Celebrate the Season in Cincinnati!

Bustling shoppers, twinkling lights, falling snow – there’s nothing quite like the way the holiday season transforms the city. And this season there are scads of great Cincinnati traditions to enjoy like “The Nutcracker,” skating on Fountain Square, the lights at the zoo and trains – lots of trains. Check out this list of some of the holiday activities the Greater Cincinnati area has to offer. And, to make the season even brighter, some of them are free!

• Holiday Train Display at Behringer-Crawford Museum, Now until January 16, open during museum hours, access to train display FREE with museum admission!
  More than 250 feet of track offers hands-on fun for guests of all ages! The holiday layout features Lionel, Plasticville and Faragher model trains.
• Holiday Junction at Cincinnati History Museum, December 1-24, 26-31 and January 1-2, open during museum hours, access to train display FREE with museum admission!
  Bring your family to see vintage model trains running through wintry holiday scenes!
• Krohn Conservatory’s Holiday Floral Show: Come Home for the Holidays, Now until January 2, see website for times, admission is FREE!
  Walk through a “home” decorated in full holiday attire including hundreds of poinsettias, cyclamen and evergreens, and look for the new “Eggnog” and “Ice Punch” poinsettias.
• Skating on the Square, Now until February 20, see website for times
  This favorite holiday pastime is back! Make some fond memories skating across Fountain Square on a frosty winter day.
• Duke Energy Holiday Trains, Now until December 31, see website for times, admission is FREE!
  Now in its 65th season, the Duke Energy Holiday Trains exhibit encompasses more than 300 miniature train cars and engines and is made up of over 1,000 feet of track!
• Festival of Lights, Now until January 2, 5-9 p.m., see website for ticket prices
  Come see the Cincinnati Zoo in a whole new way! Walk through thousands of beautiful lights and enjoy other fun holiday festivities for the whole family.
• Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland, Now until January 2, open during aquarium hours, access to exhibit is included with aquarium admission
  In one of the most unique holiday attractions in the Greater Cincinnati area, Scuba Santa and his underwater sleigh will delight visitors young and old at the Newport Aquarium.
• Holly Jolly Downtown Trolley, December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon- 5 p.m. (trolleys leave every 10 minutes), admission is FREE!
  Ride around downtown in seasonal style on decorated trolleys running from The Westin in Fountain Square and making stops at all the major holiday attractions along Fourth and Fifth Streets.
• Lebanon Mason Holiday Train, December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, see website for departure times and ticket prices
  Ride on a vintage train and visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies.
• Santa at Macy’s Fountain Place, Now until December 24, Saturdays 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sundays through Fridays noon- 6 p.m., admission is FREE!
  Bring your camera for photos with Santa on the first level of Macy’s Fountain Place store.
• Carriage Rides at Macy’s Celebration Station, December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, from noon-5 p.m. (final boarding at 4:45 p.m.), admission is FREE!
  Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the heart of the city starting at Macy’s Celebration Station on the corner of Fifth and Race Streets.
• “A Christmas Carol,” December 2-30, see website for show times and ticket prices
  Watch as this Christmas classic comes to life on the stage of the Robert S. Marx Theatre.
• Victorian Holiday Village, December 3, 4, 9, 10, 6-8:30 p.m., admission is FREE!
  Explore a child’s sized holiday village and get a photo with St. Nick himself!
• Macy’s Downtown Dazzle, December 4, 11, 18, 6:30 p.m. (choir starts 5:45 p.m.), admission is FREE!
  Enjoy live music and then watch in awe as Santa rappels down the side of the 525 Vine Building to kick off a spectacular holiday fireworks display!
• May Festival Christmas, December 4, 3 p.m., see website for ticket prices
  Come hear the rich sounds of the season in the Music Hall, where the May Festival Chorus and Youth Chorus sing holiday classics and your favorite carols.
• Saint Nicholas’ Arrival in MainStrasse Village, December 6,  6:45 p.m., admission is FREE!
  In a time-honored German tradition, Saint Nicholas arrives on horseback with sweet treats for all the little kids.
• Happy Holidays with the Pops, December 10-12, see website for times and ticket prices
  The Cincinnati Pops and Debby Boone will warm your heart with beautiful holiday music and memories.
• The Beach on Ice, December 10-January 2, see website for times and ticket prices
  The Beach Waterpark is transformed into a winter wonderland with an ice rink and activities for the whole family.
• Candy Cane Hunt in Goebel Park, December 11, 2 p.m., admission is FREE!
  Bring your kids to hunt for thousands of hidden candy canes. Win prizes and enjoy treats – and even a visit from Santa!
• Cincinnati Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” December 16-26, see website for times and ticket prices
  Stunning costumes and extravagant characters expertly dance across the stage in this famous ballet – an annual tradition in Cincinnati.
• New Year’s Eve on Fountain Square, December 31, 8 p.m. (fireworks at midnight), admission is FREE!
  Ring in the New Year at Fountain Square with DJ skating, drinks from the Ice Bar, yummy snacks and dazzling fireworks. You don’t want to miss the biggest celebration of the year!