This season is packed with holiday happenings around Cincinnati and Dayton, with many events that are guaranteed to get you in a merry mood. So start making your list of festive things to do and checking it twice! Check out our preview of holiday events families can look forward to.
Holiday Junction
The Cincinnati Museum Center is the place to be this season! Starting November 9, visitors can enjoy Holiday Junction, a winter wonderland featuring the beloved Duke Energy Holiday Trains that are back for their 78th season. Returning in 2024 is Brickopolis, a blizzard of LEGO bricks crafted into fantastical scenes. And no holiday is complete without a visit to Santa, who makes his grand arrival via helicopter on November 29. Visit the jolly elf by his fireplace in the Ruthven Gallery next to Holiday Junction. cincymuseum.org
North Pole Express
Experience the joy of the holidays as you journey down the tracks of Warren County’s LM&M Railroad aboard the North Pole Express! On select dates from November 15-December 23, passengers can spend time with Santa and his elves on a one-hour-and-15-minute festive train ride. Train cars are adorned with holiday lights and decorations, adding to the cheer of this magical event. All children will receive a souvenir bell and holiday cookie. lebanonrr.com
PNC Festival of Lights
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s 42nd annual Festival of Lights kicks off November 21-January 5, 2025. Admire the beauty of four million LED lights, find the Fiona fairies in Fairyland, ride the North Polar Express train ride, take in a blacklight puppet show, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, and snack at one of two S’mores-n-More stands. cincinnatizoo.org
Woodland Lights
This year marks the 32nd anniversary of this beloved Dayton holiday celebration! Starting November 22, experience a fantasy land of holiday lights and displays along a half-mile paved path at Countryside Park in Washington Township. Visitors can stroll through the 10 acres of sparkling lights and whimsical displays, or take a ride on the Rieck Express train along a separate path. Visit Santa in a historic cabin, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and much more. washingtontwp.org/recreation/woodland_lights
Cincinnati’s Nights of Lights
New name, new location, same dazzling light displays! Cincinnati’s Nights of Lights has moved to Clermont County Fairgrounds this year, but you can still enjoy the city’s largest synchronized light show from the comfort of your vehicle from November 23-January 5, 2025. See more than 1 million lights synchronized to traditional and rocking Christmas music played through your car stereo. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show. clermontcountyfair.com
A Carillon Christmas
See Carillon Historical Park’s 65-acre campus transformed into a winter wonderland of sparkle, magic and holiday cheer from November 26-December 30. Guests can visit with Santa, do holiday shopping, indulge in holiday treats, and listen to holiday stories being read at the schoolhouse. daytonhistory.org
Kings Island Winterfest
Step into a world of holiday magic at Kings Island with Winterfest, an unforgettable holiday experience where the amusement park is transformed into 11 enchanting winter wonderlands. On select nights from November 29-December 31, Cincinnati’s premier holiday event features ice skating on the Royal Fountain, the Eiffel Tower turned into a magical Christmas tree, the WinterFest Wonderland Parade, more than five million lights and live entertainment throughout the park. visitkingsisland.com
Middletown Holiday Whopla
Head to Downtown Middletown from November 29-December 31 for Holiday Whopla! This interactive holiday lights festival features an ice-skating rink, musical performances, artist vendors, themed venues, specialty storefronts, and so much more all season long! holidaywhopla.org
Light in the Forest
From December 5-29, experience Cincinnati Nature Center in a whole new light! Walk along Nature Center trails that sparkle with gentle lights, and enjoy children’s activities, music, bonfires, holiday shopping, and the historic Krippendorf Lodge and Abner Hollow Cabin adorned in period decorations. cincynature.org
Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Enjoy Dayton’s biggest and best holiday performance arts tradition: Dayton Ballet’s beloved The Nutcracker, happening December 13-22 at the Schuster Performing Arts Center. Join Clara, accompanied by her gallant Nutcracker Prince, on a dreamy trip to the Land of Sweets, where she meets Mother Ginger, the Marzipan Shepherdesses, Ribbon Candy, the Dew Drops, and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her dashing Cavalier. daytonperformingarts.org
Cincinnati Ballet Presents the Nutcracker
This beloved holiday tradition returns to Cincinnati Ballet’s Music Hall on December 14-24. Enjoy the magic and wonder of The Nutcracker and share Clara’s candy-coated adventure to the Land of Sweets, as your family enjoys Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. When Clara receives a nutcracker on Christmas Eve, her dreams take her to a wondrous land where a fantastic cast of characters awaits. Dozens of local young performers join Cincinnati Ballet onstage for these holiday performances. cballet.org
