Holiday magic will return to The Banks this season with the fourth annual Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt.
The Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt aims to bring some European flair and holiday traditions to The Banks. It’ll once again be held on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn in Smale Riverfront Park next to Moerlein Lager House, but this year, the market’s footprint will extend all the way to Carol Ann’s Carousel, creating a corridor of holiday magic, says organizers.
“From the beginning, our vision has been to highlight the incredible assets of Smale Riverfront Park,” Greg Hardman, managing member of the Moerlein Lager House and Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt, said in a press release. “By incorporating Carol Ann’s Carousel and programming every space between, guests will experience a fully immersive holiday village unlike anything else in Cincinnati.”
The free market will be open Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 22-Dec. 28 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), with special hours on Thanksgiving Eve, Black Friday and Christmas Eve. Visitors can expect all kinds of holiday cheer, including themed character days and character brunches, live performances, a big red mailbox where children can post their letters to Santa and, on select weekends, rides on the carousel and holiday train.
New this year is the Holiday Beer Extravaganza. On Nov. 28-29 in the Fest Tent, you can sample holiday beers from more than 20 local breweries. Tickets are available here. You can also sign up for a bourbon or Revel wine tasting, happening throughout the market season, and there will be new food and beverage offerings.
The market will also host the Cincinnati Karaoke Championships in the Stock Yards Fest Tent. This high-energy karaoke competition starts at 6 p.m. every Thursday in December. Nightly winners will advance to the Championship Round on Saturday, Dec. 20, which will be hosted by Kiss 107 DJ JonJon and Friends.
The private, heated rental igloos will also return this year. Each igloo can fit up to 15 people and each booking comes with $300 in bonus gift cards good for food and drinks.
Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt will be open:
- Thursday from 5-9 p.m.
- Friday from 5-10 p.m.
- Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
- Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
The market will also be open on Thanksgiving Eve from 5-9 p.m., Black Friday from noon to 10 p.m. and Christmas Eve from 3-7 p.m.
Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt, located next to Moerlein Lager House at 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks. More info: cincinnatichristkindlmarkt.com.
