Experience the magic of the holiday season in Cincinnati, OH, with a delightful array of festive events. From the luminous Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights, where dazzling animal-shaped light displays captivate visitors, to the nostalgic Christmas at the Junction, featuring vintage trains adorned in holiday finery, there's something for everyone. Take part in the interactive wonders of the PNC Festival of Lights, where cutting-edge technology meets holiday cheer.
Whether you're a local or a visitor, these events promise to create lasting memories and fill your heart with holiday joy. Discover the charm and excitement of Cincinnati's holiday traditions and make this season truly unforgettable.
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The Top Christmas Events in Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights
- PNC Festival of Lights
- Macy's Light Up the Square
- Holiday Junction Featuring Brickopolis
- Fountain Square Ice Rink
- Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker
- A Christmas Carol
- Coney Island Christmas Nights of Lights
- Madisonville Holiday Market
- Sunlite Water Adventure Christmas Nights
Cincinnati Holiday Light Displays
Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Animal-themed light displays
Description:
The Cincinnati Zoo transforms into a luminous wildlife wonderland during its annual Festival of Lights. Visitors can stroll through dazzling animal-shaped light displays, each meticulously crafted to celebrate the zoo's diverse inhabitants. As you explore, the gentle hoots of owls add to the nocturnal ambiance. The event pays homage to the zoo's rich history, dating back to its founding in 1875 as the second oldest zoo in the United States. Families can hop aboard the North Polar Express train for a jolly ride through the twinkling exhibits.
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Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights
PNC Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays
Description:
Cincinnati's PNC Festival of Lights illuminates the city with a spectacular array of interactive light displays. This electrifying event features cutting-edge technology, allowing visitors to control and manipulate certain light installations. The air fills with the aroma of roasted chestnuts as you wander through the glowing landscapes. Guests can participate in the "Light Up the Night" parade, joining a procession of illuminated floats. This festival continues a tradition that began in 1982, evolving from a small community gathering to a major regional attraction.
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Macy's Light Up the Square
What to Expect:
Massive Christmas tree lighting ceremony
Description:
Macy's Light Up the Square ignites the holiday season with the illumination of a towering Christmas tree in the heart of Cincinnati. This grand spectacle features a countdown led by local celebrities, culminating in a breathtaking moment when thousands of lights burst into brilliance. The crisp winter air carries the sound of carolers singing traditional holiday tunes. Visitors can witness the unveiling of Macy's iconic holiday window displays, a tradition that dates back to the early 20th century when the store was known as Shillito's.
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Coney Island Christmas Nights of Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light show at a historic amusement park
Description:
Coney Island Christmas Nights of Lights electrifies the historic amusement park with a spectacular synchronized light show. This innovative display features over one million LED lights pulsating and dancing to holiday tunes. The rhythmic flashing of lights creates a mesmerizing visual symphony. Visitors can drive through the two-and-a-half-mile route, marveling at the elaborate light sculptures and animated displays. This event breathes new life into Coney Island during the off-season, continuing the park's legacy of entertainment that began with its opening in 1886.
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Coney Island Christmas Nights of Lights
Sunlite Water Adventure Christmas Nights
What to Expect:
Holiday lights at a water park
Description:
Sunlite Water Adventure Christmas Nights reimagines the summer splash destination as a winter wonderland. This unconventional event drapes the water park's attractions in thousands of twinkling lights, creating a surreal juxtaposition of aquatic features and holiday decor. The gentle lapping of water in the pools provides a unique backdrop to the festive atmosphere. Guests can enjoy "dry" versions of favorite water park activities, adapted for the winter season. This event pays homage to Sunlite Pool's long history, having first opened its gates to swimmers in 1925, making it one of America's largest recirculating pools.
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Sunlite Water Adventure Christmas Nights
Cincinnati Holiday Markets and Shopping
Madisonville Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Emphasis on locally-made artisanal gifts
Description:
The Madisonville Holiday Market showcases the best of Cincinnati's local artisans and craftspeople. This vibrant market emphasizes handmade, locally-produced gifts, offering a unique alternative to mass-produced holiday items. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods from local bakeries. Shoppers can watch live demonstrations by skilled artisans, gaining insight into traditional crafting techniques. The market takes place in Madisonville's historic business district, celebrating the neighborhood's rich cultural heritage dating back to its founding in 1809.
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Cincinnati Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Unique Cincinnati-themed elements in the classic ballet
Description:
Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker pirouettes onto the stage with a local twist on the beloved holiday classic. This enchanting production incorporates unique Cincinnati-themed elements, blending familiar landmarks and cultural references into the traditional story. The orchestra's live performance of Tchaikovsky's iconic score fills the theater with soaring melodies. Audience members can marvel at the elaborate costumes and set designs, which pay homage to the Queen City's architectural heritage. The Cincinnati Ballet's interpretation of The Nutcracker has been a cherished holiday tradition since its first performance in 1974.
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Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Interactive elements bringing the audience into Dickens' world
Description:
This adaptation of A Christmas Carol immerses audiences in Charles Dickens' timeless tale with innovative interactive elements. The production breaks the fourth wall, inviting spectators to become part of Scrooge's transformative journey. The scent of mulled wine wafts through the theater, enhancing the Victorian atmosphere. Theatergoers can participate in select scenes, interacting with the characters and influencing the story's progression. This unique staging draws inspiration from Cincinnati's rich theatrical history, which dates back to the opening of its first permanent theater in 1801.
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Cincinnati Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Junction Featuring Brickopolis
What to Expect:
LEGO brick holiday displays
Description:
Holiday Junction featuring Brickopolis combines the charm of model trains with the creativity of LEGO bricks. This innovative event showcases intricate holiday scenes constructed entirely from LEGO, including miniature cityscapes and winter wonderlands. The clickety-clack of model trains echoes through the exhibit as they wind their way through the brick-built landscapes. Visitors can contribute to a community LEGO build, adding their own touch to a growing holiday creation. The event pays tribute to Cincinnati's rich toy manufacturing history, once home to numerous toy companies in the early 20th century.
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Holiday Junction Featuring Brickopolis
Fountain Square Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in the heart of downtown
Description:
The Fountain Square Ice Rink transforms the city center into a winter playground, offering outdoor skating against the backdrop of Cincinnati's skyline. This seasonal attraction brings the thrill of gliding across the ice to urban dwellers and visitors alike. The rink's central location allows skaters to take in the twinkling lights of surrounding buildings as they twirl and slide. You can warm up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate from nearby vendors. The rink sits in the shadow of the historic Tyler Davidson Fountain, a Cincinnati landmark since 1871.
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Nearby Events
Christmas at the Junction (West Chester)
What to Expect:
Historical train-themed Christmas celebration
Description:
Christmas at the Junction transports visitors back in time to experience holiday cheer with a nostalgic railway twist. This unique event showcases beautifully restored vintage trains decked out in holiday finery. The rhythmic chugging of locomotives provides a soothing backdrop as you explore. Children can meet Santa in his special train car, a tradition that harks back to the golden age of rail travel. The Junction's roots trace back to Cincinnati's pivotal role in 19th-century transportation, offering a glimpse into the city's rich railway heritage.
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Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival (Lebanon)
What to Expect:
Largest horse-drawn carriage parade in the Midwest
Description:
The Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival gallops into the holiday season with the largest equestrian parade in the Midwest. This charming event features over 100 horse-drawn carriages, wagons, and buggies adorned with holiday decorations. The clip-clop of hooves on pavement creates a rhythmic soundtrack as the procession winds through the historic streets. Spectators can admire the variety of horse breeds and vintage carriages, some dating back to the 19th century. The festival celebrates Lebanon's rich equestrian heritage, which has been an integral part of the community since its founding in 1802.
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Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival
Light Up Middletown (Middletown)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display in a historic park
Description:
Light Up Middletown illuminates Smith Park with a dazzling drive-through light display, allowing visitors to enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of their vehicles. This unique event transforms the historic park into a glowing wonderland, with themed light installations reflecting local history and culture. The soft glow of thousands of lights creates a captivating atmosphere as you wind through the park. Guests can tune their car radios to a special station playing synchronized holiday music. Smith Park, established in 1927, serves as the perfect backdrop for this modern holiday tradition.
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Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods (Sharonville)
What to Expect:
Light displays integrated with natural woodland setting
Description:
Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods seamlessly blends festive illuminations with the park's natural beauty. This distinctive event features light displays thoughtfully integrated into the woodland landscape, creating a harmonious fusion of nature and holiday cheer. The gentle rustling of leaves adds a serene soundtrack to the experience. Visitors can embark on guided night hikes to spot native nocturnal wildlife amidst the twinkling lights. Sharon Woods, one of the oldest parks in the Great Parks of Hamilton County system, has been a beloved recreational area since its establishment in 1932.
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Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods