Starting Friday, the Cincinnati Zoo will become a brightly lit winter wonderland with more than 4 million LED lights, train rides, light shows on Swan Lake, s'mores booths, and more. Visit with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, watch Madcap Winter Wonders at the Wings of Wonder Bird amphitheater at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 every night, enjoy roaming elves, Fiona fairy statues and 27 supernatural creatures Unusual animal lanterns throughout the zoo. 

Detailed information: Cincinnati Zoological and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. The park is open from 10 am to 9 pm, and the zoo ticket includes the festival of lights. The operating time is from November 19 to January. 9. cincinnatizoo.org.

Selected boutiques, handicrafts, upgraded and reused goods, specialty stores, local businesses, wine tastings, door-to-door prizes, live performances, etc.

Details: Friday 2-8pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, Lawrenceburg Event Center, 91 Walnut St. $6, free for children under 12 years old. Lawrenceburgshows.com.

You already know and love these characters: an enchanted beast, his loyal servant, and a kind young woman locked up in a dilapidated apartment in Chicago! ? This bold modern adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" is a new kind of fairy tale-suitable for romantics, heartbroken people, and everyone who is ready to breathe a little magic into the world.

Details: The Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. 25 dollars. The operating time is from November 19th to December. 12. theknowtheatre.com.

"Two minutes of self-torture" when you try to climb one of the steepest slopes in Cincinnati, 0.36 miles long. Walking, running, rock climbing and triathlon. Benefits of Cincinnati Soap Box Derby.

Details: 500 Straight Street, Clifton Heights at 9 am on Sunday. 10-22.50 USD. directstreethillclimb.com.