Cincinnati Family Magazine

Your # 1 Hometown Family Resource

October 5, 2024

Safe Ways to Celebrate the Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Holiday breaks are right around the corner and we have gathered the best seasonal activities for the family!

Safe at Home 

One of my favorite holiday activities with my family is driving through neighborhoods to look at the lights and inflatables. It brings me back to my childhood. This activity is safe, fun and free!

Every year, my family and I make a gingerbread house. We usually eat the candy before it makes it onto the house! This activity is guaranteed fun!

The past few seasons, snow has been scarce in our local area. I love playing in the snow and having snowball fights. So, my family found an alternative way to bring the fun indoors! We purchased indoor snowballs from amazon.com; this is a fun activity for the family especially on cold, winter days. 

If you plan on adding holiday activities to your winter break agenda this year, be sure to check for COVID-19 safety precautions before you go. These businesses all have health and safety guidelines put in place (mask wearing, social distancing, hand sanitizing, limited capacity, online ticketing) so know before you go and mostly, stay safe, healthy and have a wonderful holiday break!

Kentucky

ChristmasTime at the Ark (1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown)
On select days, enjoy the ark and gardens lit up, a miniature zoo, fair trade market and more. Free admission; parking, $10. Additional upgrades available.  Visit arkencounter.com/christmas for more information or call 855-284-3275.

ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum (2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg)
Enjoy the gardens lit up and a live nativity scene.  Free admission; parking, $10. Additional upgrades available. Visit creationmuseum.org/christmas for more information or call 888-582-4253.

Newport Aquarium (1 Levee Way, Newport)
Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland arrives November 27! This is the perfect way to visit Santa safely this year! Reservations required. Visit newportaquarium.com for more information or call 800-406-3474.

Ohio

Christmas at the Junction

Bumper Cars (520 Vine St, Cincinnati.)
Downtown Cincinnati has bumper cars on ice! This is a fun, socially distant activity. Admission, $15 per person (includes unlimited bumper car rides and ice skates for one hour). Visit myfountainsquare.com/ice-rink for more information or call 513-445-8546.

Christmas at the Junction (7379 Squire Ct, West Chester)  
EnterTRAINment Junction turns into a holiday wonderland! Plus, socially distanced Zoom chats with the Big Man in Red! Visit entertrainmentjunction.com for more information or call 513-898-8000. 

Drive-Through Light Shows

38th PNC Festival of Lights

Christmas Nights of Lights (6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati)
Admission, $7; children 3 and younger are free.  Visit coneyislandpark.com/event/christmas-light-show for more information or call 513-232-8230.

Light up the Fair (5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington) 
Admission, $6; children 3 and under are free. Visit lightupthefair.com for more information or call 859-568-4046.

Holiday in Lights (11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville)
Admission, $15 per vehicle. Due to COVID-19, cash will not be accepted.  Visit holidayinlights.com for more information or call 513-769-0393.

Festival of Lights (3400 Vine St., Cincinnati)
The Cincinnati Zoo turns magical starting November 21 with new dates and times added! Reservations required. 
Visit cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights for more information or call 513-281-4700.

Krohn Conservatory (1501 Eden Park, Cincinnati)
A Very Merry Garden Holiday is now open! Admission, $10 adults; $7 youth; ages 4 and younger are free. Visit cincinnatiparks.com/krohn for more information or call 513-421-4086.

Need more ideas? Keep a close lookout for our Holiday Guide coming out December 1, and click here for more drive-through light shows. 

About the Author

Kelsey Kreke

Kelsey is a 32-year-old stay-at-home mom. She loves hanging out with her son, refurbishing furniture and finding new places to explore in the local area!