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 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Closed on Thanksgiving (November 27) and December 24 & 25, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
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 5 million LED lights at the Festival of Lights.
Highlights for visitors include a ride on the North Polar Express train, the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, a blacklight puppet show, and snacks at the seasonal concessions.
Save on discounted tickets for the Cincinnati Zoo hereKnow before you go:
- Costume Characters, activities, and visits with Santa start daily at 4 PM
- North Polar Express Train and Conservation Carousel rides start daily at 2:30 PM and have an additional fee
- December 23 is the last night to visit with Santa
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 earlier 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: December 18 – 28, 2025
1 hour 45 minute run time
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, and more.
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’s 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 6-9 PM, November 29, December 6th, 13th, and 20th, 2025
*Events are rain or shine unless there is severe weather.
Highlights include fireworks, watching Santa Rappel from a building, and drinks at Fountain Square’s Bar or inside Winterhaus.
Event Schedule
5 – 5:45 PM – Ornament & Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus
6 – 7 PM – Scavenger Hunt for Santa & Elf Certification
7 – PM Santa Rappelling followed by Fireworks Show
7:15 PM – Photos with Santa & Buddy the Elf
4. Outdoor Ice Skating at Elm Street Plaza
150 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH
November 22, 2025 -February 16, 2026
Ice skating has been relocated from Fountain Square to Elm Street Plaza, a short walk away.
All skates and push-along Zambonis are brand new.
Admission is $12 and includes skate rental. Kids ages 5 and under are free with a paid adult admission.
Heated Igloos for 8 and pergolas with a fire pit (both seat up to 8) are available for rent. There’s also a warming hut, additional fire pits, and a Pavilion Bar with drinks and snacks.
5. 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 28 through December 24, 2025
*Breakfast with Santa – December 14 at 9 AM
Buy Discounted Tickets to Newport Aquarium
6. An Acoustic Christmas With Over the Rhine
Memorial Hall – 1225 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH
When: December 19-21, 2025
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 neighborhood. It’s a great intimate venue for a concert, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house!
7. Festival of Ferns at Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH
When: November 1 – January 4, 2026
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.
Surround yourself with ferns, familiar and unexpected, from towering trees to delicate maidenhairs, complemented by the crimson hues of our seasonal poinsettias.
Enjoy the model trains while they make their way through the poinsettias and other winter plants.
8. Holiday Junction Featuring the Duke Energy Trains at the Cincinnati Museum Center
Location: Union Terminal – 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH
When: Select Days – November 14 through January 5, 2026
Holiday Junction is a must-see holiday tradition for train lovers, young and old!
The Duke Energy Holiday Trains are celebrating 79 years since their first debut downtown in 1946. The train display features over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives.
When is Holiday Junction at the Cincinnati Museum Center?
*Closed 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 is told through an interactive storybook
- Santa’s grand arrival by helicopter on Friday, November 28, 2025, at noon.
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.
9. Christmas at the Creation Museum (Kentucky) FREE
2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd, Petersburg, KY
When is Christmas at the Creation Museum?
When: 5 PM to 8:30 PM, November 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026, on select days, Thursdays through Saturdays.
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!
Guests can enjoy the live nativity, indoor dramas, Plants of the Bible Conservatory, The Christmas Star Planetarium Show, Creation Zoo, The Garden of Lights, and more.
The museum’s main lobby, gift/book store, Noah’s Café, Stargazer Planetarium, Legacy Hall, and the Special Effects Theater will be open during the evening.
*This is a free event, but there’s a parking fee.
*Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
10. Pyramid Hill LIGHTS
1763 Hamilton Cleves Road Hamilton, OH
When are the Pyramid Hill LIGHTS?
When: November 14, 2025, through January 4, 2026
- Tuesdays to Thursdays and Sundays 6PM – 9PM
- Fridays to Saturday: 6PM – 10PM
- Closed on Mondays
- Closed Nov. 27 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
11. 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 28 – December 31, 2025
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 )
Kings Island Winterfest Activities Highlights 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
12. 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 5–28, 2025, from 6–8 PM (Select Dates: Sunday, Friday, Saturday) at Rowe Woods. Closed Dec. 24 & 25.
Enjoy a peaceful 1-mile walk through the illuminated woods featuring light displays and interactive activities.
There will be music, food trucks, drinks, and holiday shopping.
All guests must pre-register for a timed ticket.
Member adult $15; member child $6; nonmember adult $20; nonmember child $8
Free parking.
13. 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 6, 2025, from 10AM – 8PM
- Christmas Festival & Entertainment begins at 10 AM
- Carriage Parades: Daylight Parade at 1PM & Candlelight Parade at 7PM
14. Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt at Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH
When is Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt at Moerlein Lager House?
When: November 22 – December 28, 2025 (Closed 11/27, 12/25)
Wed/Thurs: 5-9 PM
Fri: 5-10 PM
Sat: 12-10 PM
Sun: 12-7 PM
*Check the calendar for special game day and holiday hours.
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, beverages, merchandise, holiday lights, choral and musical entertainment, with a European/Cincinnati fusion Holiday theme.
Highlights Include:
- 90-minute Igloo Rentals for up to 14 guests
- Gift Vendors
- Food and Drink Vendors
- Fire pits
- Large indoor tent
15. 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 petting zoo and Christmas Village to walk around.
When is Land of Illusion Christmas Glow?
- Open – November 20th – December 24, 2025, from 6PM to 10PM
- Closed – Christmas Day
- Drive Thru Only – December 26th-30th
16. Christmas at the Ark
Ark Encounter – 1 Ark Encounter Dr, Williamstown, KY
Admission is free, but there is an additional fee for exhibits inside the ark and parking.
Christmas at the Ark Encounter is from 5-8:30 PM on select days, Thursday through Saturday, from November 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026.
Guests can enjoy the laser light show, animal encounters, Ararat Ridge Zoo, the carousel, and more.
17. Holidays on the Farm
Winton Woods Farm & Equestrian Center -10073 Daly Road, Cincinnati, OH
Holidays on the Farm is December 4-23, from 5-9 PM.
Enjoy a variety of activities on the farm, including a horse show, wagon rides, pony rides, live entertainment, pictures with Santa, curling, a lighted forest trail, and more.
Read more about what to expect here.
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.