There are some fun festive traditions in our city. Below are the top-rated traditions our members shared with us. To make it fun, we’ve created a downloadable holiday bucket list that you can print, color and check off with your kiddos. Enjoy this holiday season!
Click Here to Download the Bucket List
The PNC Festival of Lights was a clear favorite, with 80% of members selecting it as an annual tradition. The other favorites included Kings Island Winterfest and the Cincinnati Nature Center.
With Coney Island closed, you should check out the above options. Another light festival we have on our radar is Deck the Y’alls. It’s a bit of a drive but sounds like a lot of fun. Let us know in the Facebook group if you make it and recommend it!
It’s clear members also love walking around Mariemont to see everyone’s Christmas decorations – especially during Luminaria. Another recommendation for a fun neighborhood lights display is on Candlemaker Rd off of Clough Pike in Turpin Hills. There is a house with a Disney themed display. It is set to music and found on the displayed radio station. So fun!
PNC Festival Of Lights At the Cincinnati Zoo
Details: If you haven’t been, definitely add this to your list of holiday traditions. It’s the largest zoo lights display in the country, with over 5 million LED lights, lots of fun photo spots for the kids, and themed areas. Plus, you also get to see and learn about animals, ride the train, and the carousel.
Location: 3400 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45220
Day/Time: November 21-January 5. 10am-9pm Sundays-Thursdays, 10am-10pm Fridays & Saturdays. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas.
Price: Use your zoo membership or buy a pass at the door.
Website: PNC Festival of Lights
Top Tips: Go early (prior to 5pm) on a weekday to avoid the crowds. If you are a donating member to the zoo you can go to a special “Donors’ Night.” It’s less trafficked than the usual nights and there are special extras that you get like free s’mores upon entry.
Mariemont Mentions:
- My girls love taking pictures with the Grinch, Snowman, reindeer, and sometimes Elsa! We also enjoy the holiday muppet show at the bird arena. The whole night is magical, just arrive early for parking.
- The PNC Festival of Lights is our favorite tradition for NYE with friends! It is nice to get some fresh air outside of the house, get together with friends for the holiday, maybe drink a beer and feel like you did something for NYE. (Usually home by bedtime!) – Carolyn
- The Festival of Lights is truly extraordinary! To see it through my son’s eyes feels so magical. Top tip is to go during the week. (Weekends are insanely crowded and parking can be a nightmare.) – Kristin
- A wonderful annual tradition! Our kids look forward to going with some Mariemont friends every year! – Maggie
Cincinnati Nature Center Light in the Forest
Details: Enjoy an enchanting stroll through the illuminated, whimsical winter woods. It’s a 1 mile long illuminated trail through numerous winter light displays and family friendly activities. They also have live music, food trucks, and some holiday shopping available.
Location: 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford OH 45150
Day/Time: December 5-29, 5:30-9pm. Buy tickets for select dates in advance.
Price: Members $14 Adults/$6 Kids, Nonmembers $18 Adults, $8Kids
Website: https://www.cincynature.org/light-in-the-forest
Mariemont Mentions:
- The Nature Center display is unlike anything I have done before. You walk through the woods and it feels like something from a story book – Emily
- I have heard such great things. I had it on my bucket list last season and couldn’t make it. Will definitely go this year! -Maggie
- Light in the Forest is one of our favorite things to do around the holidays! If you get there right when it opens it can be busy but going around 6 is great!
King’s Island Winterfest
Details: Celebrate the season in an enchanting holiday wonderland, with rides, ice skating, shopping, and a nightly parade with Santa! (8:30pm)
Location: Mason, Ohio.
Day/Time: November 29-December 31.
Price: From $29.99
Website: King’s Island Winterfest
Deck the Y’alls
Details: It’s a bit of a drive, but sounds like a lot of fun. Walk through a maze of lights, enjoy ice skating, hot cocoa, and holiday activities. It looks like Coney Island lights, except you walk versus drive.
Location: Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence KY 41042
Day/Time: November 22-January 1
Price: $18 for family Or $15/adult, $11/kids. Buy in advance.
Website: Deck the Y’alls
Our group enjoys the train displays at Krohn’s Conservatory (60%), EnterTRAINment Junction (closing this January!), and the train display at the Cincinnati Museum Center. We’re lucky to have Shillito’s Elves and a Christmas tree lot, and some great restaurants to make a Christmas day out of these activities.
Krohn Conservatory Display (Golden Days of Yule)
Details: Escape the cold weather and enjoy beautiful Christmas train displays designed to resemble favorite Cincinnati landmarks, weaving through poinsettias and other festive flora. Elves are known to hide among the foliage and make for a great scavenger hunt for the kids. On select days they also have a live nativity scene in the yard.
Location: Eden Park
Day/Time: November 11-January 7. 10am-8pm. Live nativity scene begins January 8th.
Price: $10 adults, $7 for youth 5-17.
Mariemont Mentions:
- “I grew up doing this every year as a kid, so there is a lot of nostalgia. The live nativity scene is a hit with my kids too!”
- The displays at Krohn are so incredible. I never get sick of them. It is also something that is a family tradition from when I was little. -Emily
- Our kids love finding each and every one of the elves! The trains are unique. Plus it’s warm in there – so it’s a great way to warm up in the winter. Bonus – there is a live nativity scene outside. – Maggie
Cincinnati Museum Center Holiday Junction
Details: The Duke Energy Holiday Trains have been a Cincinnati holiday staple for decades, delighting generations since they first debuted downtown in 1946.
Location: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45203
Day/Time: Through January 6th. Museum hours 10am-5pm.
Price: $22.50/adult, $15.50/child or included in membership
Website: Holiday Junction
Mariemont Mentions:
- “I grew up doing this every year as a kid”
- The Cincinnati Children’s museum has Santa come on a helicopter the day after thanksgiving. – Kathleen
- “We visited for the first time last Christmas season when my dad was visiting. He loves trains and it was a great display. I’d recommend avoiding peak times if you can. We may have lost a child or two in the sea of people.” -Maggie
- The displays at Krohn are so incredible. I never get sick of them. It is also something that is a family tradition from when I was little. -Emily
- Our kids love finding each and every one of the elves! The trains are unique. Plus it’s warm in there – so it’s a great way to warm up in the winter. Bonus – there is a live nativity scene outside. – Maggie
Shillito’s Elves
Details: The Elves are back in Mariemont this year, with a truly unique and nostalgic display of elves doing elf things in preparation for the holidays! Kids love walking through and you can mail a letter to santa at the end of it. Read more about the history of it on the website, and make a Mariemont day out of it by tagging a meal or drinks afterwards.
Location: Next to La Rosas Mariemont, 6940 Madison Rd.
Day/Time: Starts November 29. 2pm-7:30pm Wednesdays through Fridays. 10am-7:30pm Saturdays and Sundays. Extended hours closer to Christmas.
Price: $5/person
Website: Shillito Elves
Mariemont Mentions:
- “This was really fun to walk to with the entire family, and our kids absolutely loved the make-believe scenes! Afterwards we enjoyed a festive beverage by the fire at Sotheby’s and then a nice meal at National Exemplar. I think this may become a December 23rd Tradition!” -Maggie
Entertrainment Junction
Details: This is the last year you can enjoy their Main Street Holiday trains. They have an enormous train display, indoor playground, and a winter wonderland with characters from the North Pole. Santa will visit from 11am until close.
Location: 7379 Squire Ct , West Chester, OH, 45069
Day/Time: November 16-January 5.
Price: $19.95/adult, $15.95/child, free under 3.
Website: https://entertrainmentjunction.com/specials/
Top tips: Go to the cozy cafe afterwards for lunch to make the most of the drive out there. (6440 Cincinnati Dayton road)
Mariemont Mentions: It will be closing permanently in January, so this Christmas will be their last Christmas display with their holiday trains. They also have an elf and reindeer workshop and a fun playspace for the kiddos. Weather permitting, kids can take a mini train ride outside.
Cincinnati Fire Museum
Details: Did you know that Cincinnati is the birthplace of professional firefighting? They have an annual Santa Rescue event on November 30, 12-3pm, but they also have festive decorations and is a fun place to visit throughout the holiday season.
Location:
Day/Time: rescue Santa: November 30. 12-3. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10am-6pm.
Price: $5-&10
Website: https://cincyfiremuseum.square.site/product/santa-rescue-admission-ticket/629?cs=true&cst=custom
Holly Jolly Days at the Behringer-Crawford Museum
Details: This museum in Northern Kentucky is an incredibly kid-friendly way to learn more about Cincinnati history. They have a fun train display year round, and during the Holly Jolly days there are animated Holiday Toys train exhibit, a nostalgic Window Through Time vintage Christmas display and a LEGO Makerspace for creative play.
Location:
Day/Time: 10am-5pm Tuesdays through Saturdays. 1pm-5pm Sundays.
Price: $9/adult, $5/child, free under 3
Website: https://www.bcmuseum.org/11-activities/490-all-aboard-for-the-holidays
Mariemont Mentions:
- “We visited this museum for the first time recently and it was such a fun day out for the kids. Their train display was especially fun to watch. We are excited to visit again during the holiday season”.
The below restaurants were recommended to enjoy during the holiday season:
Restaurants
- Overlook Lodge: The most festive restaurant in town. Wear your favorite tacky Christmas sweater and go without the kids.
- The Netherland Plaza 1931 (without kids)
- Little Miami Brewing: they often have live music, santa visits, and festive decorations
- Bonbonerie has many festive options from Santa visits, Gingerbread making, etc.
- National Exemplar is a favorite tagged onto Christmas tree shopping, Shillito’s elves, Luminaria, and more!
Favorite Holiday Sweet Treats
- Graeter’s Ice Cream Chocolate Chip Wheelie
- Servatii’s Coffee Cakes
- Dorscher’s Candy Canes (They have tours too!)
- Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark
- Nothing Bundt Cakes Red Velvet Bundtinis with Santa Hats
Holiday Takeout Traditions
- Lobsta Bakes’ Clam Chowder (Christmas Eve Tradition)
- Eat Well Catering’s Holiday Takeaway Shop (pickup or Delivery)
- DOMO seasonal meals to go
The below shops were rated as go-tos for holiday gifting and Cincinnati themed gifting.
- Camargo Trading
- The Cottage
- Bookmatters in Milford
- Joseph Beth
- Cincy Shirts
