The holiday season gets an early start around Cincinnati and Dayton this weekend. The Duke Energy Holiday Trains return to Union Terminal for Holiday Junction, more than 1.5 million lights switch on at Deck the Diamond in Dayton and Books by the Banks brings more than 100 authors and a Family Fun Zone to the Main Library downtown. There are also free nature programs at Dayton-area MetroParks, holiday markets and three family musicals on local stages.
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend in Cincinnati and Dayton: November 13–15, 2026
All Weekend
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains | Cincinnati Museum Center | Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Included with museum admission; free for members
The Duke Energy Holiday Trains return for their 80th season, with more than 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives running through a garden railway layout. Families can also explore a Northern Lights display, an interactive storybook, a holiday scavenger hunt in the train layout and a Smoky Mountain seek-and-find.
Opens November 13; runs through January 4
Frozen | School for Creative and Performing Arts, Cincinnati | Fri 7 p.m., Sat 2 and 7 p.m., Sun 2 p.m.
This stage version of Frozen features all the songs from the film plus new songs written for the stage. Audiences follow Anna and Elsa’s journey through a frozen kingdom.
The SpongeBob Musical | Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater | Fri and Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. | $29
Based on the Nickelodeon series SpongeBob SquarePants, the musical follows SpongeBob’s attempts to stop a volcanic eruption that could wipe out all life in Bikini Bottom.
Through November 21
The Sound of Music | Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall | Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sun 1 and 6:30 p.m. | Tickets from $48.75
A North American tour of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic stops at the Aronoff Center for eight performances.
Final weekend; runs through November 15
A Winter’s Yuletide Gathering | Downtown Tipp City | Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun noon to 4 p.m. | Free to attend
Historic downtown Tipp City kicks off the holiday shopping season with a traditional shopkeepers’ open house. Families can find Santa, strolling carolers, musicians and carriage rides between stops at downtown shops and restaurants.
Lakota East Holiday Arts and Crafts Show | Lakota East High School, Liberty Township | Sat 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Crafters and artisans fill Lakota East High School for this annual holiday arts and crafts show.
Middletown Holiday Whopla | Downtown Middletown | Hours vary | $12; $6 theme nights
An outdoor ice rink takes over downtown Middletown for the holiday season, along with heated igloos families can rent. Skating lessons on Sundays are free with skate admission and limited to five skaters per session.
Through January 10
Friday, November 13
Storytime on the Farm | Winton Woods | 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. | FREE
Kids hear a themed picture book read aloud at the farm, then do activities tied to the story, such as a craft, sensory play or a game.
Fridays through December 4
Deck the Diamond | Day Air Ballpark, Dayton | 5:30 to 9 p.m. | $13.50; 2 and under free
More than 1.5 million lights turn the Dayton Dragons’ ballpark into a walk-through holiday display with a themed light show and a 44-foot Grand Tree. Kids can meet Santa, write letters to Santa, decorate ornaments and make beaded bracelets. The North Pole Express train ($5) and s’mores cost extra.
Opens November 13; select nights through January 2
Family Flying Squirrel Watch | Cincinnati Nature Center, Rowe Woods, Milford | 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. | $8 members, $16 nonmembers (includes daily admission)
After a short indoor introduction at Groesbeck Lodge, families walk out to a viewing area to spot flying squirrels gliding in for their evening meal. The program is for ages 5 and up with an adult, preregistration is required and it runs rain or shine. Participants should bring a flashlight (red light preferred) and dress in layers.
Saturday, November 14
Turkey Trails Cincinnati | Rentschler Forest Park, Hamilton | Kids’ dash 7:55 a.m., races 8 a.m. | Youth 5K and 10K $17
The morning includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon and an untimed 1-mile, plus an untimed kids’ dash for ages 10 and under with a mini bib, youth shirt and medal. Kids who want to run the dash without the swag can join for free, and every registration includes free pie at the finish line.
Books by the Banks | Main Library, downtown Cincinnati | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | FREE
The 19th annual regional book festival brings more than 100 national, regional and local authors downtown for book signings and panel discussions. Kids can spend the day in the Family Fun Zone with crafts, story times and more.
Who’s That Bird at My Feeder? | Germantown MetroPark | 10 to 11 a.m. | FREE
Kids ages 3 to 13 learn to identify common feeder birds and join a global citizen-science effort to count them. Registration is required, and the group meets at the Twin Valley Welcome Center.
ArtisanFest513 Holiday Market | Washington Park, Cincinnati | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Local makers set up in Washington Park for a one-day holiday market, giving families an early start on handmade gifts.
Neighborhood Nature Fest | Nature Center at The Summit, Roselawn | Noon to 4 p.m.
Great Parks celebrates urban wildlife with an afternoon of neighborhood animals, exhibitors, native-plant tastings, nature activities and family games for all ages.
Animal Tracking Excursion | Possum Creek MetroPark, Dayton | 1 to 2:30 p.m. | FREE
Young trackers ages 3 to 13 learn the art and science of reading animal signs on this hands-on outing. Registration is required, and the group meets at the Argonne Forest parking lot.
Tike Hike: Owl Walk | Hills & Dales MetroPark, Kettering | 6 to 7 p.m. | FREE
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 and their grown-ups head out on an evening owl walk. Registration is required, and the group meets at Paw Paw Shelter.
Sunday, November 15
Family Inclusive Sensory Hours: Thankful for Turtles | Newport Aquarium | 8 to 9 a.m.
Newport Aquarium opens early for its monthly F.I.S.H. sensory hours, with changes that make for a calmer visit for guests with sensory sensitivities. November’s theme is Thankful for Turtles.
Things to do near Cincinnati and Dayton this weekend (November 13–15, 2026):
