Whether your kids are out of school for winter break or your family and friends are planning a celebration, here are some holiday events and activities to check out in Southwest Ohio this season.
Winterfest at Kings Island: Select dates, November 24-31
Winterfest transforms Mason Park into 12 enchanting winter wonderlands, with ice skating at the Royal Fountains, the Winterfest Wonderland Parade, and the Eiffel Tower transformed into a magical Christmas tree. Guests can experience more than 20 of his vehicles, including Mystic Timbers and Kings Mills Antique Auto.
This experience features more than 7 million lights and live entertainment throughout the park. Discounts available when purchasing tickets online. Some activities require an additional fee, such as Snowflake Lake ice skating on Kokusai Dori.
Online: visitingsisland.com
PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo, through January 7th
Experience the holiday magic Cincinnati Zoo at the 41st Annual PNC Festival of Lights. Get there early to see the animals and wait for the lights to light up. In addition to admiring 4 million LED lights, visitors can spot his five fairies, Fiona, in Fairyland, watch a black light puppet show, and marvel at the wild light show at Swan Lake. or enjoy a snack at one of our 2 S’mores and Mores. standing. Additionally, at the Cincinnati Zoo, you can ring in the new year with the PNC Festival of Lights, an early countdown for kids on December 31st.
Festival of Lights is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. December 23rd is the last day Santa will visit.
Online: cincinnatizoo.org
Pyramid Hill Light, until December 31st
The light show at Hamilton’s Pyramid Hill has become a holiday staple that many families look forward to each year. With support from the Haile Foundation, it has grown over the years to include 70 acres of exhibition space, including artist installations. Hamilton City Night will be held again in 2023 with the support of the City of Hamilton. Admission is free every Tuesday night for City of Hamilton residents with proof of residency in zip codes 45011, 45013 and 45015. You must bring your driver’s license, utility bill, or government-issued ID to the park.
Stretching from 2 to 5 miles, this attraction features more than 1 million lights and dazzling scenery. Regular admission to Pyramid Hill Lights is $15 nightly for Pyramid Hill members. The cost for non-members is $25 per vehicle.
Online: pyramidhill.org
Light Up Middletown, November 23rd to December 31st
Now in its 24th year, Middletown’s popular drive-thru Fantasy Lights event features themed exhibits including a sea serpent reflected in a lake, a whale carrying Santa’s reindeer, Santa’s Workshop, the American flag and the 12 Days of Christmas. Masu. New displays are added every year. The exhibit is open from 6pm to 10pm every night, including holidays, regardless of weather. Admission by cash donation. (You set the price.) Light Up Middletown is located at 500 Tytus Avenue, Smith Park in Middletown.
Online: lightupmiddletown.org
Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction, until January 1st.
A new offering for the holidays at EnterTRAINment Junction this year is a Breakfast with Santa program on select days. This event is a private ticketed event and admission tickets are only available online in advance of the event. The event includes breakfast and photos with Santa, holiday crafts and other activities.
As part of Christmas at the Junction, visitors will experience 80,000 square feet of holiday fun all under one roof in a climate-controlled environment. Visitors can enjoy the free Holiday Train exhibit inside the Expo Center at Entertrainment Junction and experience an imaginative walk-through journey to the North Pole. There, you can tour Rudolph’s reindeer hut, the elf workshop, and visit Santa and Claus.
The EnterTRAINment junction is located at 7379 Squire Ct. in West Chester Twp.
Online: entertrainmentjunction.com
Return to Bethlehem, November 24th to December. 26
Liberty’s Best Family Farm continues its popular Christmas tradition with “Back to Bethlehem.” Although the exhibit is new at the farm last year, the idea behind it has a long and rich history within the community. Owner Brian Garber said the legacy of this exhibit is to be a Christmas present to the community. Ms. Gerber’s grandparents, Bob and Janet Niedermann, and their family first opened their Christmas display at the Niedermann Family Farm in December 2001. Guests from all over the world visited the Christmas display, which became their gift to the community.
Guests will experience Bethlehem with eight stations and a 400-meter path highlighting Nativity scenes and stories. “Back to Bethlehem” can be experienced in about 30 minutes. Admission to “Back to Bethlehem” is free, but donations are accepted in boxes provided.
Opening hours are 6pm to 9pm every night including Christmas Day. Open seven days a week at 2103 Tolbert Road, Hamilton.
Online: backtobethlehemoh.com