Holiday Trains, watch with awe as over 300 rail cars and 50 model trains zip through a miniature city, admire LEGO bricks crafted into whimsical displays and simply take in the winter scenery. Santa’s grand arrival comes Nov. 27.
Details: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Free for museum members and included with museum admission. Runs Nov. 14-Jan. 5. cincymuseum.org.
Onlookers watch trains at Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center in Cincinnati on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains will be open through January 8, 2024.
9. Cash Money & No Limit
See a lineup of stars perform such as Birdman, Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, B.G., Master P and more.
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com.
Enjoy $11 specialty pies from your favorite Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky pizza joints Nov. 9-15.
10. Cincinnati Pizza Week
Enjoy a week-long pizza party, featuring $11 specialty pies from over 20 restaurants.
Details: Over 20 participating Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky restaurants. Runs Nov. 9-15. Find all participating locations here: cincinnatipizzaweek.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 10 huge events this weekend, from Bengals and books to wine and pizza