‘Tis the Season for fun in its twinkliest form! We’ve rounded up the brightest and jolliest local to-do’s to help make your season sparkle. Conveniently categorized by event type— Lights! (displays), Camera! (photo ops), and Action! (high-energy activities)— this list of boredom busters will help you head into holiday break with a plan in place. Have a favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Lights! 

Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion, 6-10pm, $9/person

Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island, open daily at sundown, $25/carload

The Christmas Ranch, open daily starting at 5pm, $22/carload

ChristmasTown at Creation Museum, 5-8:30pm, free admission, parking $15

Deck the Y’alls Lightfest at Thomas More Stadium, 5:30-9pm, pricing varies from $12-$25

Holiday in Lights at Armco Park, open 5:30-10pm on Friday and Saturday and 6-9pm Sunday-Thursday, $20/vehicle

Journey Borealis at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, open 6-9 Tuesday-Thursday and 6-10pm weekends, $25/carload

Light Up Middletown at Smith Park, open daily from 6-10pm, admission by donation

Light Up the Fair in Burlington, KY, open 5:30-9pm Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-10pm Friday and Saturday, $7/person and $25/carload

Light in the Forest at the Cincinnati Nature Center, open select dates from 5:30-9pm, $5-$12/person

*Neighborhood Christmas Lights Tour, varied TriState locations nightly. See website for details.

PNC Festival of Lights at The Cincinnati Zoo, opens at 10am, prices vary but begin at $9.50/child and $15.50/adult

Winterfest at Kings Island, 5-10 pm weekends only until the 19th and then open daily until the 24th, prices begin at $29.99/person

Camera!

Behringer Crawford Museum in Covington, open 10-5pm, $9 adults, $5 children 3 and up

Big Tree Plantation in Morrow, hours vary but generally 10-6pm, $7 for Winter Wonderland, or free to walk the grounds and visit the Gift Shop

Celestial Holiday at Krohn Conservatory, open 10-8 daily, adults $10, kids (5 and up) $7, kids (4 and under) free

*Crib of the Nativity at Krohn Conservatory, open 9am-9pm, free

*Doscher’s Candy Company in Newtown, 11-5 Tuesday-Friday, free to visit

EnterTRAINMent Junction in West Chester, open Monday through Sunday 10-6pm and Saturday-Sunday 12-6pm, varies, $12.95-$19.95

Holiday Junction at the Cincinnati Museum Center, open Thursday-Monday from 10-5pm, $10/person, Kids (under 2) are free

A MadCap Christmas Carol at Madcap Education Center, dates and ticket prices vary

The Nutcracker at Music Hall, dates and ticket prices vary

North Pole Express at the LM&M Railway, Wednesday-Friday from 10-4pm, tickets range from $5 (infants) to $50

The Polar Express at Whitewater Valley Rail Road, open on varying dates, $39/person

*REC The Halls at The Cincinnati Museum Center, open daily from 11-5, free admission

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at The Children’s Theater, dates and ticket prices vary

Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland at the Newport Aquarium, scheduling varies, kids’ admission starts at $14.99 and adults’ admission starts at $22.99

The Shillito’s Elves at Santa’s Workshop, Friday 2:30-7:30pm and 10-7:30pm Saturday & Sunday, $4/person

*UDF’s Santa’s Workshop in Washington Park, open weekends 11-4, free admission

Action!

Cyclones Hockey at Heritage Bank Arena, dates vary and pricing fluctuates, most games begin at 7pm

Fountain Square Ice Rink Downtown, activities range from $10-$15/person, children under 4 are free

Ice Rink at Summit Park, dates and times vary, $7/skater

Ice Skating at 50 West Brewery, hours of operation vary, $10/person and children under 4 skate free

Skiing and Snow Tubing at Perfect North, open daily 9:30-9:30pm, lift tickets are $62-$72, and tubing tickets are $30-$35

*Prices and dates are subject to change. We always recommend pre-purchasing tickets when possible and checking the official website before venturing out.