It’s the holidays and there are so many fun, local things to do. Enjoy a festival, tree-lighting ceremony, or holiday parade. We have listed over 100 things to do in December throughout Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; and Southeastern Indiana.

Events are in order by date. Many events are running throughout the month. Scroll down to see events only happening in December.

Redsfest
Through December 1, 2018
Duke Energy Convention Center at 525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Meet current and former Reds’ players, purchase memorabilia and lot of games

Christmas in the Village
Through December 2, 2018
Waynesville, Ohio
Enjoy German food, beer and Christmas items.

Twelfth Night
Through December 2, 2018
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company at 1195 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Twists and turns in this Shakespearean play

Woodland Lights at Countryside Park
Through December 2, 2018 (Weekends)
December 7–23, 2018 (Nightly)
Washington Township, Ohio
Walk through a half-mile wonderland of Christmas lights.

Christmas Tree Festival
Through December 2, 2018
Lima, Ohio
See almost 100 Christmas trees decked out for the holiday!

MVBT presents The Nutcracker
Through December 9, 2018 (various dates)
Fairfield Community Arts Center at 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, Ohio
Enjoy this classic holiday ballet!

Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Through December 16, 2018 (various dates)
Town Hall Theatre at 27 North Main Street, Centerville, Ohio
A family holiday musical!

Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride 
Through December 16, 2018
Know Theatre of Cincinnati at 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
A  play set in the Victorian era with double crosses

A Christmas Story
Through December 23, 2018
Covedale Center for the Performing Arts at 4990 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out! A classic live performance!

Cincinnati King
Through December 23, 2018
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park at 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy hearing and learning about the history of King Records

The Christmas Ranch
Through December 23, 2018
Morrow, Ohio
One million holiday lights that are synced to music.

Light Up Middletown
Through December 23, 2018
500 Tytus Avenue at Smith Park in Middletown, Ohio
Drive-through light display!

Festival of Trees
Through December 24, 2018
123 Mill Street in Madison, Indiana
More than 100 trees are decorated for viewing!

A Christmas Carol
Through December 29, 2018
926 Mount Adams Circle at Playhouse in the Park in Cincinnati, Ohio
Bah! Humbug!

North Pole Express
Through December 29, 2018 (various days)
Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad at 127 S. Mechanic Street, Lebanon, Ohio
Santa will visit the kids on the train ride.

Alice in Wonderland
Through December 30, 2018
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati at 1127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Watch the tea party and Queen of Hearts – and Alice!

A Carillon Christmas
Through December 30, 2018
1000 Carillon Boulevard in Dayton, Ohio
Thousands of lights, live music and more!

ChristmasTime at the Ark
Through December 30, 2018
Art Encounter at Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, Kentucky
Projection show and other activities

Christmas Town
Through December 30, 2018
Creation Museum at 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, Kentucky
Live nativity and light display

LM&M Railroad North Pole Express
Through December 30, 2018 (various dates)
127 S. Mechanic St. at the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad in Lebanon, Ohio
Nine-mile round-trip train ride with Santa and cocoa

Victorian Christmas
Through December 30, 2018 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day)
Hillforest Victorian House Museum at 213 Fifth Street in Aurora, Indiana
Step back into time and see Christmas as it was celebrated years ago.

Winterfest
Through December 30, 2018
Kings Island in Mason, Ohio
Nine winter wonderlands featuring holiday lights, ice skating, rides and seasonal costumed characters

Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
Through December 31, 2018
Clifton Mill at 75 Water Street in Clifton, Ohio
3.5 million Christmas lights throughout the mill, riverbanks and bridges

Holiday Lights at Sharon Woods
Through December 31, 2018
Route 42 Sharon Woods in Sharonville, Ohio (Cincinnati)
Outdoor Christmas lights display to enjoy while driving through Sharon Woods

Water Wonderland with Scuba Santa
Through December 31, 2018
1 Aquarium Way at Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky
Visit underwater Santa!

Whispering Christmas
Through December 31, 2018
Fort St. Clair Park at 135 Camden Road, Eaton, Ohio
Drive-thru lights display with 2 million lights

White Christmas
Through December 31, 2018
La Comedia Dinner Theatre at 765 W. Central Avenue in Springboro, Ohio
Enjoy dinner and live theater with Christmas carols and more!

Christmas Night of Lights
Through  January 1, 2019
Coney Island at 6201 Kellogg Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio
Two-mile car ride through Cincinnati displays and light shows

Holiday Lights on the Hill
Through January 1, 2019
1763 Ohio 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Road) at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton, Ohio
Two-mile round trip drive-through light display

PNC Festival of Lights
Through January 1, 2019
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden at 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy a winter wonderland of 3 million LED lights

Antique Christmas
Through to January 6, 2019
316 Pike Street at the Taft Museum of Art in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
See antique ornaments and toys at this festive display.

A Crystal Holiday at Krohn Conservatory
November 10, 2018 – January 6, 2019
Krohn Conservatory at 1501 Eden Park Drive in Cincinnati, Ohio
Replicas of famous Cincinnati landmarks, trains, evergreens, poinsettias and more!

Holiday Junction Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains
Through January 6, 2019
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal at 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio
9,000sf of trains with displays of Cincinnati from the 1900s – 1930s

Holiday Toy Trains – Holiday Traditions @BCM
Through January 13, 2019
Behringer-Crawford Museum at 1600 Montague Road in Covington, Kentucky
Enjoy all of the choo choos!

Riverscape Ice Skating
Through February 28, 2018
Downtown Dayton, Ohio
Outdoor ice rank at Riverscape MetroPark.

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Christmas Parade
December 1, 2018
Harrison, Ohio
Parade starts at the Harrison Community Center. Tree lighting event, too!

Christmas Saengerfest
December 1, 2018
Over-the-Rhine
Award-winning choirs will be singing plus enjoy food and drink from various Over-the-Rhine establishments

Chris Thomlin Christmas
December 1, 2018
Taft Theater at 217 E. Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Listen to this Grammy award winner!

Cold Spring Christmas Festival
December 1, 2018
Municipal Park, Cold Spring, Kentucky

Crafty Supermarket Holiday Craft Show
December 1, 2018
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio
100+ vendors will be selling their goods

Dayton Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis
December 1, 2018
Bellbrook Middle School at 3600 Feedwire Road, Bellbrook, Ohio
Enjoy running and jingling in your costume!

Hillforest Holiday Open House
December 1, 2018
Hillforest Mansion at 213 Fifth Street, Aurora, Indiana
Holiday exhibit and open house refreshments

Holiday Art Extravaganza
December 1, 2018
Alexandria Brewing Company at 7926 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, Kentucky
Local artists will be displaying their goods!

Holiday in the City
December 1, 2018
City Plaza at Fountain Avenue and High Street, Springfield, Ohio
Santa Land, activities for the kids, bands, food trucks

Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival
December 1, 2018
Downtown Lebanon at Mulberry Street, Lebanon, Ohio
100+ horse-drawn carriages plus a street fair

Light Up Fairfield
December 1, 2018
Community Arts Center and Village Green Park, Fairfield, Ohio
Visit Santa, enjoy live performances, festival of the trees and activities for the kids

Macy’s Downtown Dazzle
December 1 and 8, 2018
Downtown Cincinnati
See Santa rappel down Huntington Bank Center, fire works and free rides on the Cincinnati Bell Connector.

The Moonlight & Mistletoe Festival
December 1, 2018
The Franklin Township Campus at 418 Fairview Drive, Carlisle, Ohio
A holiday festival

Moores Hill Carnegie Hall Winter Luminaria Walk
December 1, 2018
14687 Main Street, Moores Hill, Indiana
Crafts for kids, light of the tree in the park, visits from Santa, caroling and luminaries

Oxford Holiday Festival
December 1, 2018
Uptown Oxford Community Arts Center and Uptown Parks
Santa arrives via fire truck! Free horse-carriage rides, craft fair, live entertainment and more!

Our Hometown Christmas
December 1, 2018
Downtown Dillsboro, Indiana
Lighting the town’s old-fashioned lights, breakfast with Santa, food bizaare and more

A Rosewood Holiday Arts Festival 
December 1, 2018
Rosewood Arts Center at 2655 Olson Drive, Kettering, Ohio
Handmade items available for purchase. Instructor demonstrations.

Christmas at the Mansion
December 1, 2018
Elisha Morgan Mansion at 6181 Ross Road, Fairfield, Ohio
The 200-year-old home will be dressed for the holidays!

Olde West Chester Christmas Walk Parade and Community Tree Lighting
December 1, 2018
9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road at West Chester Township Hall in West Chester, Ohio
Enjoy the parade, community tree lighting ceremony.

The Littlest Angel
December 1, 2018
Dayton Metro Library at 215 e. Third Street, Dayton, Ohio
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will be performning.

Santa Paws
December 1, 2018
Kettering Recreation Complex at 2900 Glengarry Drive, Kettering, Ohio
Have your photo taken with your dog! Backdrop and props are provided.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
December 1, 2018
The Nutter Center at 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio
Enjoy the holiday music in a musical, light-filled way

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
December 1, 2018
Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio
Wear “that” sweater while pub crawling!

Holiday Market
December 1–2, 2018
Findlay Market at 1801 Race Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Artisan vendors will display items for sale

Frontier Christmas Festival
December 1-2, 2018
Old Washington in Maysville, Kentucky
Scenic 1780s pioneer village with seven museums; strolling costumed carolers; dulcimer, banjo and fiddle playing; the art of candle making and period craft demonstrations.

Ruffles and Rust Expo
December 1-2, 2018
Butler County Fairgrounds at 1715 Fairgrove Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio
Vintage items for sale as well as food and boutique items

Breakfast with Santa
December 1, 8 and 15, 2018
Lions Club at Second and Main Streets, Aurora, Indiana
Tell him if you have been naughty or nice

Centerville Tree Lighting
December 2, 2018
Benham’s Grove at 166 North Main Street, Centerville, Ohio
Start the holiday season with this annual tree-lighting ceremony. Santa will be there!

Fort Thomas Holiday Walk
December 2, 2018
Fort Thomas, Kentucky
17th Annual Home for the Holidays Walks

German Village Christmas Walk
December 2, 2018
German Village at North 2nd Street, Hamilton, Ohio
Horse-drawn carriage rides, large toy soldiers on display, strolling musicians and more!

Light Up Dayton, Kentucky
December 2, 2018
Old YMCA at 625 2nd Avenue, Dayton, Kentucky
Start the holiday season!

Vandalia Christmas Tree Lighting
December 2, 2018
Vandalia Rec Center at 1111 Stonequarry Road, Vandalia, Ohio
Santa will be there! Enjoy the tree lighting along with cookies and cocoa.

Bedtime Stories with Santa
December 3–4, 2018
Fairfield Community Arts Center at 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, Ohio
Visit Santa and bring your Christmas letter to send to the North Pole

Oregon Historic District Annual Candlelight Holiday Tour
December 3–5, 2018
Oregon Historic District, Dayton, Ohio
Tour six homes decorated for the holidays! Tour guides will be dressed in historic outfits.

Christmas Tree Light – Florence, Kentucky
December 4, 2018
Florence Community Plaza in Florence, Kentucky
Enjoy seeing the tree light up! 6-8pm

Sounds of the Season
December 4, 2018
Charles Lathrem Senior Center at 2900 Glengarry Drive, Kettering, Ohio
Enjoy a holiday meal and music from the Kettering Civic Band; registration required

An Old Kentucky Christmas
December 6–8, 2018
First Church of Christ at 6080 Camp Ernst Rd., Burlington, Kentucky
Step back into time…

Arrival of St. Nicholas
December 6, 2018
MainStrasse in Covington, Kentucky
Enjoy seeing St. Nick bring in the holiday season

Twilight Christmas Parade 
December 6, 2018
East Second Street and Bridge Street, Maysville, Kentucky
Enjoy floats, marching bands and Santa!

Birthday Variations
December 6–9, 2018
Patricia Corbett Theatre, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati Conservatory of Dance choreography presents this 1986 ballet

The Nutcracker
December 6–9, 2018
18 W. Central Parkway at the School for Creative Performing Arts in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
A holiday tradition!

Merry Middletown Elf Fest
December 7, 2018
Downtown Middletown, Ohio
Wear your elf hats and be prepared to get jolly! Help decorate the tree, listen to carolers, have your photo taken with Santa and more

Twilight Christmas Parade
December 7, 2018
East Second Street and Bridge Street, Maysville, Kentucky
The streets of Maysville will be transformed into magic for the holidays! Floats, marching banks and Santa!

Minumental
Through December 7, 2018
Art Academy of Cincinnati at 1212 Jackson, Cincinnati, Ohio
Original works of art no larger than 2″x2″

First Friday / Second Look at Pendleton Art Center – Middletown
December 7–8, 2018
1105 Central Avenue, Middletown, Ohio 45042
Artists will be available to show off their talents, food, music and more!

Hometown Holiday with Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
December 7–8, 2018 
The Schuster Center at 1 W. 2nd Street, Dayton, Ohio
Enjoy music of the holiday season

Monster Jam at WSU Nutter Center
December 7–8, 2018
Wright State University Nutter Center at 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio
Big trucks doing big things!

The Nutcracker – Dayton
December 7–8, 2018
Dayton Convention Center at 22 East Fifth Street, Dayton, Ohio
Enjoy the performance by the South Dayton Dance Theatre

Holiday Pops
December 7–9, 2018
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy your holiday favorites with singers and dancers performing with the Cincinnati Pops

Home Decorating Contest – Edgewood, Kentucky
December 7–9, 2018
Edgewood, Kentucky
Turn your lights on if you live in Edgewood! (Luminary night is December 9, 2018)

The Nutcracker
December 7–9, 2018
School for Creative & Performing Arts at 108 W. Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio
A Christmas classic!

Holiday Display and Ornament Decorating
December 7–9, 2018
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum at 118 Woodland Avenue, Dayton, Ohio
Decorate an ornament and place it on the Remembrance Trees

Cincinnati SantaCon
December 8, 2018
Starts at Jack Casino, downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Dress up as Santa and walk/run!

Christmas in the Village
December 8, 2018
Mechanicsburg, Ohio
Enjoy the holiday season!

Jingle Bell Run
December 8, 2018
Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Covington, Kentucky
Dress in your holiday gear as your walk/jog/run!

Light Up Wyoming
December 8, 2018
Wyoming, Ohio (Cincinnati)
Enjoy viewing the luminaries throughout the City of Wyoming!

Miamisburg Community Holiday Event & Parade
December 8, 2018
Downtown Miamisburg. Enjoy a parade with over 60 floats, visit Santa and take a carriage ride through downtown Miamisburg

Noel – Christmas Musical
December 8, 2018
Victoria Theatre at 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio
A live version of the tale about Noel who is starring in the school holiday play. Suddenly her mother disappears.

Oakwood Historical Society Holiday Home Tour
December 8, 2018
Oakwood Historical Society at 1947 Far Hills Avenue, Oakwood, Ohio
Enjoy viewing some Oakwood homes all dressed up for the holidays!

Reindog Parade
December 8, 2018
Mt. Adams, Cincinnati, Ohio
An annual event! See pooches dressed up for the season!

10th Annual White Christmas Parade
December 8, 2018
Augusta, Kentucky
In honor of hometown Rosemary Clooney, this parade is enjoyed by many

Train Rides at Carillon Park Railroad
December 8, 2018
Carillon Park at 1000 Carillon Boulevard, Dayton, Ohio
Take a ride on a miniature train!

Trotwood Christmas Tree Lighting
December 8, 2018
Trotwood Government Center courtyard at 3035 Olive Road, Trotwood, Ohio
Bring in the holiday season!

4th Annual Mistletoe Magic Holiday Marketplace
December 8–9, 2018
Montgomery County Fairgrounds at 645 Infirmary Road, Dayton, Ohio
Find a treasure for holiday gift giving with 100+ vendors

Christkindlmarkt at Dayton Liederkranz Turner
December 8–9, 2018
Dayton Liedekranz Turner at 1400 E. Fifth Street, Dayton, Ohio
Experience Christmas German style with ornaments for sale, German cuisine, and German beer and wine

Santa Claus: The Musical
December 8–16, 2018
Taft Theatre at 317 E. Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Oh no – Santa wants to retire!

Annual Christmas Parade
December 9, 2018
Main Street (125), Amelia, Ohio

Light Up Cold Spring
December 9, 2018
Throughout Cold Spring, Kentucky
Enjoy the holiday lights!

Christmas in the Park – Luminary Night
December 9, 2018
Trolley Park in Park Hills, Kentucky
Lighted roads add to the holiday spirit!

Hollywood Series at the Air Force Museum Theatre
December 10, 2018
Air Force Museum Theatre at 1100 Spaatz Street, Dayton, Ohio
Enjoy a favorite film on a very large (six-story tall) screen

Rent
December 11–23, 2018
Aronoff Center for the Arts at 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
A rock Broadway musical!

Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker
December 13–24, 2018
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
The Cincinnati Ballet will be presenting this holiday classic!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
December 14, 2018
U.S. Bank Arena at 100 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy holiday music in a multi-sensory way!

Miracle on 34th Street
December 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2018
Middletown Lyric Theatre at 1530 Central Avenue, Middletown, Ohio
A Live Musical Radio Play

Americana Christmas
December 14–16, 2018
The Loft Theatre at 126 N. Main Street, Dayton, Ohio
A cabaret using Norman Rockwell images for inspiration

The Nutcracker by the Dayton Ballet
December 14–21, 2018 (various dates)
The Schuster Center at 1 W. 2nd Street, Dayton, Ohio
A holiday tradition to enjoy with the Sugarplum Fairy and more!

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)
December 14–30, 2018
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company at 1195 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
An irreverent portrayal of some holiday classics

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
December 15, 2018
Clark State Performing Arts Center at 300 South Fountain Avenue, Springfield, Ohio
Enjoy this holiday classic!

Groovin’ with Santa
December 15, 2018
Loveland Stage Company at 111 S. 2nd Street (Route 48), Loveland, Ohio
Santa meets disco!

Christmas in Loveland
December 15, 2018
Historic downtown Loveland, Loveland, Ohio
Carriage rides, treats and Santa

Christmas in Mt. Healthy 
December 15, 2018
Mt. Healthy Business District at 7373 Hickman Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Shopping, crafts, music and food!

City Flea
December 15, 2018
Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio
Find a treasure here!

Holiday Concert at the National Museum of the US Air Force
December 15, 2018
Wright Patterson Air Force Base at 1100 Spaatz Street, Dayton, Ohio
Free performance by the Air Force Band of Flight

Weihnachtskonzert
December 15, 2018
Dayton Liederkranz Turner at 1400 E. Fifth Street, Dayton, Ohio
Enjoy your holiday favorite songs in German and English

Art on Vine at Rhinegeist
December 16, 2018
Rhinegeist Brewery at 1910 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy art and homemade goods from 70+ local artists

Breakfast with Santa
December 16, 2018
Voice of America MetroPark at 7850 VOA Park Dr., West Chester, Ohio
Buffet and a photo with Santa!

Sanctuary Series – Chamber Ensemble: The Music of Christmas
December 16, 2018
230 E. High Street, Springfield, Ohio
Full Sound Chamber Group presents light holiday classics

Handel’s Messiah with The Dayton Philharmonic
December 19, 2018
Westminster Presbyterian Church at 125 N. Wilkinson Street, downtown Dayton, Ohio
Enjoy the choral holiday music

An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
December 21–23, 2018
Memorial Hall at 1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy listening to holiday music with this duo

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: In Concert
December 27–29, 2018
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
CIncinnati Pops are wizards at playing the music while you watch the movie!

Cirque du Soleil Crystal
December 27-30, 2018
U.S. Bank Arena in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Gymnasts and ice skaters performing along with circus acts

Happy Zoo Year
December 31, 2018
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden at 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Countdown the year and enjoy fireworks!

New Year’s Eve at Music Hall
December 31, 2018
Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy the Cincinnati Pops and say good bye to 2018

Perfect North Slopes New Year’s Eve Celebration
December 31, 2018
Perfect North Slopes at 19074 Perfect Lane, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Ski, snowboard or go tubing until midnight.