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It’s the most wonderful time of the year — and Ohio knows it. Situated between the great cities of Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati and surrounded by numerous, festive towns, we are the best location to experience all Ohio has to offer this holiday season. We have put together an extensive guide filled with Christmas events happening in our area this year. Enjoy this special time of year as you create memories with your family and friends!

Wilmington, OH Holiday Events

Event: HomeTown HolliDazzle Parade

Date: November 25th

The Holidazzle festival starts at 3pm with a variety of family friendly activities including visits with Santa and the Grinch, train rides, live music and food vendors. The parade kicks off at 7pm. What a fantastic way to start your holiday season!

Event: Brunch with Santa

Date: December 16th

Join Ralph’s American Grill, 123 Gano Rd. Wilmington OH, 45177, for brunch with Santa!

Activities include:

  • Live Santa
  • Photos with Santa available for purchase
  • Letter to Santa Station
  • Cookie Decorating Station
  • Indoor Snowball Fight
  • Coloring Station

Price, time, menu and ticket information coming soon. Learn more here

Event: The Murphy Theatre 

Date: Friday, December 15 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 16 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 PM

The Murphy Theatre presents: All That Holiday Stuff, directed by Timothy Larrick.
Tickets are $15 for adults,
$8 for children 12 and under, seniors 65+, and veterans with ID.

Event: Cookies with the Claus

Date: December 14th

Bring the kids and visit and get pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, have some hot cocoa, a free cookie, write letters to Santa, and grab dinner from Road House Grill food truck! This event is free, but you must have a free ticket to attend! 6pm – 8pm

Event: Ralph’s New Years Eve Party

Date: December 31st

Ralph’s Garage exclusive ticketed event – Ralph’s New Years Eve Party!

Get ready for a night of exclusive excitement at Ralph’s Garage! Save the date for their ticketed event – an unforgettable evening filled with:

  • Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
  • Champagne to toast to the night
  • Beats by a fantastic DJ

Time: 9 pm to 1 am

Tickets available soon on Squarespace

Price: $99 per person

Tickets will be available for purchase soon.

Columbus, OH Holiday Events

Event: Wildlights at the Zoo 

Date: November 17th – January 7th

Experience the Columbus Zoo like never before! The Holiday season comes alive with millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, Santa, reindeer and other holiday festivities that can only be found at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Event: The Nutcracker 

Date: December 7th – December 23rd

BalletMet’s production of The Nutcracker is returning to the Ohio Theatre for the holiday season – and if you hurry, there’s still time to score amazing tickets for any performance!  The Nutcracker Columbus production is an absolute delight for theater fans of all ages, who love it for its whimsy, its charm, and its palpable Christmas magic.

Cincinnati, OH Holiday Events  

Event: Light Up The Square 

Date: November 24th 

Kick off the holiday season with Cincinnati’s annual tree lighting celebration! Festivities begin at 6pm. The evening will feature live music, a special appearance by Santa Claus and a dazzling fireworks display. 

Event: Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Date: December 14th – 22nd

Dressing up and seeing the Nutcracker is like living out a childhood Christmas fantasy, and Cincinnati offers this opportunity every year thanks to their incredibly gifted ballet. Due to the venue’s recent renovation, Music Hall, the performance is guaranteed to be more unforgettable than ever. 

Event: Fountain Square Ice Rink 

Date: November 4th – February 19th

Fountain Square will be the only rink in the Tri-State to offer Bumper Cars on Ice this fall and winter. They will operate alongside ice skating seven days a week. Reservations can be made via the link above. They will have a limited number of “walk up” time slots available as well.

Event: Celestial Holiday

Date: November 11th – January 7th 

Krohn Conservatory will be a sight to behold this holiday season as it is transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. A great place to visit with the whole family.

Event: Coney Island

Date: November 10th – December 31st 

Coney Island’s Nights of Lights is the region’s largest and best drive-through holiday light spectacular! You and your family will stay warm and dry as you experience more than 2 million lights, all moving perfectly in sync with festive and fun holiday music.

Visitors of all ages and mobilities will be awed by larger-than-life Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes, fantastic tunnels of lights, and more!

Event: PNC Festival of Lights

Date: November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024

The Cincinnati Zoo will still be shining bright as we’re once again transformed into a “Wild Wonderland” for the 41st annual PNC Festival of Lights!  Come early for more animals and stay for the lights!

In addition to admiring the beauty of 4 million LED lights, visitors can find the 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in a blacklight puppet show,  marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, or snack at one of two S’mores-n-More stands.

Dayton, OH Holiday Events

Event: Grand Illumination 

Date: November 24th 

Watch the holidays light up during Dayton’s traditional tree lighting on November 25th. At 7:55 p.m., they’ll throw on the switch and approximately 50,000 gold lights will brighten the two-story-tall tree on Courthouse Square in honor of the festival’s 50th anniversary!

Event: A Carillon Christma

Date: November 21st – December 30th 

Carillon Historical Park in Dayton features a winter wonderland of lights, train rides, slides and other attractions during A Carillon Christmas. With more than 15 miles of dazzling lights, Christmas themed activities and caroling, it’s one of the best places in Ohio to spend the holiday season. 

Events: Breakfast with Santa 

Date: December 17th

Don’t miss Santa’s annual visit to the Market for a tasty buffet breakfast prepared by some of the 2nd Street Market vendors. Afterwards, listen to Santa read a special holiday story then take a few minutes to take a photo and tell him your holiday wish! All ages are welcome. *Pre-registration is required to attend this event. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Event tickets are $10 per person. Two different breakfast times will be available.

Lebanon, OH Holiday Events

Event: Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival

Date: December 2nd

The Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival in historic downtown Lebanon. The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The parades are at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Clifton Hill, OH Holiday Events

Event: The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill

Date: November 24th – December 25th

For 35 years Clifton Mill has celebrated the Christmas season in a very special way. Our light display, featured in Midwest Living and Ohio Magazine, is one of the country’s finest with over 4 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges. There is even a 100 foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights.

Mason, Ohio Holiday Events

Event: Winterfest at Kings Island 

Date: November 24th – December 31st

This year, Kings Island is proud to present WinterFest. WinterFest is praised for its breathtaking lighting displays and enjoyable ice skating on the fountain.

Event: Yuletide Village: Season of Lights 

Date: November 24th – December 16th 

Renaissance Park in Warren County Ohio offers a warm glow Fridays & Saturdays from November 25 to December 17. The village beckons you to take in light shows, enjoy hot food & drinks while you wander through our Yuletide Market.

About Roberts Centre

Roberts Centre is home to the region's largest convention center, a luxurious Holiday Inn hotel, and Ralph's American Grill. The flexibility of our space, combined with our location between three major cities in Ohio, makes us the perfect venue for weddings, banquets, meetings, pet shows, and other special events.

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