Holiday Event Guide 2024
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and there is so much merriment for families to enjoy this month! From magical Mason all the way down to festive Florence, strings of lights have been draped, stockings have been carefully hung, and miles of train tracks have been thoughtfully placed. Check out these fabulous festivities and get ready to experience the biggest gift of all – spending time together.
DRIVE-THROUGH LIGHTS
Christmas Glow
Land of Illusion | 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, OH
(513) 423-9960 | landofillusion.com
Back for the eighth year, this holiday experience features drive-thru lights, a Christmas Village, petting zoo, gift shop, and more.
Through December 30, closed Christmas.
Light up the Fair
Boone County Fairgrounds | 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, KY
(859) 568-4046 | lightupthefair.com
Stay warm and embark on a drive-through twinkling holiday adventure. This show features over two miles of Christmas lights synchronized with holiday songs. New for 2024, there will be brand new displays, glowing tunnels, and more. Veterans receive free entry.
Through December 28, open Christmas
Light up Middletown
Smith Park | 500 Tytus Avenue, Middletown, OH
lightupmiddletown.org
The Grandpa Gang has once again volunteered to skillfully put together this illuminating drive through experience. Don’t miss the special Balloon Glow on December 11 from 7-8 p.m.
Open nightly through December 31, open Christmas
Pyramid Hill Lights
Pyramid HIll | 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH
(513) 868-8336 | pyramidhill.org
Art plus Nature plus over one million lights installed by local artists. Head to Pyramid Hill to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this two-mile drive-through holiday experience! Pyramid Hill Lights is a truly magical attraction that can be enjoyed from the comforts of the family vehicle.
Through January 5, closed on Mondays and Christmas.
FESTIVE FAMILY TRADITIONS
ChristmasTown
Creation Museum | 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY
(888) 582-4253 | creationmuseum.org
The Garden of Lights is an illuminated path in the botanical gardens which showcases Buddy Davis Sculptures and leads to the petting zoo and a playground, too. There is also an option to go on a three-line Christmas zipline course.
Tuesday – Saturday through January 4, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Deck the Y’all’s Lightfest
Thomas More Stadium | 7950 Freedom Way, Florence, KY
(859) 594-4487 | decktheyalls.com
The third annual Deck the Y’alls Lightfest spectacle showcases eight immersive themed displays and over 2.5 million dazzling lights. Families can hit the ice on a rink located right on the first base line (BTDT tip: kids skate free on Wednesdays!).
Through January 1, closed Christmas.
Heritage Village Holiday Events
Holiday Traditions Old and New
Taft Museum of Art | 316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH
(513) 241-0343 | taftmuseum.org
Charles and Anna Taft were known as hosts with the most during the holidays. To honor that tradition, collection galleries have been decked out with fabulously festive dining arrangements celebrating the season.
Through January 5, closed Christmas.
Holly & Hearth Nights
Heritage Village | 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH
(513) 563-9484 | heritagevillagecincinnati.com
See a Victorian village aglow in the snow! There will be hot cocoa and cookies, crafts, a trackless train ride, and more.
December 5, 6, 12, and 13 from 6-8 p.m.
Let it Glow
Cincinnati Art Museum | 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati OH
(513) 721- 2787 | cincinnatiartmuseum.org
This brand new holiday event has the Alice Bimel Courtyard illuminated and transformed into a winter wonderland. Enter the 30-foot-tall interactive snow globe centerpiece for a truly immersive experience.
Through January 5, closed Mondays and Christmas.
Light in the Forest
Cincinnati Nature Center | 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH
(513) 831-1711 | cincynature.org
Take an enchanting one-mile stroll through the whimsically illuminated winter woods. There will be live music, a warm bonfire, food trucks, holiday shopping, new installations, and new children’s activities.
Thursday through Sunday evenings in December.
Lighted Forest Walk
The Acres | 9941 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH
(513) 733-1100 | acrescincinnati.com
A brand new immersive experience, the Forest Walk takes guests on a ⅓ mile trail designed for all ages. The rustic walk highlights nature’s illuminating beauty! There will also be opportunities to check out the LED zipline, LED lit mini golf, and to grab a drink or dine at the Restaurant + Bar.
Through January 4, closed Mondays and Christmas.
PNC Festival of Lights
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden | 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH
(513) 281-4700 | cincinnatizoo.org
The 42nd Annual PNC Festival of Lights has visitors in awe every single year over the 4 million LED lights displayed throughout the zoo. Discover over 50 larger-than-life Animal Lanterns, take in the Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake, meet costumed characters, see the MadCap Puppet show, and yes, see zoo animals, too.
Through January 5, closed Christmas.
Reindeer Ridge
7621 N Dearborn Road, Guilford, In 47022
(513) 379-4510 | reindeerridgerentals.com
Meet and learn all about reindeer, have many photo opportunities in a real sleigh and in front of the Christmas tree, shop for festive treasures in the Holiday Barn, visit with Santa and more!
December 14-15, 21-24.
Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland
Newport Aquarium | 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY
(800) 406-3474 | newportaquarium.com
This bubbly, one-of-a-kind tradition is back underwater! See Santa swim with zebra sharks, a shark ray, and cheery elves, too. Good boys and girls can also share their gift wish lists with Santa, too!
Through December 24.
Very Merry Middletown
Downtown Middletown | 39 N Broad Street, Middletown, OH
(513) 473-7894 | holidaywhopla.org
Take a walk through small town Americana during the holidays! Families can enjoy larger-than-life light displays, shopping, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, rent an igloo, take a horse drawn carriage ride and even go ice skating, too.
Through January 20, see website for details on special events like the Santa Parade.
WinterFest
Kings Island | 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Mills, OH
(513) 754-5700 | visitkingsisland.com
Step into a world of Holiday Magic! The Eiffel Tower has transformed into a 314-foot-tall Christmas tree, and the park boasts more than seven million lights. The live shows, riveting rides, character meet and greets, tasty treats, holiday shopping, and nightly Wonderland Parade make this event “snow” much fun.
Select nights through December 31.
SKATING RINKS
Medpace and Warm 98.5 Skating Rink
Summit Park | 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, OH
summitparkblueash.com
Bundle up and lace those skates up for some fun on the ice. Families can grab a bite from Sugar N’ Spice or a sweet treat from Nanny Belle’s. Chuck a Duck will take place December 17 – January 5 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Through January 5.
UC Health Ice Rink
Fountain Square | 520 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH
(513) 297-6069 | myfountainsquare.com
Hit the ice at this downtown skating rink. Open seven days a week, featuring the WGU Warming Tent and concessions.
Through February 17.
Terrific Trains
Christmas at the Junction
EnterTRAINment Junction | 7379 Squire Court, West Chester, OH
(513) 898-8000 | entertrainmentjunction.com
Chug on in to see this winter wonderland for the last time. Families can visit the North Pole to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus before checking out the beautiful winter train displays.
Through January 5, closing at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Closed Christmas.
Holiday Junction
Cincinnati Museum Center | 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
(513) 287-7000 | cincymuseum.org
Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains and celebrating 78 years of winterland whimsy, Holiday Junction has pulled into the station. Choo choo! Over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives can be seen steaming by at this impressive snowy display! Families will also enjoy building memories at the LEGO metropolis, Brickopolis, visiting with Santa, and going on an OMNIMAX adventure during Rocky Mountain Express.
Through January 6, Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Christmas.
Holly Jolly Days
Behringer-Crawford Museum | 1600 Montague Road, Covington, KY
(859) 491-4003 | bcmuseum.org
Explore relics from past holidays with a visit to A Window Through Time. This exhibit displays vintage feather Christmas trees, antique German ornaments, toys, and more. Of course an Antique Christmas wouldn’t be complete without some locomotives. Holiday Toy Trains features eight model trains circling over 250 feet of track.
Through January 12, closed Mondays, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year’s Eve and Day.
North Pole Express
LM&M Railroad | 16 E South Street, Lebanon, OH
(513) 933-8022 | lebanonrr.com
All aboard! The joy of the holidays is abundant on this 1 hour, 15 minute festive train ride. There will be visits with elves and Santa during the ride, and each child will receive a souvenir bell and holiday cookie.
Select nights through December 23.
Solstice Glow
Krohn Conservatory | 1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH
(513) 421-4086 | cincinnati-oh.gov
The quiet magic of winter will be on display during Krohn’s winter show. Candles and lanterns will light the way as families admire pointsetties, model trains, and miniature replicas of Cincinnati landmarks.
Through January 5.
Train Days
Heritage Village | 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH
(513) 563-9484 | heritagevillagecincinnati.com
Tour an 1800s village, visit the historic Chester Park Train Station, and see model trains swirling through large train displays.
December 18-20 from 10 a.m-2 p.m. *more dates may be added, see website for details.