There are so many great holiday events in the Cincinnati area that I look forward to each year.
As your calendar fills up, you’ll want to save these dates so you don’t miss out on these favorite holiday classics throughout the Queen City!
1. PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
When is the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo?
When: November 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025
In addition to seeing your favorite zoo animals (many of which are conveniently located inside several indoor heated buildings), you’ll experience the magic of Christmas with over 4 million LED lights at the Festival of Lights.
Highlights for visitors include a ride on the North Polar Express train ride, the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, a blacklight puppet show, and snacks at one of two S’mores-n-More stands.
Save on discounted tickets for the Cincinnati Zoo hereNew Features at Festival of Lights for 2024
- An interactive light experience that syncs your phone’s flashlight to the Zoo’s Wild Lights show on Swan Lake.
- New lanterns in Under the Sea Display
- Light up Cotton Candy
- New 5ft star for the Vine Street Village tree
The Cincinnati Zoo hours during the PNC Festival of Lights are
- Sunday – Thursday 10 AM – 9 PM
- Friday- Saturday 10 AM- 10 PM
- Festival of Lights activities begin at 4 PM
Admission to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo is included with the Zoo’s general admission so you can visit the Zoo early, and then stay for the lights!
The Festival of Lights was one of my favorite holiday traditions as a child and now I share the tradition with my kids. Dress in layers because it can be really COLD!
Tips For Visiting the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo
2. The Nutcracker by the Cincinnati Ballet
Springer Auditorium – 1241 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark located across from Washington Park in downtown Cincinnati
When is The Nutcracker by the Cincinnati Ballet?
When: Thursday, December 19, 7:30 PM – Sunday, December 29, 1PM, 2024
This is one of the classic holiday traditions in Cincinnati.
The Nutcracker follows a girl named Clara who receives a Nutcracker on Christmas Eve and takes you on an adventure with her dream filled with characters including the Snow Queen and King, Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, mischievous mice, brave toy soldiers, chicks and Minnie the Poodle.
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s melodic score and the choreography is by Victoria Morgan.
There will also be dozens of local young performers joining Cincinnati Ballet onstage for these performances.
3. The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Downtown Dazzle at Fountain Square
520 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
Downtown Dazzle is a great excuse to experience the magic of downtown Cincinnati around the holidays.
When is Downtown Dazzle at Fountain Square?
When: Saturdays from 6-8 PM, November 30, December 7th, 14th and 21st, 2024
*Events are rain or shine unless there is severe weather.
Highlights include fireworks, outdoor ice skating, watching Santa Rappel from a building, and drinks at Fountain Square’s Bar.
Ice skating admission is walk-up only, no reservations are required.
4. Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland at Newport Aquarium (Kentucky)
1 Levee Way, Newport, KY
If you’re looking for a unique way to visit Santa Claus, you’ll want to see Scuba Santa underwater in a tank full of sharks.
Guests can visit with Scuba Santa on select days in the Theater, and even talk to him while he is underwater.
When is Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland?
When: November 29 through December 24, 2024
*Breakfast with Santa – December 14 & 21 at 8 AM
Buy Discounted Tickets to Newport Aquarium
5. An Acoustic Christmas With Over the Rhine
Memorial Hall – 1225 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH
When: December 20 -22, 2024
This has been one of my all-time favorite local bands for over 2 decades. Over the Rhine’s music is a fusion of folk, indie, and blues.
Their Christmas show is a wonderful tradition with a mix of originals and their takes on holiday classics.
Memorial Hall is located in Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine. It’s a great intimate venue for a concert and there isn’t a bad seat in the house!
6. Solstice Glow at Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH
When: November 2, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Guests look forward to the beautiful holiday trees, colorful poinsettias, and tropical foliage each year.
The traditional garden railways and miniature Cincinnati landmarks made of locally sourced plant material by Applied Imagination throughout the exhibit are always a highlight of the show.
Solstice Glow is a celebration of the quiet magic of winter and the longest night of the year. Journey through Krohn Conservatory’s showroom as we bring light into the darkness through candles, lanterns, and festive displays.
Enjoy the model trains that make their way through the poinsettias and other winter plants. Admire the miniature replicas of Cincinnati icons.
*NEW* this year is CVG airport. This show will allow you to appreciate the calm and quietness of winter, the traditions that connect us, and the lights that brighten even the longest nights.
7. Holiday Junction Featuring the Duke Energy Trains at the Cincinnati Museum Center
Location: Union Terminal – 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH
When: Select Days – Open now through January 6, 2025
Holiday Junction is a must-see holiday tradition for train lovers young and old!
The Duke Energy Holiday Trains are celebrating 78 years since they first debuted downtown in 1946. The train display features over 300 rail cars and 60 locomotives.
When is Holiday Junction at the Cincinnati Museum Center?
*Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
*An additional ticket is required
Holiday Junction is free for members and included with museum admission.
Additional Holiday Junction Highlights include:
- Holiday Scavenger Hunt
- Brickopolis – magical scenes created with LEGO bricks
- Family photo areas
- The history of the Duke Energy Holiday Trains told through an interactive storybook
- Santa’s grand arrival by helicopter on Friday, November 29, 2024
You can continue your train-themed adventure by watching the OMNIMAX® film Rocky Mountain Express, featuring the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies aboard a historic steam locomotive.
8. Christmastown at the Creation Museum (Kentucky) FREE
2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd, Petersburg, KY
When is Christmastown at the Creation Museum?
When: 5 PM to 8:30 PM on November 29, 2024 – January 4, 2025, Tuesday through Saturday on select days.
Visitors can tour the dazzling garden of lights, reflect on the true meaning of the season at the live nativity, and experience more during the free, annual ChristmasTown!
The Christmastown at the Creation Museum includes the Garden of Lights, Live Nativity, Eden Animal Experience, Children’s Playground, and Encounter the Wonder 4D SFX Show.
*This is a free event but there is a parking fee.
*Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
9. Pyramid Hill Lights
1763 Hamilton Cleves Road Hamilton, OH
When is Pyramid Hill Lights?
When: November 15, 2024 through January 5, 2025
- Tuesdays to Thursdays: 6PM – 9PM
- Fridays to Sundays: 6PM – 10PM
- Closed on Mondays
- Open Dec. 23. Closed Nov. 28 and Dec. 25
The Pyramid Hill Lights features artist installations, a curated soundtrack, and light projections, set in their 2-mile unique landscape filled with art and nature.
Admission Fee for Pyramid Hill Lights
- $25 per carload for non-members
- $15 per carload for members
10. Winterfest at Kings Island Amusement Park
6300 Kings Island Drive Mason, OH
When is Winterfest at Kings Island?
Winterfest will take place on select nights, November 29 – December 31, 2024
Kings Island Amusement Park is transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland for guests to enjoy around the holidays.
(Get tips for visiting Winterfest at Kings Island 2024 )
Kings Island Winterfest Activities Highlight include:
- Ice skating on the Royal Fountain
- The Eiffel Tower transformed into a magical 314-foot-tall Christmas tree
- Live shows
- Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Rides including Mystic Timbers and the bumper cars
- Snow tubing in the Action Ice Zone
- Delicious holiday treats
- Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town
- Millions of lights and holiday characters spread merriment around the park
11. Light in the Forest at the Cincinnati Nature Center
Rowe Woods is located at 4949 Tealtown Road; Milford, Ohio
When is Light in the Forest at the Cincinnati Nature Center?
December 5–29, 2024 from 5:30–9 PM (Select Dates Only) at Rowe Woods
Enjoy a peaceful walk through the illuminated woods featuring light displays and interactive activities.
There will be music, food trucks, drinks, and holiday shopping.
Member adult $14; member child $6; nonmember adult $18; nonmember child $8
Free parking.
12. The 34th Annual Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival
Downtown Lebanon Ohio
You have one day but two chances to watch the beautiful horse-drawn carriage parade in downtown Lebanon.
There will be vendors and entertainment throughout the day too.
Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 10AM – 8PM
- Christmas Festival & Entertainment begins at 10 AM
- Carriage Parades: Daylight Parade at 1PM & Candlelight Parade at 7PM
13. Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt at Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH
When is Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt at Moerlein Lager House?
When: November 22 – January 5, 2024
Wed/Thurs: 5-9 PM
Fri: 5-10 PM
Sat: 12-10 PM
Sun: 12-7 PM
There is no admission fee to access the general area and activities are an additional fee.
The market is located in downtown Cincinnati adjacent to the Moerlein Lager House on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn and Stage in Smale Riverfront Park.
Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt is a holiday-themed Christmas festival with food, beverage, merchandise, holiday lights, choral and musical entertainment, with a European/Cincinnati fusion Holiday theme.
Highlights Include:
- Holiday Ice Rink
- 90-minute Igloo Rentals for up to 14 guests
- Gift Vendors
- Food and Drink Vendors
- Fire pits
14. Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, OH
This holiday event features a 2-mile-long drive-thru Christmas light display with over 3.8 million lights, AND a Christmas Village to walk around.
When is Land of Illusion Christmas Glow?
- Open – November 27th – December 30,2024 from 6PM to 10PM
- Closed – Christmas Day
- Drive Thru Only – December 26th-30th
Which Can’t-Miss Holiday Events in Cincinnati Are You Looking Forward To?
*All events were accurate at the time of this posting but make sure that you double-check with the event source before the event in case there are any changes or cancellations. Click the link for the event’s website.
Christmas and New Year will come very soon. Thank you for the wonderful selection of festive events.
It looks like there are some great Christmas events in Cincinnati. I’d love to see the Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. The lights look beautiful, too!
You forgot about the awesome Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Holiday concerts on Dec 8,9 & 10!!! Family tradition for many.