Holiday Happenings & Christmas Events
(page currently being updated)
Greater Cincinnati has so many wonderful things to do over the holiday season. Here you can find ongoing seasonal events (November through January).
​
We'll also post more holiday events on our monthly top picks calendar.
​
​
​​
Christmas Tree Farms - Cut your own Christmas Tree
Big Tree Plantation
2544 South Waynesville Rd., Morrow, Ohio 45152 - (513) 836-0975
Cut your own Christmas tree at Big Tree Plantation. Weekend activities include wagon rides, cut your own Christmas tree, visit with Mary & Joseph, Santa.
Kids' Winter Wonderland ($6/child and no charge for adults). Dates: 11/24, 11/25/ 11/26, 12/2, 12/3, 12/9 & 12/10. Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Dirr Nurseries
6066 Goshen Rd., Goshen, Ohio 45122 - (513) 625-2000
Cut your own Christmas tree at Dirr Nurseries. Offering flat pricing. Open day after Thanksgiving. Click here for trees available.
John T. Nieman Nursery
6232 Hamilton-Scipio Rd., Okeana, Ohio 45053
All trees are grown on their farm. Wagon rides are available on the weekends (weather permitting). Six varieties of trees to chose from. The Christmas barn has complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. Cash or checks only.
​
Open daily from Nov. 18 - Dec. 23.
Mon-Sat: 10 - 8 p.m.
Sun: 10 - 6 p.m.
Holiday Light Displays
Christmas NIghts of Lights - Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45230
Enjoy a 2.5 mile car ride through Christmas displays and light shows. All ages welcome. Runs Nov. 10 - Jan. 1, 2018 from dusk until 10 p.m. Open every night including holidays. $6/person and kids 3 and under are free.
Clifton Mills
75 Water St., Clifton, Ohio 45316
Light display opens day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 31 (closing early (8 pm) on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve). Parking is FREE. Gates open at 5 pm and close at 9 pm. Admission is $10/person for ages 7 and up. Children 6 and under are FREE.
Holiday in Lights
Sharon Woods
Enjoy this festive light display at Sharon Woods. Get a $2 off coupon on their website.
Holiday in Lights is open nightly from Friday, November 17 to Saturday, December 31. Admission is $13 per vehicle ($45 for buses and 15 passenger vans).
-
Sunday - Thursday 6:00pm-9:00pm
-
Friday - Saturday 5:30pm-10:00pm
Holiday Lights on the Hill
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park - 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd, State Route 128, Hamilton, Ohio 45013 - (513) 868-1234
2016 Holiday Lights on the Hill
November 17 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017
Open Daily Including Holidays
Monday – Thursday 6 – 9 PM | $20 Per Carload
Friday – Sunday 6 – 10 PM | $25 Per Carload
Members Always $15
Niederman Family Farm Christmas Walk
4972 LeSourdsville- West Chester Dr., Liberty Twp., Ohio 45011
Free biblical Christmas walk filled with amazing lights and displays. Opens Nov. 24, 2017 through December 30, 2017. Make sure you stop in the barn at the end of your walk for free hot chocolate and cookies. Musical guest also featured in the large barn. FREE but donations are welcomed.
Sun-Thurs 6-9 p.m.
Fri-Sat 6-10 p.m.
PNC Festival of Lights
3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 - (513) 281-4700
Festival of Lights opens to the public on Nov. 18, 2017 - Jan. 1, 2018 (member preview night is Nov. 17).
Skyline Half Price Nights (get coupon at local Skyline) - Nov. 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29 & Dec. 4, 5, 6.
Hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 5-9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 5-10 p.m.
The Christmas Ranch
3205 S. Waynesville Rd., Morrow, Ohio 45152
The Christmas Ranch is filled with 1 million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music. It is a walk through Christmas light park. There is also a Christmas village for shopping.
Admission - $20/vehicle on Fri-Sun & $15/vehicle on Mon-Thur.
Nov. 17, 2017 - Dec. 23 (Closed Thanksgiving Day).
-
Sunday through Thursday – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
Fridays and Saturday – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Holiday Events
Cincinnati Choo Choo - Krohn Conservatory Holiday Show
950 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Get $1.00 off coupon on website.
​
November 18, 2017 - Jan. 7, 2018
-
Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
-
Nov. 25 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. ​
-
Dec. 24 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
-
Dec. 25 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
-
-
Adults $7.00 Children $4.00 (4 and under free)
​
Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt 2017
Fountain Square
Enjoy some festive holiday shopping with local artisans and enjoy some traditional German fare on Fountain Square.
-
Friday, November 24 • 11am–10pm
Saturday, November 25 • 11am–11pm*
Sunday, November 26 • 11am–5pm -
Friday, December 1 • 4pm–10pm
Saturday, December 2 • 11am–11pm
Sunday, December 3 • 11am–5pm -
Friday, December 8 • 4pm–10pm
Saturday, December 9 • 11am–11pm
Sunday, December 10 • 11am–5pm -
Saturday, December 15 • 4pm–10pm
Sunday, December 16 • 11am–11pm
Holiday Entertainment at the Levee
Light up the Levee - "Grand Illumination"
Opening of Light up the Levee is Tuesday, Nov. 21, 5-7:30 p.m.
From Newport on the Levee: "Bring your family and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Levee during the entire holiday season. Each weekend in December the Levee will host a variety of FREE holiday entertainment. Mark your calendar and join us!"
​
Every Weekend (Saturday & Sunday) in December.
Holly Days - Heritage Village Museum
11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville (Inside Sharon Woods)
December 9 & 10, 2017 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Travel back in time to feel the warmth and beauty of a 19th Century holiday season. Some of our historical buildings will be decked out with traditional decorations from the 1800's. See our Village come alive with storytelling, craft making, model train displays, music, holiday treats, and more!
Admission is $10 adults, $6 children 5-11.
Children 4 & under and museum members are free.
Ice Skating - Fountain Square
520 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Ice Skating on Fountain Square - Now open through Feb. 19, 2018. Cost is $6 admission and $4 for skate rental.
​
Pre-Holiday Hours (Oct 27 – Dec 14)
-
Monday – Thursday: 12p to 10p
-
Friday: 12p to 11p
-
Saturday: 9a to 11p
-
Sunday: 9a to 9p
Wednesday-Sunday, November 23-27: 9a to 11p (Thanksgiving Holiday Break)
Holiday Hours (December 15 – Jan 1)
-
Monday – Sunday: 9a to 11p
-
Post-Holiday Hours (Jan 2– Feb 19)
-
Monday – Thursday: 12p to 5p
-
Broomball: 6p to 10p
-
Friday- Sunday 12p to 9p
​
Liberty Center Holiday Parade, Carriage Rides & Visits with Santa
7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Twp., Ohio 45069 - (513) 644-0900
Liberty Center has lots of fun in store this holiday season. On Nov. 18 enjoy the holiday parade and tree lighting.
​
Carriage Rides - Nov. 18 - Dec. 23.
​
Visit Santa in the Living Room by the fireplace Nov. 19 through Dec. 24. You can also make a reservation to visit Santa.
​
Macy's Downtown Dazzle
Fountain Sqaure at Fifth & Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 - (513) 421-4440
See Santa rappel down the 525 Vine Building to Macy's rooftop at Fountain Square. See a holiday fireworks display after. Choirs sing at 5:30 p.m.
​
Dates & Times:
Sat. Nov. 25, 2017- 6:30 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 2, 2017 - 6:30 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 9, 2017 - 6:30 p.m.
Ohio National Victorian Holiday Village
One Financial Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
Free and open to all (rain or shine). Get a free 5x7 photo (one per family), free cookies and hot cocoa. Canned food donations welcomed for the Freestore Foodbank.
​
Dec. 1 - 6-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 - 5-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 - 6-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 - 6-8:30 p.m.
​
PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens
3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
Festival of Lights opens to the public on Nov. 18, 2017 - Jan. 1, 2018 (member preview night is Nov. 17).
Hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 5-9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 5-10 p.m.
​
Skyline Chili Half Price Nights - get coupons at your local Skyline. Nov. 20-22, Nov. 27-29 & Dec. 4-6.
Winterfest at Kings Island
6300 Kings Island Dr. Kings, Island, Ohio 45034
Winterfest has returned! Enjoy beautiful lights, holiday shows, carolers, holiday shops, ice skating (extra fee) and select rides. Open on select rides through Dec. 30. Season pass holders get in free. New pass holders for 2018 can get one free admission with a newly purchased 2018 pass.
Holiday Shows
The Dancing Princesses
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati - 1127 Vine St., Cincinnati Ohio 45202 - (513) 421-3555
Show runs Nov. 29 - Dec. 30, 2017.
"From the creators of last season’s runaway hit Cinderella: After Ever After comes a whimsical adaptation of the classic fairy tale about a kingdom where an enchanting mystery is afoot! Wanting the best for his daughters, an overprotective king locks the castle doors each night. Yet, each morning, the princesses’ shoes have been curiously worn to tatters. Keen to cobble together the mystery of the frayed footwear, the King resorts to drastic measures of royal proportions. This is the heartfelt and humorous story of five uniquely different sister princesses who embark upon a journey of the imagination that explores the universal quest for understanding, acceptance, and love." (Ensemble Theatre)
Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company - 719 Race St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Show dates are Dec. 21-31, 2017.
"CSC’s holiday smash hit is back—bigger and better than ever! What begins as a traditional production of A Christmas Carol soon devolves into a slightly irreverent, but undeniably adoring look at all our pop culture Christmas faves, including Rudolph, Frosty, and good ol’ Charlie Brown. Three actors (with the help of a slightly tipsy Santa) lampoon everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss in 90 minutes of high-octane jollity and frivolity." (from cincyshakes.com).
Holiday Trains
Christmas at the Junction - EnterTRAINment Junction
7379 Squire Court, West Chester, Ohio 45069
Opens Nov. 11 through Dec. 31, 2017
​
"Take a magical journey through a Winter Wonderland to the North Pole where you can see the Reindeer & Elf Workshop. Then, visit Mrs. Claus in her kitchen and, of course, visit Santa in his study.* Take your family to see our Main Street Holiday Train displays which offer some beautiful winter train displays that are FREE to the public." (from Entertrainment Junction"
Holiday Toy Trains - Behringer Crawford Museum
1600 Montage Rd, Devou Park, Covington, KY 41011
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 - Jan. 14, 2018.
WHEN?
Tues. - Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun.: 1 - 5 p.m.
Special Hours:
Open Christmas Eve 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Open New Years Eve 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day
HOW MUCH?
$9 Adults; $8 Seniors (60+);
$5 Children (3-17); BCM members and children under 3 free.
Wednesdays are Grandparents' Days: One grandchild free with a grandparent's paid admission.
North Pole Express - LM&M Railroad
127 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon, Ohio 45036 - (513) 933-8022
From LM&M Railroad:
​
Event Dates & Departure Times:
​
-
November: 24, 25, 26
-
December: 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23*^ & 24*^
* - Operates on modified schedule
^ - Premium date pricing in effect - Add $2 to Ticket Price
​
Departure Times:
Weekdays: 6:00pm & 8:00pm
Weekends: 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, & 8:00pm
December 3 (Lebanon Christmas Parade): 10:00am, 12:30pm, & 3:00pm
December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6:00pm
Christmas Eve Departures: This year we are offering departures on December 24th . These departures will operate on a modified schedule and feature premium pricing. Tickets are expected to sell-out quickly.
Santa Sightings
Santa at Macy's - Fountain Square
Liberty Center - 7100 Fondry Row, Liberty Twp., Ohio 45069 - (513) 644-0900
Fridays and Saturdays, November 24—December 16, 12-8 p.m.
Sundays, November 26—December 17; 12-6 p.m.
Monday – Thursday, December 18-24, 12-5 p.m.
FREE! Bring your own camera for photos with downtown’s only Santa in a festive North Pole setting.Courtesy of Macy’s.
​
Story time with Mrs. Claus at Macy’s Fountain Place - Third Floor
Saturdays, November 25, December 2 and 9, 7:15 p.m.
FREE! After the fireworks, enjoy balloon-twisters and face painters while you cozy up for story time with Mrs. Claus inside Macy’s Fountain Place. Courtesy of Macy’s.
Santa Claus Visits & Photos at Liberty Center
Liberty Center - 7100 Fondry Row, Liberty Twp., Ohio 45069 - (513) 644-0900
Visit Santa at Liberty Center, online reservations available.
Nov. 18 - Santa arrives - 7-10 p.m. (Holiday Parade)
November 19 - December 16
10 AM - 9 PM - M-Thurs.
10 AM - 10 PM - F-Sat.
Noon-6PM - Sunday
December 17- December 23
9 AM - 10 PM Daily, M-Sat
11 AM - 7 PM - Sunday
December 24
9 AM - 5 PM