Top 5 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: March 5-7

1. Bockfest

Once upon a time, there was a pandemic that shut down the world and tried to take away all our fun. It succeeded for a while, but it is no match for the GOAT. Sure, our wonderfully wacky celebration of bock beer, Cincinnati's brewing heritage and the coming of spring has taken a slight detour this year – the parade, 5K, Bockfest Hall, Sausage Queen competition and other celebrated events aren't happening – but the spirit of Bockfest is strong at over two dozen participating breweries, bars and restaurant, where you can safely get your bock on all weekend long.

Official Bockfest venues offer local bock beer on draft and a limited supply of special 2021 Bockfest glassware for purchase, or you can pre-order a Bockfest package to enjoy at home. Packages include beer, food and merchandise for pickup on Friday at Woodward Theater (1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine). There's also goat yoga, live music, monks blessing beer, goat petting zoos and an immersive guided historic tour experience that includes a visit into the vast subterranean lager cellars of the historic (non-operating) Jackson Brewery. Bockfest Historic Brewery Walking Tours run from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and start near Findlay Market at the Brewery District tour center, 1941 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. Tours are $25. For a full list of events and participating venues, visit bockfest.com.

2. Exhibit Opening at Manifest Gallery

Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center (2727 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills) hosts an art opening from 6-9 p.m. Friday for four different exhibitions. The OH, KY & IN Regional Showcase features works from 11 artists from our three-state region; Firstlings + There is a Fly on a Plate is a two-person exhibit featuring ceramics-based works by Amy Nadler and Ivan Albreht; Artifact, featuring ceramics-based works of art by 13 artists from 11 states, and Sublimation, a two-room installation by Manami Ishimura.