25 Greater Cincinnati Holiday Traditions You Won't Want to Miss

Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

3400 Vine St., Avondale
Take a walk on the wild side: At the Festival of Lights, guests can enjoy over 4 million LED lights, a light show on Swan Lake, costumed characters, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, train rides on the North Polar Express, a blacklight puppet show, an immersive “Under the Sea” area and more. There will also be five Fiona fairies hidden throughout Fairyland for visitors to find, as well as plenty of delicious holiday treats like hot chocolate, roasted nuts and s’mores.
Open nightly, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, through Jan. 7.

Ice Skating at Fountain Square

520 Vine St., Downtown
Nothing says winter or the holiday season in Cincinnati quite like ice skating at Fountain Square. Lace up your skates for a spin on the ice, or you can buckle up and take a bumper car out on the ice — UC Health Ice Rink being the only rink in the Tri-State to offer this fun opportunity. The skating rink is open to everyone of all ages, but children 4 and under must be accompanied by an adult on the ice. You can also warm up at the WGU Ohio Warming Tent or at the concession stand, where you can stop by for a quick snack or warm drink. The stand also has beer, wine and select spirits for sale.
Rink open daily until Feb. 19.

Holiday Junction at the Cincinnati Museum Center

1301 Western Ave., West End
All aboard! At almost 80 years old, Holiday Junction is a beloved tradition that’s been handed down from generation to generation, with Greater Cincinnati families gathering to watch the toy-sized candy-colored circus trains, sleek sleeper cars and coal-laden hopper cars (for those on the naughty list) zip around scenery of snowbanks and crowded streets. Highlights of Holiday Junction include a 1904 electric toy train from the Cincinnati-based Carlisle & Finch Company, who made the first such electric toy train in 1896, along with a pre-World War II Lionel layout and a ‘60s Lionel Super O layout that show the evolution of toy trains and prefabricated landscapes. You’ll also be able to spot Thomas the Tank Engine as he and his friends chug around the mountains of Sodor.
Holiday Junction runs Thursday-Monday through Jan. 8.

Visit the Shillito’s Elves at the Foundry

505 Vine St., Downtown
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. The same six elves will be on display: 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.
You can catch the elves’ animated antics 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 from Nov. 24-Jan. 2.

WinterFest at Kings Island

6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason
Kings Island’s WinterFest is merrier and brighter than ever, with over 7 million LED lights; 11 winter wonderlands, including the North Pole Outpost, Charlie Brown’s Christmastown and Tinsel Town; 10 different live holiday shows, like the nightly tree-lighting ceremony on International Street or the Winter Wonderland Parade; festive activities such as cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus or ice skating; and the Eiffel Tower dressed up like a gigantic Christmas tree. The park also has more than 20 rides open, including its two newest, Sol Spin and Cargo Loco, and its most popular roller coasters, Mystic Timbers and Flight of Fear.
Open select nights Nov. 24-Dec. 31.

The Annual Holiday Show at Krohn Conservatory

1501 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills
The conservatory will be “filled with a warm glow as illuminated stars shine over colorful poinsettias, lush tropical foliage and holiday trees” for its annual holiday show, themed “Golden Days of Yule” this year. The centerpiece model train display features locomotives zipping through botanical recreations of local landmarks, utilizing materials like wood and moss to make mini versions of the spectacular originals.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Jan. 7; Check the conservatory’s calendar as the show may close early some days.

Mt. Adams Reindog Parade and OTR RailDog Parade

Reindog kicks off at 946 Pavilion St., Mt. Adams; RailDog kicks off at Queen City Radio, 222 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
For more than two decades, pups decorated in their holiday best have taken to the streets of Mt. Adams for an annual costumed Reindog Parade. And in Over-the-Rhine, there will also be a costumed puppy parade that will take dogs and their owners from Queen City Radio to Washington Park and back for some holiday cheer.
The Mt. Adams Reindog Parade is Saturday, Dec. 9 with registration from 12:30-1:45 p.m. and the parade kicking off at 2 p.m. The OTR RailDog Parade is Saturday, Dec. 16 starting at 3(ish) p.m.

Cincinnati SantaCon

It’s about to get sloppy. Hundreds of humans dressed in Santa outfits will be taking over Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Newport and Covington in a holiday pub crawl. There will be singing and drinking; proceeds benefit The Cure Starts Now, a nonprofit focused on cancer research.
SantaCon is happening Saturday, Dec. 9 from noon to midnight.

A Christmas Carol at Playhouse in the Park

962 Mt. Adams Circle, Mt. Adams
2023 is a special year for Playhouse in the Park as it debuts a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol on its brand new main stage. Since 1991, Cincinnati audiences have enjoyed Howard Dalin’s interpretation of Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday novella, but this year, the play will be seen through the lens of the Playhouse’s producing artistic director, Blake Robison. And for those who worry the play won’t have the same magic as the years before, Robison reassures them, telling CityBeat, “All the great stories deserve to be readdressed. I understand anyone who might wonder or worry about that. Part of my job is to reassure people that it’s still the same story. We are still treating it in a traditional way.”
A Christmas Carol will be on stage from Nov. 24-Dec. 30.

Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Music Hall

1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Cincinnati Ballet presents a true holiday classic: The Nutcracker. The enchanted dreamland comes to life once again thanks to Tchaikovsky’s treasured score and the brilliant Cincinnati Ballet company. It’s a traditional way to get into the spirit with the whole family.
The Nutcracker is on stage from Dec. 14-24.

Nights of Lights at Coney Island

6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township
Nights of Lights is a drive-thru display featuring a two-and-a-half-mile track with more than 2 million colorful lights set up in dazzling and festive scenes. The lights are also synced to rocking holiday music, featuring all the classics. Scenes include tunnels of lights, larger-than-life Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes and more. There are also new light features and music this year, say organizers.
Nights of Lights is open nightly beginning at dusk through Dec. 31.

Scuba Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Newport Aquarium

1 Levee Way, Newport
Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland is a festive adventure that starts in the Surrounded by Sharks tank where Santa swims with three rare shark rays, Denver the loggerhead sea turtle and other fishy friends. And just because he’s underwater doesn’t mean your kids can’t tell Santa what they want for Christmas; his special magic allows him to hear even as he dives. Visitors can also enjoy holiday music and colorful lights throughout the aquarium, as well as the return of the magic bubbles, which carry everyone’s Christmas wishes to Santa, in Shark Ray Bay Theater. When a bubble pops, that means a Christmas wish has come true. Kids can also color their own magic bubble to make sure their most important wishes make it directly to jolly ole St. Nick, who will be reading them daily before his final dive on Christmas Eve.
Open daily Nov. 24-Dec. 24

Let it Glow at Rockwern Academy

8401 Montgomery Road, Kenwood
This drive-through Hanukkah display celebrates the festival of lights with glowing inflatables, handmade decor and more. There will be a special community night on Dec. 14 for Rockwern families and alumni, which will also feature an attempt to build the world’s tallest LEGO menorah.
Open Dec. 9-14 from 6-8 p.m.

Holidays on the Farm at Parky’s Farm

10073 Daly Road, Springfield Township
Head down to the farm to make some magical memories together. Holidays on the Farm is Great Parks’ annual outdoor, wintertime event. This year, expect more lights, Santa’s reindeer, a merry beer garden, food trucks and entertainment. And for the first time ever, guests will also be able to take part in the winter sport of curling. The festive Christmas Tree Garden Trail and the Wonder of the Woodlot Trail are decked out in thousands of twinkling LED lights and illuminated displays, and kids can take pony and wagon rides for a real rustic holiday experience. And when the chill in the air has you seeking warmth, you can snuggle up together around the open firepits while enjoying music from the Dickens Carolers, or head over to Santaland to visit the Jolly Old Elf himself.
Holidays on the Farm will be open from 5-9 p.m. on Fridays-Sundays Nov.24-Dec. 17 and 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 26-31.

Pyramid Hill Lights at Pyramid Sculpture Park & Museum

1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton
Holiday revelers looking for a unique tradition filled with art and nature need look no further than the annual Pyramid Hill Lights show in Hamilton. Visitors drive along a two-mile route through the park, which features a glowing display of over 1 million lights. The show is designed to be enjoyed by every generation: Kids can stay engaged throughout the show with an interactive bingo game while parents enjoy the classical music soundtrack curated by WGUC and grandparents can take in all the holiday magic in a comfortable and inclusive way. Featured artists this year include The Bombshells of Cincinnati, Abby Palen, members of the Ross High School Art Club, and Inspiration Studios.
Pyramid Hill Lights is open Tuesday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 31.

Holiday Pops at Music Hall

1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
John Morris Russell conducts the Cincinnati Pops, with additional appearances by the May Festival Youth Chorus, QKidz Dance Team and local high school ensembles, in a program of winter and holiday hits.
Holiday Pops runs Dec. 8-10.

Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival

Downtown Lebanon
The annual parade and festival features two (!) processions of horse-drawn carriages, plus a whimsical festival featuring live entertainment, craft vendors, holiday activities and plenty of food in Lebanon’s quaint downtown. It’s like the setting of a Hallmark movie.
The parade takes place Saturday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.

Downtown Dazzle at Fountain Square

520 Vine St., Downtown
The ice rink and giant tree on Fountain Square will be complemented by Downtown Dazzle, which features Santa rappelling from a nearby skyscraper and a fireworks show to close out the night.
Downtown Dazzle runs from 6-10 p.m. on Saturdays Nov. 25-Dec. 17.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some!) at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents another season of “high-octane jollity and frivolity.” NSFW or true Santa believers, it’s a light-hearted spoof of classic Christmas tales like It’s a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that promises an evening of Santa-style belly laughs.
Every Christmas Story Ever Told will be on stage from Dec. 7-30.

Light in the Forest at Cincinnati Nature Center

4949 Tealtown Road, Milford
Wander the woods in this celestial-themed light display set up along the Cincinnati Nature Center’s trails. Guests can also enjoy live music, a decorated historic home, food trucks and holiday shopping.
Open select dates from Dec. 1-30 from 5:30-9 p.m.