The holidays are among us and the Queen City has plenty to do to get in the spirit. From ice skating and boozy bar crawls to markets, light displays and more, here are a few festive ways to spend this holiday season.
Zapf’s Christmas Display in North College Hill Every Christmas, a slice of suburban North College Hill becomes awash in a glorious twinkling, festive glow. Zapf’s Christmas Display has been lighting up the neighborhood since 1970, originally created by Bill “Santa Z” Zapf. After Bill died in 2008, his son — who has the same name — kept the tradition alive. Roll up to 2032 Galbraith Road and you’ll be greeted by an an array of illuminated figures: reindeer, cheery snowmen, suited-up Santas and candy canes. Twinkling lights pepper trees and line the house’s borders; even an iteration of A Christmas Story’s infamous leg lamp glows in a window. 2032 Galbraith Road, North College Hill Photo via Facebook.com/ZapfsChristmasDisplay
Zapf’s Christmas Display in North College Hill Every Christmas, a slice of suburban North College Hill becomes awash in a glorious twinkling, festive glow. Zapf’s Christmas Display has been lighting up the neighborhood since 1970, originally created by Bill “Santa Z” Zapf. After Bill died in 2008, his son — who has the same name — kept the tradition alive. Roll up to 2032 Galbraith Road and you’ll be greeted by an an array of illuminated figures: reindeer, cheery snowmen, suited-up Santas and candy canes. Twinkling lights pepper trees and line the house’s borders; even an iteration of A Christmas Story’s infamous leg lamp glows in a window. 2032 Galbraith Road, North College Hill Photo via Facebook.com/ZapfsChristmasDisplay
Kings Island WinterFest WinterFest is back! Kings Island’s nostalgic winter wonderland returns this year, complete with festive food and drinks, special holiday shows and ice skating underneath a Christmas tree-bedecked Eiffel Tower. There will be an artisan village selling holiday crafts, booze-infused hot beverages, ice carvers, carriage rides and even blue hot chocolate. Through Jan. 1. Tickets start at $27.99. Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. Photo: Megan Waddel
Elf Trivia Night at Sam Adams Head to the Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom for some Elf trivia. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams of six or less. 8 p.m. Dec. 17. Free admission. Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom, 1727 Logan St., Over-the-Rhine. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Ice Rink at Fountain Square Whether you’re a professional skater or someone who can barely stand on skates, this slice of winter wonderland on Fountain Square is open to everyone. Skate rental is available and concessions include snacks, hot chocolate and alcohol. Santa skates select weekends in December.Through Feb. 2. $6 admission; $4 skate rental. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Photo via myfountainsquare.com
Gremlins and Gremlins 2 at the Esquire Theatre Catch a double-feature of Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch at the Esquire. A kid gets a new fuzzy pet and breaks some important rules, unleashing a bunch of mischievous monsters on an unsuspecting small town. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 21; Gremlins 2: The New Batch 10 p.m. Dec. 20 and 4:20 p.m. Dec. 21. $10.25 adults; $7.75 seniors and kids. Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. Photo: Emerson Swoger
OTR A-Glow Presented by LM&M Railroad, this hour-long train to the North Pole features cookies, hot chocolate and an appearance from Santa and his elves.Through Dec. 31. Free. Over-the-Rhine. Photo via Facebook/OTRaglow
The Pedal Wagon Polar Bear Express While the weather outside is frightful, pedaling on the Polar Bear Express is a cheerful way to warm up your body temp. The 15-passenger pedal-powered wagon stops at local bars in downtown and OTR for drink specials. An electrically assisted wagon is available upon request. BYOB onboard. Through February 2020. $29 adults weekends; $25 adults weekdays; $255 private ride. Pedal Wagon, 1114 Bunker Alley, Over-the-Rhine. Photo via Facebook/PedalWagonCincinnati
Light Up the Levee Newport on the Levee will transform into a whimsical holiday haven during this year’s season-long Winter Wonder event, bringing local vendors, holiday lights, a 500-foot Christmas tree, entertainment and Santa himself to the plaza. Through Dec. 28. Village on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Photo via Facebook.com/LightUpTheLevee
A Zinzinnati Holiday at the Krohn Conservatory The Krohn’s annual holiday display’s theme is A Zinzinnati Holiday and the conservatory’s cache of tropical and lush green plants will be complemented by “representations of Cincinnati’s historical architecture,” fragrant holiday floral displays, model trains and mini Cincinnati buildings constructed out of whimsical natural materials. Through Jan. 5. $10 adults; $7 youth; free ages 4 and under. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Parks
Christmas Night of Lights Coney Island transforms into a drive-thru Christmas show during the 10-week-long Christmas Nights of Lights. Enjoy the warmth of your car while lights manipulated to resemble dancing candy canes, glowing snowmen, colorful tunnels and giant holiday trees are synchronized to Christmas tunes both classic and new available via your car radio. The two-and-a-half-mile long display features more than one million lights. Through Jan. 5. $6. Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., California. Photo: Provided by Coney Island
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill Prepare to be amazed by the dazzling lights of Clifton Mill — 4 million of them. The mill, trees, riverbank and more will all be illuminated from bottom-to-top in colorful lights. Nov. 29-Dec. 30. $10. Clifton Mill, 75 Water St., Yellow Springs. Photo via Wright-Patterson AFB CGOC/Facebook
PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo The Festival of Lights is back for its 37th year of wintery amazement. Voted the No. 1 zoo light show in the country by readers of USA Today, 3 million LED lights (that’s 284 miles of lights) transform the zoo into a dazzling display of color and festive cheer. New this year is an immersive Northern Lights experience and Fiona’s Fairyland, where five fairy hippopotamuses will be hidden for visitors to find. Ride the Toyland Express train past the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, snack at the two S’mores-n-More stations, meet the “royal sisters” at the Frozen Wonderland, catch a Madcap black light puppet show and snap a pic with Santa, who will start taking visitors an hour before the festival begins. Whatever you do, make sure to do it with a cup of hot cocoa (spiked or not) in hand. Through Jan. 4. Free with zoo admission. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Streetside Santa Paws 2 Head to Streetside Brewery for dog photos with Santa, doggie giftables and dog-friendly drinking. One dollar from every pint will benefit the League for Animal Welfare. 2-4 p.m. Dec. 15. $10 suggested donation. Streetside Brewery, 4003 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Santa’s Workshop at Washington Park Two Santas will be visiting Washington Park this holiday season. Santa Galen and the elves from Happen, Inc. and Gabby Claus and a merry band of elves will be at the gazebo at Washington Park with a letter-writing station and fun activities while kids wait for their free photo with Santa. Photos are free, but you must bring your own camera. Gabby Claus 1 p.m. Dec. 14; Santa Galen 1 p.m. Dec. 21. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Miracle at Overlook Lodge Miracle, a national nostalgic holiday bar pop-up experience, returns to transform Pleasant Ridge’s Overlook Lodge into a winter wonderland full of themed cocktails and ugly sweaters. The Overlook will be decked out with a ton of classic Christmasy decor and feature a Miracle cocktail list with drinks like the Christmapolitan, Run Run Rudolph and SanTaRex.Through Dec. 26. Free admission. Overlook Lodge, 6083 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge. Photo: Provided by Miracle
The North Pole Express Presented by LM&M Railroad, this hour-long train to the North Pole features cookies, hot chocolate and an appearance from Santa and his elves.Through Dec. 28. Coach class: $26 adults; $22 kids/seniors. Deluxe class: $39 adults; $35 children/seniors. LM&M Railroad, 16 E. South St., Lebanon. Photo via lebanonrr.com
ODD Presents: Holiday Hysteria! ODD Presents alternative drag troupe is committed to bringing “queer-centric entertainment in all its forms.” Dress in holiday theme and be ready to get weird. 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Dec. 19. Free admission. The Mockbee, 2260 Central Parkway, Brighton. Photo via Facebook/ODDPresents
Holiday Lights on the Hill Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum will light up for the 20th year this November. The Holiday Lights on the Hill drive-thru light display features two-and-a-half miles of creative, glowing scenes and an additional new projection-mapped sculptural installation overseen by Brave Berlin, part of the team behind the BLINK art and light festival. This is the park’s second year collaborating with Brave Berlin and this year’s display is a stepping-stone to the park’s Journey BOREALIS, a “top-tier art and holiday destination,” arriving in November 2020. Through Jan. 5. $20 per car load Monday-Thursday; $25 per car load Friday-Sunday. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton. Photo via Facebook.com/pyramidhillsculpturepark
Victorian Holiday Village The 18th-annual Victorian Holiday Village features miniature decorated Victorian homes with thousands of sparkling lights plus cocoa and cookies. Please bring a nonperishable food item, which will be donated to the Freestore Foodbank. 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13. Free admission. Ohio National Financial Services, 1 Financial Way, Montgomery. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Listermann’s Ugly Sweater Party The third-annual Listermann ugly sweater party features a competition (judged by bartenders), a photo booth, music and beer. 8-11:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Free admission. Listermann Brewing Co., 1621 Dana Ave., Norwood. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Lots O’ LatkesMayerson JCC is hosting Hanukkah festivities featuring a latke bar, music, crafts and a menorah lighting. 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Free but RSVP online. Mayerson JCC, 8485 Ridge Road, Amberley Village. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Holiday Dinner Cruise Grab the family and take a trip down the Ohio River with a holiday buffet. 7-9:30 p.m. Dec. 18. $56 adults; $38 children. BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport. Photo via bbriverboats.com
Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods For more than 25 years, this annual event has transformed into a staple Cincy holiday tradition. Kick back in your car and take a joy ride through a mile-long stretch of Sharon Woods. Dial the radio to Warm 98.5 — the lights are synchronized to the music. New this year are pixel light displays and more lighted trees. After or before, take the kiddos to the wonder-filled Santaland, open through Dec. 23 (just in time for him to get his sleigh in gear.) A portion of proceeds goes to A Child’s Hope International, to help feed children around the globe. 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Through Dec. 31. $15 per vehicle. Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Photo via Holiday in Lights/Facebook
Christmas Glow Land of Illusion This haunted Halloween attraction transforms for the season for the second year in a row. Instead of ghosts and ghouls, find “Southwest Ohio’s largest Christmas lights drive-thru event.” See three million lights strung across a mile-and-a-half, then visit the Christmas Village Santa Workshop to see the man in red. A 45-foot Christmas tree lights the way to gas fire pits. Save $2 when you bring canned goods for the Hope House Mission of Middletown. Through Dec. 30. Tickets start at $18 per vehicle. Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. Photo via Facebook.com/LandofIllusion
Latkapalooza Head to Braxton on Christmas Eve for a full-blown party. There will be drinks, a DJ and dreidels. There’s no cover, a cash bar, Kosher eats and a menorah lighting. For ages 21-45.8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Dec. 24. Free. Braxton Brewing Co., 27 W. Seventh St., Covington. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Light Up Middletown The 19th-annual Light Up Middletown drive-through Christmas light display is located inside the 100-acre Smith Park. Admission is donation based and raises funds to improve Middletown’s parks and attract attention to the city from a wider audience. 6-10 p.m. nightly, through Dec. 31. Donation of your choice. 500 Tytus Ave Middletown. Photo via Facebook/LightUpMiddletown
Light Up The Fair Located at the Boone County Fairgrounds, this Northern Kentucky drive-through light display spans two miles long with over a half a million dazzling lights and is synchronized to music. 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through Jan. 4. $6 per person, children 3 and under are free. 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington. Photo via Facebook/LightUpTheFair
Ugly Sweater Party at Arts OTA Happy Friday the 13th. Wear your worst ugly sweater to compete for a prize. There will be a dance party, spiked apple cider and egg nog. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 13. Free admission. Arts OTA, 2141 Central Ave., Brighton. Photo: Kellie Coleman
ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum Check out a reenactment of the birth of Christ at the Creation Museum’s holiday nativity. In addition to watching the arrival of Jesus, get a 360-degree view of the Garden of Lights multicolored display as you take a zip line through the park or visit the Eden Animal Experience petting zoo. Family dining is available, with hot chocolate and wandering costumed bible characters. Through Dec. 30. Free admission. The Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, Photo via entertrainmentjunction.com
Macy’s Downtown Dazzle Experience the magic of Christmas during Macy’s cheerful downtown celebration. Be sure not to miss Santa on his sleigh and stay for a fabulous fireworks show. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21. Free. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Photo via Facebook/DowntownDazzleEventPage
The Christmas Bar CrawlTake a Christmas Bar Crawl around Over-the-Rhine with a $500 costume contest, drink specials, food specials and more. 4 p.m.-midnight Dec. 21. $20. Below Zero Lounge, 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Egg Nog Jog 5K The 28th-annual Egg Nog Jog takes festive runners through the frigid and scenic streets of Mount Adams and Eden Park. 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 21. $27. Chapter Mount Adams, 940 Pavilion St., Mount Adams. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction EnterTRAINment junction invites all of Santa’s little helpers to journey to the North Pole with a magical indoor train display. Watch as Santa’s elves pack gifts and Mrs. Claus bakes cookies. Through Jan. 1. $9.95-$17.95. EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester Photo via entertrainmentjunction.com
Winter Solstice Celebration at Fibonacci Brewing Celebrate the solstice at Fibonacci with special beer releases, special wine drinks, ornament crafting and live music. Noon-midnight Dec. 21. Free admission. Fibonacci Brewing Co., 1445 Compton Road, Mount Healthy. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Ugly Sweater Party on Fountain Square Head to Fountain Square’s ice rink for a ugly sweater-themed party with a DJ. Bring a gently used coat to donate for free skate rental. 7-10 p.m. Dec. 13. $6 admission; $4 skate rental. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
The Frog Princess at Ensemble Theatre Look past the quirks (and warts) and you might just find love. And, more importantly, kindness. At least, that’s the moral center of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s whimsical production of The Frog Princess. No, it’s not a take on that Disney princess tale. With music/lyrics by David Kisor and a book by Joseph McDonough, this Russian fairy tale first premiered at ETC in 1997. It tells the story of Princess Vasilisa (played sweetly by Brooke Steele), who hails from a faraway land shrouded in mystery. Once selfish, she has been cursed to live as a frog unless she is able to bring kindness into her heart.Through Jan. 4. $57 adult; $29 students; $27 child. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. Photo: Ryan Kurtz
The Boar’s Head And Yule Log Festival This medieval pageant comes to Christ Church Cathedral for the 80th year. The performances feature characters in costume — lords, ladies, hunters, cooks, knights and more — with ceremonial mince pie, plum pudding and a roasted boar’s head.2 and 5 p.m. Jan. 4; 2:30 and 5 p.m. Jan. 5. Free but tickets required; tickets will be distributed 8:30-10 a.m. Dec. 14 at the church. Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., Downtown. Photo via cincinnaticathedral.com
Brrrbon Holiday Dinner Cruise Local distilleries and BB Riverboats have teamed up for this boozy cruise. There will be a buffet of holiday favorites, live music and bourbon. 7-9:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21. $60 adults; $42 children. BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport. Photo via bbriverboats.com
Christmas Lights Run! Mariemont Deck yourself out in holiday lights and take a five-mile run through Mariemont. At the end of the run, you can sip on beverages. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Free. Tri-State Running Company, 7433 Wooster Pike, Mariemont. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
The Christmas Ranch Take a drive up to Morrow to visit the Christmas Ranch, a winter wonderland that features one million lights synchronized to music. Drive along an animated, illuminated route or park the car to visit the Christmas village with seven shops, a bakery and café, train and wagon rides and a toy factory. A portion of proceeds benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Little Miami Food Pantry, Neediest Kids of All and Shriners Hospital for children. Through Dec. 23. $20 per carload. 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow. Photo via Facebook/TheChristmasRanch
Winter Solstice Celebration at Union Terminal Honor the winter solstice, lunar new year, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas at Union Terminal. There will be hands-on activities to explore holiday traditions around the world. Noon-3 p.m. Dec. 21. Free for members; included with Discovery Ticket. Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
WWE Live Holiday Tour WWE Superstars Roman Reigns and King Corbin face off, with more matches featuring Braun Strowman, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn and Bray Wyatt.7:30 p.m. Dec. 26. $19-$503. Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway St., Downtown. Photo via wwe.com
New Series About Living Jewishly Adath Israel Congregation is hosting an event with Rabbi Moshe Smolkin to discuss navigating faith and experiences this time of year. And Rabbi Benjamin Chaidell will discuss a different side to the Chanukah story that is “darker and more complex.” 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15. Free. Adath Israel Congregation, 3201 E. Galbraith Road, Amberley Village. Photo via Facebook/AdathIsrael
Antique Christmas at the Taft Museum of Art The historic home-museum will be decked with a whimsical collection of vintage ornaments, including Disney and German fairy tale pieces; trees decorated with pre-World War II miniature glass ornaments from Germany, Poland and Japan; Art Deco gift boxes; various iterations of Santa Claus figurines; a dining room set with china, crystal and silver; and an exterior swept with evergreen garlands and wreaths. There will also be, according to a description, “A whimsical display of the types of transportation Santa Claus uses to make his special deliveries, as well as a feather tree hung with brightly colored Russian ornaments watched over by figures of Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden.” Through Jan. 5. $12 adults; $10 seniors; free for members and 18 and under; free admission for all on Sunday; discounts online. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown. Photo: Provided by the Taft Museum of Art
Riot Rose Variety Presents Dancer and Prancer’s Holiday Revue A holiday burlesque revue with live music by Mr. Lugosi. 9 p.m. Dec. 20. $15; $50 VIP. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Holiday Junction at the Cincinnati Museum Center The 73rd-annual Holiday Junction will transform the Cincinnati Museum Center into a whimsical winter wonderland through Jan. 5, 2020. The classic Duke Energy Holiday Trains display includes more than 300 rail cars and 60 locomotives that run on 1,000 feet of track. Real train aficionados can have fun identifying the new and old formations within the display’s intricate diorama, including a Carlisle & Finch 1904 toy train and a pre-World War II Lionel set. In addition to a whole lot of locomotives, the event also features a special “interactive winter wonderland” where guests can build snowmen, leave footprints and even take a ride on a train. You can also pay a visit to Brickopolis, where you’ll find plenty of Disney and comic book character portrayed in fun LEGO-style scenes. Or head to Tower A on weekends to get a view of the Union Terminal rail yard. Through Jan. 5, 2020. $14.50 adult; $13.50 senior; $10.50 ages 3-12; $5.50 ages 1-2; free for members. Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, cincymuseum.org. Photo: Catie Viox
Market BLEU Shop the winter quarter Market BLEU event at the Contemporary Arts Center to find handmade artisan products from vendors in an opulent setting. 6-10 p.m. Dec. 14. Free admission. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Photo via Facebook/MarketBleu
Winter Solstice Celebration at Rowe Woods Head to Rowe Woods to reflect on the ancient tradition of observing the winter solstice (the longest night of the year). Learn about the event’s history and symbolism, the significance of the solstice as we look to spring, take a hike by moonlight, participate in a drum circle and enjoy traditional music and light snacks. The hike is outdoors so dress accordingly. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 21. $15; $10 members. Cincinnati Nature Center, Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford. Photo via Facebook/CincinnatiNatureCenter
A Christmas Story Trivia Night Trivia with a Twist presents a “fra-gee-lay” night of trivia. 7 p.m. Dec. 19. Free. West Side Brewing, 3044 Harrison Ave., Westwood. Photo via Facebook/EventPage
Winter Solstice Celebration Celebrate the solstice at Imago with an optional potluck, personal reflection, storytelling, art making and the history of solstice celebrations from around the globe. 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Free but RSVP online; $5 suggested donation. Imago, 700 Enright Ave., Price Hill. Photo via imagoearth.org