Get in the jolly spirit with Cincinnati holiday activities!
Cincinnati holiday activities are a chance to celebrate the season while connecting with the community. From festive events to local traditions, there’s something for everyone in the Queen City. Whether enjoying Christmas light displays or supporting Black holiday events, Cincinnati provides a rich holiday experience that highlights the city’s vibrant culture.
This season, participate in local events that unite people and showcase Cincinnati’s best. With a variety of Christmas activities available, families, friends, and neighbors can create lasting memories. Explore merry concerts, holiday markets, and more to immerse yourself fully in the spirit of the season.
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Featured Black Cincinnati Holiday Events
Black Santa
December 18, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cincinnati Art Museum (Mt Adams)
Free Admission
This event is designed to create lasting memories while affirming the importance of representation in holiday celebrations.
Elf The Musical Jr.
Through December 21
Emery Theater (OTR)
Starting at $12
Join Buddy the Elf on his hilarious journey from the North Pole to New York City in this heartwarming and hilarious holiday favorite.
Hot Chocolate – Black Ballet
December 19 through December 21
Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
Featuring an all-Black cast of ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary dancers, Hot Chocolate blends classical tradition with the spirit of Cincinnati. Audiences will be transported through a dazzling winter wonderland where sugar plums dance with grace and soul, the iconic battle scene erupts into a fierce ballroom showdown with vogueing Green Army Men, and the magic of the holidays is reimagined with rhythm, joy, and unapologetic Black excellence.
Holiday Junction
Through January 5
Cincinnati Museum Center (The West End)
Starting at $15.50, Children under two and all members are admitted. Admission is free, with a $2 fee per person for up to 10 guests. Free parking is available for those with a valid EBT or Medicaid card.
The Duke Energy Holiday Trains have been a Cincinnati holiday staple since 1946, delighting generations of residents. Track-level views reveal intricate details of the display, where over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives steam past anxious passengers waiting to board.
Cincinnati Holiday Activities
Breakfast with Santa
December 20
Joseph-Beth Booksellers (Rookwood)
$20
Enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Bronte Bistro.
Holiday Tea
Through December 20
Taft Museum of Art (Downtown)
Starting at $45
Sip on special tea blends from Churchill’s Fine Teas, enjoy a selection of small bites prepared by the Taft Café, and delight in live music in the museum’s historic setting.
Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland
Through December 24
Newport Aquarium (Newport)
Starting at $26
Through holiday magic, kids can tell Scuba Santa what they want for Christmas while he swims underwater with a tank full of sharks, rays, schools of fish, and a curious sea turtle! Meet cheerful elves straight from the North Pole and join in the fun as Scuba Santa fills the Theater with bubbles.
Santa’s Workshop featuring the Shillito’s Elves
Through December 28
Santa’s Workshop (Mariemont)
Starting at $5
The spirit of the holiday season comes alive like never before with the unveiling of an enchanting Christmas display that takes visitors on a captivating journey into the heart of Santa’s Workshop.
WinterFest
Through December 31
Kings Island (Mason)
Starting at $32
It is an unforgettable holiday experience where Kings Island transforms into 12 enchanting winter wonderlands.
Holidays on the Farm
Through December 23
Parky’s Farm (Winton Woods)
$17/person at the gate. Children 2 and under: Free
Festivities Include Lighted Trails, Pony Rides, Farm Animal Meet and greets, Photos with Santa and Other Friends from the North Pole, Santa’s Reindeer, Dickens Carolers & Mrs. Claus Storytime, Vendors with Handmade Gifts and treats, Wagon Rides, Nature Programming Stations, A Cozy Beer Garden, Artificial Ice Curling, and Holiday Movies.
Summit Park Ice Rink
Through January 4
Summit Park (Blue Ash)
$7 per person
The ice rink will be located underneath Summit Park’s glass canopy. For inexperienced skaters, free skating aids are available for each session while supplies last.
Festival of Ferns
Through January 4
Krohn Conservatory (Mt Adams)
Starting at $7
Walk through a botanical model of Cincinnati created by Applied Imagination. Experience classic trains and iconic landmarks, such as the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Roebling Bridge. Surround yourself with ferns, familiar and unexpected, from towering trees to delicate maidenhairs, complemented by the crimson hues of seasonal poinsettias.
UC Health Ice Rink
Through February 16
Elm Street Plaza (Downtown)
Starting at $12
Ice skating in the heart of downtown is one of Cincinnati’s quintessential winter traditions. This year, the beloved rink brings its signature charm and festive atmosphere to a new location at Elm Street Plaza, where families and friends can make lasting memories.
Related Article: Things to do this week in Black Cincinnati
Free Holiday Events
Downtown Dazzle
Through December 20
Fountain Square (Downtown)
Free Admission
Enjoy ornament decorating, cookie decorating, a scavenger hunt, photo ops, Buddy the Elf appearances, and Santa rappelling down a building, followed by a Fireworks show.
Jingle Jams
Through December 21, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
Enjoy a merry mix of live holiday music, great drinks, and festive vibes all season long.
Santa’s Workshop
Through December 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
Bring your family, your dog, your friends, and anyone else you can think of to meet Santa, but of most all–be sure to bring your cameras to capture the best holiday moment!
Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt
Through December 28
Moerlein Lager House (The Banks)
Free Admission
The holiday-themed Christmas festival will feature food, beverages, merchandise, holiday lights, choral and musical entertainment, and a European yet Cincinnati Holiday theme.
Shillito’s Elves Window Display
Through January 4
Carew Tower (Downtown)
Free Admission
The Shillito’s Elves made their debut in the 1950s in the windows at Shillito’s, Cincinnati’s first department store. They are a collection of mechanized figures that depict various Christmas scenes, including Santa’s workshop.
A Franciscan Christmas
Through January 6
Saint Francis Seraph Catholic Church (OTR)
Free Admission
View nativity scenes from around the world and enjoy numerous other holiday displays.
Related Article: Holiday Shop with Black-owned Businesses.
Holiday-themed Theater, Music, and Dance Performances
FUNK da Halls Christmas Jam
December 19, 8 p.m. – Midnight
Ja’Lure Events & Decor (Sharonville)
$50
Get ready to Funk Da Halls at this Christmas Jam, an unforgettable holiday celebration featuring the sensational D-Funk All-Stars.
Black Nativity
December 19 & 20
Word of Deliverance (Forest Park)
Starting at $20
Black Nativity, an adaptation of Langston Hughes’ original Nativity story, was designed for performers to bring their own energy and flair, incorporating music and dance styles of their choice. Every year, the company breathes fresh life into this Christmas classic, adding new songs, breathtaking choreography, and creative storytelling elements that captivate audiences of all ages.
Die Hard is a Christmas Movie
Through December 21
Know Theatre (OTR)
Starting at $15
It’s Christmas Eve, and Lane has invited her estranged husband, Mac, back home to provide a “normal Christmas” to their kids. But when Mac picks Die Hard for the family’s movie night, the classic “Is this a Christmas Movie?” debate takes on a life of its own.
The Jordan Pollard Trio plays An Oscar Peterson Christmas
December 22, 7 p.m.
Memorial Hall (OTR)
$14
The Jordan Pollard Trio delivePeterson’seterson’s own arrangements of Christmas classics in a trio setting with special guest Nick Fryer on guitar.
A Christmas Carol
Through December 28
Playhouse in the Park (Mt Adams)
Starting at $35
This holiday story unfolds spectacularly in a brand-new production featuring a dazzling new set, costumes, and lighting designs. Preview performances
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And then some)
Through December 28
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (OTR)
Starting at $14
What begins as another production of A Christmas Carol devolves into an irreverent look at beloved holiday classics.
Cincinnati Ballet presents The Nutcracker
December 18 through December 28
Music Hall (OTR)
Starting at $46
With spectacular choreography by Victoria Morgan, grand sets and costumes, and a beloved story, The Nutcracker also presents a remarkable cast of characters, including the Snow Queen and King, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, mischievous mice, brave toy soldiers, chicks, and Minnie the Poodle.
Holiday-Themed Light Displays
CAM Nights & Holiday Lights
Through December 26
Thursdays and Fridays, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cincinnati Art Museum (Mt Adams)
Free Admission
Cincinnati-based motion designer, 3D animator, and three-time BLINK artist Chaske Haverkos designed an exciting projection light show, accompanied by festive music, that will play in regular intervals along a wall in the courtyard beginning at 5:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the show outside. Diners can also reserve a heated globe and enjoy a good meal and a projection show together.
Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
Through December 30
Land of Illusion (Middletown)
$15
Over 3.8 million lights at the 2-mile-long lights display drive-thru. The Christmas Glow – Christmas Drive-Thru is here to create memories and celebrate the season with the family!
Light up Middletown Driving Tour
Through December 31
Smith Park (Middletown)
Admission with a cash donation – attendees set the price!
The journey begins with a tunnel of lights.
Pyramid Hill Lights
Through January 4
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park (Hamilton)
$25 per vehicle
Enjoy a nature-filled show featuring installations by local artists illuminated by over one million holiday lights. Bring the whole family along for a drive-through holiday experience.
Festival of Lights
Through January 4
Cincinnati Zoo (Clifton)
Starting at $17, $6 per adult, $3 per child, or $40 family membership, and $1 parking with a valid EBT or SNAP card (Included with zoo admission)
Come early to see more animals and stay for the lights! Lights, animals, holiday cheer, and more!
Winter Nights & River Lights
Through January 4
Purple People Bridge (Riverfront)
Free Admission
Families can stroll across the illuminated bridge as hundreds of LED displays glow across the river, creating a magical atmosphere.
Related Article: Weather keeping you indoors? Check out Holiday movies.
Take this opportunity to explore Cincinnati Holiday Activities and make lasting memories with family and friends. From festive gatherings to cultural celebrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Embrace the spirit of the season by engaging with the community and experiencing all that Cincinnati has to offer.
Please inform us at The Voice of Black Cincinnati if we missed any Cincinnati holiday activities and events.
The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job postings, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-966-3328.
Cincinnati holiday activities images provided by © [Monkey Business] /Adobe Stock and The Voice of Black Cincinnati via AI
