November is one of my favorite months. It’s a great time to curl up by the fire, bake a pumpkin pie and enjoy time with family. Even though I like to spend time at home, there are still plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy. Plus, November gets you into a festive holiday spirit. There are plenty of holiday inspired events happening too. Below is a listing of upcoming things to do. Please leave a comment on any upcoming events in your community so we can keep on sharing.
Family Friendly Things to Do in Cincinnati & NKY {November 2015}
November 1-8
Empty Bowls – Sun., Nov. 1 – Hosted by the Clay Alliance. Two seating times (11:30am-1pm and 1:30pm-3pm). Benefits the Freestore Foodbank Kids Cafe. Held at the Bell Event Centre, 444 Reading Rd. $23/adult (includes bowl you select and lunch), $6/child (food only).
One City, One Symphony ‘Listening Party” Nov 2, 2016, 7 pm Kenton County Public Library www.kentonlibrary.org/events Covington Branch Library Free We’ll explore the modern day meaning of freedom, while commemorating the 150th anniversary of the 13th amendment and the legacy of the CSO’s creative partner Dr. Maya Angelou.
Kids Eat Free at the Cincinnati Cyclones Game – Friday, November 6 All kids ages 2-12 will receive a free meal featuring an entrée, side item, and beverage. Visit the Cincinnati Cyclones Website to find ticket information.
Colerain High School Craft Show November 6 & 7, 2015 Colerain High School, 8801 Cheviot are, 45251 Holiday Craft Show with over 125 crafters throughout the high school. Plenty of on site parking.
German Story Time November 7, 2015 l 10:30am-11:00am blue manatee children’s bookstore 3054 Madison Avenue Free ~ Willkommen! Learn simple German vocabulary through stories and song! -Free, open to all ages.
Pioneer Night Life – Sat., Nov. 7 – 6-8 p.m. – William & Cora Dudley Woods, 5591 Hankins Rd., Liberty Township. Experience 1800s night life in the Gregory Cabin. FREE.
Linton Music’s Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions November 7, 2015 (10am & 11:30am & 1pm*) Linton Music www.lintonmusic.org Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 7701 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236 $5.00 per person or $15.00 for Flex-Book of 4 tickets good at any PB&J concert. Children under 2 are free! “Brasstacular! Meet the members of the brass family. You’ll want to join the parade and toot your own horn after hearing the bold, brazen, and brassy sounds of these instruments! Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions brings families together for a musical encounter that provides a friendly, educational, and enjoyable introduction to classical music. Designed for ages two to six, these interactive concerts will touch, teach, and enrich your child’s life. 10am and 11:30am. $5.00 per person or $15.00 for Flex-Book of 4 tickets good at any PB&J concert. Children under 2 are free! Free Graeter’s cookies at every concert! Tickets available at the door, by calling 513.381.6868, or visit www.lintonmusic.org.
ManaTots Story Time November 7, 2015 l 10:00am – 10:30am blue manatee children’s bookstore www.bluemanateebooks.com 3054 Madison Avenue Free ~ A story time for the youngest set! Bring your manaTot in for stories, songs and fun each Saturday morning. Free, ages up to 4
Hearth Warming Holidays – Downtown Waynesville, Nov 6 & 7 (10am-8pm) & Nov. 8 (Noon-5pm). FREE.
Veterans Week – Newport Aquarium – FREE admission for veterans and active military and discounts for family members. One Aquarium Way, Newport, KY. (Nov. 7-15)
November 9-15
Cows, Hens, Chickens, Roosters Exhibit – Mon., Nov. 9 – 5-7 p.m. The Arts Alliance opening night exhibit at Sinclair Community College in Mason. 5386 Courseview Dr. Features Warren County rural life paintings. FREE.
Kids Cooking Class November 11th Northside Farmers Market 4222 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223 $3.00 Kids ages 7-11 learn to cook with local foods right at the market! Your child will learn kitchen skills, how to follow recipes, and about eating seasonally. Fee waivers are available.
Veteran’s Day Commemoration – The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County – downtown, main library Reading Garden Lounge – Iraq war veteran Nathan Pelletier to speak – 10:45 am. FREE.
Veteran’s Day Celebration – Countryside YMCA – Nov. 11 – 12:30-1:30pm (lunch to follow). Please RSVP to Sheri Reid 513 932 1424 ext 148 or [email protected], 1699 Deerfield Road, Lebanon, OH 45036.
Annual Turkey Bowl November 12, 7 pm Kenton County Public Library www.kentonlibrary.org/events Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger Free Let’s bowl with turkeys! Enjoy turkey stories and see what your top score will be. Bring the whole family!
Cincinnati Holiday Market 11/13/15 – 11/15/15 Duke Energy Convention Center Aisle upon aisle of unique, one-of-a-kind boutiques and specialty stores from around the greater Cincinnati area as well as out of state offering you an unparalleled selection of gourmet food, home décor, specialty clothing, personal accoutrements, and countless other wonderful items for a truly exceptional gift buying experience! www.cincinnatiholidaymarket.com
Cincinnati Cyclones: Throwback Night – Friday, November 13 The Cyclones most popular promotion features $10 tickets plus $1 John Morrell HotDogs, Donatos Pizza, Soda, and Beer. Plus, it’s our annual Teddy Bear Toss Night…bring a new or gently used stuffed toy to throw onto the ice when the Cyclones score their first goal. Visit the Cincinnati Cyclones Website to find ticket information.
Finneytown Holiday Market Nov. 14, 2015 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Finneytown HS, 8916 Fontainebleau Terrace, 45231 34 vendors, including scrap metal artists, note cards, painters, knitters, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Perfectly Posh, Scentsy, Pampered Chef, Christmas Crafts and so much more! This is a great way to start your holiday shopping while supporting Finneytown Scholars. Gift wrap, food trucks, and bake sale. No admission charge.
Linton Music’s Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions November 14, 2015 (10am & 11:30am) Linton Music www.lintonmusic.org Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church 6474 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230 $5.00 per person or $15.00 for Flex-Book of 4 tickets good at any PB&J concert. Children under 2 are free! “Brasstacular!
Meet the members of the brass family. You’ll want to join the parade and toot your own horn after hearing the bold, brazen, and brassy sounds of these instruments! Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions brings families together for a musical encounter that provides a friendly, educational, and enjoyable introduction to classical music. Designed for ages two to six, these interactive concerts will touch, teach, and enrich your child’s life. 10am and 11:30am. $5.00 per person or $15.00 for Flex-Book of 4 tickets good at any PB&J concert. Children under 2 are free! Free Graeter’s cookies at every concert! Tickets available at the door, by calling 513.381.6868, or visit www.lintonmusic.org.
ManaTots Story Time November 14, 2015 l 10:00am-10:30am blue manatee children’s bookstore 3054 Madison Avenue Free A story time for the youngest set! Bring your manaTot in for stories, songs and fun each Saturday morning. Free, ages up to 4
Spanish Story Time November 14, 2015 l 10:30am-11:00am blue manatee children’s bookstore 3054 Madison Avenue Free “Hola! Learn simple Spanish vocabulary through stories and song! Free, open to all ages
Toy Shop Auxiliary 59th Annual Fundraiser & Doll Auction November 14, 2015 11:00 am to 2:00 pm The Salvation Army Toy Shop Auxiliary www.salvationarmycincinnati.org Armstrong Chapel, 5125 Drake Rd, Indian Hill 45243 FREE Join the beloved Toy Shop Auxiliary for their annual fundraising event, to provide toys, books, dolls, and stuffed bears to less-fortunate children this Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to find presents for Christmas, as you browse the wonderful assortment of silent and live auction items. Doors open at 11:00 am, with the silent auction items available for bidding. The live auction starts at 12:45 pm. Your free admission includes refreshments, including delicious homemade cookies, along with tea, coffee and more! Ample free parking at Armstrong Chapel: 5125 Drake Rd., Indian Hill, 45243.
The Poinsettia Express Opens – Nov. 14, 10am-5pm – Annual holiday show at the Krohn Conservatory. Visit CincinnatiParks.com for discount admission coupon.
Veterans Week – Newport Aquarium – FREE admission for veterans and active military and discounts for family members. One Aquarium Way, Newport, KY. (Nov. 7-15)
Service in the Park – Sat., Nov. 14, 9am-Noon – Join MetroParks of Butler County to help spruce up the parks. Head to VOA MetroPark community room. Focus is getting “Chill Hill” ready for the winter. RSVP online (walk-ins also welcomed).
November 16-22
Holiday Sewing with Coder & Maker Club Nov. 19, 2016, 4 pm Kenton County Public Library Covington Branch Library Free Make a Thanksgiving craft. Sewing machines, fabric and helpers provided.
Holiday Shopping Expo @ The Lawrenceburg Event Center November 20-22, 2015 Lawrenceburg Event Center, Lawrenceburg IN Get all of your Holiday shopping done in one location at the 2015 Holiday Shopping Expo. Seeking local businesses, crafters, and artisans as vendors for this event. Space is limited, and, filling up fast! Show Contact: Kim Rudisell: Finishline Marketing, LLC 513-260-2886 [email protected]
Cincinnati Cyclones: Superhero Night – Saturday, November 21 The Cyclones will once again bring your favorite Superheroes to the Queen City plus the Clones will wear specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. Kids in attendance will also take home an exclusive Cyclones Cape! Visit the Cincinnati Cyclones Website to find ticket information.
ManaTots Story Time November 21, 2015 l 10:00am-10:30am blue manatee children’s bookstore 3054 Madison Avenue Free A story time for the youngest set! Bring your manaTot in for stories, songs and fun each Saturday morning. Free, ages up to 4
Native American History with Cincinnati Parks Nov. 21, 2016, 1 pm Kenton County Public Library www.kentonlibrary.org/events Covington Branch Library Free This interactive program focuses on everyday life of an Ohio Valley Native American child in the 1700s, including how they found their food, water and shelter. Experience daily life-skills, create pictographs and participate in afun Native American game.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 10: Old School Release Party! Nov. 21, 3 pm Kenton County Public Library www.kentonlibrary.org/events Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger Free Kids ages 8-12 celebrate the release of the 10th book of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. There will be activities and snacks based on the books. Watch the Kenton County Public Library Facebook page for book giveaways prior to the event!
St. Thomas More Christmas Bazaar November 21, 2015 788 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245 at St. Thomas More School 4th Annual Christmas Bazaar Saturday, 9 am – 2 pm Crafts, Artists, & Retail Vendors, Avoid the chaos this holiday season! Shop smart! Support local business and craftsmanship. Find something for everyone on your list! Food trucks available to enjoy while you shop. FREE Admission We are currently accepting applications for vendor/crafter tables. If interested call Megan @ 513-884-8772 or email [email protected] for more information
Holiday Craft Show November 21 Day heights Fireman’s Memorial 1313 ST Rt 131 Milford Get ready for the holidays with great decorating and gift ideas at our Holiday Craft/Vendor show!
November 23-30
Don’t Be a Turkey Nov 25, 4-5 pm Kenton County Public Library www.kentonlibrary.org/events Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger Free Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we’re celebrating all things turkey. Join us for turkey stories and crafts.
Make it Take it Thanksgiving Crafts Nov. 25, 7-8 pm Kenton County Public Library www.kentonlibrary.org/events Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger free Kids ages 2-12 are invited to make homemade decorations for Thanksgiving.
MainStrasse Village Tree Lighting November 27, 2015/6:30pm-7:30pm MainStrasse Village Association www.mainstrasse.org 6th & Main Street, Covington KY 41011 No Charge Please join us in lighting the tree on 6th & Main, complete with music, free hot chocolate, cookies…and a visit from Santa! While you’re here, be sure to visit our shops and restaurants throughout the Village.
Wiley Wahoo’s Winter Wonderland Nov 27 – 29 2015 MainStrasse Village Association www.mainstrassse.org Goebel Park, MainStrasse Village, Covington, KY Free A whimsical, animated holiday attraction in Goebel Park featuring a candy cane forest, ice-skating dogs, photos with Santa…and so much more. Kids of all ages and dog lovers everywhere will enjoy this display, based on a fun-filled tale of two furry friens who share holiday happenings all over town.
ManaTots Story Time November 28, 2015 l 10:00am-10:30am blue manatee children’s bookstore 3054 Madison Avenue Free A story time for the youngest set! Bring your manaTot in for stories, songs and fun each Saturday morning. Free, ages up to 4
Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt on Fountain Square! Visit Fountain Square for some holiday shopping. Nov. 27 (11am-9pm), Nov. 28 (11am-9pm), Nov. 29 (11am-5pm). More info. FREE.
Walk on the Wild Side – VOA MetroPark – Meet at gazebo – walk with a MetroParks educator and other walkers to explore the park (this recurs on the last Saturday of the month at different parks in the Butler County MetroParks) – 10am-Noon. FREE.
Ongoing & Holiday Events in November ~
The Art of the Brick at the Cincinnati Museum Center is the world’s largest display of LEGO® art. This captivating exhibition features artwork made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world, the LEGO brick. The critically acclaimed collection of creative and inspiring pieces constructed using only LEGO bricks is created by renowned contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya.
Designed to inspire ingenuity and creativity, The Art of the Brick is the world’s largest and most elaborate display of LEGO art featuring more than 100 works of art. The collection features Sawaya’s original pieces, as well as reimagined versions of some of the world’s most famous art masterpieces such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The exhibit concludes with a spectacular and innovative multimedia collection of LEGO brick-infused, hyper-realistic photography produced in collaboration with award-winning photographer Dean West. Visitors will have the opportunity to get an up-close view of the iconic, pop culture fan favorite Yellow, a life-size sculpture of a man ripping his chest open with thousands of yellow LEGO bricks cascading from the cavity. In addition, visitors will come face-to-face with a 20-foot long T-Rex dinosaur skeleton made out of bricks.
Pay the Beauty Forward November 15, 2015-November 21, 2015 blue manatee children’s bookstore www.bluemanateebooks.com 3054 Madison Avenue Free It’s “Beautiful Day” on Friday, November 20, 2015! We thought it would be a nice flow to share some beautiful thoughts with our beautiful Manatee family each day this week. When you visit the store, be sure to pick a beautiful thought from the mug by the register and carry it with you. Share it with your friends and loved ones to further the flow of beautiful thoughts. We appreciate all of you and wanted to let you know!
Holiday Toy Trains – Behringer Crawford Museum – Nov. 21 – Jan. 17, 2016. Open Tuesday-Saturday (10am-5pm) and Sunday (1-5 pm). Register for Polar Express readings (Nov. 29 is the first one). 1600 Montague Road – Devou Park, Covington, Kentucky 41011.
The Poinsettia Express – Nov. 14 – Jan. 3, 2016, 10am-5pm – Annual holiday show at the Krohn Conservatory. Visit CincinnatiParks.com for discount admission coupon.
Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction – Nov. 14 – Jan. 16, 2016 – “Create a holiday tradition for your family! See the magic of Christmas at the home of the World’s Largest Indoor Train Display. Take a “Journey to the North Pole”, where you can can meet Mrs. Claus and Santa himself. See our “Main Street Holiday Trains” displays which offers some beautiful winter train displays that are FREE to the public. Extended Hours! From December 12th through December 23rd and December 26th through December 30th we will remain open until 9pm. The Junction is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas day and closes at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Santa goes on vacation after Christmas.” (from EnterTRAINment Junction).
Holiday in Lights – Sharon Woods – Nov. 20 – Jan. 2, 2016 – “Built over a mile of wooded roadway, the holiday themed displays of fantastic seasonal color adorns the woods, depicting everything from Santa Claus and his elves to every animal on the ark. There’s no need to bundle up to enjoy Holiday in Lights; simply warm up the car, turn your radio dial to Warm 98, round up your friends, family, or a special date, and head to Sharon Woods. It’s that easy. Admission is $13 per vehicle ($45 for buses and 15 passenger vans). Sunday – Thursday 6:00pm-9:00pm & Friday – Saturday 5:30pm-10:00pm.” (from holidayinlights.com).
Light Up Middletown ~ In 2015, Light Up Middletown will run from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Eve. 11/26 – 12/31/2015. Admission is by donation – guests set their own entrance fee. The drive-thru fantasy light display grows each year and features thousands of sparkling LED lights in dozens of animated displays. Hours are 6-10 pm every night, including holidays, rain, snow or moonshine. Contact 513-423-1877, 513-267-2789, orwww.lightupmiddletown.org. Location: Smith Park, 500 Tytus Avenue, Middletown, OH 45042. I-75, exit 32, follow the signs to downtown Middletown.