After the turkey: 2015 holiday events are here
Lights. Santa. Action! My wife won’t let me put up the Christmas tree until after Thanksgiving (I started asking in mid-October). She also won’t let me hang it superglued and upside-down from the ceiling. What a stickler.
I’m getting anxious for the reds and greens: Starbucks cups and needle trees. So, I decided I’d get into the holiday spirit by sharing this list of whens and wheres for all the holiday stuff around town for those that also can’t wait. Some have already started, faster than you could Google the word “tryptophan,” and some, you have a little more time to plan for.
Are we missing anything? Email calendar@cincinnati.com. Get the full listings online at cincinnati.com/calendar.
LIGHT SHOWS
Now-Jan. 2: Holiday in Lights, 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Drive-through outdoor lights and themed figures display. $13 per car. 513-769-0393; www.holidayinlights. com.
Now-Jan. 3: Holiday Lights on the Hill, 6-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, 1763 Ohio 128, Hamilton. Drive-through exhibit with more than a million lights and laser light displays. $20 per carload (eight-person limit) Monday-Thursday; $25 per carload (eight-person limit) Friday-Sunday. 513-868-8336; www.pyramidhill.org.
Now-Jan. 2: PNC Festival of Lights, 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (closed Thanksgiving Day), Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Holiday lights strung throughout the Zoo, Madcap Puppets in black-light, New Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake, train rides, themed areas and more. Included with admission: $15, $11 ages 2-12 and ages 62 and up, free under age 2; parking not included. 513-281-4700; www.cincinnatizoo.org.
Now-Jan. 2: Light Up the Levee, 6:10-11:50 p.m. daily, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Featuring more than one million LED lights dancing in synchronization to holiday music. Lights dance every 20 minutes. Free. 859-291-0550; www.newportonthelevee.com.
Dec. 12: Light up OTR, 5 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. A community-based holiday party hosted by Agar and PB&J. Gather in the park to assemble luminaries, then distribute throughout OTR. Once the candles are all lit, back to the park for the lighting of the holiday tree and after-party. 513-352-4080; washingtonpark.org.
TRAINS
Now-Jan. 2: Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving Day), EnterTrainment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester Township. Take “Journey to the North Pole,” where you can can meet Mrs. Claus and Santa. See “Main Street Holiday Trains” displays, which offer some free winter train displays. 513-898-8000; www.entertrainmentjunction.com.
Now-Jan. 3: Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving Day), Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Walk through winter wonderland as trains of all sizes steam along tracks around you. Included with museum admission. 513-287-7000; www.cincymuseum.org.
Now-Jan. 3: The Poinsettia Express, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Traditional holiday show with trains, flowers and holiday magic. $7, $4 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and under. 513-352-4080; www.cincinnatiparks.com/krohn-conservatory.
Now-Jan. 18: Holiday Toy Trains, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving Day), Behringer-Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Road, Covington. Layout features Lionel trains and Plasticville. More than 250 feet of track. Patrons welcome to operate more than 30 accessories from buttons on layout. Included with admission: $9, $8 ages 60 and up, $5 ages 3-17; free ages 2 and under and members. 859-491-4003; www.bcmuseum.org.
Nov. 28-Dec. 22: North Pole Express, Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, 127 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. $22, $17 ages 62 and up and ages 5-16, $11 ages 2-4, free under age 2. 513-933-8022; www.lebanonrr.com.
SANTA SIGHTINGS
Nov. 27-Jan. 1: Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Newport Aquarium, 1 Aquarium Way, Newport. Holiday decorations throughout Aquarium. Underwater Santa show alongside sharks, shark rays and Denver the Sea Turtle. Included with admission: $23, $15 ages 2-12, free under age 2. 800-406-3474; www.newportaquarium.com.
Nov. 27: Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting, 11 a.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Welcome Santa to town as he arrives to light tree and kick off holiday season. Free. 513-287-7000; www.cincymuseum.org.
Nov. 28-Dec. 19: Santa’s Workshop, 1-3 p.m. Saturdays, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Ditch your annual trip to the mall and venture down to Washington Park. Free. 513-621-4400.
Nov. 28-Dec. 12: Macy’s Downtown Dazzle, 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Santa rappels down the side of the 525 Vine Building office tower to the Macy’s rooftop at Fountain Square to kick off holiday fireworks display. Free. 513-421-4440.
Nov. 29: GoSantaGo 5k Run/Walk, 9-11 a.m., Blue Ash Summit Park, 4335 Glendale-Milford Road, Blue Ash. Participants receive Santa long-sleeve shirt, hat and beard, or Elf long-sleeve shirt, hat and goody bag. Awards for top three male and female finishers and best individual Santa and best group costumes. Strollers welcome. No pets. Benefits Cancer Support Community. $40. Registration required. 513-791-4060; www.CancerSupportCincinnati.org.
Dec. 6: Arrival of St. Nicholas, 6 p.m., MainStrasse Village, Main Street, Covington. Goose Girl Fountain. Saint Nicholas arrives on horseback. Each child receives gift and free hot chocolate and cookies. Free. 859-491-0458; www.mainstrasse.org.
Dec. 12: Cincinnati Santacon, noon-10 p.m., Horseshoe Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Downtown. Santas meet at Horseshoe Casino and then sing songs, make merry and spread good cheer through City of Cincinnati. Based around pub crawl. Free. www.cincinnatisantacon.com.
MORE FUN FOR THE FAM
Now-March 6: The Beach Mountain, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday (hours vary after opening week), The Beach Waterpark, 2590 Waterpark Drive, Mason. Snow tubing down snowy 400-foot-long run and then ride moving carpet back to top. Features 10 lanes for tubing with sessions starting at 2 hours each. $17-$25. 513-398-7946; www.thebeachmountain.com.
Now-Jan. 6: An Antique Christmas, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown. Display of antique ornaments, toys and cards reviving Christmases of generations past and sharing the holiday’s beautiful decorations and festive traditions. Included with admission: $10, $8 seniors and students, $4 ages 12-17, free ages 11 and under; free for all on Sundays. 513-241-0343; www.taftmuseum.org.
Now-Jan. 1: BRICKmas, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday (special hours Nov. 24 only), 4-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Features more than 13 large-scale LEGO displays including models of the Roebling Suspension Bridge, Music Hall and Washington Park. Also features interactive area where children can build “brick” masterpieces, color and decorate mini-fig masks and write letters to Santa Claus. $10. 859-291-0550; www.newportonthelevee.com.
Nov. 27-Dec. 20: Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday,11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Authentic German Christmas market in heart of Cincinnati featuring Gluhwein, Christian Moerlein beer, holiday gifts and decorations and live entertainment. Free. 513-763-8036; cincideutsch.com.
Nov. 27: Macy’s Light Up the Square, 6-9 p.m., Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Ice rink open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Concessions available starting 5 p.m. Festivities begin 6 p.m. with music by local bands. Food, music and fireworks show. Free. 513-763-8036; www.myfountainsquare.com.
Nov. 28-Dec. 12: Metro Holly Jolly Downtown Trolley, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays, Westin Hotel, 21 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Ride trolley to see downtown sights from Fourth, Fifth, Pike and Elm streets. Boarding in front of Westin Hotel on Fifth and Vine streets. Free. 513-421-4440; www.downtowncincinnati.com.
Nov. 29: Holiday Season Kickoff, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown. Holiday decorations throughout the museum including feather trees and party place-settings in the dining room. Included with admission: $8, $6 seniors and students age 19 and up, free ages 18 and under. 513-241-0343; www.taftmuseum.org.
Dec. 4-6: Holiday on the Hill, 5-10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Price Hill. Price varies per event. 513-251-3800, ext. 105; www.holidayonthehill.org.
Dec. 4-28: Christmas Town, 5-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg. Featuring free live nativity, lights and live dramas. Free. 800-721-2298; creationmuseum.org.
Dec. 4-11: Victorian Holiday Village, 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, 5-8:30 p.m. Saturday, 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Ohio National Financial Services, One Financial Way, Montgomery. Greater Cincinnati tradition features variety of holiday activities. Houses decorated with holiday scenes, thousands of lights and free family entertainment. Free. 513-794-6100; www.ohionational.com.
Dec. 4-6: Christkindlmarkt, 6-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton. Vendors with German items, such as wax ornaments, beer steins, pyramids, nutcrackers, wooden toys, Rookwood pottery, Gluhwein, German beer and food. German music and dancing. 513-258-2360.
Dec. 5: Caroling in the Quarter, noon-7 p.m., Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, 1401 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Local choirs and roving carolers perform throughout neighborhood, spreading holiday cheer. Free. 513-241-2690; www.otrchamber.com.
Dec. 5-19: A Pirate’s Christmas Tale, noon-2 p.m. Saturdays, BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport. A one and half hour cruise with reindeer games, holiday treats and Santa. Boarding begins at 11 a.m. $22, $18 children. 859-261-8500; www.bbriverboats.com.
Dec. 12-13: Holly Days, noon-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Heritage Village Museum, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Experience beauty, sights and sounds of 19th- century holiday season. Crafts, storytelling, holiday treats, model train displays, music and more. $8, $5 ages 5-13, free ages 4 and under and museum members. 513-563-9484; www.heritagevillagecincinnati.org.
Dec. 12: Mount Adams Reindog Parade Celebration, noon, The Monastery, 1055 St. Paul Place, Mount Adams. Procession through streets of Mount Adams at 2 p.m., led by Santa. Registration from 12 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Ages 21 and up. Free.
Jan. 2-3: Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, 5 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., Downtown. Oldest continuing festival of Christmas season. Featuring cast of more than 200 people dressed in 14th century English attire. Free. Tickets required. Limited no-show seating available day of event. 513-621-2627; www.boarsheadfestival.com.
MUSIC
Nov. 28: Home Alone Film with Orchestra, 7 p.m., Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Music Hall Stage. Cincinnati Symphony performs score from beloved comedy classic “Home Alone.” Featuring John Williams’ charming score performed live to picture. $10 and up. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatisymphony.org.
Dec. 4-5: Christmas Saengerfest, 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Over-the-Rhine. See award-winning choirs from World Choir Games and visit various venues in Over-the-Rhine. Beer from Christian Moerlein and food from Taste of Belgium, Servatii’s and more. Shop at holiday market. Tour churches, hall and brewery. Shuttle buses available. Per day: $25, both days: $50; ages 12 and under free with adult. 513-509-2694; www.christmassaengerfest.com.
Dec. 4: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 4 and 8 p.m., U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway, Downtown. Band plays progressive rock, symphonic and heavy metal, with influences from classical music. The Christmas Attic Winter Tour. Benefits St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Toys for Tots and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. $35.50-$73 plus fees. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.
Dec. 6: Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Holiday Concert: The Bells of Christmas, 7-9 p.m., Montgomery Assembly of God, 7950 Pfeiffer Road, Montgomery. Joint concert with Cincinnati Choral Society, Cincinnati Collaborative Ringing Project and UC president and cello soloist Santa Ono. Free. 513-549-2197.
Dec. 12-13: Cincinnati Boychoir: The Polar Express, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $30, $10. 513-621-2787; www.cincinnatiboychoir.org.
Dec. 12-13: Our Christmas Wish, 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., Downtown. Collection of favorite holiday songs performed over past 25 years. Some poignant reflection of memories past. Some more lighthearted. $23. 513-621-1817; www.cincinnatimenschorus.org.
Dec. 11-13: Holiday Pops, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Warm your heart with Christmas spirit and join “Mr. Christmas” John Morris Russell for family concert with the Pops. Grammy-winning quartet New York Voices sings alongside Pops to perform variety of holiday favorites. Dancers and appearance by Santa. $10 and up. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatipops.org.
Dec. 15: Michael W. Smith, 7:30 p.m., Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Music Hall Stage. Get in festive spirit of Christmas with world celebrated artist for joyous family-friendly musical program. $25 and up. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatisymphony.org.
Dec. 13: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, 7 p.m., Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $78.25, $68.25, $53.25, $38.25. 513-621-2787; www.cincinnatiarts.org.
Dec. 19: Over the Rhine, 8 p.m. (Homecoming show with holiday music.), Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Ohio-based band, the core of which is the husband-and-wife team of Linford Detweiler, pianist/guitarist/bassist, and Karin Bergquist, vocalist/guitarist. $37.50. 513-232-6220; www.tafttheatre.org.
Dec. 20: Handel’s Messiah, 2 p.m., Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and May Festival Chorus come together to perform Handel’s masterpiece. $12 and up. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatisymphony.org.
DANCE
Dec. 3-6: The Nutcracker Holiday Ballet, School for Creative and Performing Arts, 108 W. Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine. Directed by Patricia Rozow and Daryl Bjoza. $15, $13 seniors, $10 students, $5 SCPA students. 513-363-8100; www.scpak12.org.
Dec. 5: The Nutcracker, 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Dance Academy. Journey through land of sweets with Spanish coffee, Chinese tea and Sugarplum fairies. Presented by The Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet. Free. 513-287-7000; www.cincymuseum.org.
Dec. 18-27: Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker, Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Follow Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on journey to wondrous world full of fantastic characters. Choreography by Victoria Morgan, music by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky, performed by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Presented by Cincinnati Ballet. $32. Reservations recommended. 513-621-5282; cballet.org.
THEATER
Now-Dec. 30: A Christmas Carol, Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mount Adams Circle, Eden Park. Marx Theatre. Faithful storytelling and spellbinding stage magic make this family favorite a must-see for the holidays. $30-$80. 513-421-3888; www.cincyplay.com.
Dec. 9: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, 6:30 p.m., Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $65, $55, $45, $35. 513-621-2787; www.cincinnatiarts.org.
Dec. 10-13: Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, North College Hill City Center, 1500 W. Galbraith Road, North College Hill. Based on Barbara Park books. Presented by CenterStage Players of Ohio. $10. Reservations recommended. 513-588-4910; www.centerstageplayersinc.com.
Dec. 11-12: Black Nativity, Word of Deliverance Family Life Center, 693 Fresno Road, Forest Park. New and exciting twists through vibrant and royal costuming, storytelling, dance and music. Presented by Cincinnati Black Theatre Company. $25. 513-241-6060; www.cincinnatiblacktheatre.org.
Dec. 16-27: Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some), Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 719 Race St., Downtown. Show condenses holiday classics into one hilarious 90-minute evening of theater. $30. 513-381-2273; www.cincyshakes.com.