If your group is holding an event that is not listed here, please send an email with all information including dates, times, contact phone numbers, and website info to local12@local12.com.
Festivals and other events
Light Up The Square in Downtown Cincinnati
Friday, November 23rd at 6 p.m.
Tree lighting, music, fireworks, food, ice skating and a visit from Santa.
Event is free
For more info, call 513-621-4400.
Macy's Downtown Dazzle on Fountain Square Cincinnati.
Saturdays Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15 at 6:30 p.m. (choirs at 5:45 p.m.)
Santa rappels down the side of the 525 Vine Building to the Macy's rooftop at Fountain Square to kick off a spectacular holiday fireworks display choreographed by WVXU / WGUC and Rozzi's Famous Fireworks. The 20-minute family-friendly program also features strolling entertainers, holiday characters and holiday music. After the fireworks, Macy's will have special gifts with purchases throughout the store.
Event is free
For more info, call 513-421-4400.
Ice Skating Rink at Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati.
Hours: November 23-January 1
Sunday - Thursday: 10 am to 10 pm, Friday & Saturday: 10 am to Midnight
Thanksgiving Day: 10 am to 10 pm
Christmas Eve: 10 am to Midnight
Christmas Day: 12 am to 10 pm
New Year's Eve: 10 am to 1 am
Park under the square for easy access
Cost: $3.00 admission, $3.00 skate rental. Payable by cash or credit (Visa/MasterCard/AmEx).
For more info, call 513-381-0782.
Weekend Carriage Rides at Macy's Celebration Station on Fifth and Race Streets in Downtown Cincinnati
Boarding at Macy's Celebration Station, Corner of Fifth and Race Sts.
Nov. 24-25, and Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, Noon-5 pm (Final boarding at 4:45 pm-please arrive early!)
Enjoy free horse-drawn trolley carriage rides through the heart of the city.
(513) 421-4440.
Christmas in the Country off Route 126 in Shandon
Saturday, November 24 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 25 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Antiques, crafts, homemade food, horse-drawn trolley rides, Welsh music, story-telling and a visit from Santa.
Event is free.
For more info, call 513-738-3640.
Holiday Show at Krohn Conservatory on Eden Park Drive in Cincinnati
The Return of Trains, Trestles, and Traditions.
Wednesday, November 15-Sunday, January 5 10 am-5 pm.
Adults-$6, seniors-$5, children-$4, children under 4-free.
Santa will visit from 1 pm-3 pm Saturday, December 1, 8, 15, 22.
For more info, call 513-421-4086.
Antique Christmas at Taft Museum of Art on Pike Street
Now through January 13.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
A display of antique cards, ornaments and toys.
This year's display features a feather tree adorned with patriotic ornaments to commemorate the election year, an Art Deco Christmas display, a fully-furnished 1940s doll house, and a Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer display of post-WWII memorabilia.
Admission will be free Nov. 23-24.
Normal pricing: Adults $10, Seniors 60 and over $8, Students and Teachers $8, Youth 12-17 $4, Children 11 and under FREE.
For more info, call 513-241-0343.
Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods on East Kemper Road in Sharonville
Built over a mile of wooded roadway, the display of fantastic seasonal color adorns hundreds of trees as well as more than 120 moving and standing holiday themed figures depicting everything from Santa Claus and his elves to Godzilla.
Open November 16-December 31.
Holiday in Lights is open Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
It's $12.00 per car, $45.00 for buses and 15 passenger vans
For more info, call 513-769-0393.
Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center on Western Avenue in Cincinnati
Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains
The Museum Center will be adorned with beautiful holiday decor, a super-sized tree, seasonal music and the magic of the Tri-State's most historic train station, with a full slate of activities sure to thrill railroad enthusiasts of all ages.
November 2nd-January 6th
Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
December 24: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission to the three Museums is $12.50 for adults and $8.50 for children. Entry to the Cincinnati History Museum is $8.50 for adults and $6.50 for children and includes free entry to Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains. A variety of activities are available throughout the holidays.
Call 513-287-7000.
PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo on Vine Street in Cincinnati
Featuring over 2,000,000 LED lights strung throughout the Zoo. There is a NEW S'mores-N-More station, Madcap puppets in black-light, a NEW Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake, train rides, and much more!
November 23-January 1, 5-9 p.m.
Sundays through Thursdays, 5-10 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays. (Closed December 24 & 25.)
$15 adult, $10 children and seniors; Discounts are available! Visit any UDF and receive Half Priced Admission coupons good for Monday-Wednesday, through December 11. Discount tickets are also available at any area Kroger, good for $2 off adult and $1 off child admission any day of the event.
For more info, call 513-281-4700.
Scuba Santa's Water Wonderland at Newport Aquarium on Aquarium Way in Newport
Play the Reindeer Roundup game and help Scuba Santa find his missing reindeer, visit Scuba Santa's Post Office and write a letter to Scuba Santa, and hear Scuba Santa talk and tell stories from beneath the sea during magical underwater dive shows.
November 23 - January 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (special hours: 9 a.m - 6 p.m. November 23 - November 24 and December 26 - December 31).
Adult Admission (Ages 13+): $23, Child Admission (Ages 2 - 12): $15, Children under the age of 2: FREE.
For more info, call 859-261-7444.
Nutcracker by Cincinnati Ballet at the Aronoff Center on Walnut Street in Cincinnati.
From the imagination of Artistic Director and CEO Victoria Morgan comes a festive and classic boldly re-envisioned uniquely for Cincinnati.
Performances run from December 14 - 23.
Times and ticket prices vary, for more info, call 513-621-5282.
Holiday Afternoon Tea at The Cincinnatian Hotel on Vine Street in Cincinnati.
A traditional afternoon tea is served in The Cricket Lounge. Enjoy homemade teas, culinary confections and a harpist. There is a special Teddy Bear Tea menu for children. December 1-30, daily 2-4 p.m. (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
Reservation required.
For more info, call 513-381-3000.
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza on West Fifth Street in Downtown Cincinnati. Gingerbread Display
Friday, November 23 - December 31, in the lobby
Open 24 hours
Gingerbread recreation of downtown landmarks.
Free
For more info, call 513-421-9100.
"Christmas Town" at the Creation Museum on Bullitsburg Church Road in Petersburg, KY.
Will feature a live nativity on the museum's highly decorated grounds. The gardens will feature more than 60,000 Christmas lights.
The event will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings in December from 5-8 p.m. All outdoor events (except camel rides) are free and open to the public.
The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati presents "Santa's Toy Factory" at Taft Theatre on 5th St.
Features Local 12's Bob Herzog and John Gumm as the Miser brothers! The show takes the audience on a trip to the North Pole to visit all the hard working else readying Santa's Sleigh for his Christmas Eve journey.
Single tickets and subscriptions for the entire season are available now by calling 513-569-8080 ext. 10.
Dec. 7 - 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8 & 15 - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Dec. 9 - 2 p.m.
French Lick Resort in French Lick, IN
Joyful decorations, family activities, festive music, and plenty of opportunities to tell Santa Claus what you want for Christmas can all be found at the French Lick Resort. The resort will feature more than 30 Christmas trees, countless wreaths of all sizes, miles of garland, dozens of poinsettias, and half a million or so twinkling lights.
The festivities begin November 16 and last until the new year. There are a slew of special events throughout the holidays including tree lighting, holiday choirs, story time with Mrs. Claus and much more. Visit their website for full details http://frenchlick.com/ or call 888.936.9360 for more information.
Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester
The magical indoor holiday celebration features free holiday train displays, festive lights and decorations, and a beautiful North Pole walk-through adventure. Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction is open daily from Nov. 17- Dec. 31 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Pricing starts as low as $9.95 and parking is free.
Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park
Sat, Dec 8 12-3 pm Christmas Carolers will help sing in the holidays. Enjoy warm apple cider, holiday cookies, and find gifts for everyone on your list!
Sat. Dec. 15 12-3 pm Jazzy holiday music accompanied by shopping, tea, and holiday cookies.
Call (513) 721-ARTS (2787) for more information.
Annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival at Christ Church Cathedral on Fourth and Sycamore in Downtown Cincinnati.
Dress Rehearsal-Saturday, December 29, 2012 2:00 P.M.
1st Performance-Saturday, December 29, 2012 5:00 P.M.
2nd Performance-Sunday,December 30, 2012 2:30 P.M.
3rd Performance-Sunday, December 30, 2012 5:00 P.M.
Reserved ticket distribution for the next performances of the Festival will occur on the morning of Saturday, December 8, 2012.
The doors open at 8:00 A.M., with ticket distribution at 8:30 A.M. Availability of tickets during the public distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis, and they only distribute two tickets to each person age 18 or older.
Cleves Christmas in the Village on Miami Avenue and State Road
Opening ceremony will be Friday, December 7th at 7 p.m. and the parade will begin on Saturday, December 8th at 2 p.m. On both days, there will be a variety of activities including raffles, split the pot, crafts, games, fire equipment displays, carriage rides, a miniature train display, delicious food, animals for the children and pictures with Santa!
Event is Free
For more info, visit http://www.christmascommittee.org/.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival on East Mulberry Street in downtown Lebanon.
Saturday, December 1, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Two horse-drawn carriage parades at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., gift and food vendors, Christmas carolers, traveling bell choir, and free photos with Santa.
Event is free
For more info, call 513-932-1100.
Pyramid Hill Light Display at the sculpture park on Hamilton-Cleves Road in Hamilton.
Pyramid Hill's award winning, drive through light display will begin this year on November 22 and run through January 1, 2013.
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 6-9 PM & Friday and Saturday 6-10 PM
Admission: $20 per carload Monday thru Thursday
$25 per carload on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
For more info, call 513-868-8336.
North Pole Express on Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad on South Mechanic Street in Lebanon.
Take a picture with Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph, be entertained by Santa's elves, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a holiday cookie!
Runs November 24th and 25th and December 1, 7, 13, 9, 15, 16, 22nd and 23rd. Departure times are 10:00 am, 12:15 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:45 pm with 7 p.m. departure on Saturdays and Sunday, December 23rd.
DECEMBER 1ST: Rides will depart at 10 am, 12:15 pm, and 4 pm
General Admission $20.50
Seniors and Children (age 5-16) $15.50
Toddlers (2-4) $8.50
Infants (1 & under) FREE
For more info, call 513-933-8022.
Christmas Walk at Niederman's Christmas Farm on Lesourdsville-West Chester Road in West Chester.
Thousands of lights illuminate path through interpretations of biblical stories
Open the day after Thanksgiving through Sunday December 30th
Hours are Sunday thru Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6-10 p.m.
FREE to the public.
For more info, call 513-887-0725.
