Shillito's Elves Will Return to Downtown Cincinnati for the Holiday Season

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Photo: Provided by 3CDC

Shillito's Elves return to downtown Cincinnati on Black Friday.

One of Cincinnati’s most beloved holiday traditions returns to a downtown windowfront next week.

The famous Shillito’s Elves will be on display at the Foundry near Fountain Square again this year. The decades-old elves moved to that location for the first time in 2022, a callback to their first appearance in the storefront window of Cincinnati department store, Shillito’s, in the ‘50s. The mechanized figures depict various Christmas scenes, like the elves building toys in Santa’s workshop and sorting Santa’s mail.

3CDC, who is again teaming up with altafiber to bring the elves to Fountain Square, says this location is perfect as families come to downtown to make other holiday memories, like ice skating at Fountain Square, taking their pictures in front of the Christmas tree or shopping for gifts at stores in downtown and Over-the-Rhine. The nonprofit says the elves attracted a large number of visitors last year, and it’s expecting the same this year.

“The Shillito’s Elves are a holiday favorite for many Cincinnatians, so we’re beyond excited to continue the tradition for another year at The Foundry,” Joe Rudemiller, vice president of marketing and communications for 3CDC, said in a press release. “We remain grateful to altafiber for providing tremendous support to 3CDC’s downtown programming each year, and for their ongoing partnership in bringing the elves back to the city. Their support, combined with artist Mark Trierweiler’s dedication to continuing the tradition, is what allows this unique holiday magic to go on.”

Artist Mark Trierweiler is known as the “keeper of the elves,” storing and maintaining them during the off-season.

“The holiday season is my favorite time of year because I get to help people create holiday memories they’ll cherish for years to come,” said Trierweiler said in the release. “I work hard to maintain the tradition and quality of the display, and the smiles it brings make it all worth it.”

The same six elves will return to the Foundry this year: The Mail Sorter; Little Woodshop; Pete the Painter; Lazzie Bear and Gift Wrap; and Elves at home, including Ralph the Piano Player, Ned the Newspaper Reader and the four-stack of Bunkbed Elves dreaming of their toy deadline.

Downtown visitors will be able to see the elves starting Friday, Nov. 24. The elves will be animated from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day to coincide with the annual Light Up the Square celebration at Fountain Square.

The elves will be on display until Tuesday, Jan. 2 and will be animated Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Foundry, 505 Vine St., Downtown. More information on the elves and other holiday happenings: www.downtowncincinnati.com/elves.