When temperatures drop, the region comes alive with outdoor adventures, holiday traditions and plenty of ways to stay entertained indoors. From carving down snowy slopes to strolling beneath millions of twinkling lights, here are suggestions to make the most of winter.
Light up the night
• The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden features 5 million LED lights. Nov 19-Jan 3. Closed Nov 26, Dec 24 & 25
• Duke Energy’s Light Up the Square features activities along 5th Street to Elm Street Plaza, plus the lighting of the Fountain Square tree. Nov 27
• Celebrate the season at Kings Island’s WinterFest. Select nights, Nov 27-Dec 31
• Winterhaus at Fountain Square is a heated, glass-enclosed tented retreat with daily events, and Cincinnati-centric shopping. Oct 31-Mar 2027
Shop the season
• Kick off your holiday shopping at the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market at First Financial Center. Nov 20-22
• Explore a European-style market at the Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt at Smale Riverfront Park. Nov 20-Dec 28. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Strap on your skates or skis
• Skate beneath the Cincinnati skyline on the UC Health Ice Rink presented by Fifth Third Bank at Elm Street Plaza.
• Work up an appetite on the ice at Fifty West Brewing Company’s Deerfield and Wooster Pike locations.
• Grab your skis, snowboard or tube and head to Perfect North Slopes.
Skating and skiing venues are weather dependent. Check the seasonal schedule before you go.
See a holiday show
• Celebrate the season at Playhouse in the Park with “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Nov 7-Dec 27 or “A Christmas Carol.” Nov 20-Dec 27
• Take a new twist with Cirque du Soleil’s “‘Twas the Night Before” at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. Dec 2-13
Honor a tradition
• Follow magical silver webs at the holiday display at Krohn Conservatory inspired by the Ukrainian Christmas folktale “A Spider’s Gift.” Oct 31-Jan 3
• Duke Energy Holiday Trains have been a Cincinnati staple since 1946. Hop on over to Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center in Union Terminal. Nov 13-Jan 4
• Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland is a one-of-a-kind Cincinnati holiday tradition at the Newport Aquarium. Nov 28-Dec 24
Take a winter hike
• Bare trees and a fresh snowfall create a different perspective on trails in Great Parks of Hamilton County or any of the City of Cincinnati’s preserves or parks.
Keep playing
• Don’t let the weather stop you from enjoying your favorite sport. Join a pickleball league, sign up for tennis lessons, or keep your golf game sharp with one of our area’s many golf simulators.
Time for self-care
• Before, during, or after the holidays, make time to recharge with a relaxing massage, rejuvenating facial or favorite spa treatment.
Article originally appeared in November 2026