Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market Returns to Duke Energy Convention Center in November

Shop for locally handmade gifts, decor, gourmet food and baked goods, toys and more.

By Katherine Barrier on Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 12:09 pm

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Photo: Provided by the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market

Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market

It might only be the beginning of October, but the holiday season is already on the brain. Plus it’s never too early to shop for loved ones, especially at the return of the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Cincinnati’s favorite holiday shopping event has been expanded to four days this year — Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 9-12 — and will feature more vendors than ever before. Local boutiques will be set up to offer a variety of handmade gifts, decor, apparel, toys, gourmet food and baked goods and more to get you in the holiday spirit.

“The Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market truly kicks off the holiday season, and we are bringing you more festive fun than ever before!” show manager Kelly Scott said in a press release. “We are so proud to be hosting more than 400 local boutiques and vendors and to be partnering with several local, charitable causes, including the Butler County Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish OKI and the Cincinnati Sounds Chorus. So get ready to sip, shop and sleigh those holiday lists while supporting local vendors and important causes in our community. Together we will make a big difference while celebrating the season.”

Other event highlights include festive photo opportunities, including a massive, sparkling Christmas tree, a digital photo booth and the chance to get a selfie with Santa Claus. The nonprofit Cincinnati Sound Chorus will also perform live during VIP morning on Thursday. Caroling quartets will roam the show Friday and Saturday from 4-6 p.m., and you’re more than welcome to join them in their fa la la la las.

There will also be several chances to win gift cards and unique items throughout the show, including the hourly Merry Money drawings where guests can win $25 gift cards that can be used at any vendor during the show weekend. You can also win unique giveaways from vendors on the official Cincy Holiday Market Facebook page leading up to and on-site at the show. Products include jewelry, treats, candles, decors and more.

And when your feet are lagging and your arms are tired from carrying shopping bags, take a break at the Wine + Appetizer Lounge for a glass, plus plates of cheeses, jams, crackers and more.

If you want to shop before the crowds, you can buy a VIP ticket to receive early access to the market from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 9. There will also be two early-bird mornings on Friday and Saturday from 9-11 a.m.

Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. To learn more, see the full schedule or buy tickets, visit cincinnatiholidaymarket.com. Buy your tickets online to save $2 through Nov. 8.

Slideshow

An Introvert's Guide to Greater Cincinnati Spots Where You Can be Alone for the Holidays

Roebling Point Books & Coffee306 Greenup St., CovingtonBooks are good for the soul – especially the soul that wants to be alone. And with multiple rooms of books, you can get lost for hours inside Roebling Point Books & Coffee, oblivious to anyone else around you. Grab a cup of their fair-trade coffee and get to browsing for your next favorite read.

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Bromwell's Hearth Room125 W. Fourth St., DowntownWith its dark walls and floors and fiery lighting, Bromwell’s recently renovated Hearth Room is a warm, welcoming place to grab a seat, drink a cocktail or craft beer, listen to some live jazz music and revel in not having to speak to anyone other than your friendly bartender.

Coney Island’s Nights of Lights6201 Kellogg Ave., CaliforniaDrive-thru holiday light displays are king because you don’t have to leave the warmth of your car and you don’t have to feel weird about being alone. At Coney Island’s dazzling Nights of Lights, see “more than 2 million lights synchronized to a mix of traditional and rocking holiday music,” per Coney Island. There is also a giant Christmas tree, illuminated snowflakes, light tunnels and other glowing thematic displays. The display runs every night until Jan. 2. You’ll have to pay the $25-$30 entrance fee by yourself, but sometimes you can’t put a price on alone time.

American Sign Museum1330 Monmouth Ave., Camp WashingtonThis one-of-a-kind museum is “dedicated to the art and history of commercial signs and sign making,” says its website. You can wander through the American Sign Museum’s collection and learn more about its collection and what goes into preserving and restoring an old sign and how they show a not-often-told story of the United States’ history. The ever-present neon glow throughout the museum is also a great way to pretend you’re inside a Christmas tree light bulb.

Ohio Bookstore726 Main St., DowntownOhio Bookstore is a book lover’s paradise: This shop features FIVE floors full of books and magazines – over 300,000 items in stock at any given time. And as a rare and used book store, you never know what literary gems you’ll discover. And if you need a book that needs repairing or a custom binding, Ohio Bookstore can do that as you explore.

The Echo3510 Edwards Road, Hyde ParkEating alone doesn’t have to feel weird, especially at The Echo. This diner has plenty of bar seating and cozy booths for those who want a quick, delicious meal while reading a book, scrolling their Facebook feed or flipping through the latest issue of CityBeat. The menu offers "Hangover Helpers" for those who imbibed too much over the holidays, like the Belgian Bird Sandwich, which comes with chicken tenders, a fried egg and cheddar on a waffle with powdered sugar and syrup. They also serve salads, sandwiches, soups and more for lunch, as well as cocktails like their Irish coffee and mimosas.

Click to View 25 slides

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Email Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...

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