Baby, it’s cold outside! And whether your family is looking to stay cozy from the comfort of your vehicle, venture into the world (for an indoor adventure) or bundle up and take on the winter weather, there is snow much holiday fun happening in the tri-state. Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
OH WHAT FUN, IT IS TO DRIVE!
Christmas Glow
Land of Illusion | 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, OH | landofillusion.com
A 2-mile long drive-thru adventure showcasing over 3.8 million lights, plus a Christmas Village, petting zoo, gift shop and more.
Christmas Nights of Lights
Clermont County Fairgrounds | 1000 Locust St., Owensville, OH | queencitylightshow.com
This larger-than-life lights show is illuminated by more than 2 million lights.Through December 31st.
Light Up The Fair
Boone County Fairgrounds | 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, KY | lightupthefair.com
Stay warm during a 2-mile long twinkling adventure with festive displays set to synchronized holiday songs.
Light Up Middletown
Smith Park | 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH | lightupmiddletown.org
This volunteer-driven drive-through fantasy light display experience has been helping families make memories for more than 25 years! Through December 31st.
Pyramid Hill Lights
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum | 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH | pyramidhill.org
Drive-through a 2-mile art and nature filled route featuring fresh installations by local artists. Through January 4th.
AWESOME INDOOR ADVENTURES
All Set for Afternoon Tea
Taft Museum of Art | 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, OH | taftmuseum.org
See how the Taft family would provide their guests with yummy foods and egg nog for holiday gatherings. Don’t miss out on holiday family fundays (December 7 and 14th) and holiday tea times, too! Through January 4th.
Festival of Ferns
Krohn Conservatory |1501 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, OH | cincinnati-oh.gov
Celebrate the holidays among the fronds while marveling at model trains and miniature iconic Cincy landmarks like the Cincinnati Museum Center. Through January 4th.
Holly Jolly Days
Behringer-Crawford Museum | 1600 Montague Road, Covington, KY | bcmuseum.org
The 34th annual holiday toy trains exhibit showcases quaint Christmas-y scenes and terrific tiny towns. Little ones will love the interactive buttons that make things go, go, go! Through January 11th.
Holiday Family Fundays
Taft Museum of Art | 316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH | taftmuseum.org
Learn all about holidays traditions and histories through art-making, music and gallery engagements.
December 7 (Classic Christmas) and December 14 (Hannukah Celebration), 10 a.m.-330 p.m.
Holiday Junction
Cincinnati Museum Center | 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, OH | cincymuseum.org
Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains. Over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives will be chugging along tracks adorned with whimsical, wintry towns. Through January 5th.
North Pole Express
LM&M Railroad | 16 E. South St., Lebanon, OH | lebanonrr.com
All aboard! This special 1 hour 15 minute train ride is full of cheer. Kids will receive a souvenir bell and holiday cookie, plus some tie with Santa and his elves, too. Select nights through December 23.
Santa on the Levee
Newport on the Levee | 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY | newportonthelevee.com
Santa Claus is coming to town! Gather the family and head to the levee to take some pics with the man in red.
December 6, 13 and 20, 1-5 p.m.
Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland
Newport Aquarium | 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY | newportaquarium.com
Celebrate the holidays with a one-of-a-kind underwater tradition with lots of magical bubbles, friendly fish, cheerful elves and Scuba Santa! Through December 24th.
Sundays with Santa
Station Road Farm & Landscaping | 6749 Station Road, West Chester, OH | stationroadlandscaping.com
Explore the whimsical Christmas Shop and meet up with Santa Claus for a chat and photo, too.
December 7, 14 and 21, 1-3 p.m.
Train Days
Heritage Village | 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH | heritagevillagecincinnati.org
Check out model trains chugging past villages, around mountains and through tunnels. Be sure to warm up with hot chocolate and some cookies, too. December 17th through January 4th.
Winterhaus
Fountain Square | 520 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH | myfountainsquare.com
The newest holiday tradition in Cincinnati. This cozy, heated, glass-enclosed tent is a great hub for festive fun
BUNDLE UP FOR WINTER FUN
CAM NIGHTS & HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Cincinnati Art Museum | 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH | cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Bundle up and head to the CAM on Thursday and Friday nights in December for a free night of family adventuring in the Alice Bimel Courtyard. This outdoor space has been transformed into a winter wonderland through a holiday-themed projection light show.
Christmas at the Creation Museum
Creation Museum | 2800 Bullitsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY | creationmuseum.org
See a live nativity, make animal friends at the petting zoo, walk through the Garden of Lights, see the Buddy David dinosaurs lit with festive lights and more.
The Christmas Ranch
3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow, OH | thechristmasranch.com
This old-fashioned family experience brings the whimsy with 1 million dancing Christmas lights, seven holiday shops, Santa’s Bakery & Cafe, pictures with Santa and train and wagon rides. Through December 23rd.
Christmas Through the Ages
Heritage Village Museum | 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH | heritagevillagecincinnati.org
Bundle up and step back in time to tour seven historic buildings celebrating the holiday in the style of 19th century Southwestern Ohio, including the newly renovated Myers Schoolhouse. December 3-5 and 10-12 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the hour
Elm Street Plaza Ice Skating Rink
150 West Fifth St., Cincinnati, OH | elmstreetplazacincy.com
The Fountain Square skating rink is not gone, it has just moved to a new location! Spend some time ice skating, rent a cozy igloo and more. Through mid-February.
Ho Ho Hayrides
Hidden Village Orchards | 5474 North State Route 48, Lebanon, OH | hiddenvalleyorchards.com
Take a hayride, make s’mores, visit with Santa and take a tour of the festively decorated Sproutsville Christmas Village.
Dec 5-7, 12-14, 19-20, see website for times.
Holidays on the Farm
Winton Woods Farm & Equestrian Center | 10073 Daly Road, Cincinnati, OH | greatparks.org
The farm has gone festive for the holiday season. Embark on an outdoor adventure with thousands of lights, reindeer, music, food and drink. Through December 23rd.
Ice Rink at Summit Park
4335 Glendale Milford Road, Cincinnati, OH | summitparkblueash.com
Presented by Medpace. Head online to check out special events like Mascot Monday, Chuck a Duck and more. Through January 4th
Lighted Forest Walk
The Acres | 9941 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH | acrescincinnati.com
This ⅓ mile illuminated trail puts the spotlight on local artists’ unique installations. The mini golf course will be open during Lighted Forest and is included with admission! Through January 3rd.
Light in the Forest
Cincinnati Nature Center | 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH | cincynature.org
Take a whimsical 1-mile stroll through the winter woods. With interactive fun around every corner, the immersive art installations (including some that are new for 2025!) are perfect for memory-making with the family.
PNC Festival of Lights
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden | 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH | cincinnatizoo.org
Come early to see the animals and stay for the lights—5 million LED lights, that is. Plus, find the 5 hidden Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in the Wild Lights show and so much more. Through January 4th.
Reimagine Ice Rink
39 North Broad St., Middletown, OH | reimagine-middletown.com
Ice skating with a twist! Wednesdays have festive theme nights—dress like the theme and receive a discounted skating ticket. Weekends will include character skate experiences with fun familiar faces like Elf, the Grinch and friends from Frozen. Through January 11th.
Reindeer Ridge
7621 N Dearborn Road, Guilford, IN | reindeerridgerentals.com
Families can learn all about reindeer during the “Meet Santa and His Reindeer Tour”. Available Saturdays and Sundays in December.
Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt
Moerlein Lager House | 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH | cincinnatichristkindlmarkt.com
This German-American style Christmas festival features good food, entertainment, decor and shopping. Want to warm up? Igloos are available for rental.
Through December 28th.
WinterFest
Kings Island | 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, OH | | visitkingsisland.com
Along with over 7 million lights throughout the park, each night kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony as the Eiffel Tower transforms into a dazzling decoration, too! Meet cheery characters, watch a wow-ing show, snack on seasonal treats, do a little holiday shopping, watch the Wonderland Parade and snow much more. Select nights through December 31st.
Yultetide Village
Renaissance Park | 10542 Ohio 73, Waynesville, OH | yuletidevillage.com
Friday and Saturday nights, families can step back in time to wander through sparkling lights, enjoy festive shows, grab a bite to eat and do some shopping in the Yuletide Market. There will be visits with Santa and Krampus (just in case someone needs to try to get off of the naughty list.) Through December 20th.
