Mid-November in Cincinnati marks the full kickoff of the winter holiday season alongside high-profile stadium sports and major national concert tours. If you're visiting the Queen City specifically for the weekend of November 13–15, 2026, here are ten non-recurring events taking place across the city:
1. NFL Sunday Night Football: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
When: Sunday, November 15 @ 8:20 PM
Where: Paycor Stadium
Prime-time AFC North football comes to the riverfront. Watch Joe Burrow and the Bengals host their fiercest rivals under the Sunday night lights in front of a packed Paycor Stadium crowd.
2. Kenny G Live in Concert
When: Sunday, November 15 @ 7:30 PM
Where: Taft Theatre
Grammy-winning saxophonist and smooth jazz icon Kenny G brings his national tour to downtown Cincinnati. It’s an elegant indoor concert choice to wind down your Sunday evening inside the historic Taft Theatre.
3. Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market
When: November 13–15 (Friday–Sunday)
Where: Duke Energy Convention Center (Downtown)
One of the region's largest annual holiday shopping showcases opens its doors for three days only. Browse hundreds of specialty boutique vendors, artisan food gifts, seasonal decorations, and handmade crafts under one roof.
4. Los Lobos at Memorial Hall
When: Friday, November 13 @ 8:00 PM
Where: Memorial Hall (Over-the-Rhine)
The legendary Grammy-winning rock band Los Lobos brings their blend of Tex-Mex, country, folk, and blues to the intimate, acoustically pristine Anderson Theater inside historic Memorial Hall.
5. No Limit Reunion Tour Featuring Master P, Birdman & Juvenile
When: Saturday, November 14 @ 8:00 PM
Where: Heritage Bank Center
Classic Southern hip-hop takes over the riverfront arena for one night only. Featuring Master P, Birdman, Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, and more, this concert reunion brings the iconic 90s and 2000s era live to the stage.
6. Opening Weekend: PNC Festival of Lights
When: Opening Friday, November 13
Where: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Kick off the 44th annual winter light tradition. Transformed by over 4 million LED lights, the grounds feature glowing light displays, wild lights over Swan Lake, and seasonal holiday treats.
7. Trippie Redd Live at MegaCorp Pavilion
When: Friday, November 13 @ 7:00 PM
Where: MegaCorp Pavilion (Newport / Riverfront)
Canton native and chart-topping rap star Trippie Redd brings his energy across the river to the modern indoor/outdoor venue right on the waterfront.
8. Corrosion of Conformity & The Sword
When: Sunday, November 15 @ 7:00 PM
Where: Bogart's (Short Vine / Clifton)
Heavy metal fans can catch a co-headlining evening featuring Corrosion of Conformity and doom metal powerhouse The Sword as they stop in Cincinnati's historic music hall in Clifton.
9. Eric Gales & Billy Sheehan Live
When: Sunday, November 15 @ 7:30 PM
Where: The Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Guitar virtuoso Eric Gales joins forces with legendary bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Dennis Chambers for a masterclass evening of blues-rock and jazz fusion in an intimate subterranean venue.
10. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: The Twelve Dates of Christmas
When: November 13–15
Where: Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre
Catch a weekend performance of this comedy about a woman navigating a disastrous year of dating following a Thanksgiving breakup, performed in an intimate theatre setting overlooking Eden Park.
Planning Tip: Sunday night will see heavy traffic around downtown and The Banks due to the Bengals hosting the Steelers at Paycor Stadium. If you are attending evening shows at Taft Theatre or Heritage Bank Center, park early or use the free Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar to get around!
