As the first wandering snowflakes visit campus, and the promise of winter break looms ahead, here’s a list of local places to visit this holiday season. From cozy Christmas plays to Christkindlmarkts, each has its own unique charm, allowing you to delight in the winter festivities.
Cincinnati Music Hall
Surround yourself with sugar plums, strings and ballet slippers at the Cincinnati Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” From Dec. 18-28, the classic Christmas story of Clara and the Nutcracker unfolds on stage. With ethereal costumes, sets and dancing, the ballet is elevated with live music from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. To buy tickets and find out more information, visit here.
Christkindlmarkt
(Ella Rinehard)
Cincinnati, known for its German heritage, hosts several Christkindlmarkts, where you can find unique holiday gifts. The Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt, located in Over-the-Rhine, offers a variety of local German-inspired drinks and foods. From Nov. 22 to Jan. 5, the market features igloos available for rent and an ice skating rink. Find out more here.
Off Kemper Road, the Germania Society of Cincinnati’s Christkindlmarkt features authentic artisan booths where you can purchase specialty items, from German clocks to wooden ornaments. While browsing, enjoy holiday treats like roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and German pretzels. Find out more here.
Cincinnati ice rinks
A holiday staple, the downtown Cincinnati ice rink will be in Elm Street Plaza this year, just a block away from its previous location in Fountain Square. From Nov. 21 to Feb. 16, skate around the city’s twinkling buildings, or discover the new Winterhaus, a large heated tent full of winter activities. For ticket pricing and more information, visit here.
Additionally, Kings Island’s annual Winterfest, full of festivities such as treats, parades and live performances, runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 31. The theme park’s lake transforms into a large rink, where you can skate around as snow flurries float past, and Christmas music drifts through the air. For ticket pricing and more information, visit here.
Krohn Conservatory
From Nov. 1 to Jan. 4, Krohn Conservatory’s rich collection of plants has a new addition: models of Cincinnati landmarks, nestled between blooming crimson poinsettias and twinkling holiday lights. From replicas of Cincinnati’s Roebling Bridge to the historic hillscape of Mount Adams, each sculpture made for “Festival of Ferns” is crafted entirely of natural materials, such as wood and pinecones. Traintracks twist around the vegetation, with model trains chugging along, creating a tiny world of wonder. Tickets are sold at the door. Find out more information here.
Aronoff Center for the Arts
From Nov. 14 through Nov. 22, the Aronoff presents “A Christmas Story: The Musical.” The family-friendly play is based on the popular 1983 holiday film of the same name. With song and dance numbers, follow a young Ralphie Parker on the quest for the ultimate Christmas gift: an official Red Ryder BB gun. To purchase tickets, visit here.
NKU’s School of the Arts
From Nov. 21-23, and Dec. 3-7, Northern Kentucky University’s musical and theatre program presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” A fully immersive experience, audience members can buy tickets on the stage, enveloping them in the world of Victorian London as Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas. With live instrumental music and plenty of treats in store, the play is a perfect holiday excursion for friends and families. Tickets can be found here.
If you’re looking for purely instrumental music and singing, embrace the holidays at these NKU concerts. The Jazz Ensemble Holiday Concert is on Dec. 2 at the Southgate House Revival, while the Holiday Choral Concert is at St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church on Dec. 7. Learn more here.
Findlay Market
A cold winter’s day calls for a cup of cozy hot chocolate. Downtown Cincinnati’s Findlay Market features an artisan chocolate company, Maverick Chocolate Co. The family-owned shop crafts rich hot chocolate topped with fresh cream, so you can sip on a hot beverage while strolling through the market’s local offerings.
Additionally, on Nov. 29, Findlay Market is hosting their first “Shop Small Saturday Block Party,” where small businesses will be setting up shop from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many participating companies will also offer deals on their items.
Findlay’s annual Holiday Market takes place Dec. 6 and 7, with live Christmas carols, street food and vendors selling local holiday goods, from custom ornaments to unique spices. Find the whole schedule here.