Going out

        Balluminaria: The annual early evening light show fills the park with hot air — as in glowing balloons — as well as the usual holiday activities such as caroling, Santa Claus and winter treats. 5-7 p.m. today, Eden Park's Mirror Lake. 352-4080.

        Solstice concert: An eclectic collection of jazzy new age Windham Hill artists — guitarist Will Ackerman, pianist Phillip Aaberg, world-beat artist Samite — hit town and mellow out. 8 p.m. today, Taft Theatre, Fifth and Sycamore streets, downtown, $20-$27.50. 562-4949.

        Reds book: Baseball writers Greg Rhodes and John Snydertake a few swings, then discuss and sign their new Redleg Journal: Year by Year and Day by Day with the Cincinnati Reds Since 1866. 1 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble, 7800 Montgomery Road, Kenwood. 794-9440.

        At Arnold's: The forever-young but very old downtown bar lets fly with the Side Cars for a night full of Western swing and hot jazz. 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. today, 210 E. Eighth St. 421-6234.

Staying in

        TV picks: Two Christmas classics air tonight: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (8 p.m., Channels 12, 7) and It's A Wonderful Life (8 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter says set the VCR for A&E's Live By Request marathon: Willie Nelson (noon), Vince Gill (2 p.m.) the Bee Gees (4 p.m.), Neil Diamond (6 p.m.) and Sting (8-11 p.m.).

The Goods

        What's in stores today

They're not just for Easter anymore. Talking about peeps, those sugar-high gooey marshmallow treats that started out as wee yellow chickens but today are everything from goblins to bunnies to pumpkins. And now, Christmas trees and snowmen. Just Born, the manufacturer, recommends them for decorating gingerbread houses, cakes, centerpieces and floral arrangements. We suggest eating them. Head first. They're 99 cents to $1.49.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Grailville Education and Conference Center checks in with its annual Advent Open House, complete with a concert of sacred music and unveiling of the popular International Creche Exhibit. 2-4 p.m. Sunday,932 O'Bannonville Road, Loveland, free. 683-2340.

        48 hours out: The Encore Linton series kicks it up a notch with world famous quartet Opus One, with a little help from guest violinist Ani Kavafian and clarinetist Richard Hawley. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Congregation Ohav Shalom, 8100 Cornell Road, Montgomery, $30. 381-6868.

        72 hours 'til Tuesday: The national touring production of the blockbuster Titanic - the Musical sails into Miami University for one night only. 7:30 p.m., Millett Hall, $14-$28. (513) 529-3200.

        Contact Jim Knippenberg by phone: 768-8513; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com.

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