Guide to Cincinnati Christmas Events and Holiday Festivals

Cincinnati, Ohio kicks off the holiday season with the longtime tradition of lighting a tree on Fountain Square. Historic Cincinnati landmarks boast Christmas events such as Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo or a holiday themed flower show at Eden Park's Krohn Conservatory. Diverse, fun holiday activities and events cater to all ages throughout November and December in the Cincinnati tri-state area.

The over 100 year old tradition of lighting a holiday tree in Cincinnati carries on in 2007 with Light Up the Square at Fountain Square. Light Up the Square is a free event presented by Cincinnati based Procter and Gamble on Friday November 23, 2007. The newly renovated Fountain Square is still located on Fifth and Vine Streets. The holiday festivities begin at 5pm and include skating shows on the new ice skating rink and musical performances, followed by the Light Up events from 6:30 to 7pm. Cincinnati's traditional holiday event on Thanksgiving Friday is capped off by a display of Rozzi fireworks.

Festival of Lights is another popular holiday tradition at a Cincinnati landmark, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden located at 3400 Vine Street. The 25th annual Festival of Lights is sponsored by PNC Bank. The historic zoo's holiday festival showcases 2.5 million lights and over 100 lighted holiday displays. Holiday activities include holiday food and entertainment, train rides, reindeer Christmas carolers, children's activities and more. Festival of Lights is free with Zoo admission. The holiday event runs nightly between 5pm to 9pm from November 16, 2007 through New Year's Day.

Eden Park in the picturesque Mount Adams neighborhood boasts yet another Cincinnati historic landmark, a beautiful glass enclosed garden, the Krohn Conservatory. Let it Snow is the Krohn Conservatory's holiday themed flower show running from November 17, 2007 through January 1, 2008. The Krohn Conservatory is open year round from 10am to 5pm daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is free and donations are appreciated.