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Winter Festivities Are Expanding

The Fountain District’s holiday lineup is expanding this year, featuring a bigger, better, and brand-new ice rink at Elm Street Plaza, the debut of Winterhaus at Fountain Square, and Festivities on Fifth—a beautifully decorated winter wonderland connecting the two spaces. Come downtown and experience the holidays in an exciting new way!

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See What's Trending Downtown

  • Santacon 2025

    The Banks Over-the-Rhine Pendleton Central Business District

    December 13 | noon-midnight

    The 18th Annual Cincinnati Santacon will be held December 13, 2025 from noon to midnight. 50+ venues in downtown Cincy, Covington, and Mt. Adams with over 10,000 Santas! $10 registration fee for Santas to receive official Santacon wristband.

     Early Registration Closes Friday, December 12th at midnight EST

    Santacon Wristband Pick-up Locations Moerlein Lager House on the Banks (11 AM – 5PM) Rosedale’s in OTR (noon- 5 PM) The Pitch OTR (1 PM – 5PM) Molly Malone’s Covington ( 1 PM -5 PM) The Beeline Newport on the Levee (1 PM – 5 PM) Flora & Flair in Mt. Adams (1PM-5PM)

    Address: Downtown Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky,

  • UC Health Ice Rink presented by Fifth Third Bank

    Fountain District

    A decades-old Cincinnati tradition formerly housed at Fountain Square, the UC Health Ice Rink presented by Fifth Third Bank, has officially relocated to Elm Street Plaza for the 2025-2026 rink season. The outdoor ice rink will take over Elm Street Plaza from November 22 to February 16. Daily hours are subject to change; please visit the Facebook Page for daily updates! QUICK FACTS:

    • Ice Rink admission + skate rental is $12/person; Children 5 and under are free with a paid adult.
    • Children under 55 inches must be accompanied by an adult while on the ice.
    • Admission and skate rentals end one hour before the rink closes.
    • Hours are subject to change due to weather or special events.
    • View our calendar of events for details about special events.

    Address: Elm Street Plaza , Cincinnati OH 45202

  • The Shillito’s Elves

    Fountain District Central Business District

    The Shillito's Elves | Nov. 27, 2025 - Jan. 4, 2026

    One of Cincinnati’s most beloved traditions is back! The Shillito’s Elves have returned for another year of holiday magic. This year, the decades-old Elves have set up shop at Carew Tower in the heart of the Fountain District. The Shillito’s Elves made their debut in the 1950s in the windows at Shillito’s, Cincinnati’s first department store. They are a collection of mechanized figures that depict various Christmas scenes, including Santa’s workshop. They’ve been a classic Cincinnati holiday tradition going back 70 years, bringing joy to those who make the pilgrimage Downtown to see their spritely, festive scenes.

    Location

    The Elves’ location at Carew Tower places them at the center of downtown's holiday festivities on Fifth Street. Guests can park once and enjoy the Elves, Fountain Square's newly announced Winterhaus, and the UC Health Ice Rink, presented by Fifth Third Bank, opening soon on Elm Street Plaza. Downtown residents and visitors can see the Elves on display at Carew Tower from Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, to Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Though they can be seen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, they will be animated at the following times*:
    • Monday – Thursday | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m
    • Friday – Sunday | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    *hours subject to change, check back for the latest hours! Special thanks to Merus and Decal Impressions for making the elves possible this year! Thank you to Victrix and our partners at Carew Tower for providing the spaces for the elves.

    Address: 25 W 5th Street, Cincinnati OH 45202

  • Holiday Pops

    Over-the-Rhine

    December 12-14, 2025 | Music Hall

    There's nothing quite as magical as the Pops during the holiday season, when family memories are created anew at festive, sold-out performances of Holiday Pops! This December, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Cody Fry will join JMR, the Pops, choruses and dancers from around the city to bring your holiday favorites to life.

    Address: Music Hall , Cincinnati OH 45202

  • Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens

    The Banks The West End

    Cheer on the Bengals as they play the Baltimore Ravens in Paycor Stadium. Paycor Stadium, known as The Jungle, is located along the riverfront in downtown Cincinnati and is one of the best places to watch a football game. No tickets? No problem! Catch the game on the big screen at one of the many watch parties downtown at places like: Fountain Square, Vintage on Race, Taglio, The Pitch, Memories Lounge, and and more!

    Address: Paycor Headquarters, Cincinnati Oh 45202

  • Elf the Musical JR

    Over-the-Rhine

    December 5-7, 13-14, and 20-21 | Various Times  During the holiday season, TCT is bringing back one of the company’s most popular productions in its 105-year history with a show that is sweeter than maple syrup— the JR. (one-hour) version of Elf The Musical! Join Buddy the Elf on his hilarious journey from the North Pole to New York City in this heartwarming and hilarious holiday favorite.

    Address: The Children's Theatre , Cincinnati OH 45202

  • YMCA of Greater Cincinnati’s Downtown Dazzle

    Fountain District

    Nov 29th, Dec 6, Dec 13th, Dec 20th | 6PM-9PM The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati’s Downtown Dazzle is back to put a holiday twinkle in your eye! Join us in the heart of the Fountain District for one of the biggest highlights of the holiday season as Santa rappels from a Cincinnati Skyrise followed by a fabulous fireworks show. NEW this year–kids of all ages are up for Elf Certification as we search for Santa! Join in the scavenger hunt fun, meet and grab photos with Santa and Buddy the Elf, decorate some holiday ornaments and cookies, enjoy some maple syrup spaghetti, and more! IMPORTANT NOTE: Winterhaus is 21+, minors are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Please be prepared to show your ID at the door! The Timeline: 5 – 5:45p | Ornament & Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus 6 – 7p | Scavenger Hunt for Santa & Elf Certification 7p | Santa Rappelling followed by Fireworks Show 7:15p | Photos with Santa & Buddy the Elf

    Address: Fountain Square, Cincinnati OH 45219

  • Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center

    The West End

    November 14, 2025 to January 5, 2026 The Duke Energy Holiday Trains have been a Cincinnati holiday staple for decades, delighting generations since they first debuted downtown in 1946. Track-level views reveal intricate details of the display, where over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives steam past anxious passengers waiting to board while cars sit with snow to their hubcaps and the perfect trees strapped to their roofs. Holiday Junction features bursts of winter whimsy that greet you as soon as you enter the door. The Northern Lights display serves as the perfect backdrop for family photos as wispy green lights dance behind you and snow-rimmed trees surround you. The history of the Duke Energy Holiday Trains is also told through an interactive storybook filled with photos of the iconic trains over the decades. The Holiday Scavenger Hunt features hidden objects in the garden railway layout begging you to walk around, peel your eyes and scour every detail tucked away in the snowy hills. Returning once again is Brickopolis, a blizzard of LEGO bricks crafted into fantastical scenes. The whimsical display is another seek and find treat surrounding a stunning LEGO metropolis complete with running trains, active seashores and hijinks by the local residents. Of course, no holiday is complete without a visit to Santa. Santa makes his grand arrival on Friday, November 28. You can visit the jolly elf by his fireplace in the Ruthven Gallery. Also returning this year is the OMNIMAX® film Rocky Mountain Express, where you can immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies aboard a historic steam locomotive.

    Address: Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati OH 45202

  • Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt

    The Banks

    Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt | Various Dates
    Next to the Moerlein Lager House on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn and Stage in Smale Riverfront Park adjacent to The Banks will be an all-ages German-American Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt.
    This magical holiday-themed Christmas festival will feature food, beverages, merchandise, holiday lights, choral, themed character visits, an Igloo boardwalk, and musical entertainment, with a European, yet Cincinnati Holiday theme.

    Address: The Banks, Cincinnati OH 45202

  • Queen City Clay Holiday Pop-Up

    Over-the-Rhine

    November 6- December 31 Surprise! Queen City Clay will be popping up in Over-the-Rhine this holiday season! Be sure to join us on November 6th for the opening reception, 6PM-8PM. This pop up gallery will host 25 artists with work available for purchase, November 6th-December 31st. And what's better than handmade this it season? Come check out! Where: 1326 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Duration: November 6- December 31 Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11AM-6PM

    Address: 1326 Vine Street , Cincinnati OH 45202

  • Final Friday at Pendleton Art Center

    Pendleton

    May 30th, 2025 | 5PM-9PM With over 200 artists, PAC is the world’s largest collection of artists under one roof. Open to the public during Final Friday, check out pendletonartcenter.com/events for dates and times. The Pendleton Art Center is open to the public every month on the last Friday (Final Friday) from 5-9 pm. Individual artists are also available by appointment at their discretion. The building has an attendant, elevator operator from 9:00 am til 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Some artists and shops have business hours: Check the individual shops for their hours and availability.

    Address: Pendelton Art Gallery, Cincinnati 45202

SWIPE

Choose a Downtown District

Our walkable, compact downtown is made up of several districts, brimming with character. What are you in the mood for? Start planning for a refreshing afternoon or evening. You’ll be supporting one of the hundreds of unique small businesses our Downtown has to offer.

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