The “most wonderful time of the year” is right around the corner, and even though the pandemic has canceled just about anything and everything fun this year, it can’t kill the spirit of the holidays. Greater Cincinnati is still “decking the halls” with dazzling light displays, festive floral and train shows and holiday-themed drinking, dining and entertainment. Here’s a few you can look forward to this season:
The Christmas Ranch 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow. 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, and a toy factory. Open Nov. 20 to Dec. 23 and closed on Thanksgiving Day. Check the calendar at thechristmasranch.com for information on reduced holiday hours. Admission is $15 per carload and $30 for vehicles of 10 or more visitors. 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. Photo via Facebook.com/TheChristmasRanch
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s PNC Festival of Lights 3400 Vine St., Avondale The PNC Festival of Lights, which has been named the No. 1 light display in the nation by USA Today for the past two years, returns Nov. 21 — with reservations required. The zoo will be open daily from 1-9 p.m. and they say if you’d like to see the animals during your visit, make reservations between the hours of 1-5 p.m. The Festival of Lights will continue through Jan. 3, and then will be open for “bonus nights” Jan. 8-10 and Jan. 15-17. This year the fest will feature “socially-distanced outdoor visits with Santa” at 4 p.m. daily (through Dec. 23); three s’more stations; North Polar Express train rides; Fiona fairy statues in Fiona Fairyland; giant animal lanterns; and fun and festive photo ops throughout the park. Visitors ages 6 and up are required to wear masks while inside in the park. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Krohn Conservatory’s A Very Merry Garden Holiday 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park The greenhouse’s A Very Merry Garden Holiday welcomes guests through Jan. 10. The holiday show is “laced with lush green foliage, beautiful red poinsettias, holiday trees and, of course, the unforgettable train displays,” according to Cincinnati Parks. This year, Dixie View Nursery donated an evergreen Christmas tree, located in the conservatory lobby. Visitors can admire the tree’s handmade ornaments, created by volunteer group The Krohn Crafters, who have made a tradition of decorating the tree since the 1970s. Guests can also purchase an ornament made by the Krohn Crafters in the greenhouse gift shop. Tickets are available online and cost $10 for adults; $7 for youth ages 5-17; and free for children under 4. Photo: Grace Lawler
Holiday Express on the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad 16 E. South St., Lebanon The Lebanon Mason and Monroe Railroad will be continuing their 30-year-old tradition of the Holiday Express. Enjoy a 45-minute, heated ride in a socially distanced train car featuring an elf blowing holiday balloons and telling Christmas stories. After the ride, drop off your letter to Santa in a special postage box and visit the big man himself for a picture. Purchase tickets at lebanonrr.com. Photo via
City Flea Holiday Market Weekend 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine The City Flea is hosting a socially distanced market this December for all your holiday shopping needs. The event will be at Washington Park from 4-9 p.m. on December 12 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 13. Vendors will be different both days and offer entirely different products. Photo via
Braxton Brewing Co. 27 W. Seventh St., Covington Braxton Brewing Co. opened its much-anticipated rooftop patio and bar in 2019, but the space has now been covered to keep the chilly weather out. The 5,000-square-foot deck features plenty of seating, a full bar and some pretty neat views of Covington and downtown Cincinnati. Braxton is also offering 2-hour reservations of heated “igloobars” for private parties of up to 8 for $30. Each features its own style with unique tables, chairs, couches and pillows. Photo via Facebook.com/BraxtonBrewingCompany
Fountain Square Ice Rink 520 Vine St., Downtown The square has opened its annual ice skating rink, a seasonal favorite attraction for the community, and the Macy’s Christmas Tree was delivered earlier this month. This year, visitors have two ways to glide on ice — via skates or bumper cars. Guests can enjoy the rink by reservation only in one-hour increments and can choose either the split ice sessions ($15), where guests can enjoy both the skating and bumper car rink; or the full ice session ($10), for ice skating only. Children under 4 are free. Both tickets include skate rental, and the split-ice option includes unlimited bumper car rides during the hour-long session. In between sessions, the team behind the rinks will sanitize and reset for a half hour ahead of the next group. The rink will be split-ice Sunday-Thursday through Dec. 18. On Fridays and Saturdays, the rink will offer a mix of split- and full-ice sessions. Fountain Square will also have a heated tent and concessions with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and hot and cold snacks. Photo via Facebook/MyFountainSquare
Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland at the Newport Aquarium 1 Aquarium Way, Newport Scuba Santa trades in his reindeer for a herd of seahorses at the Newport Aquarium. The man in red will be underwater in the 385,000-gallon tank exhibit, Surrounded by Sharks, to give kids a chance to interact with him and tell him their holiday wishes. See magic bubbles and costumed elves and drop a letter in Scuba Santa’s post office. The event runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. Admission is available online. $25.99 for adults; $17.99 for children. Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Aquarium
Overlook Lodge’s Miracle Holiday Pop-Up 6083 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge Overlook Lodge’s holiday bar pop-up Miracle is back this year, gracing us once again with a festively immersive yuletide celebration — and boasting a socially distant spin. The all-inclusive and ticketed event will offer two themed cocktails and one shot per guest for a one-hour duration throughout its run. Miracle offers three different packages that range in price from $70 for two guests to $200 for six guests. Themed appetizers, additional drinks and to-go drinks are available for purchase a la carte. Guests must wear their masks when not seated at their table, and check-in begins 15 minutes prior to reservation time. Overlook Lodge has also added privacy panels to promote social distancing. Photo via Facebook/OverlookLodge
”The Lodge” at Pepp and Dolores 1501 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Pepp and Dolores is opening a redesigned space inside their tent venue called “The Lodge.” With evergreens, wreaths, and other festive ornamentations, guests will feel like they’ve been whisked away to a cozy winter Italian retreat. The area is heated and features a dedicated bar. Reserve a table online this holiday season at peppanddolores.com. Photo via
Fifty West Brewing Company’s Skating Rink 7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township Fifty West Brewing Company in Columbia Township is adding a new attraction to its stretch of Wooster Pike — which already features a brewpub, production works, burger bar, bike rental, running clubs and more. This winter, they’re adding an ice rink. You can head to the brewery, pop on some skates and glide around a 40-foot-by-80-foot rink near their new Fifty West Burger Bar. The ice rink opened the week of Nov. 16 and $10 admission includes skate rental and one hour on the ice. (Children under 4 are free.) Tickets will be reserved on a timed basis, to ensure social distancing and capacity limits, and masks are required. Ticket purchases can be made in person at first, but there will be a reservation and ticketing system live by Thanksgiving. Photo: Provided by Fifty West
Coney Island’s Christmas Night of Lights 6201 Kellogg Ave., California Coney Island transforms into a drive-thru Christmas show during the 10-week-long Christmas Nights of Lights beginning Nov. 6. 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 and runs every night beginning at dusk until 10 p.m. The event is open Christmas Day and other holidays. Admission is $7 per person over the age of 3. Through January 9. Photo: Provided by Coney Island
Holiday Junction Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains at the Cincinnati Museum Center 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate This annual train display has been a Queen City tradition since 1946, and this year’s exhibit will feature over 300 rail cars and 60 locomotives. View the snowy rail yard from track level or take a bird’s-eye view via an elevated walkway and see the city unfold with the skyline in miniature. Local landmarks like Union Terminal, Music Hall and the Paul Brown Stadium can be seen on the custom display topper. Additionally, there will be historic toy trains, including a 1904 Carlisle & Finch, a pre-World War II Lionel and a Lionel Super O from the 1960s. To help with COVID distancing, Holiday Junction will also feature a glowing and blinking “Northern Lights” display; an interactive Duke Energy Holiday Trains storybook to learn about the history of the exhibit through no-touch technology; a Holiday Scavenger Hunt (in place of the riding train); a Brickopolis construction with LEGO bricks portraying scenes from Disney, Marvel, DC Comics and Harry Potter; and Santa. This year, children will not be able to sit on Santa’s lap, but they will be able to have a fireside chat with him through a Plexiglas barrier, says the museum. The show opens Nov. 13 and runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Jan. 3. The exhibit is included with museum admission. Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Museum Center
Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods 11450 Lebanon Road, Route 42, Sharonville The nostalgic mile-long holiday spectacle returns this year, but with some pandemic-related changes. Featuring more than 1 million lights decorating over 250 vignettes along a woodland path, “the holiday-themed displays showcase everything from Santa Claus and his elves, to every animal on the ark,” says the website. There’s also an option to buy some special effects glasses ($2 for one pair and three pairs for $5) to enhance the drive. Santaland will be closed this year (for obvious health and safety reasons). The park is also offering walkable tours of the lights. Walks are by reservation only and take place every 15 minutes on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Dec. 30. Walks start at 5:30 p.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m. No cars will be allowed on those nights. Holiday in Lights opens Saturday, Nov. 21 and runs through Saturday, Jan. 2 with hours 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $15 per vehicle, with an upcharge for buses (entry for those costs $45). Walk-thru tickets are $5.The show is going cashless this year due to COVID, and all tickets are available in advanced online. Team members will scan your QR code at entry (so screenshot that after purchase). Photo: Provided by Holiday in Lights
Fountain Square Menorah Lighting 520 Vine St., Downtown Hanukkah runs Dec. 10-18 this year, and Mayerson JCC and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati are heading to Fountain Square (520 Vine St., Downtown) on Dec. 13 to light the menorah and celebrate the holiday. From 4:30-5:30 p.m. there will be a celebration with a menorah lighting, ice skating, a dancing dreidel and goodie bags full of crafts and Hanukkah treats. A streaming option will also be available. Photo: Pexels
Newport on the Levee’s The Exchange 1 Levee Way, Newport The new 11,000-square-foot Exchange will house a rotating roster of local craftspeople, makers and indie merchants. The concept hosted its grand opening on Nov. 14 and welcomed their first round of vendors, ready for the holiday season. In addition to The Exchange’s new vendor additions, the market will be buzzing with entertainment and activities including a slew of “festive experiences” like cookie decorating workshops, holiday-themed fitness classes, Santa story time and happy hours. Photo via Facebook/NewportontheLevee
Cincinnati Nature Center’s Light in the Forest 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford The 1-mile walk-thru light display will “sparkle with gentle lights reflecting a theme of peace, tranquility, and inspiration,” says the center. Walking trails and nature paths will be artistically lit and will feature three light installations by OBLSK, a creative agency that took part in the BLINK art and light festival. The Krippendorf Lodge and Abner Hollow Cabin will also be decked-out in “period-specific decorations.” This will all be complemented by live music, bonfires and shopping opportunities. Held 5-9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays from Dec. 3-Jan. 3, guests need to pre-register for a certain time slot. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children with discounts for Cincinnati Nature Center members. Capacity limits are in place due to COVID and the center says “all adults and children Kindergarten age and up must wear masks.” Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Nature Center
Kon Tiki on the Levee’s Fire Lounge 1 Levee Way, Newport Newport on the Levee’s Kon-Tiki at Bridgeview Box Park is transforming into the Fire Lounge this winter, cozying up their space with heated igloos and winter tiki-themed cocktails. Beginning Friday, Nov. 20, the lounge will offer six reservable igloos that welcome up to eight guests and are rented for a two-hour period (three hours during the weekend day). The igloos, which overlook the Cincinnati skyline, come equipped with your own sound system, board games, blankets, bluetooth speakers, lounge seating, contactless ordering and adjustable heat controls. The igloos require a $100 minimum spend for weekday nights and weekend days; $200 for weekend nights. They require guests to be on one tab, and a 20% gratuity will be added. According to the site, the Fire Lounge will have special tiki-inspired winter and themed drinks and snacks to enjoy during your visit. Photo: Provided by Kon Tiki
Winter Nights, River Lights on the Purple People Bridge 425 York St., Newport Kicking off Friday, Nov. 20, Winter Nights, River Lights will illuminate the pedestrian bridge with 1,000 purple-and-white lights, a 25-foot christmas “wish” tree, projections and seasonal music played over speakers spanning the bridge. Due to the pandemic, the Purple People Bridge venue was unable to host events, which typically contribute to funds used for holiday displays. Newport Southbank Bridge Company, which owns the bridge, typically spends about $10,000 annually for the holiday display. Because of the financial discrepancy, they had to make the difficult decision to cancel this year’s light show. But a Christmas miracle ensued. North American Properties, the team behind Newport on the Levee’s redevelopment, and some other local contributors stepped up to secure the funding for the illumination. The official tree lighting ceremony (which is not open to the public) will kick off at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20, and the display will be up through Jan. 15. Photo: Provided by Winter Nights, River Lights organizers
Light Up the Fair 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington 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 through each visitor’s car radio. Admission is $6 per person with children under 3 free and available for purchase online at lightupthefair.com. The event runs through Jan. 2 and is open on all holidays. Hours are Sunday to Thursday, 5:30-9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday, 5:30-10 p.m. Photo via Facebook/LightUpTheFair
The View at Shires’ Garden 309 Vine St., Downtown From November through March, Shires’ Garden will offer both rooftop igloos and terrace greenhouses that come with heating and a bluetooth speaker. Located on the 10th floor outdoor patio, the heated oases accommodate up to 8 guests and are reservable for 2 hours maximum. Photo via theviewatshiresgarden.com
Upper Deck at the AC Hotel 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown Winter weather won’t stop this downtown rooftop patio from keeping the party going. The AC Upper Deck at The Banks will transform into a winter wonderland, offering cozy, illuminated igloos this season. Once the temperature dips, the rooftop bar will feature four heated igloos that seat up to eight guests each and comply with coronavirus health precautions. Call in advance for reservations or sign up online. Check acupperdeck.com for information on restricted hours due to the coronavirus. Photo via Facebook/ACUpperDeck
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill 75 Water St., Yellow Springs Prepare to be amazed by the dazzling lights of Clifton Mill — 4 million of them. The mill, trees, riverbank, covered bridge, and more will all be illuminated from bottom-to-top in colorful lights. Hours are 6-9 p.m. daily, through Dec. 30, with special hours 6-8 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the mill is operating at 25% reduce capacity, so they say to expect longer lines. Masks are mandatory. Tickets are $10 per person. Children 3 and under are admitted for free. Photo via Facebook.com/WrightPattCGOA
Summerfair’s Virtual Holiday Shopping Event Launched in Mount Adams in 1968, Summerfair is one of the country’s oldest continuously running art fairs. But this year, the fest canceled its annual Coney Island event, slated for May 29-31, due to safety concerns around COVID-19. Typically, more than 300 artists from around the country are selected to participate in the juried art fair, which includes works ranging from ceramics and photography to sculpture, jewelry and painting. More than 20,000 visitors attend to both view and purchase art. But now you can shop Summerfair artists during a special Holiday Virtual Event. Starting Nov. 26, shoppers can head to summerfair.org to check out items from 45 artists in media ranging from fiber art and glass to jewelry, metal work and painting. The artists hail from 15 different states, and 28 are regional. Photo: Provided by Summerfair