Christmas in Cincinnati is a magical time of year, filled with exciting events and activities that are fun for the whole family. From festive lights and decorations to holiday markets and parades, there's something for everyone to enjoy. In this article, we'll explore some of the top Cincinnati Christmas events and activities that you won't want to miss.
Cincinnati is a city that takes its holiday celebrations seriously, and it shows in the wide range of events and activities on offer. Whether you're a local or just visiting, you'll find plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit. From ice skating and sledding to visiting Santa and enjoying festive food and drink, there's something for every age and interest.
Christmas Light Displays and Events
One of the most popular Christmas activities in Cincinnati is checking out the festive light displays that can be found throughout the city. Here are a few of the top Christmas light displays and events:
- Newport Aquarium's Festival of Lights: This annual event features over a million lights, festive decorations, and a variety of holiday activities, including a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and visits with Santa.
- Cincinnati Zoo's Festival of Lights: The Cincinnati Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland each year with over a million lights, festive decorations, and a variety of holiday activities, including a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and visits with Santa.
- Krohn Conservatory's Holiday Floral Show: The Krohn Conservatory is a must-visit during the holiday season, featuring a stunning floral show with over 3,000 plants and flowers, as well as a festive light display.
Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks
Ice skating is a classic holiday activity, and Cincinnati has several outdoor ice skating rinks to choose from. Here are a few of the top outdoor ice skating rinks in Cincinnati:
- U.S. Bank Ice Rink: Located in Fountain Square, the U.S. Bank Ice Rink is a popular holiday destination, featuring outdoor ice skating, festive decorations, and a variety of holiday activities.
- Riverfront Park Ice Rink: The Riverfront Park Ice Rink is a new addition to Cincinnati's holiday scene, featuring outdoor ice skating, festive decorations, and stunning views of the Ohio River.
Holiday Markets and Shopping
If you're looking for a unique holiday shopping experience, Cincinnati has several holiday markets and shopping destinations to choose from. Here are a few of the top holiday markets and shopping destinations:
- Christkindlmarkt: This annual German-style market features over 90 vendors selling handmade crafts, holiday decorations, and traditional German food and drink.
- Hyde Park Holiday Market: The Hyde Park Holiday Market features over 40 vendors selling handmade crafts, holiday decorations, and unique gifts.
- Findlay Market Holiday Market: The Findlay Market Holiday Market features over 50 vendors selling handmade crafts, holiday decorations, and unique gifts.
Parades and Processions
Cincinnati has several holiday parades and processions to enjoy, each featuring festive floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa Claus. Here are a few of the top holiday parades and processions:
- Cincinnati Christmas Parade: This annual parade features festive floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa Claus.
- Newport Christmas Parade: The Newport Christmas Parade features festive floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa Claus.
- Hyde Park Christmas Parade: The Hyde Park Christmas Parade features festive floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa Claus.
Visiting Santa and Holiday Characters
No holiday season would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus and other holiday characters. Here are a few of the top places to visit Santa and other holiday characters in Cincinnati:
- Newport Aquarium's Scuba Santa: The Newport Aquarium features a unique holiday experience, with Scuba Santa diving into the aquarium's shark tank to feed the fish.
- Cincinnati Zoo's PNC Festival of Lights: The Cincinnati Zoo features a festive holiday light display, as well as visits with Santa and other holiday characters.
- Kings Island's WinterFest: Kings Island's WinterFest features a festive holiday celebration, complete with visits with Santa and other holiday characters.
Holiday Food and Drink
No holiday season would be complete without some festive food and drink. Here are a few of the top holiday food and drink destinations in Cincinnati:
- Graeter's Ice Cream: Graeter's Ice Cream is a Cincinnati institution, and during the holiday season, they offer a variety of festive flavors, including eggnog and gingerbread.
- Servatii Pastry Shop: Servatii Pastry Shop is a Cincinnati favorite, and during the holiday season, they offer a variety of festive pastries and desserts, including strudel and gingerbread men.
- Findlay Market: Findlay Market is a great place to find festive holiday food and drink, including traditional German dishes like schnitzel and sauerkraut.
We hope this article has given you some ideas for fun and festive holiday activities to enjoy in Cincinnati. Whether you're a local or just visiting, there's something for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season in Cincinnati.
Don't forget to share your favorite Cincinnati Christmas events and activities with us in the comments below!
What are the best Christmas light displays in Cincinnati?
+The best Christmas light displays in Cincinnati include Newport Aquarium's Festival of Lights, Cincinnati Zoo's Festival of Lights, and Krohn Conservatory's Holiday Floral Show.
Where can I go ice skating in Cincinnati?
+There are several outdoor ice skating rinks in Cincinnati, including the U.S. Bank Ice Rink in Fountain Square and the Riverfront Park Ice Rink.
What are the best holiday markets in Cincinnati?
+The best holiday markets in Cincinnati include Christkindlmarkt, Hyde Park Holiday Market, and Findlay Market Holiday Market.