It’s going to be a chilly weekend in Cincinnati, but don’t let the dropping mercury keep you indoors.
There’s plenty of fun to be had around town, whether you’re hoping to meet your favorite Cincinnati Reds player at Redsfest (in the freshly renovated Convention Center), play an endless lineup of board games at the biggest free board game convention in Cincinnati, dance your heart out to some K-pop hits or sing out loud with fellow creatives.
If you’re looking for even more to do every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to CityBeat readers.
American Voices
Friday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. and Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Cincinnati Music Hall (1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine)
American Voices features a lineup of programming celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by highlighting some of the most influential African American artists throughout history. Hear Montgomery Variations, a tribute to Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks by Margaret Bonds, which features themes of struggle, resistance and dignity. Bass Morris Robinson will narrate an original poem by Rita Dove, the former Poet Laureate Consultant to the Library of Congress, against Barber’s solemn Adagio for Strings, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Wynton Marsalis shares a history of American music through the lens of blues.
Pop-Up Wine Sale
Friday, Jan. 16 from 3-6 p.m. at Freestore Foodbank Community & Distribution Center (3401 Rosenthal Way, Riverside)
The Cincinnati International Wine Festival, Cincinnati Cooks! and the Freestore Foodbank are teaming up to host a special pop-up ahead of the 35th-annual Cincinnati International Wine Festival. Tickets are limited, but still available, and include delicious bites and a mystery six-pack of festival wines.
Redsfest
Friday, Jan. 16, from 3-10:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 1,7 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Cincinnati Convention Center (525 Elm St., Downtown)
After a two-year hiatus, Redsfest is back at the newly remodeled Cincinnati Convention Center — the first event the convention center will host since reopening. Fans can meet current and former players, snag autographs and peruse rare team memorabilia. Current players slated to attend include Elly De La Cruz, TJ Friedl, Hunter Greene, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain and more. Former players Bronson Arroyo, Tucker Barnhart, Sean Casey, Todd Frazier, Danny Graves and others are also scheduled to attend. Live music from Arroyo is also on the schedule, along with a live recording of the Jim Day podcast. Kid-friendly events and games will span three floors of the convention center, including batting cages, trampolines, kids’ story times with players and photo ops with Reds mascots.
AdamCon
Friday, Jan. 16 from 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to midnight; and Monday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Woodlawn Community Center (10050 Woodlawn Blvd., Woodlawn)
Yahtzee! Do not pass Go. It was Colonel Mustard in the library with a candlestick — you can experience all the classic board games, plus newer options, cards and RPGs, at AdamCon, Cincinnati’s largest free board game convention. Guests can play over 400 games in the game library and take part in a variety of events. New this year, the convention will offer giant-scale versions of fan-favorite board games and a dedicated video game zone with arcade machines, retro systems and modern consoles. There is also a new cosplay component, with a judged competition open to all ages. The event also raises money for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Cozy for a Cause
Saturday, Jan. 17 from 1-3 p.m. at MadTree Taproom (3301 Madison Road, Oakley)
Your pup deserves a cozy day out, too. Bring them to MadTree this weekend, where they can enjoy hot “cocoa” for dogs, snap a picture with their favorite humans in the photobooth, and help you shop a variety of local vendors who will be on hand. You can also donate clean, gently used dog and cat items, which will be given to Cincinnati Animal CARE, Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift, which is a local thrift shop that funds animal rescues, and the nonprofit spay-neuter clinic UCAN Cincinnati.
SingIN with SingOUT Cincy & YPCC
Saturday, Jan. 17 from 1:30-3 p.m. at Cincinnati Public Radio (2117 Dana Ave., Evanston)
Singers of all ages and skills are invited to join SingOUT Cincy and the Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC) for a SingIN this weekend — “no performance, no audience, no pressure!” The group will gather outside Cincinnati Public Radio for 90 minutes to sing together, with a focus on making space for queer creativity and community.
Fisk Jubilee Singers
Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks)
Ahead of the opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s newest exhibit, Jubilation!, which features the history and legacy of the legendary Fisk Jubilee Singers, the 2025-26 ensemble of Fisk Jubilee Singers will perform live in the Freedom Center’s Harriet Tubman Theater. If you’re unable to attend on Sunday, the group will also perform at the 2026 King Legacy Celebration on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Learn more about the exhibit and how this Grammy Award-winning and world-renowned group broke down racial barriers across the world in the late 19th century here.
ComedySportz Cincinnati
Saturday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Clifton Comedy Theatre (404 Ludlow Ave., Clifton)
You don’t have to be a sports fan to laugh and cheer at Improv Cincinnati’s newest show, ComedySportz. Audiences will play judge as they watch two comedic teams battle it out in hilarious improv games, which will include, but are not limited to, silly antics, friendly competition and nonstop laughs.
Opening Reception: Rooms of Grief
Saturday, Jan. 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Kennedy Heights Arts Center (6546 Montgomery Road, Kennedy Heights)
The Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s newest exhibit explores the spaces we inhabit after loss, from the silence and sorrow to memories and renewal. Each “room” serves as a metaphor for grief, incorporating textures, colors and forms to represent not just loss, but the transformation and new beginnings brought on by grief. The opening reception will include free refreshments and live harp music.
Cincy Magic Night
Saturday, Jan. 17 from 7-9 p.m. at Artsville (5021 Whetsel Ave., Madisonville)
All ages are welcome to experience the wonder at the monthly Cincy Magic Night. Magicians Sir Pat-Trick and Mike Woodward and their headliner of the evening will dazzle audiences with a showcase of magic, comedy and illusions that will make you both laugh and marvel.
K-Winterland: K-POP Club Night
Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. at Bogart’s (2621 Vine St., Corryville)
Dance away the winter blues to all your favorite K-pop hits, including songs by groups like Seventeen, Stray Kids and TWICE. This event is 18+.